Updated 2024 Rankings: 10 Breakout Candidates
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We recently released our updated 2024 rankings. Who are some of the prospects we project will have breakout seasons as seniors in 2023? Andres Aguirre Andres Aguirre 5'11" | 180 lbs | RB Cleveland | 2024 State NM , Cleveland:…
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Continue ReadingWe recently released our updated 2024 rankings. Who are some of the prospects we project will have breakout seasons as seniors in 2023?
Andres Aguirre Andres Aguirre 5'11" | 180 lbs | RB Cleveland | 2024 State NM , Cleveland: Aguirre has our respect as we ranked him No. 6 overall in our updated 2024 rankings. But when you’re one star in a galaxy, sometimes you get overlooked. Aguirre was one of the top RBs in Albuquerque when he transferred to Cleveland last summer. But with Josh Perry Josh Perry 5'10" | 185 lbs | RB Cleveland | 2023 State NM there, Aguirre switched to the secondary and had a great season in 2022, earning 2nd team All-State honors. Will he switch back to RB in 2023?
Shawn Armijo Shawn Armijo 5'11" | 160 lbs | LB Bernalillo | 2024 State NM , Bernalillo: Armijo and Mason Espinda-McChriston Mason Espinda-McChriston 6'2" | 175 lbs | ATH Bernalillo | 2024 State NM combined for 73 receptions for nearly 1,000 yards in 2022. Both are back in 2023 to give the Spartans a nice pass catching combination. Armijo could double his output from last season (26 receptions for 280 yards). Armijo also had 79 tackles on defense. He’ll be an outstanding two-way player in 2023.
Josh Calhoon, Estancia: Calhoon was one of the Top 10 rushers in the state in 2022 as he carried for 1,360 yards on 203 carries. He was one of just six RB with 200+ carries. But because he plays for a 2A school, Calhoon doesn’t get a lot of love from the media. We’re here to fix that.
Nicolas Chavez Nicolas Chavez 5'9" | 150 lbs | RB Santa Rosa | 2024 State NM , Santa Rosa: Another 2A standout who deserves more attention. Chavez had more tackles than any other junior in the state last season, finishing with 144 tackles, 7.5 TFL and 2 INT in his first season with the Lions varsity. With a year of experience under his belt, Chavez could post some seriously staggering number sin 2023.
Eli Darnell Eli Darnell LB Manzano | 2024 State NM , Manzano: The Monarchs struggled in 2022 with a 1-9 record, meaning few people noticed Darnell had 105 tackles for the Monarchs. Our guess is more people will pay attention to Darnell in 2023.
Dalton Lee Dalton Lee 6'1" | 180 lbs | LB Albuquerque Academy | 2024 State NM , Albuquerque Academy: The 6-foot-1, 180-pound Lee has steadily become one of the top linebackers in the 2024 class. As a sophomore in 2021, he had 66 tackles, 7 TFL and 4 sacks. Last season he boosted those numbers to 79, 12 and 7. He added 10 QB hurries. Next season could see Lee challenge for the title of best 2024 LB in the state behind Cleveland’s Stratton Shufelt Stratton Shufelt 6'3" | 220 lbs | LB Cleveland | 2024 State NM .
Zaeden McPherson, Hobbs: The Eagles defense has been led by prolific LB Kenyon Singleton Kenyon Singleton 5'10" | 180 lbs | LB Hobbs | 2023 State NM for the past two seasons. Singleton is graduating, handing the leadership reins to McPherson, who had 113 tackles and 3 forced fumbles as a junior in 2022.
Brandon Olivas Brandon Olivas 5'10" | 160 lbs | QB Eldorado | 2024 State NM , Eldorado: The Eagles struggled to a 2-8 record in 2022 chiefly because the defense surrendered a boatload of points. Yet Olivas had a good season individually, throwing for 1,647 yards and 20 TD while completing 56 percent of his passes. Olivas and RB John Paul Ludi John Paul Ludi 5'10" | 160 lbs | RB Eldorado | 2024 State NM form a solid offensive backfield duo.
Logan Sandoval Logan Sandoval 5'11" | WR Ruidoso | 2024 State NM , Ruidoso: Another Warriors player who had an outstanding year in 2022, Sandoval had 52 receptions for 945 yards and 12 TD on offense and 41 tackles on defense. Ruidoso had so many great players in 2022 that Sandoval was forgotten. He won’t be in 2023.
Tazhe Wilson Tazhe Wilson 5'8" | 160 lbs | RB Valley | 2024 State NM , Valley: The Vikings were one of the surprise teams in Class 5A last season, relying on a balanced rushing attack. Valley’s top two rushers are graduating, making Wilson the likely No. 1 RB in 2023. Wilson had almost 500 rushing yards and 6 TD on 80 carries last season.