Top 25 prep football players to watch this fall. See who made the Boise-area list
Teams win state championships. But it takes a few stars sprinkled into the mix to carry a team to the banner.
The Treasure Valley features plenty of budding high school football stars this season. A four-star recruit calls the region home. Nine players have already committed to a Division I football program. And 17 returning all-state selections return looking to build on their legends.
We asked the 6A to 1A coaches around the Boise area to name the opposing players that keep them up at night. Below are the names that came up over and over again.
Players are listed alphabetically.
Ben Avella, QB, Bishop Kelly
All the Carroll College commit does is win, posting a 22-2 record in his first two seasons under center. After throwing for 1,744 yards and 22 TDs for second-team all-state honors, the Knights rebuilt their offense into a run-and-shoot scheme around the 6-5, 215-pound senior. “He is a very experienced player that is poised in the pocket and has great receiving threats at all positions,” Vallivue coach Shea McClellin said. “He could be a real problem this year.”
Jack Brant, QB, Timberline
The three-year starter and three-star recruit committed to UC Davis in May, choosing the Aggies over Idaho State. Now he leads a Timberline program with its most preseason expectations in decades. The 6-foot, 200-pound senior carved up defenses last fall for 2,041 passing yards and 24 TDs, using his quick feet to escape trouble and big arm to find holes deep down the field. “He’s a big-time quarterback that can make all the throws,” Eagle coach James Cluphf said.
Ryan Brekke, TE, Owyhee
The Storm move the Boise State commit all around the field, trying to slip him away from the constant double- and triple-teams opponents throw at him. But even with all that attention, he still posted 55 catches for 700 yards last season to make back-to-back appearances on the All-Idaho second team. He remains the Storm’s ultimate security blanket as a four-year starter. “His catching radius might be the best in the state,” Borah coach JQ Kenyon said. “He will be a guy that can get Owyhee out of trouble just by lobbing it up to him.”
Noah Burnham, RB, Eagle
Known as “Tugboat” for his small frame, he packs a punch and led the 6A SIC in rushing yards for the past two years. Now the two-time, first-team all-state running back has added 20 pounds of muscle in the offseason. Perhaps teammates need to come up with a new nickname for the senior. “He was the best running back in the state last year and will probably be there again this season,” Boise coach Mike Altieri said. “He runs extremely hard, and his team does a great job feeding him the ball.”
Onix Carson, RB, Vallivue
The 5-10, 190-pound running back torched the 5A SIC last fall, ranking third among all 5A athletes with 1,420 rushing yards while averaging 7.7 yards per carry. A single tackler won’t bring down the second-team all-state selection, and he owns the speed to hit the edge and leave everyone in his dust. “(He) is a tremendous player,” Bishop Kelly coach Chris Culig said. “Onix was the top running back in our conference last season as a junior, and his size and speed are hard to deal with.”
Owen Hatfield, QB/LB, Council
The 1A Long Pin’s overall MVP enters his senior season after racking up 2,631 total yards, 31 total touchdowns and 6.1 tackles per game last season for the state-qualifying Lumberjacks. Already a proven threat with his legs, Council coach JC Tucker says Hatfield has put in significant work in the offseason to improve his passing game. “He is a fierce competitor and one of the best option QBs that this league has ever seen,” Garden Valley coach Jason Yearsley said.
Logan Haustveit, DB, Owyhee
A two-time, first-team all-state selection in basketball, the point guard’s exploits on the football field put him in the running for the Treasure Valley’s top all-around athlete. He made the all-6A SIC River Division first team each of the past two seasons as an eraser in the Storm’s secondary, snaring eight career interceptions. He also returns punts and kicks and serves as a punter, and the Storm will find a larger role for him on offense. “He’s one of the best all-around athletes,” Altieri said. “He makes a lot of plays all over the field on both sides of the ball, and on special teams.”
Drew Holman, QB/RB/LB, Middleton
His future lies on the baseball diamond, where the catcher has committed to the University of Portland. But he also packs a punch as a sideline-to-sideline linebacker, leading 6A with 148 tackles last year for a spot on the All-Idaho first team. Expect the Vikings to find a way to get the ball in the 6-1, 230-pound bruiser’s hands on offense, too. The only question at this point remains how to best use him.
Rasean Jones, WR/DB/P, Rocky Mountain
The Grizzlies landed an elite transfer in the former Baker City athlete. The 6-3, 190-pound senior and three-star recruit committed to Boise State in June, but the football field isn’t the only place he shines. He swept Oregon’s 4A state hurdles titles as a freshman, sophomore and junior, recording the second-fastest 110-meter hurdles time in state history across all levels (13.84 seconds). He also helped lead his school to back-to-back basketball state championships. “He’s a newcomer with a ton of speed and athleticism,” Meridian coach Christian McAlvain said.
Joker Joyce, WR/DB, McCall-Donnelly
The 6-2, 190-pound senior already has three All-Idaho appearances under his belt from his years at Teton, including second-team selections on both sides of the ball last season. He followed his father and new McCall-Donnelly coach David Joyce across the state, bringing the Vandals a big-play threat all over the field. He posted 899 total yards and six TDs last season. But he really excels on defense, as evidenced by his career totals of 155 tackles, 23 pass breakups and five interceptions.
Hudson Lewis, WR, Timberline
Praise of the Washington State commit normally starts with his speed. It’s not hard to see why as he’s the reigning 6A state 100-meter champ (10.70 seconds). But he didn’t make the 6A All-Idaho first team, or put up 57 catches for 775 yards and 14 TDs, just with his speed. His precise routes, sticky hands and knack for big moments make him impossible to guard. “He’s the best player in the conference,” Kenyon said. “He can single-handedly win a game for them.”
Mason McKenna, OL/DL, Borah
A second-team all-state pick last year, the 6-3, 240-pound senior enters his third season as a two-way force and the heartbeat of the Lions. The left tackle didn’t allow a single sack last season. And his lightning-fast first step and nose for the ball put him at the center of everything on defense, racking up 55.5 tackles, eight tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and even two interceptions. “He’s a force on both sides of the ball,” Altieri said. “He can take over a game from the (defensive line) position if you don’t game plan for him.”
LaGary Mitchell Jr., LB, Meridian
Originally set to follow in his father’s footsteps at Boise State, the three-star recruit flipped his commitment to Utah in June. Now he returns for one last season as the anchor of the Warriors’ defense. The 6-3, 210-pound senior remains one of the state’s most feared linebackers with the strength to blow up blockers, innate instincts and the athleticism to make plays all over the field. “He’s a long, rangy linebacker that moves around the field extremely well,” Cluphf said.
Kelvin Obot, OL/DL, Fruitland
With more than 30 college offers, the four-star recruit and Utah commit landed on the 4A All-Idaho first team on both sides of the ball last season, posting 52 tackles with six sacks. He’s ranked as one of the top 100 recruits in the nation. At 6-foot-5, 260 pounds, he’s “huge, fast, strong and flexible,” Fruitland coach Jordan Gross said. “(He’s) big, athletic and competitive,” Cole Valley Christian coach Jordan Henslin added. “We know he’s strong, but we also know he’s a high-end athlete with good hips and feet.”
Jake Perez, RB, Middleton
An injury cut short a breakout junior season that saw Perez rank among the state leading running backs with 732 yards and 10 touchdowns through six games. But the Vikings’ elusive runner returns healthy and remains a threat for six points each time he touches the ball. “He is a big kid that imposes his will on defenders,” Timberline coach Ian Smart said. “He will be a guy that every defensive coordinator will have to plan for as they prepare for Middleton.”
Austin Ramsey, QB, Eagle
He first worked his way onto the field as an option quarterback as a sophomore. But the senior shook that label last fall, completing 59% of his passes for 1,779 yards and 23 TDs to lead the Mustangs to the 6A state championship game. Eagle fields more pass-catching weapons this fall, giving him more options and spelling trouble for opponents. “His experience and speed will cause the offense to be a major threat for everyone this year,” Kenyon said.
Rowan Rupp, DE, Rocky Mountain
Opposing offenses better account for the 6-2, 260-pound Boise State commit on every down, or they’re in for a long night. The three-star recruit and first-team All-Idaho selection finds his way into the backfield no matter where he lines up, racking up 67 tackles, 10 sacks and 10 tackles for loss a year ago. “Rowan has an incredible motor and plays defensive line the way it should be played,” Smart said. “He is always around the ball. And even when he doesn’t make a play directly, he will have an impact on it.”
Trevor Schoolfield, QB, Boise
Boise’s rise from doormat to contender began two years ago when it handed Schoolfield the reins. The 6-1 senior with an offer from UC Davis led the Brave to back-to-back winning seasons, completing 62% of his passes while racking up a combined 4,364 yards and 46 touchdowns through the air. His ability to extend plays with his feet and deliver pinpoint throws gives Boise a chance to win each time he straps on a helmet. “He’s a big-time QB who can make any throw,” Mountain View coach Brian Compton said.
Jax Tanner, OL, Rocky Mountain
It might take less time to list the Division I power programs that didn’t offer the 6-3, 280-pound senior. The three-star recruit chose BYU last month over a top five that included Boise State, Oregon, Michigan and Tennessee. The reigning all-class Gatorade player of the year has manhandled defenders since entering the starting lineup as a freshman, posting 115 pancake blocks last season alone for his second appearance on the all-state first team. “Whether blocking for the run or protecting the quarterback, Jax creates space and gives his team a big advantage,” Kuna coach Beau Smith said. “He’s the kind of player defenses have to plan for because he’s hard to stop.”
Brenten Thueson, OL/LB, Columbia
Only two 5A SIC players earned first-team all-conference honors on both sides of the ball last season. One now plays at Idaho. The other, Thueson, did it as a sophomore. He returns as a three-year, two-way starter after racking up 90 tackles and 8.5 tackles for loss, and he sets the tone for the Wildcats’ offensive line. “Another experienced player that wreaks havoc on both sides of the ball,” McClellin said. “He’s a very hard player to contain, always around the ball.”
Xavier Uranga, QB, Homedale
Beginning his second season as a starter for the perennial state title contender, Uranga is poised for another big year. He went 127-for-181 (70%) passing for 1,920 yards with just four interceptions as the Trojans averaged 37.2 points per game last season. “(He) operates well within their scheme and takes care of the football,” Henslin said. “Going into a senior campaign, he’s going to present a lot of problems for defenses with how well he knows his own scheme.”
Titus Vidlak, QB/DB, Fruitland
The 4A Snake River Valley Offensive Player of the Year helped the Grizzlies advance to the state quarterfinals. He led all 4A QBs with 2,649 total yards and 35 total touchdowns while completing 65% of his passes to earn All-Idaho first-team recognition in 2024. “Titus Vidlak has been just that guy behind center everyone wants to have — smart with the ball, and he knows that he will make the right decision in crucial moments of the game,” Payette coach Marty Avila said. The junior holds offers from Montana State, Sacramento State and Stephen F. Austin.
Jace Waggoner, QB, Tri-Valley
He put up big numbers as a dual-threat quarterback, accounting for 3,022 yards of offense and 51 total TDs to earn 1A Long Pin Offensive MVP honors. But his impact didn’t stop there, as Waggoner also was voted to the 1A All-Idaho first team at linebacker, amassing 102 tackles, eight tackles for loss and six interceptions. “(He) has an awesome ability to break a game wide open with big plays on any given down,” Salmon River coach Ty Medley said.
Dominic Wolthuis, WR, Bishop Kelly
Idaho snagged a verbal commit from the 6-2, 180-pound explosive receiver last month. The second-team all-state selection is best known for his top-end speed, hauling in 34 passes for 596 yards and eight TDs last year while averaging 17.9 yards per catch. But he remains a nightmare in jump ball situations, too, with his large frame and nose for the ball. “Dominic is an explosive pass catcher that can run routes effectively and is a dangerous weapon for BK’s passing attack,” Columbia coach Charlie Dotson said.
Maxon Yearsley, QB/DB, Garden Valley
An impact player on both sides of the ball last season, he received 1A All-Idaho first-team recognition at wide receiver and defensive back. Although he’s transitioning to quarterback for the Wolverines this year, he racked up 1,267 total yards, including 784 yards receiving, and 18 total touchdowns. On defense, he collected 89 tackles, five interceptions, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. “He has speed and great hands,” Tri-Valley coach Tyler Waggoner said. “(He) has a nose for the football, and he also makes routine plays into explosive plays.”
This story was originally published August 16, 2025 at 12:00 PM.
