Recruiting New Mexico: Lobos sign 4 In-State Standouts

Unlike his predecessor, New Mexico head coach Danny Gonzales wants the Lobos to be a place where deserving prospects from the Land of Enchantment feel welcome. Last year, UNM signed about a half dozen New Mexico prospects, including former Cleveland Storm standout and 2020 Gatorade Player of the Year Luke Wysong, who led the UNM in receiving this past season and scored his first career TD on a thrilling punt return at University Stadium. Wednesday, New Mexico added four more in-state players to the roster, signing LB <strong>Hunter Haemker</strong> (La Cueva), OL <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="26229" first="Cayden" last="Romero"]</strong> (Rio Rancho), and 2021 Gatorade Player of the Year RB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="26227" first="Zach" last="Vigil"]</strong> (Rio Rancho) from the high school ranks. In addition, they signed UCLA transfer <strong>Tyler Kiehne</strong>, a former Los Lunas standout defensive end and our No. 1 prospect in the 2021 class. “I believe we got the best players in New Mexico,” Gonzales said Wednesday during his Signing Day press conference. “And Tyler Kiehne is coming back home, which is a really good get for us. We had a great meeting with him and his family. It was fun to explain to them (about the program) and see Tyler’s excitement.” Lobo coaches were on hand for Vigil’s 323-yard rushing performance against Cleveland in the final regular season game, and offered a day or two later. Vigil, who had visited several FCS programs, quickly committed. He rushed for 1,553 yards and 30 touchdowns as a senior at Rio Rancho, amassing over 2,000 total yards in just 10 games. He averaged 9.1 yards per carry. “We’re excited to have Zach on our football team,” Gonzales said. Romero suffered a serious injury during the NMHSCA ‘Big School’ All-Star game in Roswell two weekends ago, but Gonzales said his spot in the signing class was never in danger. “To his credit, he called and asked before the game if he got hurt would (that affect his scholarship),” Gonzales said. “I told him nothing would happen. He was a Lobo. I told him I wanted him to go play in that game. When you get selected for a game like that, it’s a great honor. You take a chance of getting hurt every time you play football. He’ll rehab that and be back as strong as ever.” Romero finished second in the shot put at the state track and field meet in June. The 6-foot-2, 215 pound Haemker was arguably the state’s top linebacker this past season. He was also an outstanding wrestler, capturing the district championship in his weight class. His father was a teammate of Gonzales’ on the Lobos, so Gonzales has known the family for a long time. “Hunter is a great linebacker,” Gonzales said. “We’re excited about having a local kid who’s also a legacy Lobo. These guys are buying into what we’re doing before they even get here. That’s huge in helping us build this program.” In 12 games for La Cueva this past season, Haemker finished with 78 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 6 sacks and 1 INT. “His physical nature (stands out),” Gonzales said. “When he hits you he tries to annihilate you. Like some of our guys, he can run sideline-to-sideline. Whatever is in his way, he’s not afraid of it. I know his dad and his personality, so that helped in knowing what Hunter is about. He has a chance of being a very good New Mexico player and continue the legacy of La Cueva High School. Hunter gets to be the next one.” Kiehne, who redshirted this past season at UCLA, now weighs 270 pounds, Gonzales said. “He doesn’t need to gain any more weight,” Gonzales said. “We’ll get him into shape and get him to where he needs to be. He’ll work out over Christmas break and then he’ll get going (in January).” Gonzales first recruited Kiehne when he was the defensive coordinator at Arizona State, and made contact after he was hired by the Lobos in December 2019. “At the time, the right thing for him to do was go to UCLA,” Gonzales said. “He brings some size, an attitude, a great work ethic and a great motor. He’s a good athlete and he’s a New Mexico kid. I told him that now everybody knows who he is and they will celebrate you. “But he’d better stay on the straight and narrow. It’s a good feeling to have that feeling and the great responsibility they have representing our state. Having an opportunity to do it for our university is cool. He’s definitely bought in. He had opportunities to go to other places.” New Mexico plays at UCLA in September 2025 when Kiehne will presumably be a senior. “I promise you Tyler is really looking forward to September of 2025,” Gonzales smiled. The Lobos have now signed the last three New Mexico Gatorade Players of the Year: QB Isaiah Chavez (2019), Wysong (2020) and Vigil (2021). UNM has eight scholarships to give during the late signing period that begins the first Wednesday in February, so additional New Mexico prospects could be signed then. In addition to the four scholarship signees, Gonzales said UNM plans to add four or five walk-ons from New Mexico next summer. “We have identified some New Mexico kids and those spots will shake out as we get through spring ball,” Gonzales said. “We’ll have a very good walk-on program. Those guys will have an opportunity to earn scholarships.” Gonzales said UNM will start spring football practice on Feb. 8. https://twitter.com/_RRHSathletics/status/1471230280946135046 https://twitter.com/_NMAA/status/1471234325257486343 https://twitter.com/LCHS_Bears/status/1471225347374927874 https://twitter.com/UNMLoboFB/status/1471123071931236352 https://twitter.com/tylerkiehne/status/1470970771522600963 https://twitter.com/CaydenRomero/status/1461753855612370944