Monthly Recruiting Report: 2021 Prospects Commit

Two Albuquerque area quarterbacks that patiently waited their turn have decided on their college football destinations. Volcano Vista QB <strong>Johnny Herrera</strong>, who threw for over 1,000 yards and 12 touchdowns in just three games this spring, committed to NAIA Arizona Christian University in Phoenix. La Cueva QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="26220" first="Ryan" last="Cook"]</strong> signed with Div. II South Dakota School of Mines, which is located in Rapid City, SD. Both Herrera and Cook received multiple offers before settling on the school of their choice. Herrera held offers from Culver-Stockton, Macalester College, Kenyon College and a wrestling offer from Ottawa University. Herrera was recruited by ACU as a QB and slot receiver. “I committed to ACU because of the football program and the great academics they have to offer a student athlete like myself,” Herrera told Prep Redzone New Mexico. “The Christian based teaching and athletics are very appealing to me. I just feel like I was blessed with this opportunity and I am meant to be there.” A three-sport standout at Volcano Vista (Football, Wrestling, Baseball), Herrera missed several games as a junior in 2019 due to a hip injury but still amassed 23 receptions. Like all seniors in New Mexico, his final high school football season was limited due to the pandemic as Volcano Vista played just three games. “Playing three sports the entire four years has made the time fly,” Herrera said. “In terms of football, I suffered a setback the first game of my junior year with a serious hip injury. I was blessed enough to come back at the end of the regular season and then the playoffs. “But that was definitely heartbreaking as I was going to have a breakout year. This year has been crazy but I am very grateful we had the opportunity to play at least three games and show people what I can do and get my name out there. I am very thankful for all the coaches at Volcano Vista.” Cook, a dual threat quarterback, appeared in two games this spring for the Bears. His decision to sign with South Dakota School of Mines was based in part on academics and part on athletics. “I chose SDSOM due to it being the closest college to home with the degree program that I plan on pursuing (biomedical engineering),” Cook told Prep Redzone New Mexico. “The STEM environment that the school is known for is something I’d love to learn in and be a part of. Rapid City is also a beautiful town.” Cook signed with SDSOM as a quarterback, but could end up playing another position. “The coaching staff is recruiting me as a QB, but I told them that I’m willing to do anything to help the team win if they see me succeeding somewhere else,” Cook said. Monday, 2021 Atrisco Heritage OLB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="26179" first="Chris" last="Rios"]</strong> signed with the United States Merchant Marine Academy on Long Island, NY after initially committing to Bethel University in Minnesota. Rios announced April 19 that he had reopened his recruitment. <strong>COMMITMENTS/SIGNINGS</strong>: Johnny Herrera, Volcano Vista – Arizona Christian University [player_tooltip player_id="26220" first="Ryan" last="Cook"], La Cueva – South Dakota School of Mines [player_tooltip player_id="26179" first="Chris" last="Rios"], Atrisco Heritage – U.S. Merchant Marine Academy [player_tooltip player_id="26203" first="Johnny" last="Jimenez"], Clovis – New Mexico Military Institute (NMMI) Elijah Archuleta, Santa Teresa – Hiram College Cuentin Romero, Bernalillo – Fort Lewis College [player_tooltip player_id="26164" first="Braxton" last="McDonald"], Artesia - New Mexico State (PWO) Michael Trujillo, Grants – Fort Lewis College John Taigaafi, Aztec – Clarke University Nathaniel Fresquez, Socorro - NMMI <strong>OFFERS</strong>: Javon Alexander, Volcano Vista – Bethany Demitrius Frausto, Hobbs – Wayland Baptist [player_tooltip player_id="26185" first="Jeff" last="Davison"], Cleveland – New Mexico State (PWO) https://twitter.com/johnny_ix/status/1389983781797335046 https://twitter.com/ryan_cook_14/status/1391481774044221440 https://twitter.com/rios552/status/1391833839811530752 https://twitter.com/johnnyjimenez62/status/1391583749385736200 https://twitter.com/AidenNair2/status/1384969070747996167 https://twitter.com/ElijahArch11/status/1386163257853972481 https://twitter.com/RomeroCuentin/status/1384233658572185608