Danny's picks: Football players to watch in 2024

EDITOR'S NOTE: Observer correspondent Daniel Zuniga will be doing a series of articles leading into the fall sports season on standout athletes in each sport from Cleveland High School, Rio Rancho High School and Bernalillo High School. This week, he takes a look at football.

The high school football season is right around the corner. Like most of you, I’m absolutely stoked for the upcoming season. So, here are two players from each team that I believe will have breakout seasons.

Cleveland High School

Offensive tackle Moses Sparks (junior): Sparks is coming off a sophomore campaign where he was the starter at right tackle and was an absolute mauler in the run game. He displays violent hands, quick feet and balance in his lower half. Sparks was clearly built in a lab and is on track to have prototypical size and length for the pros. As a sophomore, he was listed as 6 feet, 5 inches and weighed in at 280 pounds. Also, If you are not aware, Sparks has already received college offers from Texas Tech, UTEP, Houston and UNM. It would not shock anyone if Sparks is one of the top players in the entire state — and one of the hottest recruits — by season's end.

Running Back Isaiah Yannis (senior): With the departure of Harris Mbueha (who is now playing collegiately at ENMU), the Cleveland backfield will have some pretty big shoes to fill. Mbueha was a workhorse who had the lion's share of touches (71% of the rushing touches and 263 carries). Second on the team last year was Isaiah Yannis, who had 53 carries for 227 yards. On those carries, Yannis showed great vision, displayed some shifty moves and found some nice ways to wiggle out of crowded boxes. I do expect the CHS backfield to be more of a committee but even so, Yannis should have a nice season and find himself in the endzone plenty this season.

Rio Rancho High School

Wide receivers Parker Miller (junior) and Jace Pitt (senior): I know. I am cheating a bit with this one, but I wanted to group these guys together because I am excited to see how these speedsters will be used in the offense. Back in May, Miller and Pitt were part of the 4x100-meter relay that won state in track and field; their 41.35 time was a 5A state record. These dudes should be burners who can take the top off of secondaries. Besides the speed, both have shown that they can separate and project as the top targets for quarterback JJ Arellano. Individually, I believe Pitt has everything you would want in an X-receiver, and I was also very impressed with the vision Miller showed when he gets the balls in his hands (he should be a YAC machine this season).

Offensive tackle Jack Warble (senior): Warble will serve as the blindside protector for the Rams, and it is clear as day that this guy loves football. He is constantly knocking down defenders, always finishing plays with some nastiness, and keeping his guys upright. Warble is a leader, a dancing bear on the line, and I expect him to continue serving pancakes throughout the season. The towering offensive tackle will be tasked with dealing with some of the premier edge rushers in the state, and I believe he will hold his own — and then some.

Bernalillo High School

Tight end Ulisses Castro (sophomore): Castro is the youngest player on this list and, perhaps, the biggest skill position guy on this list, too. As a freshman, Castro measured in at 6 feet, 2 inches, and weighed in at 172 pounds. I just saw Castro for 7-on-7s a couple weeks ago and can safely say that he has grown even more. Last season, Castro saw success as a red zone threat, scoring seven touchdowns on 25 catches for 342 yards. I expect him to see an uptick in his usage as he has displayed an ability to line up as an in-line tight end, a slot receiver and as an outside guy. Castro is a true chess piece on the offense and will be a safety blanket for quarterback Uriel Castro.

Wide receiver and defensive back Kenneth Saiz (junior): I have lost count of how many impressive plays I have seen Saiz make, and I believe he is poised for a huge season with Bernalillo. After a quiet sophomore campaign with five catches for 57 yards, Saiz has been target No. 1 down field for quarterback Uriel Castro during the off season, and Saiz has made the most of it. Even on defense, Saiz displays a great change of direction, has played well in press, and shows that he has that "dawg" in him. Ever hear of a two-way player named Travis Hunter? I don’t believe it is out of the range of possibilities to believe that Saiz can have the same impact that Hunter has had for the Colorado Buffaloes.