After scouring over prospect lists, CHSAANow all-state teams and 2023 stats, The Denver Post compiled a list of some of Colorado’s top high school football talent. Players are listed in alphabetical order and cover all of the 11-man football classifications.
Elvin Ampofo (Eaglecrest), DB, sr.: A North Dakota State commit, the 6-foot-1, 155-pound Ampofo turned heads last season with his ability to make plays (74 tackles, eight pass breakups) in the open field on both defense and special teams.
Dylan Anderson (Northfield), OLB/TE, sr.: A stingy Nighthawks defense leaned heavily on the playmaking ability of Anderson, who racked up 61 tackles (10.5 for loss), four sacks and one forced fumble in 10 games during last year’s unprecedented run to the 3A quarterfinals.
Tyler Anderson (Legacy), RB., sr.: Legacy’s run to a second consecutive undefeated league title was powered by Anderson, a shifty 5-10, 200-pound back with excellent vision who is primed for a big year after running for 2,177 yards and 24 TDs over his first two varsity seasons.
Rhett Armstrong (Palmer Ridge), K, sr.: Ranked one of the top 40 kickers in the country by Kohl’s Professional Camps, the 6-foot-5 Baylor commit missed one extra point all season (69 of 70) as a junior and is 9 of 11 in field goal attempts in his varsity career.
Mason Bandhauer (Fort Collins), OT, jr.: Only halfway through his prep football career, the 6-foot-5, 255-pound junior has scholarship offers from all corners of the country as Colorado’s top offensive line prospect for the Class of 2026, per 247Sports.
James Basinger (Columbine), RB/LB, sr.: A loaded senior class from last year’s 5A state title run is gone, but the 5-foot-10, 195-pound South Dakota State commit’s ironman impact (732 total yards, 10 TDs; 33 tackles, two picks) is a solid foundation to start the Rebels’ title defense.
Liam Beattie (Ralston Valley), WR, sr.: Primed for a breakout season last fall, Beattie instead saw his year cut short by a torn ACL. If his Week 0 game against Mountain Vista (five receptions, 103 yards) is a harbinger of what’s to come, watch out.
Mikhail Benner (Broomfield), DB, sr.: The Air Force commit played with a torn labrum last fall and still scored TDs on offense, defense and special teams while racking up 41 tackles, two picks and 8 passes defensed. With Benner back to full health, the Eagles are committed to finding more ways to get him the ball.
Jackson Blanchard (Castle View), TE, sr.: Armed with size (6-foot-4, 225 pounds), speed (4.64-second 40) and sure hands (27 receptions, 376 yards, 6 TDs), Blanchard is straight off the FBS tight end assembly line. Air Force and Army are both vying for his services.
Cade Brook (Cherokee Trail), DL, sr.: Quick off the edge and relentless in pursuit, the 6-foot-3, 215-pound Brook is a disruptive force (47 tackles, 5 for loss) for a Cougars defense that returns several key pieces. Eastern Washington has an offer out.
Elijah Brotherns (Sand Creek), WR, sr.: Among the reasons the Scorpions are primed for their first winning season in 11 years? The return of the 6-foot, 185-pound Brotherns, the state’s leading pass-catcher last season with 95 receptions for 1,181 yards and 8 TDs over 10 games.
Amari Brown (Pueblo Central), RB/DB, sr.: The Wildcats’ winningest season in 14 years featured a whole lot of Brown, a powerful, shifty back with breakaway speed who needed just nine games to compile 1,300 rushing yards and 16 TDs. It was the second straight fall he topped 1,000 yards on the ground.
Ritchie Bruno (Brush), RB/LB, jr.: A state champion wrestler last winter, Bruno is a force of nature on the football field, too, where the 6-foot, 185-pound ironman led the Beetdiggers in rushing (1,316 yards, 13 TDs) and tackling (93 tackles, 16 TFLs).
Camden Bruns (Rampart), LB/RB, sr.: Whether it’s churning out yards off tackle (152 carries, 1,018 yards) or tracking down ball-carriers as a sideline-to-sideline linebacker (96 tackles, 15 TFLs), the 6-foot-1, 205-pound Bruns is the Rams’ rock on both sides of the ball.
Peyton Burcar (Columbine), OT, sr.: Physical and dexterous at 6-foot-3, 250 pounds, Burcar is a pile-driving force on the right side who plays with an edge. Just the sort of anchor any good Andy Lowry offense needs.
Sean Campbell (Denver East), RB, sr.: The Angels’ talented senior class includes a one-two punch in the backfield of Campbell (162 carries, 1,271 yards) and Elijah West Duah (93-629) looking to take another step after last year’s run to the second round of the 5A state playoffs.
Cameron Cooper (Pine Creek), QB, sr.: The Eagles will need Cooper’s arm now more than ever after losing a productive one-two punch in Mason Miller (graduation) and Jonathan Coar (transfer). The 6-foot-1 QB (3,481 career pas yards) has the credentials to suggest he’s up to the challenge.
Sean Conway (Mountain Vista), WR, sr.: The 6-foot, 165-pound Conway is a game-breaking talent in a stacked Golden Eagles offense. Entering his third year as a varsity starter (117 catches, 1,882 yards, 30 TDs) alongside QB Austyn Modrzewski, the sky’s the limit.
Justin Cranford (Fort Collins), QB, jr.: The 5-foot-11 signal caller’s debut varsity season was prolific, with 2,130 yards, 14 TDs and 15 picks on 61.7% passing as a sophomore. Cut down on those turnovers, and the Lambkins offense gets really dangerous, really fast.
DJ Crowe (Denver East), DE/TE, sr.: Leave Crowe one-on-one on the edge at your own risk. The 6-foot-4, 225-pound defensive end has made a habit of wrecking gameplans the past two seasons, racking up 194 tackles (55.5 for loss), 29.5 sacks and eight forced fumbles.
Carter Daniels (Mountain Vista), MLB, sr.: An ACL tear robbed Daniels of half his junior season. But after 30 games of varsity defensive snaps, this much is clear: The 5-foot-11, 190-pound ’backer is a menace (409 tackles, 71 TFLs, 6 forced fumbles, 5 interceptions).
Andreas Distel (Montrose), C/DL, sr.: Few programs dominate the trenches quite like the ground-and-pound Red Hawks, who have churned out 4,000-plus yards rushing two years in a row. The hub of that activity is the 6-foot-2, 265-pound Distel, a returning 4A all-state center.
Zayne DeSouza (Loveland), TE, sr.: The Red Wolves aren’t known for chucking the ball all over the field, but with a CU commit at tight end in the 6-foot-6, 260-pound DeSouza (19 catches, 330 yards), they’ve got a very good reason to open things up.
Koa Dietrich (Mullen), QB, so.: It isn’t often a freshman QB is handed the keys to a varsity offense. It’s even less common for one to handle the controls as well as Dietrich did last fall when the 5-foot-11 signal caller threw for 2,207 yards, 22 TDs and 7 picks on 57.3% passing.
Caedmon Ferris Haddad (Evergreen), LB, sr.: Whether he’s putting his finger in the ground at the line of scrimmage or roaming the middle of the field at the second level, the 6-foot, 220-pound Haddad (130 tackles, 15.5 TFLs, 4 sacks) must be accounted for.
Jace Filleman (Regis Jesuit), DE/TE, sr.: A 6-foot-3, 215-pound problem off the edge, Filleman is on Colorado School of Mines’ radar after making a habit of terrorizing opponents’ backfields to the tune of 129 tackles (21.5 for loss) and 14.5 sacks over the past two seasons.
Joey Foot (Longmont), WR/DB, jr.: Long, lean and lively at 6-foot-2, 183 pounds, Foot has all the tools to burn a secondary with go-routes and jump balls downfield. After reeling in 69 catches for 1,156 yards as a sophomore, he and QB Kolby Holmes are just getting started.
Jayden Fox (Cherry Creek), RB, jr.: The 1B to Jordan Herron’s 1A last fall, the blazing-fast Fox (10.6 seconds in 100 meters) is in line for an even bigger role in the Bruins backfield. His numbers from last season (482 yards, nine TDs on 82 carries) are about to grow.
Trajan Frasier (Arapahoe), RB, jr.: Graduation took its toll on a Warriors roster that nearly won the Centennial League title, but the return of the team’s leading rusher (149 carries, 822 yards, 13 TDs) ensures they’ll return some muscle memory from that 8-3 campaign.
Leland Frescaz (Doherty), QB, jr.: After a bumpy start to his first varsity season, the 6-foot-3, 200-pound QB closed out last fall on a heater, throwing for 984 yards and 14 TDs in his final three games to finish with 2,398 yards, 21 TDs and 7 INTs on 60.0% passing.
Deion Giles-Ray (Denver East), S/WR, sr.: A ball-hawking, hard-hitting safety on defense (159 tackles, 31 passes defended, 7 picks) and back-breaking home run threat on offense (37 touches, 630 yards) the past two seasons, Giles-Ray impacts the entire game.
Carson Hageman (Erie), LB/TE, sr.: The Tigers defense is in good hands with Hageman, a returning team captain with the speed of an all-state sprinter (11.3-second 100 meters), will of an all-state wrestler (4A runner-up, 165) and motor of an all-state linebacker (185 tackles, 7 sacks, 2 forced fumbles).
Hunter Hansen (Resurrection Christian), RB/LB, sr.: Off tackle, up the gut or out wide, the 5-foot-10, 195-pound 3A second-team all-state pick (150 carries, 954 yards) has the burst, shiftiness and vision to rip off a big run at a moment’s notice.
JR Harpstreith (Chatfield), OL, sr.: A second-team 5A all-state pick last season, the 5-foot-10, 225-pound interior lineman was a key cog in a high-octane Chargers offense that pushed the program to the 5A state semifinals.
Caleb Harr (Arvada West), OL, jr.: The last thing you want to see is the 6-foot-1, 250-pound Harr pulling your way. Athletic and nasty entering his third varsity season, he’s one of the many gems in a strong junior class that has the Wildcats ready to make some serious noise in 5A.
Jack Heath (Mountain Vista), OT, sr.: The cornerstone of the Golden Eagles offensive line, the 6-foot-6, 320-pound Navy commit has the size and skill to ensure quarterback Austyn Modrzewski has the time he needs to pick apart defenses.
Mykolas Henning (Ralston Valley), OL/DL, sr.: The Mustangs have a lot of holes to fill from last year’s 5A state semifinal team, but the return of the 6-foot-4, 240-pound Henning at right guard and Austin Blattner at center ensures they’ll be sturdy up front.
Ben Herbek (Valor Christian), WR, sr.: If offensive coordinator Bob Stitt decides to open up the Valor offense, he’ll have the perfect weapon to make it happen in Herbek, who led the state with 1,305 receiving yards and 17 TDs at 3A Lutheran last fall.
Jeremiah Hoffman (Cherry Creek), WR, sr.: Rest easy, Class 3A. The 6-foot-1, 175-pound former Severance star (64 catches, 943 yards, 12 TDs last fall) is no longer your problem. As for the 5A Centennial League? Buckle up. Brady Vodicka-to-Hoffman is your new nightmare.
Henry Hurd (Aspen), TE/WR, sr.: The 6-foot-4, 200-pound Brown commit is coming off a massive junior year that saw him haul in 44 catches for 803 yards and 13 TDs. If Aspen can find a way to get him the ball even more, the Skiers will be dangerous.
Tufanua Ionatana Umu-Cais (Cherry Creek), DL, jr.: More bad news for Creek opponents? The 6-foot-3, 303-pound Umu-Cais, already a terror on the defensive line with Power 4 offers from Auburn, Miami, Tennessee and USC, is expected to see snaps at guard this fall, too.
Gavin Ishmael (Frederick), QB, sr.: Arguably the most dangerous dual threat QB in the state after putting up 3,559 total yards (2,756 passing, 803 rushing) and 36 total TDs in 11 games last season, Ishmael offers a steady hand for a Golden Eagles squad moving up to the 4A ranks.
Camden Jensen (Heritage), TE, jr.: The latest coveted prospect to roll off the Heritage tight end assembly line: With more than a dozen Power 4 scholarship offers and counting, the 6-foot-7, 242-pound Jensen is just as comfortable opening up holes in the run game as he is running down the seams for big gains (19 catches, 233 yards).
Vincent Johnston (Palisade), OL/DL, sr.: Small-town programs are built on players like Johnston, a 6-foot-4, 260-pound 3A all-state ironman who can open up holes on the interior line of scrimmage and close them up (45 tackles, 6 TFLs), as well.
Landon Kalsbeck (Dakota Ridge), RB/LB, jr.: A first down waiting to happen, the 6-foot-1, 210-pound junior averaged 11.5 yards per touch last fall en route to gaining 1,178 total yards. He did plenty of damage (7.0 TFLs, 3 interceptions, 2.5 sacks, 1 fumble recovery) on the other side of the ball, too.
Mason Kiewiet (Westminster), QB, sr.: The 6-foot, 170-pound QB did everything but sweep the stands at Westminster Memorial Stadium last fall, piling up 3,735 total yards (2,539 passing, 1,196 rushing) in 10 games with 41 total TDs (24 passing, 17 rushing).
Aiden Knapke (Cherry Creek), DB, sr.: The Washington State commit enters his fourth season as a varsity contributor for the Bruins. The numbers (200 tackles, 13 interceptions, three fumble recoveries) tell the story. Creek has a rock on the back end of its defense.
Nick Kubat (Fossil Ridge), QB, sr.: The Kubat family has the QB position on lockdown in FoCo, with Nick ensuring the SaberCats will have a Kubat chucking passes for the fifth straight year. Like Tyler before him, Nick (2,046 yards, 19 TDs on 61.4% passing) is more than capable of slinging it.
Logan Kundred (Chatfield), LB, sr.: The Chargers defense starts and often ends (heavy emphasis on ends) with Kundred, a tackling machine (204 tackles, 11 TFLs, 1 INT) who will team up with fellow senior Caleb Espinosa (164 tackles, 16 TFLs) to form a formidable linebacking corps.
Ty LaCrue (Broomfield), OL/DL, sr.:Physical and strong with a high football IQ, the 4A second-team all-state selection and younger brother of Wisconsin QB Cole LaCrue enters his third varsity season as an anchor up front on both sides of the ball.
Jaden Lawrence (Legend), RB, sr.: The top priority for the Titans? Finding ways to get Lawrence in space.Be it as a runner (1,403 yards, 19 TDs), pass-catcher (419 yards, 3 TDs) or returner (204 yards, 1 TD), the 6-foot, 185-pound Wyoming commit is an all-purpose workhorse.
Peyton Lindell (Regis Jesuit), QB, sr.: With a first name like Peyton, it should come as no surprise that Regis’ 6-foot-2, 190-pound QB can chuck it (1,941 yards, 17 TDs on 55.7% passing). After a season’s worth of varsity reps, he’s now got the experience to match the talent.
Gavin Lockett (Pueblo West), QB/S, sr.: The Cyclones had little trouble putting points on the board last season. The dual-threat talents of Lockett, who totaled 2,684 yards (1,473 passing, 1,211 rushing) and 38 TDs (24 rushing, 14 passing), were the primary reason why. With No. 1 target Brock Keck (44 receptions, 610 yards) also back in the fold, fireworks are expected.
Maxwell Lovett (Cherry Creek), WR, jr.: The depth of talent in the Bruins’ receiving corps will force defenses to make hard choices. Single-covering the 6-foot, 180-pound Lovett, a returning starter who had 48 catches for 792 yards as a sophomore, would be one of them.
Gavin Lusk (Erie), RB/S, sr.: Kansas State-bound QB Blake Barnett may have been the headliner on last year’s 4A state champs, but Lusk’s speed, elusiveness and versatility out of the backfield (1,359 total yards, 14 TDs) as a 4A all-state selection were invaluable.
Jakhai Mack (Mountain Vista), WR/DB, sr.: The other half of the Golden Eagles’ dynamic pass-catching duo opposite Sean Conway, Mack (151 career receptions, 2,364 yards, 21 TDs) adds another dimension on the defensive side of the ball: shutdown corner (6 INTs in ’23).
Jack Manthey (Regis Jesuit), K/P, jr.: Manthey was ready for the varsity spotlight from the jump last season, drilling a game-winner against Valor Christian in Week 2 en route to making 9 of 11 field goals, including a 52-yarder against Douglas County, and 39 of 42 extra points.
Keagan Mellott (Limon), T, jr.: As the Badgers reload for a run at a third straight 1A state championship, the 6-foot-1, 265-pound returning all-state selection serves as the cornerstone of what figures to be another powerful Limon offensive front.
Aidan Martin (Northfield), OT, sr.: A high-motor and physical blocker, it isn’t uncommon to see the 6-foot-5, 225-pound Martin drive defenders 10 yards downfield. He should fit right in with the Wyoming Cowboys.
Samuel Meisner (Wray), RB/MLB, sr. : A two-time 1A first-team all-state pick, the only place you won’t spot Meisner is on the bench. He plows through defenses as a rusher (1,535 yards, 29 TDs in ’23) one moment, then drags down ball-carriers (97 tackles, 10.5 TFLs) the next.
Max Mervin (Ponderosa), ATH, sr.: Few earn the “athlete” designation better than Mervin, an all-state pick who literally does everything on offense, from running the ball (472 yards, 6 TDs) to throwing the ball (328 yards, 5 TDs) to, yes, even catching it (34 receptions, 555 yards).
Tyler Meyer (Rock Canyon), RB, sr.: The Jaguars always seem to have a hyperproductive bell-cow running back under head coach Kevin Meyer. Consider Tyler (255 carries, 1485 yards, 10 TDs in ’23) a chip off the old block.
Austyn Modrzewski (Mountain Vista), QB, sr.: After throwing for 8,504 yards over his first three seasons, the South Dakota commit is 3,015 short of the CHSAA career passing yardage record. Given that Modrzewski has topped 3,200 two years in a row, that number is reachable.
Christian Montero (Castle View), K/P, jr.: Montero burst onto the scene with a 50-yard field goal in his varsity debut and was a reliable weapon after that, connecting on 11 of 15 field goals and 35 of 37 extra points.
Marcus Mozer (Fossil Ridge), WR/S, sr. : The 6-foot-3, 200-pound Mozer (54 catches, 940 yards, 9 TDs in ’23) can high-point a pass with the best of them. Soon enough, he’ll be doing so for former CU offensive coordinator Sean Lewis at San Diego State.
Xay Neto (Grandview), WR/S/KR, sr. : The 5-foot-11, 170-pound burner (54 catches, 1,007 yards ) has the speed to take the top off a defense, the shiftiness to make multiple tacklers miss and the route-running skills to turn defensive backs sideways.
Jack Offerdahl (Dakota Ridge), DB/KR, jr.: The 6-foot, 180-pound Offerdahl is the last line of defense on the back end of the Eagles defense. With a nose for the ball (3 interceptions, 12 passes defended) and strong tackling in space (80 tackles), it’s a role he’s well-suited for.
Anderson Osburn (Holy Family), TE/DL, sr.: The second-team 3A all-state returnee’s blend of size and speed allows the Tigers to get creative. Dump-offs, deep crossers, seam routes: Osburn’s got a deep bag (31 catches, 621 yards). Toss him on the D-line, and chaos ensues.
Jayden Pagano (Lewis-Palmer), RB/DB, sr.: The Rangers’ winningest season in seven years got plenty of mileage out of Pagano’s legs (207 carries, 1276 yards, 19 TDs). After a deep senior class graduated, the 3A all-state pick’s production is needed even more.
Colton Pawlak (Fossil Ridge), RB/DB, sr.: The 5-foot-9 Pawlak’s ability to gash teams on the ground over the last two years (2,227 rush yards) has helped open up the SaberCats attack. Lose sight of him in the pass game, and he’ll punish defenses there (15 catches, 293 yards), too.
Keegan Perea (Cherry Creek), DE/OLB, sr.: The 6-foot-2, 235-pound Nevada commit combines size, strength and speed with a blue-collar work ethic to provide the Bruins with a valuable team leader who is highly disruptive (81 tackles, 5 sacks) opposite fellow standout OLB Ashton Shepardson.
Cole Powell (Erie), LT, sr.: The 6-foot-6, 265-pound Eastern Michigan commit ensured there was little drop-off on the Tigers O-line in the wake of John Pastore’s exit for Kansas State. Smart, technically sound and strong, he’s a major reason why Erie should remain competitive in its move up to 5A.
Jaxon Pyatt (Arvada West), MLB, jr.: Decisive and instinctual in the middle of the A-West defense, the 6-foot-1, 215-pound Pyatt loves to hit. After a productive first two seasons (23 TFLs, 5 sacks), he has multiple Power 4 offers, including Ole Miss, Boston College, Kansas State and Syracuse.
Jordan Rechel (Fairview), WR, sr.: The only limit to Rechel’s offensive impact is the number of schemes the Knights can dream up to utilize him. Whether it’s out wide, in the slot, or the backfield, the 5-foot-11, 180-pound four-year starter (4,410 total yards, 57 TDs) has the explosiveness to detonate at a moment’s notice.
Bryce Riehl (Mesa Ridge), QB, sr.: A two-time state champion point guard in basketball, Riehl runs the show for the Grizzlies on the football field as well. His ability to dissect defenses with both his arm (3,972 career yards on 57.9% passing) and legs (610 yards, 16 TDs) unlocks one of the most dangerous offenses in 4A.
Chase Riehle (Banning Lewis), RB/LB, sr.: After back-to-back 1,000-yard campaigns on the ground, the 6-foot-1, 215-pound bruiser enters his final varsity season averaging 9.5 yards per carry.
Matthew Sakkaris (Holy Family), OL/DL, sr.: A varsity contributor on the offensive line since he was an undersized freshman, the second-team all-state selection is a foundational part of the Tigers’ 3A state title defense up front.
Trevon Salas (Mesa Ridge), RB, jr.: After thriving in a secondary role behind Isaiah Jones in the Grizzlies backfield with 1,711 yards and 16 TDs the past two years, the 5-foot-11, 195-pound Salas assumes the top spot for a program looking to build on back-to-back 8-win seasons.
Noel Sanchez (Roosevelt), MLB/FB, sr.: The Rough Riders lost a lot of skill talent from last year’s 3A quarterfinal squad, but the return of the highly productive Sanchez (91 tackles, 14 TFLs) means the middle of the defense is locked down.
Deacon Schmitt (Windsor), OL, jr.: It’s one thing to have size, which the 6-foot-4, 275-pound tackle has in spades. But to get out in space and lower the boom 10-15 yards downfield? That’s why schools like Nebraska, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Kansas State are vying for Schmitt’s services.
Kai Shelton (Regis Jesuit), MLB, sr.: A two-year varsity starter, the 6-foot-2, 210-pound linebacker displayed the versatility to rush the passer (3 sacks), stuff the run (97 tackles, 9.0 TFLs) and get out in coverage (2 picks, 4 passes defensed) in a productive junior year.
Tripp Skewes (Kent Denver), DE/T, jr.: Good luck matching the two-way production of the 6-foot-7, 275-pound Skewes in the trenches. A year ago, he totaled 117 tackles (32 for loss) and 22 sacks at defensive end, and 15 pancake blocks at tackle … in nine games.
Soren Shinofield (Cherry Creek), OT, sr.: The 6-foot-6, 275-pound Utah commit came to football late, then played his way into a starting role after beginning last fall as a backup. A natural athlete, Shinofield may just be scratching the surface.
Kannon Smith (Valor Christian), OT/DL, jr.: Schools like Michigan, Utah and Kansas State are after the 6-foot-5, 248-pound junior for what he can do on the O-line. But the disruption he creates on defense (30 tackles, 5 TFLs, 2 interceptions) may be just as valuable for Valor.
Peyton Sommers (Cherokee Trail), WR, sr.: A five-time individual 5A state champion sprinter, Sommers has the attention of track programs all across the country. Opposing defenses better keep an eye on him, too, or risk looking at the back of his jersey.
Jude Suhajda (Discovery Canyon), DT/G: The Thunder returned to the ranks of 3A contenders last season with the second-team 3A all-state selection a significant part of that rise on both sides of the ball.
Adrian Symalla (Arvada West), RB/DB, jr.: The backfield combination of Symalla (170 carries, 1,242 yards) and Jaiden Green (125-926) gave defenses fits last year. After adding 25 pounds over the offseason, Symalla is ready to up the ante.
Tanner Terch (Heritage), WR, sr.: Committed to Nebraska, the three-star receiver uses every bit of his 6-foot-2 frame to produce highlight catches every Friday. After breaking out with 55 catches for 876 yards last fall, he’ll be the focus of every opponent’s defensive game plan.
Court Towns (Palmer Ridge), OL/DL, sr.: The Bears lost several weapons from last year’s 4A state runner-up squad, but the return of Towns, a 6-foot-4, 294-pound Air Force commit, ensures they will be in good shape on the line of scrimmage.
Kyler Vaughn (Grandview), WR, sr.: A commitment to baseball keeps Vaughn off the track, but he may be one of the fastest prep athletes in the state. A year ago, he had 57 catches for 828 yards as part of a deadly receiving tandem with Xay Neto. With Air Force tight end commit Dominic Henning out, those two will be counted on even more.
Isaac Valencia (Rifle), RB/LB, sr.: The Bears’ first state title game trip in nine years featured a heavy dose of Valencia, a first-team 2A all-state player who ripped off 1,439 total yards (1093 rushing, 346 receiving) on offense and 52 tackles, 3 interceptions and 1 sack on defense.
Donavon Vernon (Grandview), RB, sr.: A 1,000-yard rusher as a sophomore, Vernon (134 carries, 581 yards in ’23), junior Chris Blanks (73-553) and Cherry Creek transfer Caleb Llamas form a three-headed monster in a Wolves backfield tasked with helping replace the all-everything production of since-departed QB Liam Szarka.
Vincent Vigil (Arvada West), DL, sr.: Once upon a time, A-West’s tenacious defensive lineman took snaps at QB as a freshman. Three years later, he enters his fourth varsity season looking to build on a productive junior year that included 81 tackles,15 TFLs and 3 sacks.
Ryder Villarreal (Fairview), LB, sr.: Some advice for opposing offenses: Make note of where No. 9 lines up. There’s a decent chance the roving 5-foot-11, 195-pound linebacker (243 tackles, 27 TFLs, 4 interceptions in three seasons) is about to be in on whatever happens next.
Brady Vodicka (Cherry Creek), QB, jr.: Smart, efficient and precise, the 6-foot-2, 215-pound Vodicka enters his junior year with 26 games of varsity experience under his belt. After he threw for 2,331 yards, 25 TDs and 3 picks on 69.0% passing last fall, Washington State made an offer.
Mason Walters (Valor Christian), K/P, sr.: Committed to kick for Penn, Walters boasts a big leg that produced 43 touchbacks and connected on 9 of 12 field goal attempts last season with a long of 55 yards.
T’Mario Walters (Eaglecrest), DE, sr.: Quick enough to get around the edge and strong enough to fight off multiple blockers, the 6-foot-1, 215-pound pass rusher (33 tackles, 10.5 sacks, 10 pressures, 3 forced fumbles) can flip an offensive possession in one snap.
Jarrius Ward (Overland), RB/LB, sr.: After breaking a 47-year-old 5A state meet record in the discus, Ward established himself as thetop thrower in the state.But on the football field, it’s his legs (1,321 rush yards, 16 TDs; 43 tackles, 2 sacks) that do most of the talking.
Tay Wheat (Montezuma-Cortez), RB/DB, sr.: Wheat may be undersized at 5-foot-6, 155 pounds, but he is a massive presence for the Panthers, impacting every phase of the game with 3,839 all-purpose yards, 27 TDs (2 on special teams, 3 on defense), 72 tackles and six interceptions over three varsity seasons.
Bennett Wilkes (Wheat Ridge), WR/DB, sr.: It’s been a long climb back from a winless 2021, but the Farmers return several contributors from last year’s 4-6 squad with Wilkes the headliner after accumulating 154 catches for 2,156 yards in his first three varsity seasons.
Ned Zilinskas (Cherry Creek), C, sr.: Snapping footballs is a Zilinskas family tradition. Father, John, was Troy Aikman’s center at UCLA. And after their own stints as Creek’s center, brothers Gus and Hank now snap the ball for Rutgers and CU, respectively. Now it’s Ned’s turn in Greenwood Village, with a spot on an Ivy League roster possibly awaiting him afterward.
Note: All statistics taken frommaxpreps.com, and all star ratings and player rankings are from 247Sports.com.
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Originally Published: August 18, 2024 at 5:45 a.m.
