City Series: Top 5 Quarterbacks in Albuquerque Metro Region
In this article:
It’s March, which means it’s time again for our ‘City Series’ where we tell you the top players in the three major regions of the state entering the 2022 season: Albuquerque Metro (Including Rio Ranchos and Los Lunas), Northern New…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingIt’s March, which means it’s time again for our ‘City Series’ where we tell you the top players in the three major regions of the state entering the 2022 season: Albuquerque Metro (Including Rio Ranchos and Los Lunas), Northern New Mexico and Southern New Mexico. We begin with the Top 5 quarterbacks in the Albuquerque Metro region:
Aden Chavez Aden Chavez 6'5" | 210 lbs | QB Cibola | 2023 State NM , Cibola: When was the last time a New Mexico quarterback signed with a FBS school directly out of high school (Former Hobbs QB Gavin Hardison played one year at NMMI before signing with UTEP)? Chavez has all the measurables major college coaches are looking for: size (6-foot-5), strong and accurate throwing arm (“he can make all the throws”), leadership, high football IQ, relentless work ethic, etc. Chavez will compete again this year in the Elite 11 Regionals, arguably the top national QB competition. Arkansas (SEC), Vanderbilt (SEC), Pittsburgh (ACC) and Washington State (Pac-12) are expressing interest along with some Ivy League schools. With Chavez at QB, Cibola’s offense will be humming in 2022.
Aidan Armenta Aidan Armenta 6'3" | 190 lbs | QB La Cueva | 2023 State NM , La Cueva: The 6-foot-3, 190-pound Armenta is on the verge of joining Chavez as a NM quarterback who could sign with a Div. I program. Armenta has secured a coveted invitation to the Elite 11 Regionals. He told Prep Redzone New Mexico that he will likely compete at the Las Vegas regional on May 1. He has also been invited to participate in the Blue-Grey Football All-American Bowl Combine. Dartmouth of the Ivy League has invited him to Junior Day. Armenta threw for 2,696 yards and 28 TD in 2021. He’ll direct La Cueva’s potentially explosive offense in 2022.
Paul Cieremans Paul Cieremans 5'10" | 195 lbs | QB Los Lunas | 2023 State NM , Los Lunas: Most analysts regard Cieremans as the state’s top dual threat QB, and he certainly lived up to that claim in 2021 by leading Los Lunas to an undefeated season and Class 5A state championship. Cieremans threw for 1,347 yards and rushed for 1,544 yards, joining a small fraternity of quarterbacks in the 1,000-1,000 club. Because of the town’s population spurt over the past decade, Los Lunas has moved to Class 6A and will compete in a district with Albuquerque, Capital, Clovis and Santa Fe. Right now, Los Lunas would be the favorite to win that district. Watching Cieremans operate against Class 6A defenses will certainly be one of the fascinating storylines of the 2022 season.
Evan Wysong Evan Wysong 5'10" | 165 lbs | QB Cleveland | 2023 State NM , Cleveland: Is Wysong a quarterback or a wide receiver? He’s ultra-dynamic as a dual threat QB, as we saw week after week during Cleveland’s undefeated run to the Class 6A championship. But WR is likely his best position in college. With a 4.5 clocking in the 40, he’s one of the fastest players in the state. In the wake of Heath Ridenour’s departure to become the quarterbacks coach at New Mexico (the Lobos have already offered Wysong), it will be interesting to see how new Storm head coach Robert Garza utilizes Wysong. The Storm also have a talented 2024 QB in Elijah Brody Elijah Brody 6'3" | 185 lbs | QB West Mesa | 2024 State NM . At least for now. Brody’s father is the new head coach at West Mesa. Brody’s Twitter profile still says he’s attending Cleveland.
A.J. Rivera A.J. Rivera 6'2" | 195 lbs | QB Albuquerque Academy | 2023 State NM , Albuquerque Academy: After throwing for over 2,500 yards and 23 TD in 2021 and establishing several school records in the process, Rivera will direct one of the most prolific offenses in the entire state in 2022. His top wide receiver, Kellan Gehres Kellan Gehres 5'10" | 150 lbs | WR Albuquerque Academy | 2023 State NM , returns as well along with bruising RB Cole Conway Cole Conway 6'3" | 230 lbs | RB Albuquerque Academy | 2023 State NM . Rivera-Gehres should again be one of the top QB-WR duos. And Academy is now in a highly competitive district with Class 4A rivals Bernalillo, Lovington and Portales. Right now, Rivera is listed at 6-foot-2, 185 pounds. He’s beginning to generate interest from colleges as Princeton has expressed interest.
Hudl:
Honorable Mention: Caeden Jojola (Valley); Alejandro Sapien Alejandro Sapien 5'11" | 155 lbs | QB St. Pius X | 2023 State NM (St. Pius X); Elliot Paskett-Bell Elliot Paskett-Bell 6'3" | 180 lbs | QB Volcano Vista | 2023 State NM (Volcano Vista); Jacob Pino Jacob Pino 5'8" | 150 lbs | QB Bernalillo | 2023 State NM (Bernalillo); Dalen Moyer Dalen Moyer 6'0" | 160 lbs | QB Sandia | 2023 State NM (Sandia); Noah Nelson Noah Nelson 5'11" | 170 lbs | DB Rio Rancho | 2024 State NM (Rio Rancho); Myles Lane Myles Lane 5'5" | 175 lbs | QB Atrisco Heritage | 2023 State NM (Atrisco Heritage); Elijah Brody Elijah Brody 6'3" | 185 lbs | QB West Mesa | 2024 State NM (Cleveland); Brandon Olivas Brandon Olivas 5'10" | 160 lbs | QB Eldorado | 2024 State NM (Eldorado); Frank Hren Frank Hren 5'11" | 170 lbs | QB Albuquerque | 2024 State NM (Albuquerque High); Alex Lopez (Highland).
https://twitter.com/AdenChavez08/status/1484925476405604356
Blessed to be invited to @Elite11. Thank you for the invite @Stumpf_Brian. Excited to compete!@ChrisHixsonQB @LaCuevaFootball @Rivals_Clint @TrustMyEyesO @KyleMorgan_XOS @QBHitList @Lemmingscouting pic.twitter.com/BmjWGOaSpk
— Aidan Armenta (@AidanArmenta) February 9, 2022
Class 5A Championship
2021 State Champions
Los Lunas Tigers pic.twitter.com/LmOFxaekMM— NMAA (@_NMAA) November 27, 2021
2021 Season Stats
⚡️NM 6A State Champs 13-0⚡️
Passing:
123-187 (66%), 1,787 yards, 19 TD, 3 INT, 123.9 QBR
Rushing:
120 rushes, 987 yards, 15 TD, 8.2 yds/carry, 75.9 yds/game
Receiving:
3 receptions, 63 yards, 1 TD@MaxPreps NM Player of the Year
1st Team 6A All State QB— Evan Wysong (@WysongEvan) February 11, 2022
2021 Junior Season Stats
12 Games
2531 Passing Yards
23 Passing Touchdowns
169/240
70% Comp%
Had a great season with all my boys. Thank you to all the seniors for the great culture y’all helped to create. pic.twitter.com/uCnIyPDuf1— Andres (AJ) Rivera (@AndresAJRivera1) November 21, 2021