Nieves earns top running back honors at Deseret News High School Sports Awards

by Rhett Sifford
Sports Editor
Jagger Nieves was the best running back in the state of Utah in 2025. That’s according to the Deseret News, which named him the top running back in its list of football most outstanding athletes.
Nieves was among more than 170 student athletes representing 64 different schools who were honored at the fourth annual Deseret News High School Sports Awards presented by The Larry H. Miller Company at the Grand Hotel in Salt Lake City on June 8.
Nieves graduated from San Juan High School in May, but he tore up the football field during his senior season from August to November 2025, leading the Broncos to their fifth straight 2A state championship.
He set three new single-season Utah State records, scoring 320 points, 48 total touchdowns, and 40 rushing touchdowns. His 2,880 rushing yards set a new San Juan school record and led the state in all classifications.
Nieves’s career numbers are equally impressive. His 554 points are second all-time in the state. His 86 touchdowns are also second. And his 67 rushing touchdowns are third all-time.
In addition to this most recent honor, Nieves was the 2A Utah State Football Player of the Year in both of the past two seasons, his junior and senior years.
His former head coach, Barkley Christensen, said that Nieves “has about every trait you would want as a football player,” but none of his many achievements on the football field were just handed to him.
“He earned everything he has received,” Christensen explained. “He was the hardest worker in the room and he sacrificed a lot to get where he is.
“Jagger is truly one of the best players to ever play football in Utah State history.”
Nieves hopes to expand his impact on football fields beyond the state of Utah this season. He has joined the Utah Tech Trailblazers and is currently participating in summer practices with the team.