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Top 10 Colorado HS football players in Class of 2023
Brayden Dorman is a four-star quarterback recruit who committed to the University of Arizona this past winter. (Courtesy: brayden_dorman3/Instagram)

Top 10 Colorado HS football players in Class of 2023

AURORA, Colo. (BVM) – Football season is quickly approaching in Colorado and as players start to hit the gridiron, there is a lot of excitement heading into the season and many Power 5 commits are ready to take the field for one final run at a high school title.   

There is no doubt that there is a lot of talent around the state, but let’s take a look at the Colorado High School Activities Association’s (CHSAA) top 10 football players in the Class of 2023. 

10. Logan Brantley – OLB, Cherry Creek

Brantley is a three-star recruit who committed to play for the University of Kansas. The 6-foot-1, 205-pound linebacker was part of a Cherry Creek team last season that went 12-2 on its way to being back-back-to-back state 5A champions. Brantley averaged 4.7 tackles per game last season, racking up a total of 61 including two tackles for loss. He also had seven passes defended and one forced fumble. Brantley’s combination of play recognition along with his ability to close down space limited opponents’ yards after catch. Overall, Brantley helped contribute to the success of a defense that had four shutouts during last year’s campaign and he should have a big role this season as Cherry Creek looks to defend its title once again. 

9. Brandon Hills – WR, Vista Ridge

Hills is a 5-foot-9, 150-pound three-star recruit committed to play at Washington State University. He had a breakout season last year, putting up 1,069 receiving yards on 69 catches and 13 touchdowns, ranking him fifth amongst juniors. On top of that, he added on two kickoff returns and two punt returns for touchdowns bringing his grand total up to 17 on the season and his all-purpose yards up to 1,776. Typically found in the slot, Hills is just a natural playmaker. Every time the ball is in his hands, there’s a chance he can score. He has this shiftiness to him combined with great vision of the field that is dangerous for opponents. Hills will find the open space and if given an inch, he will take a mile and if the ball is in his hands again this upcoming season, look for him at the top of the leaderboards for Vista Ridge.

8. Zachary Henning – OT, Grandview 

A strong offensive line is a must in football and that is exactly where Henning can help. He was part of a Grandview team that went 10-3 last season before losing in the 5A semifinals. At 6-foot-6, 255 pounds, Henning helped contribute to the run game. Grandview averaged 168.5 rushing yards per game and had a total of 30 rushing touchdowns on the season. Henning was able to use his size to drive opponents back and open up space for his rushers to find space as well as for his quarterback to have time to get throws off. Henning is a three-star recruit committed to the University of Washington. 

7. Andrew Metzger – TE, Regis Jesuit

Metzger is staying in Colorado following high school as the three-star recruit is committed to play at the University of Colorado. At 6-foot-5, 235 pounds Metzger is a blocking tight end with receiving upside. He had 18 catches in 12 games, recording 166 yards and two touchdowns. He also played defensive end where he recorded 51 tackles, nine tackles for loss and four and a half sacks. Regis Jesuit went 8-4, losing in the quarterfinals last season. Regis Jesuit had a lot of receivers graduate this past year, so look for Metzger to get more involved in the passing game as well as still being the impact blocker that he has already shown he can be.

6. Ethan Thomason – OT, Rocky Mountain

At 6-foot-8, 315 pounds, Thomason is a force to be reckoned with. He is hard to move and he has mobility that makes him hard to beat around the edges. He is strong and can push defenders and drive them back with ease. When Thomason is blocking, there is a high probability of a pancake block. And with 158.3 rushing yards per game, Thomason controlling the line of scrimmage helps the run game flourish. Thomason is a three-star recruit and is still undecided on where he is going to play after Rocky Mountain.

5. Ismael Cisse – WR, Cherry Creek

Cisse is part of that strong Cherry Creek team. He is 6-foot-1, 180 pounds and a strong receiver who is not afraid to block downfield for his team. He had 39 receptions for 652 yards and six touchdowns in 2021. Cisse can make contested catches and is able to position his body to make a catch that isn’t the easiest to haul in. Cisse should be leading the receiving corps again this upcoming season. As an undecided three-star recruit, Cisse is someone that people should have their eyes on. 

4. Chase Brackney – Edge, Cherry Creek

Brackney is a 6-foot-4, 245-pound three-star recruit committed to the University of Iowa. He is another Cherry Creek Bruin that had a big impact last season and is looking to do more of the same this year. With speed and strength off the edge, Brackney was able to beat offensive lines. He produced 82 tackles, three tackles for a loss, and four sacks. He also forced and recovered two fumbles. Brackney was certainly a factor in Cherry Creek’s success, shutting down opposing teams and it should not be a surprise if a dominant defense is seen again this fall.

3. Joshua Bates – IOL, Durango 

Bates is a strong presence in the middle of the offensive line. He is strong on his feet and is very good at reading and recognizing who he should and needs to block. At 6-foot-4, 280 pounds, Bates makes an impact at the line of scrimmage. Durango rushed on average 258.7 yards per game, more than 100 yards every game and eclipsed 300 yards five times including two games where it put up over 400 rushing yards last season. Bates will head to the University of Oklahoma as a four-star recruit next fall.

2. Brayden Dorman – QB, Vista Ridge 

While Hills made an appearance earlier in this list, his partner in crime is Brayden Dorman. The signal-caller threw for 2,765 yards last season with 30 touchdown passes and a completion percentage of 60.6%. He also threw just eight interceptions. Dorman also tacked on two rushing touchdowns in 11 games played. Dorman has a powerful arm and the ability to get out of the pocket and keep his accuracy no matter where he is on the field. Standing at 6-foot-4, 200 pounds, the four-star recruit has committed to the University of Arizona. But before that, he will make another run at the 4A title after the Wolves fell in the round of 16 last season. 

1. Blake Purchase – Edge, Cherry Creek

Purchase is another Cherry Creek edge rusher showing just how scary that defense really is. He is 6-foot-3, 240 pounds, and just a great athlete altogether. His combination of speed and strength, put together with his play recognition and pursuit makes him an opponent teams do not want to see. Purchase had 83 tackles, 18 tackles for a loss and 12 sacks (third amongst juniors) in 2021. He also had two interceptions, seven passes defended and one fumble recovery. Purchase is a four-star recruit still undecided about where he is going to continue his career. But for now, he will return to defending champion Cherry Creek as an anchor on the defense that averaged 9.5 points against last season. 

Colorado high school football scores