Updated 2022 Rankings: Top Newcomers, Part 1

We’ve updated the 2022 rankings in the wake of the conclusion of the 2021 season and ahead of the upcoming signing period. Over 200 players are included in the new ranking. Here are 10 of the most notable newcomers to our rankings (in alphabetical order): <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="265070" first="Carlos" last="Archuleta"], Rio Rancho</strong>: The Rams didn’t reach the Class 6A championship game simply because they had a great offense. They’re defense was pretty good too, and Archuleta was one of the standouts from his outside linebacker spot. He had three interceptions in Rio Rancho’s big win over Volcano Vista late in the regular season. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="265024" first="Raymetrius" last="Benally"], Kirtland Central</strong>: Folks in the Four Corners know how good Benally is. College coaches do too considering he has 10 offers less than a month to signing day, including a PWO Offer from D2 Fort Lewis College in Durango, Co. He was a tackling machine for the Broncos this past season, finishing with 99 tackles and 3 interceptions. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="264995" first="Seth" last="Chavez"], Centennial</strong>: Tight end is often a forgotten position in today’s world of high school football, but Chavez flourished for the district-winning Hawks. He was named First-Team All-State by NMHSCA and First-Team All-District. He proved a valuable weapon for Centennial all season long. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="265002" first="Deven" last="Dyer"], La Cueva</strong>: As expected, New Mexico signee Hunter Haemker led La Cueva in tackles this past season but the 6-foot-4, 235-pound Dyer wasn’t far behind at his DE position with 57 tackles (43 solo) and a team-leading 16 tackles for loss and 8 sacks. The improvement Dyer made from his sophomore year to now has been remarkable. Eastern New Mexico and New Mexico Highlands have offered. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="264812" first="Zander" last="Doyle"], Los Lunas</strong>: According to MaxPreps, only 18 players in New Mexico collected 100 or more tackles in 2021. Doyle was one of them as he led Los Lunas with 103. He added 9 TL. The Tigers’ high-powered offense grabbed most of the attention in its season-long run to the Class 5A title but the defense led by Doyle was outstanding as well. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="265000" first="Ethan" last="Estrada"], Centennial</strong>: Who was the Defensive Player of the Year for District 6A-3? Estrada. He earned First-Team All-District and Second-Team All-State honors. Definitely flew under the radar for most of the season for Centennial. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="26261" first="Matthew" last="Gonzales"], Robertson</strong>: Gonzales may have carved out one of the most remarkable seasons in New Mexico High School football. Despite not playing football for nearly two years (Las Vegas school district opted out of the spring season), Gonzales joined the 1,000-1,000 club for quarterbacks by throwing for 1,320 yards and 14 TD while rushing for 1,206 yards and 20 TD in leading Robertson on a captivating run to the Class 3A title. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="207618" first="Brody" last="Jaquez"], Belen</strong>: The 6-foot-3, 230-pound Jaquez has piled up the post-season honors after a sensational season – including our Class 5A Defensive Player of the Year – that saw him amass nearly 30 tackles for loss. Eastern New Mexico and New Mexico Highlands have offered. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="265027" first="Izaiyah" last="John"], Volcano Vista</strong>: The 6-foot-3, 290-pounder emerged as one of the top offensive linemen in Albuquerque this past season, helping protect strong-armed QB [player_tooltip player_id="26247" first="Josh" last="Gerardo"]. He was named Second-team All-State by NMHSCA. Somebody at the next level is going to get a rapidly improving player. New Mexico Highlands, Fort Lewis College and Gustavus have offered. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="265016" first="Jesse" last="Rodriguez"], Carlsbad</strong>: Rodriguez was a dynamic, quick RB for the Cavemen, rushing for 818 yards on 135 carries, averaging more than 6 yards per carry. Pacific University in Oregon and Avila University in Kansas City, Mo. have offered. https://twitter.com/Benally35/status/1470217047510376449 https://twitter.com/Angrybirdfb/status/1470604126182588421 https://twitter.com/5ive5iveDE/status/1463687296520048644 https://twitter.com/2022Brody/status/1455675217636851715 https://twitter.com/IzaiyahJ/status/1472011962947026946 https://twitter.com/jessejrod/status/1468801363370909699