schools
Ready to roll: Valley’s top returning running backs for 2026
By MyRGV.com (The Monitor) - All News
· July 16, 2026
· 8 min read
EDWARD SEVERN | STAFF WRITER
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story continues our position-by-position look at the top returning high school football players in the Rio Grande Valley. Follow the series in the coming weeks as we count down to the release of our annual Top 30 players list in August.
The 2026 hi...
Key takeaway Follow the series in the coming weeks as we count down to the release of our annual Top 30 players list in August.
Why this matters in The McAllen
The upcoming high school football season is generating excitement in the Rio Grande Valley, with several talented running backs returning to the field. For McAllen residents, the performance of these players will be particularly noteworthy, as they compete against local teams in District 16-5A DII. Sharyland High's Kevin Alaniz, who had a breakout season as a junior, will be under pressure to deliver a strong performance, especially given the departures of key players from Mission Veterans, Sharyland High, Sharyland Pioneer, and Roma. Meanwhile, Harlingen South's Kaden Edwards will look to build on his impressive finish to the 2025 season, which saw him rush for over half of his total yards in the final four games. As the season kicks off, Valley fans will be watching to see how these players and their teams navigate the challenges of their respective districts, and which teams will emerge as contenders for the top spots.
About this story
Original reporting by MyRGV.com (The Monitor) - All News . The McAllen surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit MyRGV.com (The Monitor) - All News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: schools ·
Published: July 16, 2026 ·
Source: MyRGV.com (The Monitor) - All News ·
Reading time: 8 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? EDWARD SEVERN | STAFF WRITER
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story continues our position-by-position look at the top returning high school football players in the Rio Grande Valley. Follow the series in the coming weeks as we count down to the release of our annual Top 30 players list in August.
The 2026 hi...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 16, 2026 by MyRGV.com (The Monitor) - All News and curated for The McAllen readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by MyRGV.com (The Monitor) - All News. To learn more about how The McAllen selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more schools coverage from The McAllen, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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