Top Players on the 2025 Watchlist
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Colorado consistently produces top-tier athletes, many of whom have earned their places among the best in the nation. This year’s freshmen have proven to be no different after a class-wide showing of premier talent this past season. The class of…
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Continue ReadingColorado consistently produces top-tier athletes, many of whom have earned their places among the best in the nation. This year’s freshmen have proven to be no different after a class-wide showing of premier talent this past season.
The class of 2025 watchlist is loaded with players who have bright futures ahead of them, making them must-know prospects early in their careers. Many of the names featured in this article finished their debut seasons as top players in the state, while others earned national recognition.
At this point, Fairview’s starting quarterback Bekkem Kritza Bekkem Kritza 6'4" | 180 lbs | QB Santa Margarita Catholic | 2025 CA needs no introduction. The 6-foot-4 pro-style QB finished his first year as the number-one freshman QB in the nation. His 3,192 regular-season passing yards were the most thrown by any QB in the class.
Thank you @Lemmingscouting https://t.co/i5i3TrNmh7 ….. Truly Blessed, Never Satisfied!!! pic.twitter.com/QslvIuqTGH
— Bekkem Kritza (@stretch2025) November 18, 2021
Fellow Fairview freshman Jordan Rechel Jordan Rechel 5'11" | 165 lbs | WR Fairview | 2025 State CO ended the year as the state’s leading freshman receiver – 845 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns – and the sixth-leading freshman nationally in total receiving yards.
Kritza and Rechel helped to lead a very young team to a spot in the postseason, but the Knights were unable to participate in the playoffs due to COVID-19 protocols. The University of Colorado has offered both players in hopes of keeping the young superstars right at home.
Very blessed to announce that I’ve received my first offer from the University of Colorado. I’d like to thank God first for blessing me with this opportunity, and my family, friends, coaches and anyone else who’s helped me on this journey #SKOBUFFS🦬 pic.twitter.com/NJeh1h5UAq
— Jordan Rechel (@RechelJordan) November 22, 2021
5A state champion Aiden Knapke Aiden Knapke 6'0" | 190 lbs | DB Cherry Creek | 2025 State CO has earned himself prime real estate in the conversation about the top free safeties in the state. He is a ball-hawking defensive back who finished the year with five interceptions. His five picks are the most among freshmen in the state, with only seven freshmen in the nation who recorded more interceptions during the year.
4A state champion Brock Narva Brock Narva 5'11" | 180 lbs | ATH Chatfield | 2025 State CO is a highly talented two-way player with a ton of potential. He has three interceptions from his DB position – second in the state behind Knapke – and a total of 1,191 all-purpose yards and eight touchdowns as a rusher, receiver, and returner.
Vote here on our End of the Year Awards!
4A Newcomer of the Year@AndrewHeidelQB @_pondofootball @ArmstrongRhett @PRFBOfficial @brock_narva @Chatfieldftball
Lucas Westerman @LibertyLancers #playmakerscorner #Awards #coloradofootball #HighSchoolFootball
Or comment others!— Playmaker’s Corner (@PlaymakerCorner) January 2, 2022
Andrew Heidel found himself at the helm of Ponderosa’s offense in his first year as a high school player, ending with a trip to the second round of the playoffs. Austyn Modrzewski Austyn Modrzewski 6'5" | 205 lbs | QB Mountain Vista | 2025 State CO started off splitting reps with a senior until getting the nod to be the main man under center for the Mountain Vista Golden Eagles, leading them to a second-round playoff appearance. Alex Birch Alex Birch 5'10" | 180 lbs | QB Horizon | 2025 State CO entered the season as the starting QB for the Horizon Hawks and finished with very impressive numbers, throwing for over 2,100 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Smoky Hill offensive lineman Bailey Bujanda Bailey Bujanda 6'3" | 280 lbs | OL Smoky Hill | 2025 State CO has started to make a serious reputation for himself from his guard position. His ability to move defenders against their will with great technique and bad intentions is extremely impressive, explaining why he already has interest from schools like UNLV.
Game was 🔥🔥🔥 THX @ShelbyMac_UNLV #UNLVFB @mrlongshore @coachtjwoods @SHBuffFootball @PrepRedzoneCO pic.twitter.com/hq23XIzu7Z
— Bailey Bujanda (@BaileyBujanda) October 17, 2021
Kafui B. Fiadonu Kafui B. Fiadonu 6'3" | 240 lbs | DL D'Evelyn | 2025 State CO is D’Evlyn’s 6-foot-3, 230lbs defensive tackle who ended the year with seven sacks, the most among freshmen in the state. There were only 23 freshmen in the nation to record more sacks than him, making Fiadonu a player worth getting to know.
Palmer Ridge kicker Rhett Armstrong Rhett Armstrong 6'4" | 160 lbs | K Palmer Ridge | 2025 State CO is considered to be one of the top freshmen kickers in the nation with the expectations of being a top recruit as his career progresses. He made 57 of his 63 points after attempts and is one for two on field goal tries.
In Dallas getting ready for the @KornblueKicking #Fab50 camp!
@DustinChason54 @jeremyshapiro10 @CoachGoodman_ @CoachSheff_CSU @TerryHawthorne1 @CoachTimHorton @ZMilliet32 @CoachSaparto @tmehlhaff10 @RyanBrosnan_ @CoachEmbleton @BLawsonVols @DarrenUscherAU @Coach_Naivar pic.twitter.com/3QpU49BJku— Rhett Armstrong (@ArmstrongRhett) December 17, 2021
Other freshmen to keep an eye out for
Elijah Melendez | Thompson Valley | RB
Cameron Cooper Cameron Cooper 6'1" | 180 lbs | QB Pine Creek | 2025 State CO | Pine Creek | QB
Ryder Villarreal Ryder Villarreal 6'0" | 205 lbs | LB Fairview | 2025 State CO | Fairview | LB
Brock Kolstad Brock Kolstad 6'0" | 215 lbs | LB Fairview | 2025 State CO | Fairview | DL
MJ Hayes MJ Hayes 5'10" | 140 lbs | DB N/A | 2025 State CO | Grandview | DB
Xavier Neto Xavier Neto 5'11" | 160 lbs | WR Grandview | 2025 State CO | Grandview | ATH