Under the Radar: 10 More Breakout Candidates In 2024 (Part 2)
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Kickoff to the 2024 New Mexico high school football season is still five months away but some of the storylines are beginning to crystallize. One of them is who will be the breakout performers. These are the players who fans…
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Continue ReadingKickoff to the 2024 New Mexico high school football season is still five months away but some of the storylines are beginning to crystallize. One of them is who will be the breakout performers. These are the players who fans might not be familiar with now but they likely will be by the end of November. Today, in Part 2 of a periodic series, we offer 10 more names:
Gustavo Diaz-Castro, Hobbs: Hobbs has been blessed with outstanding linebackers over the past several seasons. Diaz-Castro has been overshadowed a bit but he did make 112 tackles, 4 QB hurries and 4 fumble recoveries in 2023. College coaches know about him since Eastern New Mexico and UT Permian Basin have invited him to Junior Days.
Jedrek Jozwiak, Taos: Jozwiak returns for his fourth year as a starter at defensive end for Taos. He made a big leap statistically in 2023 with 73 tackles, 12.0 TFL and 10.0 sacks. He’s nicknamed ‘Big Yeti’ for a reason – Jozwiak is about 6-foot-4 with plenty of room to add weight when he gets to the next level.
Psalmon Kegler Psalmon Kegler 6'2" | 240 lbs | DL Cleveland | 2025 State NM , Cleveland: Cleveland’s roster is always full of stars, and that includes the Storm defense. Kegler began to make a name for himself last season with 54 tackles and 8.0 TFL. Kegler is 6-foot-2, 240 pounds, making him a tough matchup for offensive linemen. He visited UTEP recently for Junior Days and has been invited to West Texas A&M’s Junior day.
Nick Mertz Nick Mertz 5'11" | 185 lbs | LB La Cueva | 2025 State NM , La Cueva: If the 5-foot-11, 190-pound Mertz was about four inches taller, he would be a major prospect because his production on the field demands respect. In two years with the La Cueva varsity, he has amassed over 170 tackles. However, he plays alongside a guy named Mason Posa Mason Posa 6'3" | 210 lbs | LB La Cueva | 2025 State NM and he’s often overshadowed by all the Bears talent.
Bobby Parraz Bobby Parraz 5'8" | 150 lbs | RB Loving | 2026 State NM , Loving: Most of Class 2A’s best programs are located in southeast NM, making the new District 2A-3 one of the toughest in the state. Parraz rushed for close to 1,000 yards last season against very good competition.
Daniel Quinones Daniel Quinones 5'8" | 170 lbs | WR Eldorado | 2025 State NM , Eldorado: After a solid junior season for the Eagles, the speedy Quinones has captured the attention of college recruiters this offseason. New Mexico Highlands has offered while Eastern New Mexico, West Texas A&M, UC Davis and University of Jamestown have extended Junior Day invitations. Eldorado hopes Quinones helps catapult them to their first playoff appearance since 2021.
Alex Rivera Alex Rivera 6'5" | 265 lbs | OL Lovington | 2026 State NM , Lovington: Rivera is already a 6-foot-5, 265-pound beast going into his junior season. He’s started for Lovington since his freshman season. He also plays basketball and track (throwing events). He’s also incredibly strong. Rivera is one of the anchors for Lovington exceptional O-Line.
Aidan Rutley Aidan Rutley 6'5" | 230 lbs | DL Roswell | 2025 State NM , Roswell: Roswell’s huge defensive line is going to be scary good this upcoming season, and the 6-foot-5, 230-pound Rutley should be one of the stars. More than half his tackles in 2023 produced negative yardage (30 tackles, 16 TFL) and he added 10+ QB pressures. Rutley knows how to wreak havoc in opposing offensive backfields.
Taye Silversmith Taye Silversmith 6'1" | 245 lbs | DL Miyamura | 2026 State NM , Miyamura: A rising junior, the 6-foot-2, 245-pound Silversmith first caught our attention last summer during camping season. He’s been invited to the US Army Bowl Combine Series in May. Camp invitations have come from Penn, Wesleyan and Princeton. Potential to arguably become one of the top players in the Four Corners.
Cannon Walton Cannon Walton 5'10" | 170 lbs | RB Raton | 2025 State NM , Raton: The younger brother of Cayden Walton, the state’s all-time leading rusher, Cannon finished the 2023 season on a strong note with 125 yards rushing and 4 TD in a first-round playoff win over Thoreau and a season-high 173 yards rushing with 2 TD in a heartbreaking loss to St. Michael’s in the quarterfinals. We predict 100+ yard rushing games will be routine for Walton in 2024.