Signing Day: UNM Coach Excited About Trio of NM Signees
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New Mexico head coach Danny Gonzales has continually voiced his frustration over the Lobos lackluster offense last season, frequently saying that UNM should have won more games last season considering the defense finished Top 50 in the country in total…
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Continue ReadingNew Mexico head coach Danny Gonzales has continually voiced his frustration over the Lobos lackluster offense last season, frequently saying that UNM should have won more games last season considering the defense finished Top 50 in the country in total defense (#46) and allowed an average of 26.0 points per game.
So, it came as no surprise when the Lobos unveiled the first wave of their 2023 signing class on Wednesday, the beginning of the three-day early signing period, and eight of the 11 signees were offensive players.
Out of those 8 offensive players, three are from the Albuquerque metro area: QB Aidan Armenta Aidan Armenta 6'3" | 190 lbs | QB La Cueva | 2023 State NM (La Cueva), WR Evan Wysong Evan Wysong 5'10" | 165 lbs | QB Cleveland | 2023 State NM (Cleveland) and WR Nic Trujillo Nic Trujillo 6'1" | 160 lbs | WR Cleveland | 2023 State NM (Cleveland).
“We got the best players in New Mexico,” Gonzales beamed.
Armenta threw for 4,300 yards and 50 TD as a senior to lead the Bears into the Class 6A state championship game. He possesses a strong throwing arm, quick release, pinpoint accuracy, particularly on deep throws, and exemplary leadership skills.
“His release is unbelievable,” Gonzales said. “His accuracy is unbelievable. I encourage folks to go watch his highlight tape. Where he puts the ball and how he reads coverages, for a high school guy, is far above most high school quarterbacks. That’s why he’s top five in the nation in passing yards.
“His arm talent is special. He’s 6-foot-3. We have a La Cueva guy on our football team and that’s exciting.”
Armenta is one of two talented quarterbacks signed by the Lobos on Wednesday. UNM also signed Scottsdale (AZ) Saguaro dual threat QB Devon Dampier, the consensus Player of the Year in Arizona.
“Aidan is unbelievably competitive,” Gonzales said Wednesday during his Signing Day Press Conference at The Pit. “He’s a great leader. I’m excited about both of our new quarterbacks. They’ll come in and compete right away.”
How Armenta meshes with the soon-to-be-named offensive coordinator will be something to watch throughout the summer and preseason camp.
Wysong joins his brother Luke as a Lobos WR even though Evan played quarterback for the past two years and led Cleveland to consecutive 6A state championships.
Evan Wysong Evan Wysong 5'10" | 165 lbs | QB Cleveland | 2023 State NM is the fourth straight New Mexico Player of the Year to sign with the Lobos.
Gonzales said he doesn’t expect Evan to go through a steep learning curve before understanding the nuances of playing receiver at the FBS level.
“He won’t have any issues,” Gonzales said. “He’s athletic, he’s fast and he’s a good football player. Most of his explosive plays were because of his feet. A lot of people didn’t think Luke Wysong could do it. But he showed his capabilities the past two years. Evan will step into that same role.”
Like his older brother, Evan Wysong Evan Wysong 5'10" | 165 lbs | QB Cleveland | 2023 State NM is incredibly fast and wants to beat Luke’s state record time of 10.5 seconds in the 100 meters at the state track and field meet in May.
Trujillo, meanwhile, possesses length (6-1) and speed (sub-4.5 in the 40). He caught 57 passes for 1,165 yards and 20 TD, nearly all of them from Wysong, as a senior of 2022.
“ Nic Trujillo Nic Trujillo 6'1" | 160 lbs | WR Cleveland | 2023 State NM is a special talent,” Gonzales said. “He’s as fast as Luke and Evan. Watching him compete against Evan in the spring will be really good. We had to fend off Texas Tech for a long time.
“Obviously, he has an extensive relationship with the Wysong brothers and that helps in recruiting. Nic Trujillo Nic Trujillo 6'1" | 160 lbs | WR Cleveland | 2023 State NM is going to be a big-time player for us over the next couple of years.”