Is JJ Gulat the Best Running Back in NC?

Is Dixon’s JJ Gulat the Best Running Back in North Carolina?

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Every week, Dixon senior running back JJ Gulat keeps giving the state more reason to believe the answer might be yes.

The Bulldogs’ star is now the No. 1 rusher in North Carolina with 1,419 yards, and his production ranks seventh nationally, according to MaxPreps. His numbers continue to stand out in every metric, and they’ve made him not just a name in Onslow County but across the state.

Two weeks ago, Gulat delivered his biggest statement yet, rushing for 371 yards on 30 carries with 5 touchdowns in a 67-51 shootout loss to West Carteret. Even in defeat, his dominance was undeniable — averaging more than 12 yards per carry and scoring on runs that kept Dixon in a back-and-forth battle.

Now Dixon sits at 4-1 following last week’s bye, with a chance to regroup as they prepare for a home matchup against 2-4 Swansboro. The Bulldogs are chasing their first playoff berth under head coach Kelly Davis, and Gulat’s historic start has put them firmly in contention.

His journey is one built on consistency. As a junior, Gulat rushed for 1,754 yards and 15 touchdowns. This year, he’s already closing in on that mark just five games into the season. The 5-foot-11, 185-pound senior is averaging nearly 284 yards per game and more than 9 yards per carry, numbers that put him on pace for well over 2,800 yards if he maintains his workload.

Confidence has never been an issue. “I say I’m the best running back in the state,” Gulat said earlier this season. “Hands down, I feel like a lot of people would agree. Being at this position, you definitely have to have that confidence if you’re gonna apply it.”

What separates him is more than speed and strength. His 600-pound squat, 660-pound deadlift, and 275-pound bench show off the work he’s done in the weight room with strength coach Bobby Williams. “First of all, I have one of the best O-lines. I can’t do anything without them,” Gulat said. “Another big reason is my coaches getting me right in the weight room. Being hard to bring down is a really useful factor.”

From a third-string back to the state’s leader, Gulat’s rise has been relentless. His confidence, durability, and numbers are now forcing the question across prep football circles:

Is JJ Gulat not just the state’s leading rusher — but the best running back in North Carolina?

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Career Stats Snapshot

• Junior Year (2024): 247 carries, 1,754 yards, 15 TDs (7.1 YPR)
• Senior Year (2025, through 5 games): 120 carries, 1,419 yards, 16 TDs (11.8 YPR)

Full Q&A with JJ Gulat
*interview taking after week 4 when the team was 4-0

Q: What were your goals coming into the season?
A: “I always kinda just wanna be better than I was last season. Mainly just coming in winning games actually this season and just being better than last year.”

Q: How do you feel like Dixon is doing so far?
A: “We’re definitely doing a lot better. I mean not many people can say they’ve seen Dixon doing good, so it’s definitely a great feeling.”

Q: How tough was that first win over Topsail?
A: “A lot of it came down to the second half of us kind of slowing down, which was a us thing. But going into halftime we were up 20–0. It was more team mistakes, but stuff that we work on throughout the season to become a playoff team.”

Q: Did you expect to start 4-0?
A: “I wouldn’t say really expect, but I’m always going to go into every game thinking we’re gonna win.”

Q: Did you see signs in the summer that this could be a special season?
A: “Yeah, everybody on the team is just working hard. It’s a lot different than last year. Everybody’s more of a family this year than it was last year and everybody wants to work together to win. That plays a big role in all of it.”

Q: How much do you embrace being a leader?
A: “Yeah, I am. I take pride in it. I always wanna help my teammates be the best versions of themselves, whether it’s going in on scout team or whatever I have to do.”

Q: Did 1,700 yards last year shock you?
A: “Going into the season being third string our first game, it’s definitely not what I expected. But I had a breakout game and it just kind of went on from there.”

Q: What makes you special as a back?
A: “First of all, I have one of the best O-lines. I can’t do anything without them. Another big reason is my coaches getting me right in the weight room. I’m squatting 600, doing reverse lunges with 315. Being hard to bring down is a really useful factor.”

Q: Who is your strength coach and how has the weight room changed?
A: “Coach Bobby Williams. My freshman year we didn’t have the same coaches. It was kind of sloppy in the weight room, not doing certain lifts and kind of just hanging out. But now with the coaches we have today, we’re doing week-by-week workouts that are set. Every week we’re getting stronger. Being a small school like Dixon, you don’t have all the best athletes, but our strength and speed is really what makes up for it.”

Q: How is recruiting going?
A: “It’s going pretty good I’d say. Interest here and there but no offers.”

Q: Do you feel like you’re the best running back in the state?
A: “I say I’m the best running back in the state. There’s certain people in certain situations that they can’t help, but hands down I feel, and a lot of people would agree, that I’m the best running back for sure. Being at this position, you definitely have to have that confidence if you’re gonna apply it.”

Q: Do you model your game after anyone?
A: “Not really. I just wanna be myself. I go into every game, pray before every game, and just try to be the best version of myself.”

Q: What are your measurables in the weight room?
A: “Last time I ran a 40 it was a 4.7 at a camp. I squat 600, deadlift 660, and bench 275.”

Q: Which lift is your favorite?
A: “Definitely squat. I love benching and deadlift, but squats have always kind of been my thing.”

Q: How do you feel about the rest of the season going into conference play?
A: “We’re gonna keep our heads where we’re at right now. Our goal every week is to be 1-0 in conference, and from there we’ll just keep on going, keep practicing hard, keep lifting hard, and do everything it takes for us to win.”

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