Position Breakdown: Top 2024 Running Backs for the 2023 season

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Many of the top prep running backs in New Mexico in 2022 are graduating, including [player_tooltip player_id='138053' first='Cayden' last='Walton'] (Raton), [player_tooltip player_id='138204' first='Josh' last='Perry'] (Cleveland), [player_tooltip player_id='208691' first='Mikah' last='Gutierrez'] (Centennial), [player_tooltip player_id='138201' first='Layton' last='Gillis'] (Hatch Valley), [player_tooltip player_id='138061' first='Kaden' last='Sago'] (Ruidoso), [player_tooltip player_id='138043' first='Eli' last='Asay'] (Carlsbad) and [player_tooltip player_id='208812' first='Andres' last='Madrid'] (Santa Rosa).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In fact, most of the most productive rushers in the state last season were seniors. According to MaxPreps, 16 of the 17 1,000-yard rushers in 2022 are graduating. Who will replace them? Here are our top rising senior (Class of 2024) running backs for the 2023 season (listed in alphabetical order):</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='274977' first='Andres' last='Aguirre'], Cleveland</strong>: When Aguirre transferred to Cleveland last summer from Albuquerque High, he knew he would have to wait his turn at running back since [player_tooltip player_id='138204' first='Josh' last='Perry'] already occupied the No. 1 spot. So, Aguirre played defensive back and performed well with 31 tackles and 5 interceptions. Aguirre proved at AHS that he could be an elite running back by rushing for about 900 yards as a sophomore in 2021. He now hopes to duplicate or exceed that number with the three-time defending (excluding 2020) Class 6A champions. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='274725' first='Diego' last='Avila'], Belen</strong>: While Belen struggled as a team (2-9 record) last season, Avila's speed allows him to stand out from the crowd. He was one of the fastest players at last June's Elite 150 Combine in Albuquerque, and he parlayed that speed and quickness into nearly 800 yards rushing for the Eagles in 2022. If Belen wants to contend for a high seed in the 5A playoffs, Avila must have a huge season. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='592012' first='Santiago' last='Chavez'], Moriarty</strong>: The Pintos, which utilize the Wing-T offense, have a stable of running backs few schools in the state can match. Five RBs had 388+ yards in 2022. Chavez led Moriarty with 917 yards on 147 carries, an average of 15 touches per game. We know Moriarty will keep running the ball because that's what they do, so Chavez should get plenty of opportunities again in 2023. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='590512' first='Harris' last='Mbueha'], Cleveland</strong>: Some might view Mbueha as a one-hit wonder last season as he rushed for 108 yards and scored 4 TD on 16 carries in the wild 6A championship game filling in for the injured [player_tooltip player_id='138204' first='Josh' last='Perry']. But Mbueha was a solid backup all season long and now he'll get his chance to become Cleveland's No. 1 RB in  2023. The season-long battle between Mbueha and Aguirre will be fun to watch. Most likely, they'll be 1A and 1B. Few tandems in the state will be better.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='590551' first='Ulysses' last='Mendoza'], Carlsbad</strong>: Mendoza was a very capable No. 2 RB behind [player_tooltip player_id='138043' first='Eli' last='Asay'] last season for the Cavemen as he finished with 684 yards on 172 carries. He had three games of 100+ yards in a four-week span bridging Sept. and Oct. Mendoza should get his chance at being the No. 1 RB in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='340262' first='Alexander' last='Mora'], Santa Fe</strong>: Younger brother of former Demon standout Martell Mora, Alexander‘s running back skills got lost last season amidst Santa Fe's disappointing campaign. Mora possesses great speed, which he'll display this spring during track season. Along with Avila, he's a contender for the highly coveted King of Speed crown.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='590563' first='Rayce' last='Ramirez'], Rio Rancho</strong>: As expected, Rio Rancho's ground game took a slight step back in 2022 following the loss of First-Team All-State and FBS caliber RB Zach Vigil (now playing for the New Mexico Lobos) after the 2021 campaign. Ramirez showed his potential by rushing for 736 yards and 5 TD last season. The Rams offensive backfield duo of Ramirez and dual threat QB [player_tooltip player_id='613752' first='JJ' last='Arellano'] hold plenty of promise for 2023. Expect a big year from both. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='275303' first='Kash' last='Roberts'], Clovis</strong>: The 2022 Wildcats transitioned to the run-dominated flexbone offense under first-year HC Andrew McCraw. Roberts led Clovis with over 700 yards rushing and with a year under his belt should be even more productive in 2023. You can count on it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='340165' first='Bryce' last='Sanchez'], Roswell</strong>: Sanchez followed a strong sophomore campaign in 2021 with another great year as a junior, rushing for 883 yards and 12 TD on the ground on 160 carries to help lead the Coyotes as far as the Class 5A semifinals. Don't be surprised if Sanchez reaches the magical 1,000-yard rushing mark in 2023. He has the talent to do it. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='274787' first='Jonathan' last='Silva'], Goddard</strong>: A two-sport standout (he's also an outstanding baseball player for the Rockets), Silva is one of the most underrated RBs in the state. He had 170 yards rushing against eventual 5A champion Artesia last October, right after he had rushed for 294 yards against Mayfield. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>HONORABLE MENTION</strong>: [player_tooltip player_id='275554' first='Ethan' last='Meloy-Chavez'] (Pojoaque Valley), [player_tooltip player_id='615660' first='John' last='Paul Ludi'] (Eldorado), [player_tooltip player_id='592353' first='Tazhe' last='Wilson'] (Valley), [player_tooltip player_id='275562' first='Taylor' last='Torivio'] (Santa Fe Indian), [player_tooltip player_id='275558' first='Joziah' last='Rodriguez'] (Highland); Josh Calhoon (Estancia); [player_tooltip player_id='592334' first='Ray' last='Long'] (Thoreau).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/AndresGAguirre6/status/1604196685290172416","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/AndresGAguirre6/status/1604196685290172416 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/2024DiegoAvila/status/1595307585309003776","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/2024DiegoAvila/status/1595307585309003776 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/alexander_2mora/status/1587479787836260360?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/alexander_2mora/status/1587479787836260360?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/2xRayce/status/1596926628629663744?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/2xRayce/status/1596926628629663744?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BryceSanchez_/status/1628122474545303552?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BryceSanchez_/status/1628122474545303552?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/jonsilva_3/status/1611062937887641617?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/jonsilva_3/status/1611062937887641617?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->