Top Contenders for the 2022 New Mexico Heisman
In this article:
We awarded the 2021 New Mexico Heisman on Monday night. Now we’ll take a look at who are the top contenders for the 2022 award (listed in alphabetical order): Aidan Armenta Aidan Armenta 6'3" | 190 lbs | QB La…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingWe awarded the 2021 New Mexico Heisman on Monday night. Now we’ll take a look at who are the top contenders for the 2022 award (listed in alphabetical order):
Aidan Armenta Aidan Armenta 6'3" | 190 lbs | QB La Cueva | 2023 State NM , La Cueva: Armenta led the Bears to the semifinals of the Class 6A playoffs by throwing for 2,696 yards and 28 TD in his first full season as the starting WB. We’re expecting bigger and better things from Armenta in 2022.
Exodus Ayers Exodus Ayers 6'2" | 175 lbs | ATH Proctor Academy | 2024 State New E , La Cueva: Ayers proved this season to be one of the most athletic and exciting players in Metro Albuquerque. In 8 games, Ayers finished with 41 receptions for 901 yards and 15 TD. If he stays healthy, Ayers could be one of the most dynamic players in the state.
Aden Chavez Aden Chavez 6'5" | 210 lbs | QB Cibola | 2023 State NM , Cibola: If we had to name one player as the ‘Way Too Early’ favorite to win the 2022 New Mexico Heisman, Chavez would be the guy. He threw for over 3,000 yards and 32 TD against one of the toughest schedules in the slate. He loses his top receiver ( Nathan Lopez Nathan Lopez 5'5" | 135 lbs | WR Cibola | 2022 State NM ) but others should fill the void.
Paul Cieremans Paul Cieremans 5'10" | 195 lbs | QB Los Lunas | 2023 State NM , Los Lunas: Cieremans was sensational this past season in leading Los Lunas to an unbeaten record and the Class 5A title. He passed and ran for over 1,000 yards. An intriguing storyline for 2022 is watching Cieremans compete against 6A defenses.
Aidan Granado Aidan Granado 5'9" | 170 lbs | RB Silver | 2023 State NM , Silver: Due to Silver City’s geographic isolation from the major metropolitan areas in New Mexico, Granado doesn’t normally get the attention he deserves. But he rushed for 1,632 yards and averaged over 11 yards per carry this season.
Zakye Hawkins, Las Cruces: Hawkins is one of the top 2024 prospects in the state and he proved it this season with numerous acrobatic catches for the Bulldawgs. Las Cruces must settle on a quarterback but look for great things from Hawkins in 2022.
C.J. Perea, West Las Vegas: Possessing a stocky frame and a fullback mentality, Perea doesn’t look like a prototypical quarterback. But he amassed some impressive numbers this season, throwing for 2,229 yards and 24 TD while rushing for 337 yards, many of them coming after bowling over defenders.
Josh Perry Josh Perry 5'10" | 185 lbs | RB Cleveland | 2023 State NM , Cleveland: Perry missed the second half of the regular season and Cleveland’s first two playoff games with an injury, but he returned for the 6A championship game and offered a preview of coming attractions by rushing for 166 yards and 4 TD. Perry and QB Evan Wysong Evan Wysong 5'10" | 165 lbs | QB Cleveland | 2023 State NM could help make the Storm’s offense virtually unstoppable in 2022.
A.J. Rivera A.J. Rivera 6'2" | 195 lbs | QB Albuquerque Academy | 2023 State NM , Albuquerque Academy: Rivera is a tall, strong-armed QB with the ability to play at the next level. He threw for 2,531 yards and 23 TD as a junior. Watch out for the Chargers. Not only does Rivera return, but the top WR ( Kellan Gehres Kellan Gehres 5'10" | 150 lbs | WR Albuquerque Academy | 2023 State NM ) and RB ( Cole Conway Cole Conway 6'3" | 230 lbs | RB Albuquerque Academy | 2023 State NM ) are back as well. Academy’s offense could be scary good in 2022.
Kaden Trevino Kaden Trevino 5'11" | 175 lbs | WR Hobbs | 2023 State NM , Hobbs: One of the most dynamic players in southeastern New Mexico, Trevino caught 59 passes for 974 yards and 13 TD while rushing for close to 200 yards. He also returns kickoffs for the Eagles. Understandably, Hobbs likes to put the ball in Trevino’s hands.
Cayden Walton Cayden Walton 5'9" | 180 lbs | RB Raton | 2023 State NM , Raton: Just like Aidan Granado Aidan Granado 5'9" | 170 lbs | RB Silver | 2023 State NM (see above), Walton doesn’t get a lot of media attention in the major markets because the town of Raton is isolated along the Colorado-New Mexico border in the northeastern quadrant of the state. But Walton was the state’s top rusher this season with 1,905 yards on 188 carries. Will he eclipse 2,000 yards in 2022?
Evan Wysong Evan Wysong 5'10" | 165 lbs | QB Cleveland | 2023 State NM , Cleveland: If Cibola QB Aden Chavez Aden Chavez 6'5" | 210 lbs | QB Cibola | 2023 State NM (see above) is 1A on our list for way-too-early favorites for the 2022 New Mexico Heisman, Wysong is 1B. MaxPreps named him the 2021 NM Player of the Year after he led the Storm to an unbeaten record and the 6A title. He threw for 1,787 yards and 19 TD and rushed for 987 yards. Both numbers should increase in 2022 as Wysong gets even more comfortable playing the QB position.
Junior year-
District 2-6A offensive player of the year
2,696 passing yards
28 touchdowns
6 interceptions
121.0 passer rating
5 rushing touchdowns
132 rushing yards @LaCuevaFootball @Rivals_Clint @KyleMorgan_XOS @TrustMyEyesO https://t.co/wMsgSZfbnw— Aidan Armenta (@AidanArmenta) December 2, 2021
https://twitter.com/ExodusAyers_/status/1467957152853729282
Thank @krqesports @jchester17 Especially thank you @cibolafootball pic.twitter.com/arghoaKFBr
— Aden Chavez (@AdenChavez08) December 8, 2021
Junior season highlights
13-0 Undefeated
5A State Champions
Passing 1,350 yds 20TDS
Rushing 1,550 yds 20TDShttps://t.co/EkuVPzXDjM— Paul Cieremans (@CieremansPaul) December 2, 2021
Sophomore Season Highlights , on @Hudl at – https://t.co/naMH3UqL18
29 Receptions
690 Yards
11 Receiving TDs
28 Rush
242 Rush Yards
4 Rushing TDs— Zakye Hawkins (@HawkinsZakye) December 2, 2021
Mid-season Highlights! @PrepRedzoneNM @CoachDWarehime @CoachBBlackmon @ENMUAthletics https://t.co/yYyC1SU2R5
— Josh Perry (@Josh23Perry) September 21, 2021
Junior Season:
9-3 Season
2531 Yds 23 TDs 70% Comp%
2nd Team All-District
2nd Team All-Metro
Set new school single season records for passing yards, TDs and completion percentage
Check out my Junior Season highlight! https://t.co/essMPoLQgN— Andres (AJ) Rivera (@AndresAJRivera1) December 2, 2021
https://twitter.com/WysongEvan/status/1465473018327552001