Position Breakdown: Top 2024 Running Backs for the 2023 season
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Many of the top prep running backs in New Mexico in 2022 are graduating, including Cayden Walton Cayden Walton 5'9" | 180 lbs | RB Raton | 2023 State NM (Raton), Josh Perry Josh Perry 5'10" | 185 lbs |…
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Continue ReadingMany of the top prep running backs in New Mexico in 2022 are graduating, including Cayden Walton Cayden Walton 5'9" | 180 lbs | RB Raton | 2023 State NM (Raton), Josh Perry Josh Perry 5'10" | 185 lbs | RB Cleveland | 2023 State NM (Cleveland), Mikah Gutierrez Mikah Gutierrez 5'8" | 160 lbs | RB Centennial | 2023 State NM (Centennial), Layton Gillis Layton Gillis 5'8" | 150 lbs | RB Hatch Valley | 2023 State NM (Hatch Valley), Kaden Sago Kaden Sago RB Ruidoso | 2023 State NM (Ruidoso), Eli Asay Eli Asay WR Carlsbad | 2023 State NM (Carlsbad) and Andres Madrid Andres Madrid 5'11" | 175 lbs | RB Santa Rosa | 2023 State NM (Santa Rosa).
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):
Andres Aguirre Andres Aguirre 5'11" | 180 lbs | RB Cleveland | 2024 State NM , Cleveland: When Aguirre transferred to Cleveland last summer from Albuquerque High, he knew he would have to wait his turn at running back since Josh Perry Josh Perry 5'10" | 185 lbs | RB Cleveland | 2023 State NM 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.
Diego Avila Diego Avila 5'6" | 160 lbs | RB Belen | 2024 State NM , Belen: 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.
Santiago Chavez, Moriarty: 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.
Harris Mbueha Harris Mbueha 5'11" | 190 lbs | RB Cleveland | 2024 State NM , Cleveland: 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 Josh Perry Josh Perry 5'10" | 185 lbs | RB Cleveland | 2023 State NM . 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.
Ulysses Mendoza Ulysses Mendoza RB Carlsbad | 2024 State NM , Carlsbad: Mendoza was a very capable No. 2 RB behind Eli Asay Eli Asay WR Carlsbad | 2023 State NM 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.
Alexander Mora Alexander Mora 5'9" | 180 lbs | RB Santa Fe | 2024 State NM , Santa Fe: 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.
Rayce Ramirez Rayce Ramirez 5'10" | 170 lbs | RB Rio Rancho | 2024 State NM , Rio Rancho: 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 JJ Arellano JJ Arellano 5'11" | 165 lbs | QB Rio Rancho | 2025 State NM hold plenty of promise for 2023. Expect a big year from both.
Kash Roberts Kash Roberts 6'0" | 190 lbs | RB Clovis | 2024 State NM , Clovis: 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.
Bryce Sanchez Bryce Sanchez 5'10" | 195 lbs | RB Roswell | 2024 State NM , Roswell: 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.
Jonathan Silva Jonathan Silva RB Goddard | 2024 State NM , Goddard: 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.
HONORABLE MENTION: Ethan Meloy-Chavez Ethan Meloy-Chavez RB Pojoaque Valley | 2024 State NM (Pojoaque Valley), John Paul Ludi John Paul Ludi 5'10" | 160 lbs | RB Eldorado | 2025 State NM (Eldorado), Tazhe Wilson Tazhe Wilson 5'8" | 160 lbs | RB Valley | 2024 State NM (Valley), Taylor Torivio Taylor Torivio RB Santa Fe Indian | 2024 State NM (Santa Fe Indian), Joziah Rodriguez Joziah Rodriguez RB Highland | 2024 State NM (Highland); Josh Calhoon (Estancia); Ray Long Ray Long 5'8" | 155 lbs | RB Thoreau | 2024 State NM (Thoreau).