Top 25 high school football players to watch this fall. See who made the Boise-area list
The high school football season kicks off Friday, and the Treasure Valley remains loaded with talent.
Four players have committed to Division I schools via scholarships, and eight previously made an All-Idaho team. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
The Idaho Statesman surveyed the region’s coaches for the top players they have their eyes on. These were the names that came up over and over.
Players are listed alphabetically.
Grayson Benitez, RB/DB, Notus
Speed kills at the 8-man level. And the senior brings it in spades as the school’s 100-meter record holder (11.16 seconds). He led the 1A Division I WIC in catches and receiving TDs last year. But he’ll get even more touches this year as he moves into the backfield.
Cache Beus, QB/DE, Skyview
The Hawks received the biggest offseason addition in Beus, a two-time, first-team all-conference quarterback from Melba. The 6-4, 200-pound senior threw for 1,860 yards and a school-record 23 TDs last fall with the Mustangs. He steps into a program loaded at wide receiver and long known for producing prolific quarterbacks under offensive coordinator-turned-head coach David Robinson.
Seth Brock, DE, Eagle
Opponents better get used to devoting two blockers to the 6-4, 220-pound senior who racked up 17 sacks last fall, the second most in 5A. Otherwise, they’ll spend all night picking their quarterback up off the dirt. Brock holds offers from Idaho and Idaho State, but expect more to come for the three-star recruit. “He might be the best defensive player in the state,” Boise coach Mike Altieri said. “He dominates opponents and wreaks havoc on offenses.”
Bryen Bosworth, OL, Vallivue
The senior right guard paved the way for 4A’s top rushing offense (346 yards per game) a year ago. The first-team All-Idaho bulldozer did it all for the Falcons, proving himself as a destructive force while pulling, trapping and dropping back into pass protection. His light feet and brute strength make him a cornerstone for Vallivue to build around.
Cole Burtenshaw, WR/DB, McCall-Donnelly
The senior and three-year starter remains a big play waiting to happen on both sides of the ball. He’s twice made the 3A All-Idaho second team as a defensive back, ball-hawking any errant passes out of the sky. But he might be even more dangerous on offense, where the Vandals will try to get him the ball in open space and let him create.
Rylie Byington, RB/WR, Meridian
The Warriors return a litany of offensive weapons. But the scariest comes in the form of this 5-11, 195-pound senior, who finished with 1,263 total yards and 15 TDs last fall. He’s a monster to bring down inside the tackles, possesses the home-run speed to hit the edge and abuses linebackers in pass coverage. “He’s a dynamic player,” Mountain View coach Brian Compton said. “He’s scary in space.”
Brody Call, WR/FS, Capital
What didn’t the senior do for the Eagles last fall? He lined up everywhere from wide receiver to running back to quarterback, and he posed a lethal threat as a kick returner. He’s found a more consistent role this year at receiver, where Capital plans to feature him and his field-stretching speed. But he’ll remain a factor on returns and see action in key moments on defense, too.
Martin Connington, K/P, Mountain View
Kickers rarely make a must-see list, but Connington stands as the exception. He committed to Boise State on Wednesday as the No. 7 kicker in the nation, according to 247 Sports. He made the 5A All-Idaho first team as a kicker and punter last fall, hitting 14-of-20 field goals — with a long of 52. He also averaged 39 yards per punt.
Davis Harsin, QB, Eagle
The three-star recruit committed to Idaho State in July, and he helped lead Auburn High to the state title game in Alabama’s largest classification last year. “He is Dexter on the field,” Kuna assistant coach Josh Rippy said. “Put on the tape from his time in Auburn, and you can see that he takes pleasure surgically dismantling defenses. When he gets into a rhythm, the other team is just dead men walking.”
Gage Haws, LB, Owyhee
His future lies on the baseball diamond, where the catcher is fielding Division I offers. But the junior has already made an impact on the gridiron. He led Owyhee in tackles as a freshman (9.3 per game) and as a sophomore (8.9). Expect him to do the same again this year as a rangy linebacker known for delivering big hits.
Cole Holman, RB/LB, Middleton
The senior outside linebacker gives the Vikings a security blanket. He had 105 tackles, 14 tackles for loss and four sacks a year ago, using his instincts and lightning-quick diagnosis to sniff out where the ball was headed. He’ll take on a larger role on offense this year as running back who poses a threat in the passing game, too.
Rakeem Johnson, OL/DL, Bishop Kelly
The 6-3, 250-pound offensive lineman committed to Oregon State in July, picking the Beavers over Boise State, Washington State, Boston College and Air Force. The three-star recruit’s size disguises his athleticism, which he also uses to wreak havoc on the defensive line and to capture a state title in the discus. “Rakeem Johnson is the real deal,” Ridgevue coach Sean Impomeni said.
Kaelun Jones, RB/LB, Horseshoe Bend
The senior split carries with a two-time, first-team All-Idaho running back last year and still produced 1,211 yards and 13 TDs. Now he’ll get the lion’s share of the carries. “He is a good, strong runner who is going to come at you all game,” Salmon River coach Ty Medley said. “He has proven to be tough to get on the ground.”
Tacoma Kelly, QB/DB. Garden Valley
The reigning Long Pin Offensive Player of the Year presents a pick-your-poison scenario. He racked up 1,847 total yards and 18 TDs picking apart defenses with his arm, and he gashed any that sat back in coverage with his legs. “We have to have lots of bodies around him at all times, or he can break a big one,” Council coach Andy Glenn said.
Mason Krahn, WR/LB, Skyview
The 6-2, 220-pound junior already made a name for himself as one of the area’s top two-way talents. As a sophomore, he racked up 10.2 tackles per game for first-team 4A SIC honors at linebacker. His sideline-to-sideline range and brutal hits make him an eraser for the Hawks’ defense. But he’s also a threat as a receiver, hauling in 50 catches for 737 yards and 10 TDs.
Zeke Martinez, QB, Meridian
The 5-11 junior may not have the prototypical build of a college quarterback. But between the ears, he’s playing chess while everyone else is playing checkers. He racked up 1,817 yards and 20 TDs through the air for the defending state runner-up last fall. But his most impressive stat comes in the win column, where he’s 15-1 as a starter. “If he is in the game, Meridian is the favorite to win the game. Enough said,” Borah coach JQ Kenyon said.
Justin McGee, QB/RB/WR, Mountain View
The do-it-all senior presents a problem to his own coaching staff: Where do they use him? He racked up 1,158 all-purpose yards and 15 TDs last season while playing quarterback, running back and wide receiver due to injuries. He starts the season in a battle for the starting QB job. No matter how that turns out, he’ll produce in some fashion. Don’t envy the defensive coordinator tasked with finding a way to contain him.
Trevor McKenna, OL/DL, Borah
Boise State locked up a commitment last month from the 6-6, 260-pound senior, rated a three-star recruit and the No. 4 prospect in Idaho by 247Sports. The three-year starter will anchor Borah on both sides of the ball. “The defensive ends in this league will need extra time in the ice bath after facing him,” Rippy said. “Heck, their moms might need an ice bath after watching McKenna play against their sons.”
Peter Minnaert, RB, Bishop Kelly
The senior running back provides the Knights with the complete package. He’s a physical, downhill runner inside the tackles who can also flash his speed on the edge. He’s a threat out of the backfield and as a kick returner. He even delivers the hammer as a blocker. He ran for 1,477 yards and 27 TDs last fall to make the 4A All-Idaho second team.
Taeshaun Reese, Rocky Mountain
A north-south runner who’d rather run through a defender than around him forced his way into the Grizzlies’ lineup as a sophomore. He ended up as Rocky Mountain’s second-leading rusher, but expect him to take on a starring role this fall. “Another piece in a long line of great running backs to come out of Rocky,” Timberline coach Ian Smart said. “I have no doubt that he will hit big shots for them throughout the season.”
Luke Snarr, WR, Kuna
The senior pairs with Luke Selto to give the Kavemen two dynamic receivers. Snarr (42 catches, 739 yards) is the rare receiver combination who can stretch defenses vertically but is also willing to do all the dirty work underneath. “He has the ability to go up and make the tough catch, and he wants the ball all the time,” Owyhee coach Jason Burton said.
Brock Spencer, RB/WR/DB, Weiser
The three-year starter provides the Wolverines with a jack-of-all trades they can move all around the field to exploit mismatches. Whether he’s hauling in passes, taking handoffs, fielding kickoffs or patrolling the secondary, opponents must know where he is at all times — or pay the price.
Jax Tanner, OT/DT, Rocky Mountain
The Grizzlies remain a college prospect factory, turning out recruits year after year. Just making the starting lineup at Rocky Mountain is an honor. But Tanner broke through last fall as a freshman on the Grizzlies’ vaunted offensive line. The 6-3, 265-pound sophomore quickly turned heads with his athleticism, strength and nonstop motor. He’ll remain a force for years to come.
Noah West-Barranco, Melba
The 6-4, 195-pound senior set program records for receiving yards (1,001) and receiving touchdowns (10) last season. That earned the two-star recruit a spot on the 2A All-Idaho first team and visits to several Big Sky schools. “He’s a big, fast target you have to account for on every play,” Cole Valley Christian coach Mark Moreno said. “He has big-play ability any time he is targeted.”
Brodie White, OL/DL, Homedale
A three-time All-Idaho selection, the senior returns for his third season as the Trojans’ center and a run-stuffing defensive tackle. He tore his ACL in last year’s state championship game, but he’s worked his way back for one last go-round. “He was overshadowed last year by other players on their team,” Fruitland coach Jordan Gross said. “But he is definitely at the top of the heap this season.”
This story was originally published August 12, 2023 at 4:00 AM.
