Recruiting Update: Valparaiso offers La Cueva duo

Thursday was a VERY good day for 2023 La Cueva defensive back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="145396" first="Colt" last="Mangino"]</strong>. First, Mangino and the Bears defeated Cleveland, 8-6, in the quarterfinals of the Class 5A state baseball playoffs. Mangino is La Cueva’s starting centerfielder. Second, Mangino was offered by FCS school Valparaiso, which has had a strong presence in the state of New Mexico for months. But Mangino (42 tackles, 3 INT in 2021) wasn’t the only La Cueva football standout to receiver an offer from Valpo on Thursday. The Beacons also offered running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="269525" first="Gabriel" last="Buie"]</strong>, who rushed for 988 yards and 13 touchdowns as a junior in 2021. Valpo defensive tackles coach Vernell Price, whose recruiting territory includes the Southwest, extended the offers to Mangino and Buie. “I had been texting Coach Price for a week or two and he offered me a spot,” Mangino told Prep Redzone New Mexico. “I was so excited, I had to call my mom and dad and let them know. It felt good to see all my hard work finally pay off. I  had just a good feeling and was so excited.” Buie visited Valparaiso on April 24 for the Beacons’ spring game. Mangino did not make the trip because of his baseball commitment. “I’m blessed to receive the offer from Valparaiso and what I’m praying for is that it’s the first of many,” Buie told Prep Redzone New Mexico. https://twitter.com/ManginoColt/status/1524821449109909511 https://twitter.com/gabrielbuie07/status/1524857462867869702 https://twitter.com/gabrielbuie07/status/1518373854514667526 &nbsp; https://twitter.com/ManginoColt/status/1520185349833515009 &nbsp;