Thomas Jefferson running back Aaron Oliva poses for a photo during practice at Thomas Jefferson High School in Dallas, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026.
Juan Figueroa/The Dallas Morning News
Bobby Estes knew in February he wanted to change Thomas Jefferson’s offensive scheme.
Coming off a 1-9 year, the head coach met with his staff and evaluated their returning players. With most of the offense graduating, Estes decided to put the ball in the hands of running back Aaron Oliva, a “tough kid” he thought had all the elements to be a workhorse.
Thomas Jefferson running back Aaron Oliva poses for a photo during practice at Thomas Jefferson High School in Dallas, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026.
Juan Figueroa/The Dallas Morning News
Thomas Jefferson running back Aaron Oliva runs with the ball during practice at Thomas Jefferson High School in Dallas, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026.
Juan Figueroa/The Dallas Morning News
Thomas Jefferson running back Aaron Oliva runs with the ball during practice at Thomas Jefferson High School in Dallas, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026.
Juan Figueroa/The Dallas Morning News
Thomas Jefferson running back Aaron Oliva runs with the ball during practice at Thomas Jefferson High School in Dallas, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026.
Juan Figueroa/The Dallas Morning News
Thomas Jefferson running back Aaron Oliva poses for a photo during practice at Thomas Jefferson High School in Dallas, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026.
Juan Figueroa/The Dallas Morning News
Thomas Jefferson running back Aaron Oliva poses for a photo during practice at Thomas Jefferson High School in Dallas, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026.
Juan Figueroa/The Dallas Morning News
Thomas Jefferson running back Aaron Oliva catches a ball for a photoshoot during practice at Thomas Jefferson High School in Dallas, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026.
Juan Figueroa/The Dallas Morning News
He was right. With three games left in the regular season, Thomas Jefferson (3-4, 2-3 in 5-5A Division II) is in the hunt for a playoff spot, largely thanks to Oliva. The undersized back leads all Dallas-area rushers with 1,340 yards, the most for the program since at least 2000, his coach said.
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“The question was how to best utilize his talent,” Estes said. “He’s a big, strong kid who works hard, so we decided to toss it back to him and put as many people blocking in the hole, and here we are. … When you have a kid that works hard, you gotta utilize your resources. He was our best resource.”
Coach Bobby Estes shares a laugh with Thomas Jefferson running back Aaron Oliva during practice at Thomas Jefferson High School in Dallas, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026.
Juan Figueroa/The Dallas Morning News
The 5-6, 175-pound Oliva has carried the ball 216 times and scored 13 touchdowns. His workload jumped significantly from last season, when he had just 236 rushing yards on 91 carries. In the two seasons before that, Oliva totaled 242 yards on 60 carries.
The senior admitted the increased production affected him at the start of this season, but summer workouts — particularly the weight room and conditioning — ultimately paid off, building the stamina and strength that made him harder to tackle.
“Back in my freshman year, it wasn’t looking anything like this,” Oliva said. “But I always had high expectations for myself, so I knew that one day I would have success. … It’s all about execution and discipline to really get into it. You gotta have a growing mind because you never know what you’re capable of. Just do everything harder, and that’s it.”
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With the help of Thomas Jefferson’s senior-led offensive line, Oliva is averaging 6.20 yards per carry. His best performance came in a 34-27 win over Molina, when he amassed 338 yards on 39 carries and scored four touchdowns.
Thomas Jefferson running back Aaron Oliva runs after completing a pass during practice at Thomas Jefferson High School in Dallas, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026.
Juan Figueroa/The Dallas Morning News
“All I do is keep working hard every day and every morning with the team,” Oliva said. “I really appreciate the linemen in front because I can’t do anything without them.”
Estes puts Oliva in some rare company among the all-time top 10 players he’s coached, including several who played in the NFL. Former Texas linebacker Sergio Kindle rushed for 5,627 yards under Estes at Woodrow Wilson in the early 2000s.
“Aaron’s definitely a college football player somewhere,” Estes said. “He’s just a hard-nosed high school football player.”
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Oliva hasn’t received any college offers, but he’s hopeful about the possibility.
“It’s what I’ve been wanting to do since I started in seventh grade,” he said. “I’ve been really working hard for it, and I’m prepared for what the next level is; if it’s a shot, it’s a shot. I’m waiting.”
In the meantime, he’s set his sights on hitting 2,000 rushing yards before the regular season ends, starting with Thomas Jefferson’s home game against Samuell on Friday night. He’s close — if he maintains his average over the first seven games, he’d reach 1,914.
“I don’t doubt anything this kid says he wants to do,” Estes said.
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