Updated 2023 Rankings: 10 Newcomers, Part 1
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We released the updated 2023 rankings on Monday. Here are 10 of the top newcomers to the list: Chris Montoya Chris Montoya 5'10" | 195 lbs | DB Rio Rancho | 2023 State NM , Rio Rancho: Montoya will be…
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Continue ReadingWe released the updated 2023 rankings on Monday. Here are 10 of the top newcomers to the list:
Chris Montoya Chris Montoya 5'10" | 195 lbs | DB Rio Rancho | 2023 State NM , Rio Rancho: Montoya will be one of the state’s best defense backs in 2022. If you think the Rams won’t be one of the state’s top teams again in 2022, think again. And with former Cleveland head coach Heath Ridenour now at New Mexico, it’s game on.
Rene Ramos Rene Ramos 5'8" | 135 lbs | DB Carlsbad | 2023 State NM , Carlsbad: In some circles, Ramos is one of the top 50 high school football players in New Mexico. His body of work this past season was impressive and he should be a leader for the Carlsbad defense in 2022.
Khalif Arenas Khalif Arenas 6'1" | 290 lbs | OL Centennial | 2023 State NM , Centennial: Arenas should be one of the top offensive line prospects in New Mexico in 2022. He’s got the size (6-1, 290) college coaches are looking for. Arenas will be paving the way for outstanding RB Mikah Gutierrez Mikah Gutierrez 5'8" | 160 lbs | RB Centennial | 2023 State NM .
Anthony McCullough Anthony McCullough 6'0" | 230 lbs | DL Valencia | 2023 State NM , Valencia: One of the major reasons Valencia was able to become one of the surprise teams in Class 4A last season was their talent in the trenches. McCullough had an outstanding season at defensive tackle for the Jaguars and he should be one of the state’s best at the position in 2022.
Gabriel Buie Gabriel Buie 5'10" | 185 lbs | RB La Cueva | 2023 State NM , La Cueva: Two players emerged in a big way for La Cueva this past season – WR Exodus Ayers Exodus Ayers 6'2" | 175 lbs | ATH Proctor Academy | 2024 State NewE and Buie. In his first year on the varsity, Buie rushed for nearly 1,000 yards and 13 TD, averaging close to 8 yards per carry. QB Aidan Armenta Aidan Armenta 6'3" | 190 lbs | QB La Cueva | 2023 State NM , Buie and Ayers will be one of the state’s top offensive trios in 2022.
Cooper Pritchett Cooper Pritchett 5'10" | 150 lbs | LB Ruidoso | 2023 State NM , Ruidoso: Pritchett did it all for the Warriors in 2021. He quarterbacked his team to the Class 4A state championship game by throwing for 700 yards and catching 18 passes. He also made 116 tackles on defense. There won’t be many better two-way players in the state in 2022.
Branden Castillo Branden Castillo 5'9" | 145 lbs | WR Cibola | 2023 State NM , Cibola: Castillo was a solid #2 WR for Cibola in 2022 behind the departed Nathan Lopez Nathan Lopez 5'5" | 135 lbs | WR Cibola | 2022 State NM with 57 receptions for 868 yards. Castillo will get his opportunity to becime the #1 WR in 2022. Best news? He’ll have Div. 1 caliber QB Aden Chavez Aden Chavez 6'5" | 210 lbs | QB Cibola | 2023 State NM throwing him the ball. Look for Castillo to have a monster season.
Amari Benavidez Amari Benavidez 6'2" | 170 lbs | WR Loving | 2023 State NM , Loving: Benavidez was a bright light in an otherwise ungratifying season for Loving. He caught 34 passes for 486 yards and 4 TD. He also had 32 tackles and 6 sacks on defense.
Ashton Aranda Ashton Aranda 6'0" | 175 lbs | QB Lovington | 2023 State NM , Lovington: The ‘Fantastic Four’ at WR grabbed most of the attention for the Class 4A champion Wildcats, but somebody had to throw them the ball. Aranda amassed 2,180 passing yards and 29 TD in 2021. He’ll have a new crew to throw the ball to in 2022. But don’t expect Aranda or Lovington to take a step back.
David Llanez David Llanez 5'8" | 135 lbs | RB Bernalillo | 2023 State NM , Bernalillo: Nicknamed ‘Rocket,’ Llanez emerged in 2021 as a major contributor on both sides of the ball for Bernalillo. He rushed for 575 yards on 96 carries and made 25 tackles and 4 sacks on defense.
#NewProfilePic pic.twitter.com/7gDt62OgW6
— Chris Montoya (@Chris_MontoyaJr) November 22, 2021
https://twitter.com/gabrielbuie07/status/1456410592755945489
@AshtonA125 Congratulations to Ashton Aranda on his All-State Selection. A direct reflection of his work ethic and his position coach @coachjoshbailey #FE pic.twitter.com/3UnlsLHN5B
— Wildcat Football (@lvtwildcatsfb) December 14, 2021