REC: Four of state’s top 2021 prospects announce commitments

We now know where four of the state’s top 2021 prospects are headed to play their college football. Las Cruces quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="26160" first="Marcos" last="Lopez"]</strong>, one of the New Mexico’s most dynamic dual threat playmakers, announced Tuesday afternoon that he has committed to Div. II Eastern New Mexico. He was also offered by Hiram College in Ohio. ENMU tendered an offer to Lopez in late December. He’ll play quarterback, too. In 2019, Lopez led the Bulldawgs to an undefeated district record and a spot in the Class 6A quarterfinals by throwing for 1,874 yards and accounting for 23 total touchdowns. “I really liked the people around the program and the campus,” Lopez told Prep Redzone New Mexico shortly after revealing his decision on social media. “I felt it was the school where I had the best chance to get on the field early.” Lopez plans to sign with the Greyhounds on Feb. 3, the first day of the traditional signing period. After that, he intends to arrive on ENMU’s Portales campus in the summer about two to three months before the start of preseason camp. With Lopez at quarterback, <strong>Mando Villesca</strong> (averaged 10.6 yards per carry in 2019) at running back, a solid offensive line and a reliable defense, Las Cruces is optimistic they possess the talent to compete for the Class 6A title in the spring season. Lopez wasn’t the only elite New Mexico prospect to commit to Eastern New Mexico on Tuesday. 2021 Roswell (NM) Goddard defensive back/wide receiver <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="26169" first="Nathaniel" last="Stone"]</strong> announced Monday afternoon that he had pledged to the Greyhounds. Blessed with 4.5 speed, Stone is one of the top two-way players in the state. "It wasn’t an easy pick after all the talks I had with coaches from other programs and two other offers," Stone told Prep Redzone New Mexico. "Considering the hard times we've had with Covid in our lives, staying close to my family and picking a strong program like ENMU was the best choice for me." Stone, who plans to sign next Wednesday, says he was recruited by ENMU for wide receiver, but he could end up on defense too at some point. "They have me down for wide receiver, but I’m a athlete and can play multiple positions," said Stone, who attracted some interest from the Lobos. "I'm not afraid to step in where I am needed. I am ready and excited to get started." In addition, Goddard defensive lineman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="26170" first="Fernando" last="Rubio"]</strong> committed to Eastern New Mexico on Tuesday, giving the Greyhounds three key pickups from within the state. Goddard OL <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="26159" first="Larry" last="Luna"]</strong> signed with New Mexico during the early signing period. Rubio, recruited by ENMU as a defensive end, plans to sign with the Greyhounds on Feb. 3. "The things I liked about Eastern New Mexico were it’s close to home and one of my best friends Nate Stone is going there and he’s probably one of the people I trust the most," Rubio said. "Lastly, but not least, the coaching there is outstanding." <strong>DELLER COMMITS</strong>: Monday,  2021 Albuquerque (NM) St. Pius X defensive linemen <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="26193" first="Aaron" last="Deller"]</strong> announced his commitment to NAIA St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa from a dozen offers, and plans to sign by Feb. 3 with the Fighting Bees. Deller visited St. Ambrose earlier this month and was impressed with everything related to the football program along with the rigorous academics. St. Ambrose competes in the highly competitive MSFA-Midwest Conference. Deller was recruited by St. Ambrose to play defensive line. He plans to join the program in August. “St. Ambrose checked all the boxes, and it just felt right,” Deller told Prep Redzone New Mexico. “One of the most attractive things was definitely the competition level of the MSFA-Midwest Conference. But the multiple angled recorded practices and the academic rigor of the school were very close seconds.” <strong>NOTES</strong>: -- 2021 Albuquerque (NM) La Cueva quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="26220" first="Ryan" last="Cook"]</strong> picked up his fifth offer on Tuesday from Trine University in Angola, Ind. He has also been offered by WPI, Rose-Hulman Tech, Monmouth College and College of Wooster. -- 2021 Rio Rancho QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="26198" first="Joey" last="Cave"]</strong> recently picked up his third offer from Otttawa University in Kansas. The school also has a campus in Surprise, Ariz. Cave has previously offered by University of St. Mary (Leavenworth, KS) and Culver-Stockton (Canton, Missouri). -- Former Miyamura QB [player_tooltip player_id="26238" first="Cael" last="Stewart"], who now lives in St. John, Ariz., has drawn interest from FBS Northern Illinois. https://twitter.com/MarcosLopez_7/status/1354133755028328448 https://twitter.com/AaronDeller/status/1353875282369777664 https://twitter.com/ryan_cook_14/status/1354093036335202306 https://twitter.com/natestoneWR81/status/1354167322844381184 https://twitter.com/TheJoeyCave/status/1343341947402944512 https://twitter.com/17FernandoRubio/status/1354137783007391744