Newcomers to the 2024 Watchlist
Getting significant reps on varsity is no simple task for underclassmen, especially for those on teams with a lot of upperclassmen. With the class of 2024 having limited varsity-impacting players across every position this season, putting together accurate rankings proved…
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Continue ReadingGetting significant reps on varsity is no simple task for underclassmen, especially for those on teams with a lot of upperclassmen. With the class of 2024 having limited varsity-impacting players across every position this season, putting together accurate rankings proved to be an extremely difficult task.
Each name on the watchlist is of a player who has raised their stock value during their sophomore season. Some of the players on the list are names that have been known a little longer than the others, but this article will introduce 15 of the newly added names to the class of 2024 watchlist.
Three of the newly added players are athletes who were recently introduced as sophomore stock-risers. Grandview’s Liam Szarka Liam Szarka 6'2" | 190 lbs | QB Grandview | 2024 State CO is the sophomore quarterback who had a phenomenal season en route to a postseason semifinal appearance. Chevelle Early Chevelle Early RB Denver South | 2024 State CO is the Denver South running back who finished the season with the most rushing yards by any player within the class. Angelo Petrides Angelo Petrides 6'2" | 225 lbs | LB Cherry Creek | 2024 State CO is the outstanding inside linebacker whose on-field production resulted in him being an invaluable part of Cherry Creek’s state championship-winning season.
One of the few teams that had a decent amount of sophomore varsity players take the field this past season was Pine Creek. Carson Caplan Carson Caplan 6'3" | 285 lbs | OL Pine Creek | 2024 State CO (OL), Ramon Pacheco Ramon Pacheco 5'11" | 175 lbs | DB Pine Creek | 2024 State CO (DB), Justis Nicholson Justis Nicholson ATH Pine Creek | 2024 State CO (WR), Leyton Robinson Leyton Robinson 6'0" | 175 lbs | DB Pine Creek | 2024 State CO (DB), and Jaiden Anetone Jaiden Anetone LB Pine Creek | 2024 State CO (LB) are five newly added names on this watchlist. They join a few of their fellow sophomore teammates who were already on the radar, proving that the Eagles are a team with a lot of young talent on the roster.
Douglas County two-way player Jake Stonebraker Jake Stonebraker 6'1" | 200 lbs | ATH Douglas County | 2024 State CO is a middle linebacker and running back who had a breakout sophomore season. The young player already has the knack for being a disruptive defender by causing havoc and forcing takeaways. Thomas Jefferson’s Dimitri Haralambopoulos Dimitri Haralambopoulos 5'11" | 200 lbs | ATH Thomas Jefferson | 2024 State CO is another two-way player who is making his debut on the list. However, his sophomore season is not his first as a significant varsity contributor for the Spartans. He ended his freshman year as a 4A state champion after an undefeated spring season.
Castle View’s Ryder Smith Ryder Smith 6'0" | 255 lbs | OL Castle View | 2024 State CO is perhaps one of the bigger sleeper offensive linemen in the class. Smith may be under the radar, but his strength, quickness, and athleticism will not allow for him to be slept on for too long. Smith’s understanding of leverage and pad level mixed with his ability to seek work to pickup make him an extremely impressive player to watch.
Other newcomers to keep an eye on
Frankie Dardano Frankie Dardano 5'9" | 155 lbs | QB Denver North | 2024 State CO | Denver North | QB
Diego Valdiviezo Diego Valdiviezo 5'11" | 180 lbs | DB Fairview | 2024 State CO | Fairview | LB
Kit LeBlanc Kit LeBlanc 6'1" | 210 lbs | LB Ralston Valley | 2024 State CO | Ralston Valley | LB
Armando Jimenez Armando Jimenez 5'11" | 180 lbs | LB Littleton | 2024 State CO | Littleton | LB