Crystal Ball: 10 Offensive Players Ready To Erupt In 2024
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The 2023 high school football season ended in New Mexico about a month ago. But we’re already looking forward to the 2024 campaign. Here are 10 Offensive Players Ready To Erupt In 2024: Soren Annon Soren Annon 5'10" | 175…
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Continue ReadingThe 2023 high school football season ended in New Mexico about a month ago. But we’re already looking forward to the 2024 campaign. Here are 10 Offensive Players Ready To Erupt In 2024:
Soren Annon Soren Annon 5'10" | 175 lbs | RB St. Michael's | 2025 State NM , St. Michael’s: Annon was the Horsemen’s leading rusher this past season and helped lift his team to the 3A state championship. With Matthias Duran Matthias Duran 5'10" | 195 lbs | RB St. Michael's | 2024 State NM graduating, Annon could take on a larger role in 2024 in terms of carries. He averaged about 9 yards per carry as a junior. He could be headed for a huge senior season.
JJ Arellano JJ Arellano 5'11" | 165 lbs | QB Rio Rancho | 2025 State NM , Rio Rancho: Arellano proved in 2023 that when he stays healthy, he’s a dynamic dual threat QB, throwing for over 1,700 yards and 18 TD as he helped lead the Rams to the 6A semifinals. He’ll be a senior in 2024, so it’s officially go time for Arellano. He was offered by New Mexico Highland son Dec. 9, so college coaches are already taking notice.
Michael Beck Michael Beck 6'3" | 160 lbs | WR Farmington | 2025 State NM , Farmington: Beck is quietly developing into one of the best wide receivers in the state. Last season he had over 70 receptions for 1,100+ yards, including 9 catches against La Cueva in the regular season finale. He’ll have a new QB throwing him the ball in 2024 but Beck is primed for a big year.
Gage Conway Gage Conway 6'5" | 175 lbs | QB Albuquerque Academy | 2026 State NM , Albuquerque Academy: Conway certainly looks the part of a potentially prolific QB. He’s 6-foot-5 with a strong throwing arm. He has the physical tools, so now he just needs to learn how to play QB in terms of managing the game and decision-making. When he does, watch out.
Andres Lazos Andres Lazos 5'4" | 125 lbs | RB Grants | 2025 State NM , Grants: Lazos isn’t a big guy (listed at 5-foot-3, 120 pounds) but he’s extremely quick and knows how to elude would-be tacklers. He utilized those skills to rush for nearly 1,300 yards as a junior in 2023 as Grants made remarkable improvement to earn a spot in the 4A playoffs.
Landon Griego, Atrisco Heritage: Dean Marquez Dean Marquez 5'11" | 175 lbs | QB Atrisco Heritage | 2024 State NM was expected to be Atrisco Heritage’s starting QB in 2023 but injuries kept him off the field. Griego stepped into the role and enjoyed a solid season by throwing for 1,611 yards and 17 TD. With a year of experience under his belt, Grioego’s numbers should increase next season.
Isiah Ocampo, Socorro: Ocampo took over as Socorro’s QB in 2023 and quickly proved he belonged in the role as he emerged as a dynamic dual threat QB. He passed for 2,069 yards and rushed for 1,152 yards, becoming one of the few QBs in the state to join the 2,000-1,000 club. With most of Socorro’s key offensive weapons returning in 2024, Ocampo’s numbers could go through the roof.
Evan Salazar Evan Salazar 5'10" | 140 lbs | QB Taos | 2026 State NM , Taos: By Taos’ standards, the 2023 record of 4-7 may have been a slight disappointment but Salazar showed as the Tigers’ sophomore QB that he has the potential to become an elite dual threat QB. Salazar threw for 1,711 yards and 16 TD while rushing for close to 500 yards. Taos lost three games by seven points or less in 2023. Reverse that trend in 2024 and the Tigers could have a big season.
Cannon Walton Cannon Walton 5'10" | 170 lbs | RB Raton | 2025 State NM , Raton: When your older brother is the state’s all-time leading rusher, expectations are going to be high. Walton had a solid 2023 campaign with 780 rushing yards and 13 TD and now looks to cap his career with a great senior season. He had a season high 173 yards on 25 carries against St. Michael’s in the 3A quarterfinals.
Francisco Winnikoff Francisco Winnikoff 6'1" | 185 lbs | WR Las Cruces | 2026 State NM , Las Cruces: Watch out for the Bulldawgs in 2024. Most of their key offensive weapons return, including Winnikoff, who caught 55 passes for 983 yards and 9 TD and earned First-team all-district honors. He’ll combine with rising senior Nate Libby Nate Libby 6'3" | 175 lbs | WR Las Cruces | 2025 State NM to form one of the best WR duos in the state.