Recruiting: Bernalillo trio signs with NMHU
Earlier this week, three Volcano Vista players committed to New Mexico Military Institute (NMMI). Tuesday, Bernalillo matched them but with a different school. Spartans outside linebacker Jahvon Maes-McChriston, defensive lineman Michael Ash Michael Ash 6'0" | 275 lbs | DL…
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Continue ReadingEarlier this week, three Volcano Vista players committed to New Mexico Military Institute (NMMI).
Tuesday, Bernalillo matched them but with a different school.
Spartans outside linebacker Jahvon Maes-McChriston, defensive lineman Michael Ash Michael Ash 6'0" | 275 lbs | DL Bernalillo | 2023 State NM and offensive lineman Jaiden Dayzie all signed with New Mexico Highlands University in Las Vegas.
Maes-McChriston was one of the top linebackers in the Albuquerque Metro region in 2022 as he finished the season with 109 tackles, 23 TFL, 12 sacks and 29 QB hurries in 10 games.
“Jahvon is a very athletic and dynamic defensive player,” Bernalillo head coach John Cobos told Prep Redzone New Mexico. “He’s going to do great up there in that scheme as far as defending the run, setting the edge and being athletic enough to cover slot receivers.”
Maes-McChriston was competing this winter with the New Mexico Heat 7×7 team but he suffered a serious hip injury at the team’s opening tournament in San Antonio a couple of weeks ago and now faces months of rehab.
However, NMHU head coach Ron Hudson didn’t flinch and honored Maes-McChriston’s commitment. Recruited to play OLB for the Cowboys, he should be close to 100 percent when preseason camp begins in August.
Another benefit to signing with NMHU? Before his family moved to Bernalillo, Maes-McChriston grew up in Las Vegas. His grandmother still lives there.
“Highlands was the first school to offer me,” Maes-McChriston said. “We begin talking at the end of my junior year. We met with Coach Hudson and he talked us through the recovery process. My mother and grandmother are both from Las Vegas, so I kind of grew up there. I’ve bene up there many times watching them practice. I think they are a program on the rise. They are going to be very good this season. I’m proud to say I’m a Cowboy now.”
Maes-McChriston said he has talked with NMHU defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Rod Plummer about his role in the Cowboys offense.
“We’ve been getting close talking schemes and how I’m going to contribute,” Maes-McChriston said. “We run basically the same scheme here at Bernalillo. I’ll play an outside linebacker/strong safety type of role.”
Ash, listed a 6-foot-0, 275 pounds, gained notoriety last season when he set a new state record for most tackles in a single game with 27 against Del Norte. He led the Spartans with 112 tackles, an impressive 30 TFL, 7 sacks and 12 QB hurries.
“He’s a straight stud,” Cobos said. “I told Coach Hudson that he’s getting a diamond. He played five years of varsity football. He tore it up in the big school All-Star Game in Artesia. He’s very hard to block one-on-one. They’re going to have to double him. He’s very athletic for his size. I’m excited to see what he does at the next level.”
Dayzie anchored the Bernalillo offensive line from his center spot, and Hudson hopes he will do the same for NMHU.
“He’s a rock,” Cobos said. “He’s going to try to play center at the next level. He’s tough to move. He really anchored our offensive line. He was a two-year starter and really solidified that spot for us. He was our signal caller and made all the checks.”