Recruiting Update – Late Fall Edition
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New Mexico head coach Danny Gonzales has a message for elite high school football players in the Land of Enchantment: Get yourself to Albuquerque. The Lobos signed about a half dozen New Mexico prospects in the 2021 class, and more…
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Continue ReadingNew Mexico head coach Danny Gonzales has a message for elite high school football players in the Land of Enchantment: Get yourself to Albuquerque.
The Lobos signed about a half dozen New Mexico prospects in the 2021 class, and more than a month before the start of the early signing period UNM appears ready to equal or surpass that number for the 2022 class, and beyond.
“We can get those New Mexico kids that are good enough to help make us a really good football team and compete for championships,” Gonzales said recently. “We did it before with a similar model. But while we’re recruiting New Mexico kids, we’re recruiting everywhere else. So, if you wait too long before you say, ‘I’m coming,’ the spots fill up.”
Gonzales main message to New Mexico prospects? “We’re building something special. If we have a bunch of New Mexico kids on our team, the stadium is going to be full if they play hard and we win games. Stay home. Understand what we’re about. New Mexico is a blue-collar state. That’s who we are as a football program.
So far, three 2022 New Mexico prospect have said ‘Yes’ to the Lobos.
La Cueva linebacker Hunter Haemker committed to the Lobos in June. Last week, Rio Rancho offensive lineman Cayden Romero Cayden Romero 6'5" | 320 lbs | OL Rio Rancho | 2022 State NM and his teammate, exceptional running back Zach Vigil Zach Vigil 5'9" | 190 lbs | RB Rio Rancho | 2022 State NM , announced their commitments to UNM within 24 hours of each other.
Vigil is arguably the state’s top running back, and he showed why in the recent battle with cross-town rival Cleveland when he rushed for 320+ yards and two touchdowns. Romero is our No. 2 offensive linemen in the latest 2022 ranking behind Jal’s Roger Carreon Roger Carreon 6'5" | 305 lbs | OL Jal | 2022 State NM , a Boise State commitment.
Vigil, has rushed for 1,372 yards and accounted for 24 total touchdowns in just 8 games this season, committed to UNM three days after being extended an offer. Rio Rancho had two games cancelled due to covid protocols by would-be opponents.
“It just feels great to be a part of a culture that I’m familiar with,” Vigil told the Albuquerque Journal. “I can’t wait to get going with them. (Coach Gonzales) told me what they’ve got going over there and told me what was yet to come and what could be. It helped me make my decision.”
Romero was offered by UNM in June 2020. Other programs expressed interest, but he decided not to wait for another offer and commit to the Lobos.
“There’s a lot of talent in New Mexico,” Romero said. “But we’ve just never had people looking at us. It’s nice knowing (the Lobos) are looking at New Mexico kids more than in the past. There are a lot of hidden gems in New Mexico.”
The Lobos aren’t stopping with just signing the three aforementioned in-state players. Over the past few weeks they have hosted a slew of local players for unofficial visits at home games against Air Force, Colorado State and UNLV.
COMMITMENTS:
Cayden Romero Cayden Romero 6'5" | 320 lbs | OL Rio Rancho | 2022 State NM , Rio Rancho – New Mexico
Zach Vigil Zach Vigil 5'9" | 190 lbs | RB Rio Rancho | 2022 State NM , Rio Rancho – New Mexico
OFFERS:
Dallas Boyd Dallas Boyd 5'10" | 175 lbs | QB Las Cruces | 2022 State NM , Las Cruces – Papago Pumas (Arizona JUCO)
Jonathan Fuentes Jonathan Fuentes 6'1" | 170 lbs | WR Carlsbad | 2022 State NM , Carlsbad – Pacific University (Oregon), Lincoln (CA) University
Ramon Loya Ramon Loya 6'4" | 280 lbs | OL Carlsbad | 2022 State NM , Carlsbad – Amherst College, Culver Stockton, Rose Hulman, Middlebury College
Bailey Siverts, Rio Rancho- Whittier College
Josh Gerardo Josh Gerardo 6'1" | QB Volcano Vista | 2022 State NM , Volcano Vista – Gustavus Adolphus, Clarke University, Cornell College, Bethany College
Jonathon Croker Jonathon Croker 6'1" | 245 lbs | OL Valencia | 2022 State NM , Valencia – Lawrence University, Ottawa (KS) University, Bethany College, Willamette University, Ripon College
Marco Ybarra Marco Ybarra 5'10" | 190 lbs | RB St. Pius X | 2022 State NM , St. Pius X – Lincoln (CA) University, University of Puget Sound, Whittier College, Carleton College
Jacob Miranda Jacob Miranda 5'10" | 170 lbs | RB Sandia | 2022 State NM , Sandia – Crown College
VISITS:
Jonathan Fuentes Jonathan Fuentes 6'1" | 170 lbs | WR Carlsbad | 2022 State NM , Carlsbad – Texas-Permian Basin
Ramon Loya Ramon Loya 6'4" | 280 lbs | OL Carlsbad | 2022 State NM , Carlsbad – Texas Permian Basin
Logan Fuller Logan Fuller 6'1" | 210 lbs | K Hope Christian | 2022 State NM , Hope Christian – UTEP, West Florida
Javyn Morales Javyn Morales 5'10" | 155 lbs | RB Goddard | 2023 State NM – Texas Tech
Landon Williams Landon Williams 6'3" | 225 lbs | DL Albuquerque | 2022 State NM – Stephen F. Austin
Been on a journey my whole life and today’s the day. After a lot of planning and prayer, I am staying home and committing to the University of New Mexico‼️ #GoLobos 🐺🔴⚪️ @UNMLoboFB @DavidHowes5 @rioramsfootball @JordanSom_UNM @CoachDWarehime @CoachGonzUNM pic.twitter.com/pbgbWoRVYE
— Zach Vigil (@zacharyvigil21) November 4, 2021
#Committed 🐺🟥⬜️ pic.twitter.com/4reoG9WO9D
— Cayden Romero (@CaydenRomero) November 4, 2021
very excited and blessed to announce that i have received my first official offer from Pacific University (OR) big thanks to @Coach_Gilgan and @Boxer_Football #GoBoxers pic.twitter.com/S69gSdmc9t
— jonathan.fuentesii (@jonathanfu2nt2s) October 18, 2021
After a great conversation with @CoachBStro I’m beyond blessed to receive my first offer to continue to play this game and pursue my education ! Thank you for the opportunity coach! #GOPUMAS pic.twitter.com/TLtsYP6hr7
— Dallas Boyd (@dallas2boyd) November 9, 2021
#AGTG After a great talk with @CoachMBallard , I am blessed to have earned an offer to play for Amherst College! @cavemenstrong @PrepRedzoneNM @dez1130 @NMrecruits pic.twitter.com/AGjaQ6VKWa
— Ramon Loya ‘22 (@ramonloyaa75) November 5, 2021
Thank you @CoachFaske and @SFA_Football for inviting me out for homecoming! Had a lot of fun! @PrepRedzoneNM pic.twitter.com/iMqVMQODxC
— Landon Williams (@LandonJWilliams) October 31, 2021
Thank you @CoachCarskie for the official offer to be a scholar baller at University of Puget Sound!! @jeffthomas4 @LOGGER_LBCOACH @Loggermitch @P_S_football pic.twitter.com/3hXCxn4CJE
— Marco Ybarra (@marcoayb) October 14, 2021