The 2024 high school football season is officially underway, with teams hitting the practice field across the Rio Grande Valley.
With Week 1 of the regular season looming, the RGVSports.com staff compiled a list of the top 30 returning RGV football players for the 2024 season.
Our list continues with a true vintage linebacker out of Harlingen, two TAPPS all-state selections and a pair of dual-threat quarterbacks from District 32-6A.
The reveal of the top five players will come in the 2024 RGVSports.com Football Tab on Aug. 28.
Check out the rest of our list below:
No. 6: LB Sterling Tomlin, Senior, Harlingen High
2023 Stats: 139 total tckls, 11 TFL, 10 QB hurries, 1 INT, 1 FR
Notes: A true old-school linebacker, Tomlin is a physical, hard-nosed presence in the middle for Harlingen High’s dominant defense. The three-year starter is almost always involved in a play when Harlingen is on defense, averaging 11.6 tackles per game last year. Don’t let his physical play fool you, however, with the 5-foot-11, 210-pound linebacker able to drop back into coverage if needed. Harlingen High’s defense will be its strength this season, with Tomlin serving as the unit’s leader once again.
No. 7: OL Diego De La Cruz, Senior, Brownsville St. Joseph
2023 Stats: TAPPS first-team all-state
Notes: A dominating presence in the trenches, De La Cruz is arguably the top lineman in the area heading into this year. His 6-foot-4, 315-pound frame isn’t just for intimidation, with De La Cruz able to dominate anybody who lines up across from him. The senior tackle recently announced his verbal commitment to UTEP.
No. 8: QB Storm Montoya, Senior, Brownsville Veterans
2023 Stats: 58/110, 1106 yds, 16 TD, 3 INT; 114 car, 650 yds, 16 TD
Notes: A four-year letterwinner, Montoya spent his first two seasons with the Chargers at fullback before shifting back to his natural QB position last year. The move paid dividends for the Chargers, with Montoya evolving into a star behind center en route to a Class 5A DI state semifinal berth. Though not asked to throw often, Montoya kept defenses honest with his arm and diced them up with his legs. The senior dual-threat could be in for an even bigger year this season, with the playbook wide open after one season as QB1.
No. 9: ATH Claudio Torres, Senior, Brownsville St. Joseph
2023 Stats: 61 rec, 793 yds, 5 TD; 39 car, 352 yds, 7 TD; 3/4, 73 yds, 2 TD; 58 total tckls, 7 TFL, 8 PD, 1 INT, 1 FF, 1 DEF TD, 1 KR TD
Notes: Torres is a force no matter where he lines up, taking on multiple roles for the Bloodhounds during the past two years. Last year, the do-it-all athlete was a receiver, running back, return man and defensive back for St. Joseph due to injuries on the team, leaving his stamp at each position. Torres should move primarily to WR and DB this season, but don’t be surprised to see him on the field at other positions once again as the Bloodhounds will look for any way to get their star playmaker involved.
No. 10: QB Robert Pineda, Junior, Los Fresnos
2023 Stats: 133/229, 1916, 20 TD, 6 INT; 116 car, 659 yds, 6 TD
Notes: Pineda enters Year 3 at the helm in Los Fresnos as one of the top signal callers in the RGV. The junior athlete is as electric as they come behind center, able to terrorize defenses with his arm or legs. In two years with the Falcons, Pineda has thrown for more than 3,500 yards and rushed for more than 1,500, accounting for 51 total touchdowns. The third-year starter should continue to trend upward as he gets even more comfortable in the Falcons’ offensive system.
