2023 All- Colorado
The 2023 All- Colorado football team, as selected by The Denver Post staff based on statistical analysis,
LOGAN MADDEN QB | Ralston Valley | Sr. | 6- 2 | 195
The centerpiece of Ralston Valley’s rise to power over the past two years, Madden led the Mustangs to consecutive Class 5A semifinal trips. He threw for 2,794 yards, third in the classification, and showed premier pocket presence while being able to consistently elude the pass- rush to throw for 22 TDS. He’s currently uncommitted.
BEN HERBEK WR | Lutheran | Jr. | 6- 1 | 185
The Lions standout led all classifications in receiving yards ( 1,305) this year with 90 receptions, third in the state. He averaged 14.5 yards per catch while racking up 17 touchdowns in 14 games as QB Ryken Daugaard’s top target in Lutheran’s high- powered offense that paced them to the Class 3A title game.
CHARLIE ECKHARDT ATH | Arapahoe | Sr. | 6- 2 | 190
The heart and soul of a resurgent Arapahoe program that made the Class 5A playoffs as a No. 3 seed, Eckhardt played receiver and strong safety. He had 207 yards rushing, 739 yards receiving with a 15.1- yard- per- catch average and seven TDS. On defense, he accumulated 61 tackles, four for loss and a pick.
DJ CROWE DL | Denver East | Jr. | 6- 3 | 215
The Angels’ juggernaut pass- rusher led Class 5A with 15 sacks for 101 yards, including three sacks in Denver East’s first fall playoff victory in 15 years. Often double- teamed, Crowe consistently found his way into the pocket anyway, and had 101 total tackles ( 29.5 for loss) plus seven QB hurries.
AUSTYN MODRZEWSKI QB | Mountain Vista | Jr. | 6- 5 | 198
The lanky gunslinger led all classifications with 3,675 yards passing this year for the Golden Eagles. That included a 128 QBR and 41 touchdowns as Mountain Vista made it to the quarterfinals of the Class 5A playoffs before falling to Cherry Creek. Has offers from Kentucky and Eastern Kentucky.
XAY NETO WR | Grandview | Jr. | 5- 11 | 170
As Szarka’s top target, Neto was a big reason the Wolves reached the Class 5A quarterfinals. The speedy, dynamic wideout was a nightmare to cover on vertical routes downfield. He set the GHS record with 257 receiving yards in a playoff win over Douglas County; had 54 grabs for 1,007 yards and nine TDS overall.
DIMITRI HARALAMBOPOULOS
ATH | T. Jefferson | Sr. | 5- 11 | 195 The Spartans’ catalyst did it all on offense as a dual- threat QB, while also starting at defensive back. Haralambopoulos led TJ to a 10- win season with 1,351 yards and 14 TDS through the air, plus 1,582 yards and 16 TDS on the ground as a shifty scrambler who was tough to bring down in the open field.
JACKSON COWGILL DL | Erie | Sr. | 6- 4 | 275
A Washington State signee, Cowgill was Erie’s best player on the defensive side of the ball as the Tigers ran the table to the title, including holding Palmer Ridge to just six points in the championship. He had 40 tackles, eight for loss, and racked up six sacks with three hurries, despite consistent double- teams.
LIAM SZARKA QB | Grandview | Sr. | 6- 2 | 190
A three- year starter for the Wolves, Szarka put Grandview on his back amid an array of injuries to carry the team to the Class 5A quarterfinals before falling to Chatfield. The Air Force signee, who also moonlighted at safety, was second in the state with 2,922 passing yards and threw for 28 TDS.
JORDAN RECHEL WR | Fairview | Jr. | 5- 11 | 175
Rechel was the best offensive skill player in the Front Range League. In addition to his receiving prowess, he racked up 868 rushing yards while also starting at defensive back. His 30 total TDS ( nine receiving, 20 rushing, one fumble return) led Class 5A, and he had 776 yards receiving on 50 grabs with a 15.5 average.
JORDAN LESLIE ATH | Mullen | Sr. | 6- 1 | 180
Arguably one of the state’s top overall athletes, the Dartmouth commit starred at receiver, defensive back and returner for the Mustangs. He led all classifications with 946 total return yards and returned three punts for TDS, while also posting 705 yards on 41 catches ( 17.2 average) and 10 touchdowns.
JORDAN OCHOA DL | Castle View | Sr. | 6- 4 | 240
Ochoa headlined the Sabercats’ resurgence this year, as the athletic edge rusher had 61 tackles ( 11.5 for loss) and 8.5 sacks for 61 yards. Even when he wasn’t getting home, he was creating chaos, as evidenced by his 30 hurries. He holds several Division I offers, including Washington State and Toledo.
JAKE JONES QB | Chatfield | Sr. | 6- 0 | 195
The uncommitted Chargers star threw for 2,368 yards and 23 TDS this year, and while he can sling it, his true separator was as a scrambler. He led the team in rushing with 862 yards and also had 17 TDS by ground, averaging 8.1 yards a carry as he was elusive and speedy in his improvisational playmaking.
MAX PARROTT OL | Cherry Creek | Sr. | 6- 5 | 290
The U. S. Army All- American and Purdue commit helped set the tone for the Bruins up front at right tackle as a captain. Versatile in pass- and run- blocking, and his consistency amid injuries to the other side of the line ( left tackle AJ Burton missed significant time with a shoulder injury) was key.
JIMMER WEIR ATH | Palmer Ridge | Sr. | 5- 10 | 165
The best player on the Class 4A finalists, Weir was a dynamic playmaker at receiver, cornerback and returner. He had 48 catches for 941 yards ( 19.6 average) with 18 touchdowns, and also had 65 tackles on defense with seven interceptions and a fumble recovery as a complete ball- hawk.
NKONGOLO WA- KALONJI DL | Grandview | Sr. | 6- 4 | 200
The Air Force commit drew doubleteams all season, yet still racked up 108 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and five sacks for the Class 5A quarterfinalists. Along with Neto in the secondary, he was a pillar of the Grandview defense and the attention he drew consistently enabled his fellow linemen to get into the backfield.
JOSH SNYDER RB | Columbine | Sr. | 5- 11 | 185
The 2023 Denver Post Gold Helmet winner was an unstoppable force for Columbine this year at halfback, fullback, wingback, safety and returner. The CHSAA Class 5A Player of the Year finished with 1,717 yards rushing and 25 TDS, and his three TDS in the title game helped the Rebels upset Cherry Creek.
HAYDEN TRETER OL | Cherry Creek | Sr. | 6- 7 | 330
Another Cherry Creek captain up front who was a force at left guard, where he helped pave the way for Herron on the ground and also provided ample time for Bruins sophomore quarterback QB Brady Vodicka. The USC commit has the size and skill to play in the NFL one day in the near future.
BLAKE BARNETT ATH | Erie | Sr. | 6- 2 | 215
The driving force behind the Tigers’ first state title since 1997, the Kansas State signee willed Erie past Palmer Ridge in the championship despite playing with a sprained ankle. Barnett racked up 2,202 yards passing and 22 TDS by air, added another 970 yards and 23 TDS by ground, and had 57 tackles at free safety.
CHAZ BARNETT DL | Rock Canyon | Sr. | 6- 5 | 252
The Jaguars’ best all- around player, Barnett has Division I offers from Air Force, Army, Cal- Davis, Eastern Washington and Wyoming. He accumulated 52 tackles ( 35 solo) while stuffing the run and provinghimself capable in pass coverage. He also led Rock Canyon with six sacks and 10 hurries.