10 Prospects Ready For A Breakout Season

The 2022 New Mexico high school football season began last weekend with numerous prospects on the verge of breakout seasons. Here are 10 players we believe will raise their profile by the time the season is over, highlighted by a senior wide receiver from Grants:   When 2023 Grants wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='340259' first='Manuel' last='Gonzales'] showed up at the Prep Redzone Prospect Tour event in Colorado in April, it's a safe bet few people knew he was.   Before long, everybody knew who he was.   Gonzales was one of the most impressive wide receivers at the camp, drawing praise from Prep Redzone scouts in attendance for his eye-opening performance. He posted excellent combine scores, with his L-drill time being the fourth-best of the entire event, before grabbing the spotlight during the position-specific part of the camp.   Prep Redzone Colorado scout Ryan Wesley said it best about Gonzales: “He showed his explosive acceleration, crafty releases, and shifty route running abilities. His head gets around quickly when coming out of his breaks, allowing him to track the ball well and secure the catch. Gonzales put on one of the best performances at the event, making him a sleeper prospect with a ton of upside.”   Gonzales carried the momentum into last week's season opener at Capital in Santa Fe. He scored the Pirates' lone touchdown on a 91-yard kickoff return in the first quarter.   “All of the positive reports was an extreme blessing to me,” Gonzales told Prep Redzone New Mexico. “It felt good because I've always been looked down upon. I have improved by recognizing small things I could work on and have worked extremely hard to better my self in those areas and everything else.”   Grants, a 4A team, lost at 6A Capital last Friday night. This week they travel to Gallup before hosting Moriarty in the Pirates' home opener on Sept. 9. Grants is coming off a 1-9 season in Brandon Hernandez's first year as head coach. The Pirates were very young last season (many freshmen and sophomore starters) and will continue to be young in 2022. But the numbers are way up and the future looks bright for Grants.   Gonzales is helping construct the foundation.   “Yes, we are coming off a rough season but as a two year captain I am helping my team go into this season with full confidence,” Hernandez said. “My goal is to be the number one receiver in the state and help my team win a state championship.”   Here are nine more New Mexico prospects ready to experience a breakout season:   Ezra Hensley, Deming: Just a sophomore (2025), Hensley already possesses impressive size (6-2, 255 pounds) and strength. He plays both ways for Deming and his future is filled with promise. Hensley helped the Deming defense blank Del Norte, 45-0, last Friday night in Week 1 and delivered some pancake blocks on offense.   T.J. McCarthy, Albuquerque: We first noticed McCarthy during camp season when he stood out at the Eastern New Mexico camp because of his size (6-4, 300 pounds), mobility and strength. He's just a junior, so he has two more prep seasons ahead of him. The Bulldogs pulled out a huge road win at Organ Mountain in Week 1 and the solid play of McCarthy and the O-Line paved the way.         Latavious Morris, Atrisco Heritage: Morris is just a sophomore, but he showed his enormous promise in Week 1 against Sandia by catching 12 passes for 165 yards, a process that began as a freshman last season. [player_tooltip player_id='274705' first='Marquise' last='Renfro'] and Morris have quietly become one of the top RB-WR combinations in Albuquerque. If the Jaguars' defense improves after surrendering 59 points to Sandia, Atrisco could make some noise.   Marcus Leyba, St. Michael's: Leyba saw significant action at RB last season behind Daymon Lujan and headed into the season as the Horsemen's No. 1 RB. He showed why the St. Michael's coaches have so much confidence in him by rushing for 159 yards on 18 carries in Saturday's 20-8 win over Taos. His goal as a senior is to rush for 1,000 yards and he's already well ahead of that pace.   Aaron Loya, Highland: Loya, one of the top OL/DL in Albuquerque, anchors both lines for the Hornets. He has tremendous size and skill. As Highland improves and wins more games, Loya will become better known. He has already been offered by New Mexico Highlands.   [player_tooltip player_id='280925' first='Jordan' last='Lucas'], Centennial: The 2025 prospect has been on our radar for months. He was a camp warrior throughout the spring and summer, showcasing his skills at numerous camps throughout the southwest and beyond. Lucas saw his first varsity experience in Centennial's huge road win at Cleveland and he didn't disappoint, catching a 45-yard TD pass in the fourth quarter to bring the Hawks within three points of the Storm, setting the stage for the game-winning TYD with les than a minute left.     Elliot Pasket-Bell, Volcano Vista: Pasket-Bell served as Volcano Vista's backup QB a year go while excelling at wide receiver, throwing for 900 yards and 6 TD. He began the 2022 season by throwing for 226 yards and running for 97 more in the Hawks' 34-17 victory over Las Cruces. Watch out for Volcano Vista. They have a very good football team.   Matthew Saiz, Artesia: Saiz delivered Week 1's biggest play as he returned a kickoff for a TD in the final seconds as Artesia stunned Carlsbad in the Eddy County War, 30-27. That one play showed Saiz's play-making ability. Artesia has impressive depth at the WR position with [player_tooltip player_id='274793' first='Peyton' last='Greathouse'], [player_tooltip player_id='138074' first='Devyn' last='Fierro'], Saiz and others. Saiz gained some experience as a sophomore in 2021 but should become a regular in the WR rotation this season to go along with his special teams contributions.       [player_tooltip player_id='340165' first='Bryce' last='Sanchez'], Roswell: The Coyotes are No. 1 in both the 5A Coaches poll and MaxPreps poll after walloping Lovington, 69-29, at the Wool Bowl. Sanchez, who rushed for nearly 900 yards a season ago and finished third in his weight class at the state powerlifting championships, got off to a solid start this season with 72 yards on 15 carries against the Wildcats. He's a physical back that's not afraid of contact.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/ManuelLG_2/status/1561585993131724802 </div></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Khensley42/status/1561068052933779456 </div></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/5tjay6/status/1534361421865263106 </div></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/MarcusLeyba2023/status/1561408578082115584 </div></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/elliotpaskett55/status/1561441872882520064 </div></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/ArtesiaSports/status/1560874201208311809 </div></figure>

The 2022 New Mexico high school football season began last weekend with numerous prospects on the verge of breakout seasons. Here are 10 players we believe will raise their profile by the time the season is over, highlighted by a senior wide receiver from Grants: