Position Breakdown: Top 10 Defensive Backs In 2022 Class

Up to this point, all of our position breakdowns for the 2022 and 2023 rankings have been on the offensive side of the ball. But now it’s time to show the defense some love. After all, you’ve got to stop people if you want to win. Here are the Top 10 2022 linebackers in New Mexico. 1. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="26231" first="Lucas" last="Lucero"], Rio Rancho</strong>: Lucero will be one of the leaders of a Rams defense that should be one of the state’s best in 2021. He showed in the spring that he’s a ball hawk. Listed at 6-foot-2, 200 pounds, he has the size college colleges crave at the safety position. New Rio Rancho defensive coordinator Phillip Martinez (formerly the Manzano head coach) will find ways to put Lucero in position to make plays. 2. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="134982" first="Hagen" last="Rains"], Portales</strong>: Another tall (listed at 6-2, 170 pounds) defensive back capable of making plays all over the field. Rains is an outstanding two-sport athlete (also excels in baseball) and his athleticism shows on the field. In 4 games this spring, Rains made 28 tackles with 2 interceptions. 3. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="26272" first="Zach" last="Martinez"], Santa Fe</strong>: The Demons should have a very good football team in the fall and Martinez will help key the defense. 4. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="134987" first="Richard" last="Madrid"], Las Cruces</strong>: The Bulldawgs’ defense is sometimes overlooked by all the talent on offense but they have some nice talent on that side of the ball, including Madrid. 5. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="135096" first="Bridger" last="Schaap"], Volcano Vista</strong>: Like most APS schools, Volcano Vista got to play just three games this spring, but Schaap stood out on the Hawks defense. He made 11 tackles in 3 games. 6. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="135302" first="William" last="Archuleta"], Grants</strong>: As a junior in the spring, Archuleta made 16 tackles with two interceptions and two passes defended in 4 games. One of the top DBs in Class 4A. 7. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="135303" first="Dominic" last="Esparza"], St. Pius X</strong>: Yet another talented DB in Class 4A. Esparza made 24 tackles, 2 for loss, with 1 fumble recovery for the Sartans in the spring. 8. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="135342" first="David" last="Holguin"], Hatch Valley</strong>: Who’s the best 2022 DB in Class 3A? Holguin made a strong case in the spring when he totaled 24 tackles in 4 games. 9. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="134977" first="Javier" last="Corrales"], Lovington</strong>: Lovington has plenty of playmakers on the offensive side of the ball. The defense doesn’t get the same amount of attention, but Corrales is a solid defender with 17 tackles and 1 QB hurry in the spring. 10. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="135678" first="Devon" last="Flores"], St. Michael’s</strong>: Thanks in part to Flores and a strong Horsemen defense, St. Michael’s is primed for a run towards the Class 3A title. Next Up: [player_tooltip player_id="135101" first="Tyler" last="Martinez"], Volcano Vista. https://twitter.com/lucaslucero2x/status/1380337044484845570 https://twitter.com/rains72/status/1371357920944910336 &nbsp; &nbsp;