Most Touchdowns in High School Football History

These high school football players scored more touchdowns than anyone.

High school football is like no other sport. Something about it captures the imagination in a way that’s unique to America and ubiquitous in all 50 states.

Communities around the country, small and large, celebrate high school football stars who achieve amazing things on the field. And no players are celebrated more than those who find their way into the end zone.

These high school football players scored the most career touchdowns in the history of every state.

Alabama: Terrance Wilkes — 160 Touchdowns

Wadley High’s Terrance Wilkes was murdered just a few weeks after his final high school game. ahsaaradio / Twitter

High school: Wadley High School

Location: Wadley, Alabama

Years: 2003-06

Position: Running back

Bottom Line: Terrance Wilkes

Terrance Wilkes is Alabama’s state career leading rusher with almost 10,000 yards. WadleyAthletics / Twitter

Terrance Wilkes was one of the greatest running backs in Alabama history. He finished his career at Wadley High with 9,688 rushing yards and 160 touchdowns.

Wilkes capped his career with 2,022 rushing yards and 35 touchdowns his senior season but was tragically murdered just weeks after his final game.

Note: Official state record books were the source for touchdown numbers. For states that don’t keep all-time records, state athletic associations and various experts and media members in those states helped us identify career leaders.

Alaska: Perry Monzulla — 65 Touchdowns

Perry Monzula led North Pole High School to a state championship in 2004. Al Grillo / AP Photo

High school: North Pole High School

Location: North Pole, Alaska

Years: 2003-04

Position: Running back

Bottom Line: Perry Monzulla

Perry Monzulla, right, still holds the state career rushing record in Alaska almost 20 years after his career ended. adndotcom / Twitter

There really is a North Pole High, and there really is a town called North Pole, Alaska — just outside of Fairbanks.

It was there that running back Perry Monzulla put together arguably the greatest single season in school history, rushing for 2,860 yards and 44 touchdowns as the Patriots went unbeaten and won a state title in 2004.

Monzulla’s touchdown record isn’t official since Alaska doesn’t keep all-time records.

Arizona: Casey Jahn — 112 Touchdowns

Casey Jahn was a two-time All-Big Sky selection at Northern Arizona University. Patrick Rooks / AP Photo

High school: Northwest Christian School

Location: Phoenix, Arizona

Years: 2008-11

Position: Running back

Bottom Line: Casey Jahn

Casey Jahn went on to star at Northern Arizona. Patrick Record / AP Photo

Casey Jahn was the first high school player in Arizona history to rush for over 7,000 yards in a career.

He helped lead Northwest Christian to two state titles and played collegiately for Northern Arizona University, where he was a two-time All-Big Sky Conference selection in 2014 and 2015.

Arkansas: Cedric Houston — 97 Touchdowns

Clarendon High star Cedric Houston played two seasons in the NFL. Chris O’Meara / AP Photo

High school: Clarendon High School

Location: Clarendon, Arkansas

Years: 1997-2000

Position: Running back

Bottom Line: Cedric Houston

Cedric Houston played for the University of Tennessee then in the NFL. Mary Ann Chastain / AP Photo

Cedric Houston’s Arkansas career touchdown record still stands 20 years after he graduated from Clarendon High in 2020.

Houston had several standout seasons for the University of Tennessee and played two NFL seasons after being picked by the New York Jets in the sixth round of the 2005 NFL draft.

California: Lorenzo Booker — 137 Touchdowns

St. Bonaventure Academy’s Lorenzo Boooker played for Florida State before being taken in the sixth round of the 2007 NFL draft. Saint Bonaventure High School / Facebook

High school: St. Bonaventure High School

Located: Ventura, California

Years: 1999-2001

Position: Running back

Bottom Line: Lorenzo Booker

Lorenzo Booker turned his back on colleges in his home state of California to play for Florida State. Brandon Goodman / AP Photo

Lorenzo Booker was the No. 1 high school running back in the nation coming out of St. Bonaventure High, where he set California state high school records with 8,502 yards and 137 touchdowns.

Booker played for Florida State, was a third-round pick in the 2007 NFL draft and played five seasons in the NFL.

Colorado: Christian McCaffrey — 141 Touchdowns

Christian McCaffrey is the son of former NFL wide receiver Ed McCaffrey. Barry Gutierrez / AP Photo

High school: Valor Christian High School

Location: Highlands Ranch, Colorado

Years: 2010-13

Position: Running back

Bottom Line: Christian McCaffrey

Stanford’s Christian McCaffrey was named AP College Player of the Year in 2015. Timothy J. Gonzales / AP Photo

Christian McCaffrey was one of the top recruits in the country coming out of Valor Christian High, where he rewrote the Colorado state record books.

At Stanford, he was an AP All-American and the AP College Football Player of the Year in 2015.

In his first three seasons with the Carolina Panthers, McCaffrey was named to the NFL All-Pro Team twice.

Connecticut: Arkeel Newsome — 187 Touchdowns

Ansonia High’s Arkeel Newsome stayed in-state to play for UConn. Ansonia Derby Classic Football / Facebook

High school: Ansonia High School

Location: Ansonia, Connecticut

Years: 2010-13

Position: Running back

Bottom Line: Akeel Newsome

Arkeel Newsome only scored eight career touchdowns at UConn. Stephen Dunn / AP Photo

Arkeel Newsome set the Connecticut state record with 10,672 career rushing yards.

Along with the career record for touchdowns, he also owns the single-season record with 68 touchdowns.

Newsome stayed in-state to play for UConn, where he rushed for 1,956 yards and scored eight touchdowns in four seasons.

Delaware: Will Knight — 119 Touchdowns

jonahrestuccio / Twitter

High school: Smyrna High School

Location: Smyrna, Delaware

Years: 2015-17

Position: Running back

Bottom Line: Will Knight

Will Knight led Smyrna High to three consecutive state titles. delawareonline / Twitter

Will Knight led Smyrna High to three consecutive state championships and was named Delaware’s Gatorade Player of the Year as a senior.

Knight started his college career at Old Dominion but transferred to the University of Delaware, where he was a Freshman All-American and All-CAA as a freshman in 2019.

Florida: Derrick Henry — 153 Touchdowns

Yulee High’s Derrick Henry won the Heisman Trophy in 2015 and was named an NFL All-Pro in 2019. ShawnTheDon8 / Twitter

High school: Yulee High School

Location: Yulee, Florida

Years: 2009-12

Position: Running back

Bottom Line: Derrick Henry

Derrick Henry won the Heisman Trophy at the University of Alabama in 2015. Eric Gay / AP Photo

Every football fan knows who Derrick Henry is now after winning the Heisman Trophy at Alabama and becoming an NFL superstar for the Tennessee Titans, but his career got its footing at tiny Yulee High.

In 2012, Henry broke Sugar Land (Texas) High School running back Ken Hall’s national career rushing record — Henry ran for 4,261 yards as a senior and 12,124 yards for his career.

He also reportedly could bench almost 400 pounds and squat 550 pounds by his final year of high school at 16-17 years old.

Georgia: Washaun Ealey — 133 Touchdowns

Emanuel County Institute’s Washaun Ealey led the University of Georgia in rushing each of his first two seasons before being thrown off the team. Mark Humphrey / AP Photo

High school: Emanuel County Institute

Location: Twin City, Georgia

Years: 2005-09

Position: Running back

Bottom Line: Washaun Ealey

Washaun Ealy is Georgia’s high school career touchdown leader. Charles Smith / AP Photo

Over his final three high school seasons, Washaun Ealey ran wild for Emanuel County Institute and rewrote the Georgia high school football record books.

Ealey led the University of Georgia in rushing his first two college seasons before head coach Mark Rick kicked him off the team after a disturbing hit-and-run arrest.

Hawaii: Vavae Malepeai — 71 Touchdowns

Vavae Malepeai was named Hawaii’s Gatorade Player of the Year and USA Today Offensive Player of the Year in 2015. billyhull / Twitter

High school: Mililani High School

Location: Mililani, Hawaii

Years: 2013-15

Position: Running back

Bottom Line: Vavae Malepeai

Vavae Malepeai has rushed for over 1,200 yards in his career at USC. Alex Gallardo / AP Photo

At least among the Oahu schools, Vavae Malepeai is the career touchdowns leader after sweeping both the Gatorade Player of the Year and USA Today Offensive Player of the Year awards for Hawaii in 2015.

Through three seasons at USC and headed into 2020, Malepeai had made eight starts and rushed for 1,245 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Idaho: Keegan Duncan — 101 Touchdowns

Keegan Duncan led Declo High to an undefeated season and state title in 2018. swhooley27 / Twitter

High school: Declo High School

Location: Declo, Idaho

Years: 2015-18

Position: Running back

Bottom Line: Keegan Duncan

Keegan Duncan won three consecutive state titles at Declo High. mvalleysports / Twitter

Keegan Duncan led Declo High to an undefeated Class 2A state championship in 2018 and was named Idaho Gatorade Player of the Year and USA Today Idaho Offensive Player of the Year.

Duncan, a three-time All-State pick, went to Boise State out of high school, then transferred to Utah State after one season.

There is no official state record book for high school football in Idaho, but Duncan’s record is one of the ones we feel pretty confident about.

Illinois: James Robinson — 158 Touchdowns

Rockford Lutheran’s James Robinson made the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent in 2020. JamesStrattonTV / Twitter

High school: Rockford Lutheran Academy

Location: Rockford, Illinois

Years: 2012-15

Position: Running back

Bottom Line: James Robinson

James Robinson has been one of the few bright spots for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2020. Gary McCullough / AP Photo

James Robinson set Illinois state records with 9,045 career rushing yards and 158 touchdowns at Rockford Lutheran.

He was an FCS All-American and Walter Payton Award finalist at Illinois State, where he rushed for 1,899 yards and 18 touchdowns as a senior.

Robinson made the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent rookie in 2020.

Indiana: Charlie Spegal — 175 Touchdowns

Charlie Spegal set Indiana’s career rushing record as a senior at New Palestine High. Chs_DadsLunch / Twitter

High school: New Palestine High School

Location: New Palestine, Indiana

Years: 2016-19

Position: Running back

Bottom Line: Charlie Spegal

Charlie Spegal led New Palestine High to back-to-back state titles his junior and senior seasons. SWiltfong247 / Twitter

Charlie Spegal capped his career with back-to-back state championships and became one of just five players nationally to rush for over 10,000 yards and score over 1,000 points in their career.

Spegal chose to walk on at the University of Indiana, where the running backs coach is former Michigan star Mike Hart.

Iowa: Tyler Tonderum — 151 Touchdowns

Armstrong-Ringsted High’s Tyler Tonderum was a Harlon Hill Trophy finalist at NCAA Division II Southwest Minnesota State. NorthernSunCon / Twitter

High school: Armstrong-Ringsted High School

Location: Armstrong, Iowa

Years: 2006-09

Position: Running back

Bottom Line: Tyler Tonderum

Tyler Tonderum ran for over 2,000 yards in a single season in both high school and college. SW Minnesota State Athletics

Few eight-man players see their success on that level translate to college. Tyler Tonderum was one of those few.

He rushed for 2,314 yards as a senior at Armstrong-Ringsted High and rushed for 2,145 yards and 19 touchdowns as a junior at NCAA Division II Southwest Minnesota State on the way to becoming a Harlon Hill Trophy finalist.

Kansas: DeAngelo Evans — 131 Touchdowns

DeAngelo Evans was one of the most sought-after players in the country before he signed with Nebraska in 1996. AP Photo

High school: Wichita Collegiate School

Location: Wichita, Kansas

Years: 1992-95

Position: Running back

Bottom Line: DeAngelo Evans

DeAngelo Evans had an all-too-brief career at the University of Nebraska. AP Photo

DeAngelo Evans was one of the most coveted running backs in the nation for the Class of 1996 for a good reason — he set Kansas state records with 8,473 rushing yards and 131 touchdowns for Wichita Collegiate.

Evans picked the University of Nebraska, where he split time with future NFL star Ahman Green as a true freshman.

Injuries and a bad attitude forced Evans’ eventual transfer to NCAA Division II Emporia State after the 1998 season.

Kentucky: Dominique Hayden — 138 Touchdowns

Dominique Hayden was a two-time All-American at NCAA Division III Thomas More College. Thomas More College

High school: Lexington Christian Academy

Location: Lexington, Kentucky

Years: 2006-09

Position: Running back

Bottom Line: Dominique Hayden

Dominique Hayden scored 138 touchdowns at Lexington Christian Academy. Joe Imel / AP Photo

It’s a shame Dominique Hayden never got a chance to show his wares in big-time college football — probably because he was only 5-foot-8.

He made the most of his chance at NCAA Division III Thomas More University after setting state records at Lexington Christian Academy.

At Thomas More, Hayden was a two-time All-American, led the nation in rushing yards as a junior and rushing touchdowns as a senior.

Louisiana, Nick Brossette — 167 Touchdowns

University Lab High’s Nick Brossette, running with ball, stayed in-state to play for LSU before making the leap to the NFL. MaxPreps / YouTube

High school: University Laboratory School

Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Years: 2010-14

Position: Running back

Bottom Line: Nick Brossette

Nick Brossette started one season at LSU. Rick Scuteri / AP Photo

Nick Brossette’s career, in high school and college, is a study in weird.

First, he started as an eighth grader and played five seasons of varsity football at University Lab High, which is allowed in Louisiana.

At LSU, he spent his first three seasons as a backup to future NFL stars Leonard Fournette and Derrius Guice before finally becoming the full-time starter in 2018, one year before the Tigers went undefeated and won a national title.

Maine: Brett Gerry — 70 Touchdowns

Gerry scored a lot of points for Marshwood. ioannaraptis / Twitter

High school: Marshwood High School

Location: South Berwick, Maine

Years: 2012-14

Position: Running back

Bottom Line: Brett Gerry

Brett Gerry played college football at Maine Maritime Academy. ioannaraptis / Twitter

Statistical records in Maine haven’t become very accurate until the last decade or so, so until we get an official word on the state’s career touchdown leader we’re going with running back Brett Gerry from powerhouse Marshwood High in South Berwick.

Gerry went on to play college football for NCAA Division III Maine Maritime Academy.

Maryland: Tavon Austin — 123 Touchdowns

Dunbar High’s Tavon Austin was the No. 8 overall pick in the 2013 NFL draft. Gail Burton / AP Photo

High school: Dunbar High School (Baltimore, Maryland)

Years: 2005-08

Position: Running back

Bottom Line: Tavon Austin

Tavon Austin was a two-time All-American at West Virginia University. Michael Switzer / AP Photo

Tavon Austin won two consecutive state titles at Dunbar High School and was a two-time Maryland Player of the Year, bulking up his touchdown totals with his skill returning punts.

Austin was a two-time All-American and the Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Year in 2012 for West Virginia.

He then was the No. 8 overall pick in the NFL draft by the St. Louis Rams in 2013.

Massachusetts: Cedric Washington — 95 Touchdowns

Boston College star Cedric Washington was an in-state recruit from Holyoke High. AP Photo

High school: Holyoke High School

Location: Holyoke, Massachusetts

Years: 1992-95

Position: Running back

Bottom Line: Cedric Washington

Cedric Washington led Boston College with 1,122 rushing yards in 1999. AP Photo

Cedric Washington broke an 83-year-old record when he scored 257 points as a senior at Holyoke High in 1995.

Washington, also the state’s career rushing leader at 6,688 yards, went on to have a standout career for Boston College, and rushed for 1,122 yards as a junior in 1999.

The Boston Globe does a great job tracking high school football records, but the state association doesn’t keep track of official career stats.

Michigan: Kevin Grady Jr. — 151 Touchdowns

Kevin Grady Jr.’s college career at the University of Michigan was impacted by injuries and off-field issues. Paul Warner / AP Photo

High school: East Grand Rapids High School (Grand Rapids, Michigan)

Years: 2001-04

Position: Running back

Bottom Line: Kevin Grady Jr.

Kevin Grady Jr. led East Grand Rapids High to back-to-back state titles. Paul Warner / AP Photo

Kevin Grady Jr. set Michigan state records for career rushing yards, career touchdowns, career points, career rushing attempts and consecutive games with at least 100 rushing yards while leading East Grand Rapids High to back-to-back state titles.

Grady’s career at the University of Michigan started strong but was waylaid by injuries and a drunken driving arrest where his blood-alcohol content was measured at .281 — almost four times the legal limit.

Minnesota: Niko Anderson — 112 Touchdowns

Niko Anderson was also a state champion wrestler at Lanesboro High. Lanesboro High School

High school: Lanesboro High School

Location: Lanesboro, Minnesota

Years: 2010-13

Position: Running back

Bottom Line: Niko Anderson

Niko Anderson scored 112 touchdowns at Lanesboro High. St. Thomas Athletics

Niko Anderson finished his career as Minnesota’s career leader in rushing touchdowns and touchdowns, but is one of the few players on this list who didn’t play college football.

In wrestling, Anderson was state runner-up as a junior and state champion as a senior at Lanesboro High and went on to wrestle for Augsburg College.

Mississippi: Jason McNair — 120 Touchdowns

Jason McNair went to the same high school as his uncle, 2003 NFL Most Valuable Player Steve McNair. Jason McNair / Facebook

High school: Mount Olive High School

Location: Mount Olive, Mississippi

Years: 2004-07

Position: Running back

Bottom Line: Jason McNair

Jason McNair had a standout college career at Tennessee-Martin. University of Tennessee-Martin Athletics

Jason McNair, the nephew of late NFL quarterback Steve McNair, rushed for 7,871 career yards and was a four-time All-State selection for Mount Olive High, where his uncle also starred.

Jason McNair went on to star for the University of Tennessee-Martin, where he was an All-Ohio Valley Conference pick.

Missouri: Kellen Overstreet — 168 Touchdowns

Kellen Overstreet ran for 4,259 yards and scored 70 touchdowns his senior season at Penney High. Jeff Roberson / AP Photo

High school: Penney High School

Location: Hamilton, Missouri

Years: 2011-14

Position: Running back

Bottom Line: Kellen Overstreet

Kellen Overstreet played for the University of Wyoming. dwatsonsports / Twitter

Kellen Overstreet put together one of the greatest seasons for a high school football player of all time as a senior at Penney High.

His 4,259 rushing yards and 70 touchdowns are both top-five single-season totals nationwide.

Overstreet was named a Parade All-American and signed with Wyoming.

Montana: Luke May — 115 Touchdowns

Luke May led White High to its first state title in 35 years in 2015. missoulian / Twitter

High school: Whitefish High School

Location: Whitefish, Montana

Years: 2012-15

Position: Quarterback

Bottom Line: Luke May

Luke May played college football for Montana State University. Montana State University

Luke May led Whitefish High to its first state championship in 35 years in 2015, racking up 256 yards of total offense and intercepting two passes in the championship game.

Football wasn’t even his best sport in high school. He was a three-time state champion in javelin and threw for the University of Minnesota as a freshman before transferring to play football for Montana State.

Nebraska: Cory Eikmeier — 156 Touchdowns

Cory Elkmeier led Howells High to three consecutive state titles. NFHS

High school: Dodge High School

Location: Howells, Nebraska

Years: 1993-96

Position: Running back

Bottom Line: Cory Eikmeier

Cory Eikmeier set the Nebraska state career rushing record. Huskerland Preps

Cory Eikmeier played eight-man football and still holds the Nebraska all-class rushing record with 8,330 yards.

Eikmeier led Dodge High to three consecutive state titles to close out his career, played college football at the University of Nebraska-Omaha and was inducted into Nebraska’s Eight-Man Football Hall of Fame in 2019.

Nevada: D’Angelo Jones — 88 Touchdowns

D’Angelo Jones played collegiately for UNLV but never recorded any stats. Rivals

High school: Foothill High School

Location: Henderson, Nevada

Years: 2003-06

Position: Running back

Bottom Line: D’Angelo Jones

D’Angelo Jones set the Nevada state record for career touchdowns at Foothill High School. Foothill High School / YouTube

D’Angelo Jones had a great career at Foothill High and put up big numbers.

But he played in the shadow of another Las Vegas-area running back who a higher recruiting profile (without as good a numbers as Jones) — Bishop Gorman star and future NFL running back Demarco Murray.

Jones played at a junior college for one year, then transferred to UNLV, although he never recorded any stats for the Runnin’ Rebels.

New Hampshire: Sean Jellison —103 Touchdowns

Sean Jellison played his college ball at the University of New Hampshire after starring at Souhegan. Lee Marriner / AP Photo

High school: Souhegan High School

Location: Amherst, New Hampshire

Years: 2002-05

Position: Running back

Bottom Line: Sean Jellison

Sean Jellison went on to star at the University of New Hampshire. Josh Gibney / AP Photo

Sean Jellison also holds the New Hampshire single-season record with 41 touchdowns during his junior season, although there is no official record book for career statistics in the state.

He was the New Hampshire Gatorade State Player of the Year in 2005 and went on to play for the University of New Hampshire, where he was among the Colonial Athletic Association leaders in touchdowns his last two seasons.

New Jersey: Joe Martinek — 80 Touchdowns

Hopatcong High star Joe Martinek played for the New York Giants and Carolina Panthers. joemartinek.com

High school: Hopatcong High School

Location: Hopatcong, New Jersey

Years: 2003-06

Position: Running back

Bottom Line: Joe Martinek

Joe Martinek was a special teams star with Rutgers. Mel Evans / AP Photo

Joe Martinek was the Gatorade Player of the Year in New Jersey when he rushed for over 2,000 yards and finished his career as the state’s career leading rusher with 7,589 yards.

Martinek became a special teams standout at Rutgers and in the NFL, where he played for the New York Giants and Carolina Panthers.

New Mexico: David McGee — 131 Touchdowns

David McGee once ran for 475 yards and eight touchdowns in a single game for Laguna-Acoma High School. Sunnie R. Clahchischiligi / Navajo Times

High school: Laguna-Acoma High School

Location: Casa Blanca, New Mexico

Years: 2011-14

Position: Running back

Bottom Line: David McGee

David McGee played in college for NCAA Division II New Mexico Highlands. cjsal13 / Twitter

David McGee probably has the most amazing backstory on this list. He grew up in a New Mexican pueblo established in 1699 where the residents still speak the ancient Western Keresan language.

McGee was a prep star unlike the area had ever seen, rushing for a career record 7,170 yards.

He signed with in-state New Mexico Highlands, an NCAA Division II program.

New York: Michael Hart — 204 Touchdowns

Onondaga High’s Mike Hart became the career leading rusher for the University of Michigan. camo5x / Twitter

High school: Onondaga High School

Location: Nedrow, New York

Years: 2000-03

Position: Running back

Bottom Line: Michael Hart

Michael Hart set the career rushing record at the University of Michigan. Duane Burleson / AP Photo

Mike Hart led Onondaga to three state championships and set the national career record for touchdowns, which was broken eight years later by Aledo High’s Johnathan Gray.

Hart set the career rushing record at the University of Michigan, was a three-time All-Big Ten pick and played three seasons in the NFL.

North Carolina: T.A. McLendon — 178 Touchdowns

T.A. McLendon was one of the nation’s best running backs as a freshman at North Carolina State. NFHS

High school: Albemarle High School

Location: Albemarle, North Carolina

Years: 1998-2001

Position: Running back

Bottom Line: T.A. McLendon

North Carolina State’s T.A. McLendon led the team in rushing as a freshman. Scott Audette / AP Photo

In his final game for Albemarle High, T.A. McLendon scored seven touchdowns in the Class 1A state championship game and set the national career record for touchdowns.

McLendon was one of the best running backs in the nation as a freshman at North Carolina State, when he set the school’s single-season record with 18 touchdowns and was named ACC Rookie of the Year.

North Dakota: James Johanneson — 81 Touchdowns

Fargo South High’s James Johannesson played two seasons for the University of Minnesota before transferring to North Dakota. MixMaster_TGM / Twitter

High school: Fargo South High School

Location: Fargo, North Dakota

Years: 2011-14

Position: Running back

Bottom Line: James Johanneson

James Johanneson played his final two seasons at the University of North Dakota. University of North Dakota Athletics

James Johanneson finished his high school career with 6,158 rushing yards, including a record 2,671 rushing yards and 31 touchdowns his junior year, when Fargo South won the state championship.

Johanneson played two years for the University of Minnesota before transferring to play for the University of North Dakota his final two seasons.

Johannesson’s career record is listed in several newspapers in the state that have attempted to keep official records, but the state association itself does not recognize any of those records as official.

Ohio: Hubert Bobo — 123 Touchdowns

Hubert Bobo played on Ohio State’s 1954 national championship team. TAdelsberg / Twitter

High school: Chauncey-Dover High School

Location: The Plains, Ohio

Years: 1949-52

Position: Running back

Bottom Line: Hubert Bobo

Hubert Bobo, far left, takes instructions from Ohio State head coach Woody Hayes. Julian C. Wilson / AP Photo

Hubert Bobo starred at Chauncey-Dover High, then was in the backfield alongside Howard “Hopalong” Cassidy on Ohio State’s undefeated 1954 national championship team.

Bobo switched to linebacker in the professional ranks, playing one season in the Canadian Football League for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats before playing three seasons in the NFL for the Los Angeles Chargers and New York Titans.

Oklahoma: Reggie Skinner — 156 touchdowns

Reggie Skinner finished his career at White Oak High with the national eight-man football record for touchdowns before playing for the University of Oklahoma. AP Photo

High school: White Oak High School

Location: Vinita, Oklahoma

Years: 1991-94

Position: Running back

Bottom Line: Reggie Skinner

Reggie Skinner had an up-and-down career for the University of Oklahoma. AP Photo

Reggie Skinner was a heralded eight-man running back out of White Oak High who rushed for over 8,800 yards and set the national eight-man record with 156 touchdowns.

Skinner played for Northeastern Oklahoma A&M, then the University of Oklahoma, but off-field issues, including a string of arrests, kept him from fulfilling his potential.

Oregon: Cory McCaffrey — 115 Touchdowns

Sister High School’s Cory McCaffrey became a star at Portland State when he moved positions from wide receiver to running back before his junior season. Dean Hendrickson / AP Photo

High school: Sisters High School

Location: Sisters, Oregon

Years: 2002-05

Position: Running back

Bottom Line: Cory McCaffrey

Cory McCaffrey won Gatorade Player of the Year as a senior at Sister High School. Michael Albans / AP Photo

Cory McCaffrey put together the greatest high school career for a running back in Oregon history, racking up a state record 8,460 career rushing yards in just three seasons.

He saved the best for last as a senior, rushing for 2,925 yards and 46 touchdowns on the way to being named Oregon’s Gatorade Player of the Year.

Portland State (no surprise here if you know anything about PSU) played McCaffrey at slot receiver for his first two seasons before moving him to running back. And, of course, he was one of the best in the nation from the jump.

Pennsylvania: Gaige Garcia — 159 Touchdowns

Gaige Garcia also had over 1,000 career receiving yards in high school. goblackknights / Twitter

High school: Southern Columbia Area High School

Location: Catawissa, Pennsylvania

Years: 2016-19

Position: Running back

Bottom Line: Gaige Garcia

Gaige Garcia signed to play football and wrestle for the University of Michigan. SoCoTigerSports / Twitter

No player on this list saw their bottom line of touchdowns benefit more from their pass-catching ability than Southern Columbia Area High’s Gaige Garcia, who racked up an additional 17 touchdowns on 63 receptions for 1,027 yards in his career.

Garcia was also a two-time state wrestling champion and plays both sports at the University of Michigan.

Rhode Island: Lorenzo Perry — 85 Touchdowns

Lorenzo Perry, right, was Rhode Island’s Gatorade Player of the Year in 2002. Lorenzo Perry / Facebook

High school: La Salle Academy

Location: Providence, Rhode Island

Years: 2000-02

Position: Running back

Bottom Line: Lorenzo Perry

Lorenzo Perry was a star at Bryant University. Bryant University Athletics

Lorenzo Perry capped his career by being named Rhode Island’s Gatorade Player of the Year in 2002 and was a four-time All-State selection.

Perry went on to have a standout career at in-state Bryant University, where he rushed for a school-record 1,335 yards as a junior in 2005.

Perry’s record isn’t official, yet, because Rhode Island’s state athletic association doesn’t track career records.

South Carolina: Shuler Bentley — 178 Touchdowns

Shuler Bentley was a two-time South Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year. Garry Jones / AP Photo

High school: Byrnes High School

Location: Duncan, South Carolina

Years: 2010-13

Position: Quarterback

Bottom Line: Shuler Bentley

Shuler Bentley began his college career at Old Dominion. Jason Hirschfield / AP Photo

Gatorade Player of the Year Awards are pretty tough to come by — Byrnes High’s Shuler Bentley won it twice in South Carolina.

Bentley, the son of University of South Carolina tight ends coach Bobby Bentley, played his first three seasons at Old Dominion before he transferred to Murray State and was named to the OVC All-Newcomer Team in 2017.

South Dakota: Seth Walter — 79 Touchdowns

Seth Walter won four consecutive state titles at Freeman High School. AP Photo

High school: Freeman High School

Location: Freeman, South Dakota

Years: 1997-2000

Position: Running back

Bottom Line: Seth Walter

Seth Walter went from Freeman High to Augustana College. AP Photo

Seth Walter was one of the few players that we included on the list who didn’t play 11-man football. He was a nine-man football star at Freeman High School and helped the team win four consecutive state titles.

Walter’s time at Freeman included a 46-game winning streak, and he played college football at Augustana College for three years, then played his final seasons at the University of Sioux Falls.

Tennessee: Cade Ballard — 183 Touchdowns

Greeneville High’s Cade Ballard made his first start at quarterback for Army in 2020. ballardc4747 / Twitter

High school: Greeneville High School

Location: Greeneville, Tennessee

Years: 2015-18

Position: Quarterback

Bottom Line: Cade Ballard

Cade Ballard, right, made his first start for Army in 2020. Darren Abate / AP Photo

Cade Ballard led Greeneville High to back-to-back Class 4A titles in 2017 and 2018 and was named Tennessee’s Mr. Football both years.

Ballard is only 5-foot-9, but he’s 205 pounds and an explosive, do-it-all athlete.

He made his first start for Army on Oct. 17 against Texas-San Antonio, then threw his first college touchdown pass one week later against Mercer.

Texas: Johnathan Gray — 211 Touchdowns

Aledo High’s Johnathan Gray battled injuries throughout his college career at the University of Texas. Jack Plunkett / AP Photo

High school: Aledo High School

Location: Aledo, Texas

Years: 2008-11

Position: Running back

Bottom Line: Johnathan Gray

Johnathan Gray tore his Achilles tendon twice in four seasons at the University of Texas. Michael Thomas / AP Photo

Johnathan Gray is one of the most celebrated high school football players to ever come out of the state of Texas, which is saying quite a bit.

Gray rushed for 10,881 yards to go with his national record 211 touchdowns at Aledo High, capping off his career by winning a state title and being named Gatorade National Player of the Year.

Gray’s college career at the University of Texas was snakebit. He tore his Achilles tendon twice in four years and never got much of a shot in the NFL.

Utah: Austin Kafentzis — 100 Touchdowns

Austin Kafentzis originally signed with the University of Wisconsin but ended up playing for BYU. desnewssports / Twitter

High school: Jordan High School

Location: Sandy, Utah

Years: 2011-14

Position: Quarterback

Bottom Line: Austin Kafentzis

Austin Kafentzis played defensive back for BYU. Eugene Tamler / AP Photo

Austin Kafentzis is in the discussion when it comes to the greatest high school football players in Utah history.

He’s the only four-time, unanimous All-State pick in state history and a two-time Utah Gatorade Player of the Year in 2012 and 2014.

Kafentzis originally signed with the University of Wisconsin but eventually transferred to BYU and spent three seasons on defensive side of ball.

Vermont: Carson Leary — 80 Touchdowns

Carson Leary set Vermont’s single-season rushing record with 2,484 yards in 2015. CMGSportsVT / Twitter

High school: Otter Valley High School

Location: Brandon, Vermont

Years: 2012-15

Position: Running back

Bottom Line: Carson Leary

Carson Leary, right, changed positions several times at the University of New Hampshire. UNH Athletics

Carson Leary’s career totals of 4,267 career rushing yards and 80 touchdowns are a bit deceiving. Stats aren’t available from his first two seasons so those numbers are probably higher in reality.

Leary was at his best as a senior in 2015, setting the state single-season record with 2,484 rushing yards. Somehow, Leary never got a real shot at playing running back at the University of New Hampshire, where he bounced between linebacker, defensive and tight end.

Leary’s touchdown record isn’t official as Vermont doesn’t keep career high school football records.

Virginia: Cedric Peerman — 113 Touchdowns

William Campbell High star Cedric Peerman played nine seasons in the NFL and was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2015. Phelan M. Ebenhack / AP Photo

High school: William Campbell High School

Location: Naruna, Virginia

Years: 2000-03

Position: Running back

Bottom Line: Cedric Peerman

Cedric Peerman starred at the University of Virginia. Andrew Shurtleff / AP Photo

Bottom line: Cedric Peerman switched positions from wide receiver to running back midway through his sophomore season at William Campbell High and took off like a rocket, becoming Virginia’s career leading rusher.

Peerman carved out a nine-year career in the NFL as a special teams standout and was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2015.

Washington: Matt Hadley — 124 Touchdowns

Matt Hadley led Connell High to two Class 1A state championships. John Froschauer / AP Photo

High school: Connell High School

Location: Connell, Washington

Years: 2008-11

Position: Running back

Bottom Line: Matt Hadley

Matt Hadley played college football for BYU. Steve Conner / AP Photo

Matt Hadley was a two-time Class 1A Player of the Year and led Connell High to two state titles.

He had his best statistical seasons as a junior in 2010, running for 2,516 yards and scoring 50 touchdowns.

Hadley lettered in all four years he played for BYU and started games on both sides of the ball in his career.

West Virginia: Josh Culbertson — 118 Touchdowns

Josh Culbertson won the Kennedy Award in 2002 as West Virginia’s best high school football player. Jeff Gentner / AP Photo

High school: Nitro High School

Location: Nitro, West Virginia

Years: 2002-05

Position: Running back

Bottom Line: Josh Culbertson

Josh Culbertson led Nitro High School to a state runner-up finish in 2005. Jeff Gentner / AP Photo

Josh Culbertson won the prestigious Kennedy Award given to West Virginia’s top high school football player in 2005 after leading Nitro High to a state runner-up finish.

Culbertson went on to play for West Virginia Tech but suffered a major knee injury halfway through his career that cut down his production drastically.

Wisconsin: Luke Hagel — 112 Touchdowns

Luke Hagel was a two-sport star in college at NCAA Division III Ripon College. RiponRedHawks / Twitter

High school: Random Lake High School

Location: Random Lake, Wisconsin

Years: 1995-98

Position: Running back

Bottom line: Luke Hagel was the AP High School Football Player of the Year in Wisconsin in 1998 after he set state records for career rushing yards and scoring.

Hagel was a two-sport star at NCAA Division III Ripon College, where he was an All-Conference player in baseball and football.

Hagel was inducted into the Ripon College Athletics Hall of Fame in 2014.

Bottom Line: Luke Hagel

Luke Hagel also starred in baseball at Ripon College. RiponRedHawks / Twitter

Luke Hagel was the AP High School Football Player of the Year in Wisconsin in 1998 after he set state records for career rushing yards and scoring.

Hagel was a two-sport star at NCAA Division III Ripon College, where he was an All-Conference player in baseball and football.

Hagel was inducted into the Ripon College Athletics Hall of Fame in 2014.

Wyoming: Jordan Roberts — 70 Touchdowns

Jordan Roberts was the Wyoming Super 25 Player of the Year in 2012. AP Photo

High school: Sheridan High School

Location: Sheridan, Wyoming

Years: 2009-11

Position: Running back

Bottom Line: Jordan Roberts

Jordan Roberts closed his career at NCAA Division III St. Thomas. Hannah Foslien / AP Photo

Jordan Roberts led Sheridan High to a state championship as a senior and swept the state’s major individual awards — Wyoming Gatorade Player of the Year and Wyoming Super 25 Player of the Year.

Roberts went on to have a decent career as a role player for the University of South Dakota, then transferred to St. Thomas for his final season and was named NCAA Division III Offensive Player of the Year.

While Wyoming does keep single-season and career records for passing, rushing and receiving yardage, there isn’t a consensus record book for touchdowns.