Here are over 20 of the top returning Stanislaus District football players entering 2024
A number of the Stanislaus District’s best last season also were among the top players in the Sac-Joaquin Section, according to stats entered into MaxPreps.
The 2024 senior class was productive last football season. Now, rising sophomores, juniors and seniors take center stage.
Many players entering their second, third and fourth varsity seasons this year will likely determine whether their teams win games or lose, qualify for the playoffs or finish after the 10-game regular season.
Here are more than 20 returning players who will be difference makers for their teams in 2024:
Robert McDaniel, Hughson, Senior
McDaniel finished fifth in the section in passing yards last season while throwing 33 TDs and just four picks. He led the Huskies to their second straight section title. Expect another productive season for the four-year starter, who is a University of Arizona commit.
Max Medina, Patterson, Junior
Medina was the signal caller for the Tigers as a freshman and sophomore. Last season, he led them to the Division IV section title game, finished eighth in the section in passing yards and threw 34 TDs. He’s looking to take another leap in the Tigers’ fast-paced offense as they join the Valley Oak League.
Carson Lamb, Downey, Senior
Lamb battled through injuries last season but still was ultra-productive in Downey’s fast-paced, pass-first offense. He finished with the highest completion percentage of any quarterback, with over 1,000 passing yards (70.2%), and threw for 271.6 yards per game. With a full healthy season, those numbers can only go up. He holds a Division I scholarship offer from Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Conn.
Jacob Valenzuela, Orestimba, Senior
Valenzuela was thrust into the starting quarterback position and thrived. This offseason, he picked up an offer from the University of Jamestown after passing for 865 yards and 14 touchdowns as a junior. He also rushed for four scores.
Wes Burford, Oakdale, Junior
Burford burst onto the scene as a sophomore with a 1,000-plus yard campaign. He got All-VOL recognition and will look to lead the Mustangs back to the playoffs.
Caden Bailey, Hilmar, Senior
Bailey went from run-first quarterback to hybrid receiver/running back in 2023, but the production never changed. He rushed for more than 1,000 yards and finished with more than 10 rushing touchdowns for the second straight year. No matter where he plays during his senior season, as long as the ball is in his hands, the Yellowjackets will have a chance.
Jeremiah Lugo, Patterson, Senior
Lugo exploded for five total touchdowns in last year’s D-IV section title game, rushing for four scores and hauling in a touchdown catch. Last season was his first as the Tigers’ premier back and he capitalized, finishing with career highs in carries, rushing yards, rushing touchdowns and yards per game. He will help lead the charge as the Tigers look to avenge last season’s one-point title game loss.
Joey Alcutt, Central Catholic, Senior
Alcutt found his spots in the Raiders’ senior-heavy offense last season. As a junior, he rushed for 1,231 yards and 14 touchdowns and had a receiving touchdown. He and rising junior Carter Meeks can be the Raiders next great 1-2 running back duo in 2024.
Carter Meeks, Central Catholic, Junior
Meeks carried the ball sparingly last season as a sophomore but still rushed for 490 yards and five scores. He enters his junior season primed for a breakout year with a scholarship offer from Washington State in his back pocket.
Sam Jimenez, Escalon, Senior
Jimenez broke onto the scene as a two-way star for the Cougars in his junior season. A physical receiver, he finished ninth in the section in receiving yards and added 18 receiving touchdowns as senior Donovan Rozevink’s go-to target. At defensive back, he was 21st in California in interceptions (8).
Ethan Woodmansee, Downey, Senior
Woodmansee was a consistent presence on the outside for the Knights, leading the team in receiving yards and touchdowns in 2023. This season, he will be a great 1-2 punch with speedy 6-foot-3 route runner Joseph Ramirez, who last season had to play at QB with Lamb’s injury.
Joseph Ramirez, Downey, Senior
Ramirez spent limited time at receiver after having to play QB and dealing with his own injury. A speedy deep threat this season, he easily could improve on the 336 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns he had in 2023.
Malakai Sumter, Hughson, Senior
Despite finishing behind seniors Larkin Meyer and David Delgado in receptions and receiving yards last season, Sumter led the team in receiving touchdowns (11) and yards per catch (19.2). He likely will see his role increase on offense and defense as a senior in 2024. He also plays safety and led the Huskies in interceptions last season (4).
Max Mankins, Hughson, Senior
With a commitment to Air Force already announced, Mankins is ready to cause trouble for anyone Hughson plays. He racked up seven tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks during his junior season at his primary defensive end position. As a tight end, he helped clear the way for Huskies running backs and had a pair of receiving touchdowns.
Ryan Lewis, Escalon, Senior
Lewis had a number of big catches on third and fourth down for the Cougars when they needed them most and finished 2023 with 478 receiving yards and six touchdowns, second on the team in both categories. On the defensive line, he is the team’s leading returner in tackles (72 in 2023), sacks (8.5) and tackles for loss (6).
Tresor Mulumba, Patterson, Senior
Mulumba recorded at least one sack in nine outings as a junior, finishing with 10 total, good for 17th in the SJS. He recorded 57 total tackles, an impressive 22 tackles for loss, returned a fumble for a touchdown and forced a fumble. His pressure helped lead a defense that allowed an average of 12 points a game in wins.
Ryne Moore, Downey, Senior
Moore constantly was in the opponents’ backfield last season and the stats showed it. He was one of just three players in the entire Sac-Joaquin Section with 30 or more tackles for loss. He is the Knights’ leading returning tackler (88 in 2023) and led all returners in sacks (9).
Marcus Sims, Gregori, Senior
Sims was one of the most disruptive defensive linemen in the CCAL last season, recording 54 tackles and 15 tackles for loss. He also finished with a pair of sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception.
Alhassan Iddrissu, Modesto Christian, Senior
The potential is there for Iddrissu, a four-star recruit with 10 college offers including Michigan, USC, Cal and Washington. A big senior season for the Crusaders could be on the horizon. In 2023, he had 31 tackles, six tackles for loss and a pair of sacks in just six games played.
Royale Tago, Patterson, Junior
During his sophomore campaign, Tago finished as the Tigers’ leading tackler, tallying 74 takedowns. He added a pair of sacks, two interceptions and recovered a fumble.
Noah Cozart, Patterson, Senior
Cozart was a star on both sides of the ball last season, but his three picks and two pick sixes stood out most. It’s tough to say three interceptions is a “down” season, but he had seven as a sophomore, his first varsity season. On offense during his junior season, he finished with career highs in nearly every receiving category. He also forced a fumble and had a fumble recovery on the year.
Emmanuel Vasquez, Gregori, Senior
As a defensive back, Vasquez was the Jaguars’ leading tackler in 2023, recording 68 tackles (66 solo) in 11 games. He also finished the year with an interception, eight passes defensed and a forced fumble.
Amos Cady, Ripon Christian, Junior
Statistically, few defensive backs were better at forcing turnovers than Cady. In his sophomore season, he finished ninth in the section with seven interceptions, recovered a pair of fumbles and forced a fumble. Of his seven interceptions, three were returned for pick-sixes. He also finished with a receiving touchdown.
▪ Did we miss anyone? Let us know about returning linemen, quarterbacks and skill players you expect will have a big 2024.
This story was originally published August 1, 2024 at 11:47 AM.
