Top 5 Class of 2022 Running Backs in New Mexico

The junior class in the state of New Mexico (2022 graduates) is filled with some talented running backs, some of whom should go on and play at the next level. They’ll play this spring and then finish their prep football careers in the fall. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="26227" first="Zach" last="Vigil"], Rio Rancho</strong>: Who’s the top junior running back in New Mexico? It’s Vigil. He rushed for 1,253 yards and 18 touchdowns as a sophomore in 2019, helping Rio Rancho reach the Class 6A championship game. He had 242 total carries, an average of 18.6 per game. Could the Rams rely on Vigil even more this spring to the tune of 22-25 carries per game? Don’t bet against it. After all, when you have a horse like Vigil, you ride ‘em as much as you can. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="26265" first="Martell" last="Mora"], Santa Fe</strong>: As we described in a recent story, Mora helping spearhead the revival at Santa Fe, which lost 30+ games in a row a few years back but finished 4-6 in 2019. He rushed for 851 yards and 7 touchdowns as a sophomore in 2019. The Demons have a dynamic offensive backfield with Mora and QB Luc Jaramillo, another intriguing 2022 prospect. We’ll see both in the fall when Santa Fe looks to make some serious noise in Class 6A. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="26240" first="Adrian" last="Rodriguez"], Santa Teresa</strong>: The Desert Warriors (one of the best nicknames in New Mexico) won their first five games in 2019 and Rodriguez led the way as a sophomore, finishing the season with 1,028 rushing yards. He doesn’t get much publicity in the central and northern New Mexico, but Rodriguez is one of the state’s top 2022 prospects and another big year could generate serious interest on the recruiting trail. <strong>Cayden Dunn, Moriarty: </strong>Moriarty finished with a 2-9 record in 2019, which explains why Dunn is practically unknown outside of his hometown heading into the spring season. Dunn rushed for 791 yards and averaged 7.1 yards per carry as a sophomore. If Moriarty climbs the 4A ladder in the spring, Dunn will carry them there, especially in the wake of the tragic passing of Pedro Sandoval in an automobile accident a few months ago. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="26257" first="Marco" last="Ybarra"], St. Pius X</strong>: The junior isn’t just the top running back in Metro Albuquerque, he’s also one of the strongest. Of course, there’s probably a connection between the two. His sophomore season was cut short by injury, but there’s no mistaking Ybarra’s ability. If he stays healthy, Ybarra could put up some serious numbers in the spring and next fall. He’s one to watch on the recruiting trail. And he was just elected Junior Class President. Man of many talents. <strong>Honorable Mention</strong>: Bracxton Hall (Ruidoso); [player_tooltip player_id="26266" first="Marino" last="Rivera-Noblitt"] (Estancia); Damian Gallegos (West Las Vegas); Dylan Green (Loving); Jordan Armijo (Socorro); Matthew Suazo (Taos); Jesse Murphy (Valley); [player_tooltip player_id="26218" first="Lucas" last="Montoya"] (St. Michael’s). https://twitter.com/zacharyvigil21/status/1341501084309868544 https://twitter.com/demons_football/status/1354234699867185160 https://twitter.com/marcoayb/status/1351684925347434497