Off and running: Rio Rancho QB ‘blessed’ to receive first offer

The New Mexico Activities Association (NMAA) may have postponed the 2020 high school football season to next spring but Rio Rancho rising senior quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="26198" first="Joey" last="Cave"]</strong> got some good news earlier this week when he received his first college offer from Culver-Stockton College in Canton, MO. “I was surprised and felt blessed to have someone finally see the work I’ve been putting in,” Cave told Prep Redzone New Mexico. Serving as Rio Rancho’s backup QB behind entrenched starter Isaiah Chavez last season, Cave saw limited action with the Rams varsity but excelled as the starting quarterback for the JV team. Competing at numerous camps starting last fall paid dividends when the Culver-Stockton coaches watched his film and were impressed enough to extend an offer. “They reached out to me about a month ago,” Cave said. “I have attended numerous camps starting last season but with the current COVID restrictions I’ve been limited to only a few local camps (in recent months). I did receive an invitation to the FBU top gun camp in Florida but couldn’t attend due to the situation in Florida. Unfortunately,  traveling out of state is not an option as of right now.” As Rio Rancho’s presumptive starting QB, Cave is close to occupying one of the most scrutinized and analyzed positions in New Mexico high school football. At the same time, he has a golden opportunity to raise his recruiting profile. Taking advantage of it is key, though. "I’m definitely (relieved to get an offer), but we still have a season coming up that I’m looking forward to very much,” Cave said. “I hope with all the hard work and dedication of everybody on my team we have a great season.” While Culver-Stockton remains Cave’s first and only offer, several other schools have expressed interest: Ottawa University, Western University, Carleton University and Trine University. <strong>RECENT OFFERS</strong>: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="26163" first="Trey" last="Ortega"], Cleveland</strong>: Northern State University; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="26179" first="Chris" last="Rios"], Atrisco Heritage</strong>: Carthage; <strong>Eddie Acosta, Atrisco Heritage</strong>: Carthage; Clarke University <strong>Ruben Palma, Atrisco Heritag</strong>e: Concordia College <strong>David Murphy, Cleveland</strong>: Carleton <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="26174" first="Jalen" last="Washington"], Cleveland</strong>: Graceland University https://twitter.com/TheJoeyCave/status/1280219602589413381 https://twitter.com/TheJoeyCave/status/1251232109584281601 https://twitter.com/TheJoeyCave/status/1252710789279961088