Updated 2024 Rankings: Fastest Stock Risers (Part 2)

<p>We released our updated 2024 prospect rankings on Monday. In Part 2 of a series, here are 12 more of the Fastest Stock Risers (listed in alphabetical order):</p>   <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='590712' first='Charles' last='Lopez-Burton'], Valley</strong>: Lopez-Burton wasn't just one of the top running backs in Class 5A, he shined as a two-way standout. Lopez-Burton rushed for 1,832 yards and 22 TD while making 89 tackles, 5.0 sacks, 6.0 TFL and 4 forced fumbles on defense. Named District Offensive Player of the Year. </p>   <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='590746' first='Hunter' last='Maldonado'], Sandia</strong>: Maldonado was one of the top players on arguably 6A's most surprising team. Taking advantage of his sub-4.5 speed, Maldonado fueled the Matadors' ground game and contributed as a receiver. He also had a major role on Sandia's defense. Two-way standout.   </p>   <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='592164' first='Kani' last='Mathis'], Tularosa</strong>: According to MaxPreps, Mathis was one of just six receivers in the state to finish with 1,000+ receiving yards. He finished the season with 52 receptions for 1,109 yards and a state-leading 21 TD. Tularoada advanced as far as the 2A semifinals.    </p>   <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='815949' first='Zaeden' last='McPherson'], Hobbs</strong>: After Kenyon Singleton graduated in May, McPherson knew he would be counted on to become a defensive leader. He finished the 2023 season with 96 tackles, 4.0 TFL and 4 QB hurries. He combined with juniors Tristsn Davis and Gustavo A Diaz Castro to form one of the top LB corps in Class 6A.     </p>   <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='275436' first='Josiah' last='Mitchell'], Eldorado</strong>: The Eagles didn't qualify for the playoffs but few receivers in the Albuquerque Metro Area were more dynamic or elite than Mitchell. He finished with 68 receptions for 948 yards and 13 TD. He totaled 1,183 all-purpose yards.  </p>   <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='590686' first='Josh' last='Nieto'], Manzano</strong>: The last few years have been difficult for Manzano, so much so the Monarchs have chosen to play down at the 4A level for 2024-25. Nieto, though, was superb in 2023 with 49 receptions for 768 yards and 10 TD.</p>   <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='591998' first='Julian' last='Richard'], Silver</strong>: A 6-foot-3, 160-pound frame with excellent athleticism and speed makes Richard one of the elite players in the state, even if many don't know him due to geography. Richard has been offered by Eastern New Mexico and hometown Western New Mexico.     </p>   <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='340165' first='Bryce' last='Sanchez'], Roswell</strong>: Sanchez is a powerful 5-foot-10, 220-pound running back who finished with 1,563 rushing yards on 199 carries to spearhead a Roswell team that didn't lose a game until the Class 5A state championship game. New Mexico Highlands has offered.</p>   <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='275595' first='Demarcus' last='Thompson'], Lovington</strong>: Lovington roared to the Class 4A title with Thompson playing an integral role on both sides of the ball. Who led the state in receiving yards? Thompson with 1,179 as he averaged an eye-opening 19.02 yards per catch and scored 18 TD. Defensively, he collected 71 tackles, a staggering 37.5 TFL and 18.5 sacks from his defensive end spot. Two-way superstar. Thompson has been offered by Eastern New Mexico, New Mexico Highlands, Adams State, Bethel College and Wayland Baptist. FCS Montana has expressed interest.    </p>   <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='592401' first='Kian' last='Vander Wilt'], Volcano Vista</strong>: The 6-foot-1, 230-pound Vander Wilt first captured the attention if many folks when he had an outstanding summer camp season in which he displayed his impressive speed (4.53). He followed up with a solid senior campaign in which he made 73 tackles and 6.0 TFL. He earned 2<sup>nd</sup> Team All-Metro honors. Eastern New Mexico and Western New Mexico have offered.</p>   <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='815911' first='Nehemiah' last='Yorfee'], Portales</strong>: Yorfee helped Portales reach the Class 4A state championship game with an outstanding season. He finished with 56 tackles, 11.5 TFL and 4.0 sacks. Hometown Eastern New Mexico has offered.    </p>   <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='590677' first='Kyler' last='Young'], Los Alamos</strong>: Arguably the top defensive player in northern New Mexico this season. The 6-foot-2, 225-pound Young finished 3<sup>rd</sup> in the state with 150 tackles, including 26 against Valley in October. He added 12 TFL and 5 forced fumbles. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/charleslb07/status/1729232407658951081?s=20 </div></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/CoachOrtizCOLTS/status/1729528397536108911?s=20 </div></figure>   <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/1732094606395728000?s=20 </div></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/vvhsfootball/status/1732167259861463397?s=20 </div></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/JosiahM131213/status/1720570124556787906?s=20 </div></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Demarcust_06/status/1729556879615926550?s=20 </div></figure>

We released our updated 2024 prospect rankings on Monday. In Part 2 of a series, here are 12 more of the Fastest Stock Risers (listed in alphabetical order):