Position Breakdown: Top 2024 Quarterbacks for the 2023 season
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The quarterback position will be see plenty of changes in New Mexico in 2023. Most of the top QBs in the state during the 2022 season are graduating this spring, including Aidan Armenta Aidan Armenta 6'3" | 190 lbs |…
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Continue ReadingThe quarterback position will be see plenty of changes in New Mexico in 2023. Most of the top QBs in the state during the 2022 season are graduating this spring, including Aidan Armenta Aidan Armenta 6'3" | 190 lbs | QB La Cueva | 2023 State NM (La Cueva), Evan Wysong Evan Wysong 5'10" | 165 lbs | QB Cleveland | 2023 State NM (Cleveland), Aden Chavez Aden Chavez 6'5" | 210 lbs | QB Cibola | 2023 State NM (Cibola), Paul Cieremans Paul Cieremans 5'10" | 195 lbs | QB Los Lunas | 2023 State NM (Los Lunas), Omar Argott Omar Argott 6'2" | 175 lbs | QB Hobbs | 2023 State NM (Hobbs), Elliott Pasket-Bell (Volcano Vista), Ryan Sharpe Ryan Sharpe QB Bloomfield | 2023 State NM (Bloomfield) and Ashton Aranda Ashton Aranda 6'0" | 175 lbs | QB Lovington | 2023 State NM (Lovington).
Who are the new crop of rising senior quarterbacks for 2023? Here are our Top 10 (listed in alphabetical order):
Elijah Brody Elijah Brody 6'3" | 185 lbs | QB West Mesa | 2024 State NM , West Mesa: Brody is a two-sport star for the Mustangs. After throwing for 2,454 yards and 29 TD while rushing for 765 yards during football season, he has helped led West Mesa into the quarterfinals of the Class 5A boys basketball tourney. Brody has great size (6-3), mobility, quickness and a rocket arm. Expect him to post some eye-opening numbers this coming season. He’s a leading contender for the 2023 New Mexico Heisman award.
Nye Estrada Nye Estrada 5'10" | 170 lbs | QB Artesia | 2024 State NM , Artesia: Estrada might be the only quarterback on this list who didn’t start the season opener for his respective team. Estrada was inserted into the opener against Carlsbad and after he brought some much needed energy to the Bulldogs offense, the coaching staff made him the starter. The rest is history. The dynamic Estrada went on to throw for nearly 3,500 yards and 42 TD, leading Artesia to another Class 5A state championship. Estrada isn’t the biggest guy at 5-foot-11, 150 pounds but he mocks the measurables by just making plays.
Manny Fuentez Manny Fuentez 5'11" | 175 lbs | QB Roswell | 2024 State NM , Roswell: The Roswell offense was humming all season long, scoring 40+ points seven times, before running into the Piedra Vista buzzsaw in the Class 5A semifinals. Fuentez enjoyed an outstanding season, completing 69 percent of his passes and throwing for 1,600 yards and 32 TD while rushing for 250 yards and 6 TD. He’s putting in the work this offseason, winning one of Roswell’s weekly awards on March 1.
Wyatt Gomez Wyatt Gomez 6'2" | 180 lbs | QB Lovington | 2024 State NM , Lovington: At a blueblood program like Lovington, everything is earned, nothing is given for free. As a result, Gomez will compete with several other younger quarterbacks for the Wildcats starting job. But, as the 6-foot-1, 185-pound Gomez showed at the recent College Prospect Showcase camp in Albuquerque, he possesses the tools to excel at a high level. We predict he’ll win the Wildcats starting job and then enjoy a solid senior season.
Trel Griego Trel Griego 6'3" | 225 lbs | QB Farmington | 2024 State NM , Farmington: Griego will be one of the biggest quarterbacks in the state, standing close to 6-foot-4 and weighing over 225 pounds. When he gets going, he’s tough to bring down. Even the La Cueva defense struggled a bit tackling him in the teams; two meetings in late October and November. Last season Griego threw for 2,887 yards, falling just 113 yards short of the magical 3,000-yard mark, and 31 TD. He also rushed for 526 yards and 10 TD. Expect the same type of numbers this fall.
Daniel Hernandez Daniel Hernandez QB Centennial | 2024 State NM , Centennial: Hernandez might be one of the most underrated quarterbacks in the state. He was often overshadowed by RB Mikah Gutierrez Mikah Gutierrez 5'8" | 160 lbs | RB Centennial | 2023 State NM and the Hawk’s prolific rushing attack last season. He saved one of his best performances for last as he passed for 154 yards and rushed for 110 yards against La Cueva in the 6A semifinals. Centennial lost in a shootout, 42-35, but Hernandez offered a glimpse of what he is capable of doing on the field.
Dean Marquez Dean Marquez 5'11" | 175 lbs | QB Atrisco Heritage | 2024 State NM , Atrisco Heritage: Marquez quarterbacked one of the most prolific offenses in 6A last season, passing for 2,190 yards and 30 TD with just 8 interceptions in 9 games. With the Jaguars’ top two receivers returning in 2023 – Latavious Morris Latavious Morris 5'9" | 150 lbs | RB Atrisco Heritage | 2025 State NM and Marquise Renfro Marquise Renfro 5'11" | 160 lbs | WR Atrisco Heritage | 2024 State NM – Atrisco should have no problem piling up the yardage and scoring points again.
Brandon Olivas Brandon Olivas 5'10" | 160 lbs | QB Eldorado | 2024 State NM , Eldorado: Even though Eldorado struggled from a won-loss perspective in 2022 (2-8), Olivas individually had a good season with 1,647 passing yards and 20 TD. Many of Eldorado’s problems last season were on the defensive side of the ball. If head coach Charlie Dotson gets the Eagles defense squared away, Eldorado could return to the 6A playoffs.
Noah Nelson Noah Nelson 5'11" | 170 lbs | DB Rio Rancho | 2024 State NM , Rio Rancho: Nelson started at QB for Rio Rancho during the first half of last season before an injury opened the door for sophomore J.J. Arellano to take over. It should be an interesting offseason at Rio Rancho as Nelson and Arellano battle for the Rams’ starting job.
Kaleb Rodriguez Kaleb Rodriguez 5'11" | 170 lbs | QB Loving | 2024 State NM , Loving: Rodriguez might be the best prep quarterback in New Mexico most people have never heard of. Rodriguez threw for over 1,600 yards last season, sixth most among 2024 QBs in the state, and 19 TD. He led Loving to a 7-4 record and spot in the Class 2A playoffs.
Honorable Mention: Zack Stidham Zack Stidham 6'0" | 155 lbs | QB Los Alamos | 2024 State NM (Los Alamos); Kaidyn Lanham Kaidyn Lanham 5'11" | 175 lbs | QB Hot Springs | 2024 State NM (Hot Springs); Julian Padilla Julian Padilla QB Grants | 2024 State NM (Grants); Jacob Gomez Jacob Gomez 5'10" | 170 lbs | QB Hatch Valley | 2024 State NM (Hatch Valley); Jacob Mattorano Jacob Mattorano 6'1" | 185 lbs | QB Raton | 2024 State NM (Raton); Adan Jaquez (Silver); Elijah Montoya Elijah Montoya 6'1" | 175 lbs | QB Alamogordo | 2024 State NM (Alamogordo).