Early Look: Top Contenders for 2024 New Mexico Heisman
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Last week we announced the winner of the 2023 New Mexico Heisman award. Now we take a look at 10 contenders for the 2024 award, which will be announced around this time next December. JJ Arellano JJ Arellano 5'11" |…
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Continue ReadingLast week we announced the winner of the 2023 New Mexico Heisman award. Now we take a look at 10 contenders for the 2024 award, which will be announced around this time next December.
JJ Arellano JJ Arellano 5'11" | 165 lbs | QB Rio Rancho | 2025 State NM , Rio Rancho: After watching Arellano as a sophomore and junior, you get the sense he could be on the verge of a major breakthrough season. He’s already thrown for nearly 3,000 career yards and rushed for almost 1,000 yards, so his dual threat credentials are well established.
Uriel Castro Uriel Castro 6'0" | 170 lbs | QB Bernalillo | 2025 State NM , Bernalillo: In his second season as Bernalillo’s starting QB, Castro threw for 2,078 yards and 25 TD vs. just 6 interceptions. Every head coach will take a 4-to-1 TD-INT ratio from their QB. The Castro-to-Castro (Rising So. WR Ulisses Castro Ulisses Castro 6'2" | 175 lbs | WR Bernalillo | 2027 State NM ) connection could be lethal in 2024.
Paxton Culpepper Paxton Culpepper 6'0" | 150 lbs | QB Portales | 2025 State NM , Portales: Culpepper has been sensational in his first two years as the Rams’ starting QB. He led Portales to the 4A state championship game three weekends ago by throwing for close to 3,000 yards and 40 TD. Another good season in 2024 and he’ll finish with over 7,000 yards in his career.
Zaiden Davis, Centennial: Davis took over as Centennial’s QB midway through the regular season when Daniel Hernandez Daniel Hernandez QB Centennial | 2024 State NM suffered a broken collarbone. So, his data sample is small. But it’s impressive. He rushed for 183+ yards in 3 of the 4 games he served as the starter, introducing himself as a promising dual threat QB.
Cameron Dyer Cameron Dyer 6'3" | 185 lbs | QB La Cueva | 2025 State NM , La Cueva: After leading La Cueva to the 6A state title, Dyer was one of our finalists for the 2023 New Mexico Heisman, and he enters the offseason as arguably the frontrunner for the 2024 award. Dyer has been offered by New Mexico State and showed why in the playoffs with his elite passing and running skills.
Gunnar Guardiola Gunnar Guardiola 6'0" | 185 lbs | QB Las Cruces | 2026 State NM , Las Cruces: In his first full season as Las Cruces’ starting quarterback, Guardiola led the Bulldawgs to the 6A semifinals. And he’s just a sophomore. This past season he threw for 2,783 yards and 22 TD while completing 66.0 percent of his passes. Look for him to go to the next level as a junior.
Jordan Kekoa Hatch Jordan Kekoa Hatch 6'3" | 190 lbs | QB Cleveland | 2026 State NM , Cleveland: Another young promising quarterback seeking to take his game to the next level in 2024. His two best passing games of the season came against rival Rio Rancho. Now he must learn to play at that level every week. If he does, his ceiling is very high.
CJ Perea CJ Perea 5'10" | QB West Las Vegas | 2025 State NM , West Las Vegas: Already a three-year starter for WLV, Perea has thrown for 6,165 yards and 62 TD in his career and goes into his senior season with an opportunity to finish among the state’s all-time Top 10 passers in total yardage. The Dons are a serious contender for the 3A crown with Perea at QB.
Mason Posa Mason Posa 6'3" | 210 lbs | LB La Cueva | 2025 State NM , La Cueva: Can a defensive player win the New Mexico Heisman? Sure. But it will take a special player to make it happen. Posa has become a national recruit with offers from numerous Power 5 programs. His speed, strength and quickness are elite. He had well over 100 tackles in 2023.
Blake Spencer Blake Spencer 5'11" | 155 lbs | QB Bloomfield | 2025 State NM , Bloomfield: Taking over from Ryan Sharpe, who led Bloomfield to the 2022 Class 4A title, Spencer thrived in his first year as the Bobcats’ starting QB with 2,748 yards and 35 TD with just 4 INT. Bloomfield saw its 17-game winning streak snapped at the hands of Portales in the 4A semifinals but Spencer and the Bobcats should return as a title contender in 2024.
Watch List: Tanner Montano Tanner Montano 6'0" | 160 lbs | WR La Cueva | 2026 State NM (La Cueva); Franke Galindo (Artesia); Isaiah Ocampo Isaiah Ocampo 5'10" | 150 lbs | QB Socorro | 2025 State NM (Socorro); Jesse James Gonzales (Robertson); Latavious Morris Latavious Morris 5'9" | 150 lbs | RB Atrisco Heritage | 2025 State NM (Atrisco Heritage); Julian Butkivich Julian Butkivich QB Valley | 2025 AZ (Valley); Amiri Mumba Amiri Mumba 5'10" | 180 lbs | RB Highland | 2025 State NM (Highland); Elijah Melancon Elijah Melancon 5'11" | 170 lbs | QB Eunice | 2026 State NM (Eunice); Evan Salazar Evan Salazar 5'10" | 140 lbs | QB Taos | 2026 State NM (Taos); Jett Galles Jett Galles RB Albuquerque Academy | 2025 State NM (Albuq. Academy); Camon Ochoa Camon Ochoa 5'8" | 155 lbs | RB Lovington | 2025 State NM (Lovington).