The 2024 Deseret News high school football Players of the Year were playmakers for their teams throughout the season, several thriving in multiple positions, as they rose above the competition this season.
All seven were offensive standouts on their teams, while those in the lower classifications made their presence felt on both sides of the ball in dominant fashion.
This year’s seven Players of the Year are Corner Canyon’s Zion Finau, Bountiful’s Emerson Geilman, Spanish Fork’s Kaden Vest, Morgan’s Lincoln Gilson, San Juan’s Jagger Nieves, Beaver’s Deegan Blackner and Rich’s Carter Hoffman.
Class 6A Player of the Year
Zion Finau, Corner Canyon, OG, Sr.
Zion Finau wreaked havoc for opposing defenses in two different ways this season for the state champion Chargers.
For starters, the senior guard was the catalyst on the offensive line that averaged 41.7 ppg. He was great in pass protection and paved the way for a run game that got better as the season wore on.
On top of that, the 6-foot-1, 190-pounder was Corner Canyon’s goal-line back as he finished the season with 12 rushing TDs.
“Zion was instrumental in our team’s success. He was valuable not only as a player but also his leadership qualities, practice habits, work ethic and energy he bought to our team. Zion’s love for the game of football shows in all that he does but especially in the way that he plays the game,” said Corner Canyon coach Eric Kjar.
With Finau anchoring things on the line, Corner Canyon passed for 3,572 yards this season and rushed for 3,069 yards.
Class 5A Player of the Year
Emerson Geilman, Bountiful, QB, Sr.
A year after Bountiful narrowly came up short in the 5A state championship, senior QB Emerson Geilman did everything in his power to lead his team to its first state title since 2003.
He passed for 2,476 yards and 24 touchdowns while also rushing for 987 yards more and 14 touchdowns.
“Emerson Geilman is a coach’s dream and is exceptional on and off the field. He holds himself to the highest standard, he is a great leader and teammate, and he does all the little things to perform at an elite level,” said Bountiful coach Jason Freckleton.
Throughout the season, Geilman did much of his damage through the air, but in the playoffs, Bountiful’s coaches leaned on his legs more as he nearly tripled his run production from the year prior.
In Bountiful’s four playoff wins, Geilman rushed for 423 yards and four TDs. In those same games, he passed for 438 yards and six TDs.
“Some of his greatest strengths this year were his preparation to be successful, his desire to lead and serve, his ability to execute and his love of playing the game,” said Freckleton. “This guy is special and led his team to achieving the ultimate goal of winning the state championship and you can expect great things in his future.”
Class 4A Player of the Year
Kaden Vest, Spanish Fork, RB, Sr.
Spanish Fork’s bid for its first state championship may have come up one yard short, but it doesn’t take away from the magical season turned in by Spanish Fork’s Kaden Vest.
The senior running back enjoyed the third-greatest season for a running back in state history as he carried the ball 303 times for 2,639 yards and 32 TDs. His yardage total ranks third in state history, just six behind Alta’s Josh Davis for second place. His 32 rushing TDs ranks seventh in state history.
He’s just the second running back in state history to rush for 100-plus yards in 14 games in a single season. In the state championship game loss to Crimson Cliffs, he rushed for 210 yards and five TDs.
“Kaden has always had a humble, team-first approach to football. His coaches and offensive lineman always get recognized by Kaden first. He has always been electrifying to watch play football, and is the definition of coachable and hard work,” said Spanish Fork coach Dustin Smith.
Vest also added 27 catches for 385 yards and six more TDs.
“Kaden is a perfect example to what happens when a young man is team first over everything, and when every rep and play is approached with 100% focus and effort,” said Smith.
Class 3A Player of the Year
Lincoln Gilson, Morgan, WR/RB, Sr.
Morgan marched through the 2024 season unscathed with a 13-0 record, winning every game but one by double digits.
On a team loaded with talent, one of the biggest catalysts to that success was the consistency of offensive weapon Lincoln Gilson. Whether the senior was lined up in the backfield or out wide, he was a threat that few teams had an answer for.
The end goal was always the 3A state championship.
“Lincoln embodied what it means to be a team player. He was always willing to do what was best for the team and is a great leader and friend. Even though he is a top athlete, he was very selfless in how he played, never worrying about his stats,” said Morgan coach Jared Barlow.
Because of his talent and dedication, the marquee stats naturally followed. He rushed for 591 yards and 13 TDs, while he also finished with 1,056 receiving yards and 11 more TDs. He added two punt return TDs and finished with 2,500 all-purpose yards.
“He made everyone better by how he played, but more importantly by how he treated everyone. When your best players are your best teammates, that is when great things happen, and that is who Lincoln is,” added Barlow.
Class 2A Player of the Year
Jagger Nieves, San Juan, TB/ATH, Jr.
During a regular season win this year for San Juan, Jagger Nieves scored five touchdowns five different ways — rushing, receiving, kick return, pick six and fumble recovery.
“Whenever we needed something electric to happen, Jagger was our guy,” said San Juan coach Barkley Christensen.
The junior finished with 1,729 yards of total offense (1,004 rushing, 595 receiving) and 34 total touchdowns (22 rushing, 8 receiving, two defense, two special teams). He also passed for one touchdown.
“Jagger did so many things for our team this year to help us win our fourth straight state championship. He is a tremendous football player and leader who led his team by example. Jagger is one of those rare individuals who has taken his enormous amount of natural talent, and paired it with a work ethic that is unmatched,” said Christensen.
Defensively, Nieves excelled at linebacker despite never playing the position prior to high school as he finished with 97 tackles.
“Jagger set the tone for our team all year long, in every practice, workout, and game. As a coach, when one of your best players is the hardest worker on the team, things get easy for you. Jagger had a great year on both sides of the ball for us,” said Christensen.
Class 1A Player of the Year
Deegan Blackner, Beaver, RB/DB, Sr.
Deegan Blackner made big plays all year for the state champion Beavers.
Whether it was on offense, defense or special teams, Blackner rose to the occasion.
“Deegan had an amazing year on both sides of the ball. He developed into an explosive player that made huge plays in big moments. He was a threat to make a big play every time he touched the ball,” said Beaver coach Jonathan Marshall.
One of his most memorable plays was a 91-yard kickoff return to open the second half of the 1A championship game against Kanab. It was a back breaker and ensured there would be no second half comeback.
Blackner finished the season with 129 carries for 887 yards and 10 TDs. He also caught 12 passes, including another touchdown. Defensively, he anchored the secondary and finished with 34 tackles and two interceptions.
“Deegan is very humble and made tremendous strides to get better each year he was in our program. Along with his senior teammates, he provided incredible leadership in our program. He’s a huge reason for our team’s success,” said Marshall.
Class 1A 8-player Player of the Year
Carter Hoffman, Rich, QB/LB, Sr.
On and off the field, Carter Hoffman’s leadership was one of the intangibles that played a big role in Rich’s state championship season.
“Carter has been an integral member and one of many quality kids we’ve been fortunate to have come through our program the last few years, and I’m grateful for the calming leadership role he played throughout his time with us,” said coach Tyson Larsen.
On the field, the senior quarterback did a bit of everything for the Rebels.
He completed 78 of 129 passes for 1,043 yards and TDs. On the ground, he rushed for 853 yards and 16 more TDs.
Defensively, he tallied 31 tackles, including two tackles for loss and one fumble recovery.
“Perhaps the most praiseworthy aspect to highlight in Carter was his work ethic and the countless hours spent in the weight room that helped set the tone for our entire team,” said Larsen. “On the field, Carter was willing to do whatever was necessary to help our team have success: whether that be facilitate the success of his teammates or make big time plays from his quarterback position. The next QB at Rich High will have big shoes to fill.”