Preseason watch list: Top 30 high school football players in the South Sound in 2024
High school football programs across the South Sound begin their 2024 seasons this weekend.
Many rosters are stacked with Division I-bound talent and returning all-league, TNT All-Area and TNT all-state performers.
Here are 30 of the top preseason players to watch this fall.
WR/LB Xavier Ahrens, Curtis, sr. — 2023 TNT All-Area selection is a difference maker in all three phases. Had 60 catches for 893 yards and 12 TDs last season and had four interceptions and 67 tackles on defense.
DL Josiah Asuega, South Kitsap, sr. — 6-foot-4, 290-pounder is considered a three-star recruit by 247sports.com. Will be key two-way player for Wolves team looking to contend for playoff berth this fall.
WR Tate Bowen, White River, sr. — White River’s top receiver racked up 1,000 yards and 13 TDs in 2023. If Hornets will contend in 3A NPSL, White River will need more of the same from Bowen.
QB Jabez Boyd, Life Christian, jr. — Threw for 2,259 yards and 23 TDs last season. With a more complete roster around him this year, he’s due for an explosive season.
OL Ayden Bullinger, Graham-Kapowsin, soph. — 2023 TNT All-Area selection as a freshman, Bullinger started at left tackle last year. Didn’t allow a single sack to QB Daveon Superales last season.
CB D’Aryhian Clemons, Spanaway Lake, sr. — The UW pledge is thrilled to jump into the pass-heavy 4A SPSL this fall, where he’ll have plenty of chances to line up against quality receivers. Racked up 600 yards and six TDs on offense last year.
TE Carter Cocke, Sumner, sr. — The best hands in the 4A SPSL belong perhaps to this Sumner tight end, who is a Montana State commit and a nasty blocker. A TNT All-Area selection in 2023, Cocke hauled in 32 catches for 465 and seven TDs last fall. Could play some defensive end if needed in the postseason, too.
DE Derek Colman-Brusa, Kennedy, jr. — Colman-Brusa holds 13 Division-I offers and counting, the state’s top prospect in the 2026 class. TNT All-State selection dominated NPSL opponents with 14 sacks, 20 tackles for loss, four fumble recoveries, and a safety in 2023.
OL Lowen Colman-Brusa, Kennedy, sr. — 6-foot-5, 295-pound senior provides crucial protection for Kennedy Catholic’s Forehand and creates open lanes for tailback Indiana Jones. First-team All-NPSL lineman in 2023. UW commit.
OL/DL Gecova Doyal, Puyallup, soph. — 6-foot-4, 260 pound left tackle and defensive tackle is already drawing notice as an underclassman with offers from UW, Arizona, Miami, Tennessee and others. Puyallup’s skill position talent might occupy most of the spotlight, but Doyal will arguably be Viks’ most important player.
WR/DB Elijah Durr, Mount Tahoma, jr. — Three-star cornerback leads a Mount Tahoma secondary that hoisted the 3A PCL title in 2023. Tallied 53 tackles, five pass deflections, and two interceptions in 2023. Holds multiple Division-I offers, including Washington and Wisconsin.
LB/RB Jonathan Epperson, Auburn Riverside, sr. — Explosive, four-star recruit is the state’s second-ranked prospect in the 2025 class and committed to the University of Washington in June. Standout linebacker and impossible-to-bring-down tailback will play all over the field for the Ravens in 2024.
LB Dre Sio Fetaui, Lincoln, sr. — Expect this physical, athletic linebacker to go out with a bang in his final high school season. The heart and soul of Lincoln’s defense and last year’s 3A PCL defensive player of the year, despite missing three games.
TE Noah Flores, Graham-Kapowsin, sr. — Explosiveness makes the 6-foot-4, 240-pound tight end a matchup nightmare for opposing defenders. UCLA commit.
QB Devon Forehand, Kennedy, sr. — All-NPSL gunslinger has never lost a game to a league rival. Kennedy Catholic’s senior captain threw for 2,276 yards and 30 touchdowns in 2023, guiding Lancers to 4A quarterfinals.
RB Indiana Jones, Kennedy, sr. — TNT All-Area pick is a Swiss Army knife for the Lancers offense. Forehand’s co-captain racked up 1,100+ rushing yards, 450+ receiving yards, and 28 total touchdowns for Kennedy Catholic in 2023.
QB Sione Kaho, Lincoln, soph. — The upside is endless for Lincoln’s second-year quarterback, already a four-star recruit with a growing number of Division-I offers. Strong-armed, dynamic Kaho is considerably faster this summer. 6-foot-3 sophomore could be in for a special season.
WR Parker Mady, Curtis, sr. — TNT 2023 All-Area selection doesn’t back down from anybody, one of the area’s most talented pure athletes. Nearly got to the 1,000 yard receiving mark last season, catching 52 passes for 975 yards and 13 TDs. Had three INTs on defense, too.
LB Ta’u Mareko, Lakes, jr. — All-PCL linebacker holds a UW offer and guides a Lancers program hungry for a return to the postseason.
RB Carson McCall, Orting, jr. — 6-foot-2, 210-pound halfback averaged nearly seven yards per carry in 2023. Returns for Orting’s push for a 2A SPSL title as the bell-cow.
WR Khris Norris, Graham-Kapowsin, sr. — Steps into the spotlight of the No. 1 receiver role this year for the defending 4A state runner-up Eagles. Has experience, playmaking ability and quick connection with freshman QB AJ Tuivaiave.
WR Braylon Pope, Sumner, soph. — Turned heads as a freshman and is due for even more production as a sophomore in what should be a wide-open Sumner offense this year. Holds offers from UW, USC, Miami and others.
LB Zaydrius Rainey-Sale, Bethel, sr. — The state’s top-ranked recruit in the 2025 class is a game-changer at linebacker for the Bison and was a key part of Bethel’s run defense last year, which was statistically the best in the 4A SPSL. UW commit.
TE/FB/OLB Kaden Rolfsness, Puyallup, sr. — Expect Rolfsness to be used in a variety of different ways on offense this year. Will be the team’s primary redzone back and a key player on defense.
WR/DB Zamarie Tellez, Federal Way, jr. — Watch out for this 5-foot-8 junior on the perimeter, both a receiving-touchdown and interception machine. Tellez holds a trio of Division-I offers from Arizona, Nevada, and Washington State.
OL/DL Jacob Tracy, Yelm. sr. — 6-foot-5, 240-pounder is moving from tight end to tackle for the Tornados this year. Wherever he lines up, he’s a dominant blocker. Boise State commit.
DL Malijah Tucker, Tumwater, sr. — Washington State commit stuffed the trenches with 18 tackles for loss and eight sacks in 2023.
FB Seamus Twohey, Enumclaw, sr. — Will either have the ball or will be around it constantly for Enumclaw this season. Last year, had 416 rushing yards and 13 TDs to go with 74 tackles on defense.
LB Beckett Wall, Tumwater, sr. — Reigning All-State selection tallied 123 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, and nine sacks for the 2A runner-up T-Birds in 2023. Senior linebacker guides a Tumwater defense looking for revenge.
RB Nehemiah Washington, Decatur, sr. — TNT 2023 All-Area selection was a workhorse back and a major reason why the Gators found themselves in the postseason last year. Racked up 1,350 rushing yards and 18 TDs last fall.
