New ENMU coach eyes big things from NM players (Part 2)

When Eastern New Mexico signed 6-foot-5 Melrose (NM) wide receiver/tight end Devon Bailey in February, then Greyhounds coach Kelley Lee knew ENMU had stolen one away from the Div. I schools. Bailey was arguably the top wide receiver prospect in the state for the 2021 recruiting cycle, even though he played eight-man football at Melrose and flew far under the radar throughout the recruiting process. Bailey possesses everything you want in a tall receiver – size, speed, strength, agility, athleticism, good hands. New ENMU coach Tye Hiatt is equally impressed with Bailey as Lee was after watching him this spring. “One guy that really has a chance to be a great player is Devon Bailey,” Hiatt told Prep Redzone New Mexico. “I know it’s small-town football, but when you’re 6-foot-5, 215 pounds and can run like he does, that’s an absolute steal.” Essentially, Bailey has Division I skills playing at the Div. II level. “Watching Devon run around, I see a guy who fits into the realm of those big tight ends and H-Backs you see in the NFL,” Hiatt said. Former Las Cruces standout [player_tooltip player_id="26160" first="Marcos" last="Lopez"] was signed by Lee to play quarterback, and Hiatt is now searching for ways to best utilize his dual threat skills, whether at QB or another position. “He’s pretty athletic, so he could end up playing quarterback or he could end up playing receiver,” Hiatt said. “I’m all for guys who played quarterback in high school and are athletic because you can always find a place to put them on offense if they don’t play quarterback. He’s a leader. There’s a high ceiling for Marcos.” ENMU also signed a pair of offensive linemen from New Mexico: [player_tooltip player_id="26192" first="Christian" last="Griego"] (Los Lunas) and Darrius Gregory (Rio Rancho). Griego is all of 6-foot-4, 300 pounds and gives the Greyhounds’ O-Line a major boost in size and skill as ENMU transitions to a new, more passing-oriented attack. “Christian blocks out the sun,” Hiatt said. “And he can move.” The 2022 class in New Mexico features several offensive linemen capable of playing at the next level. Jal’s [player_tooltip player_id="26228" first="Roger" last="Carreon"] is likely out of ENMU’s reach because he has Power suitors, but Hiatt plans to pursue nearly everybody else. “Looking at the 2022 class, there are good offensive and defensive linemen in New Mexico,” Hiatt said. “That’s one of the things about college football at our level. You have to be great with your high school recruiting at offensive and defensive line. Those are the guys you really develop in your program. There are some good-looking players at those positions.” ENMU will conduct a prospect camp July 20 at Cleveland High School in Rio Rancho, NM. The Greyhound begin fall camp Aug. 5. The 2021 season opener is Thur., Sept. 2 against Central Washington in Portales. ENMU plays its first three games at home. https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneNM/status/1402424441355653120 https://twitter.com/ENMUFootball/status/1396964576789286914 https://twitter.com/ENMUAthletics/status/1390073449750618117