Updated 2024 Rankings: New Additions (Part 2)

<p>We've released the updated 2024 rankings. As always, we've added dozens of new prospects. In Part 2 of a series, we tell you who they are and why they were added to the rankings:</p>   <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='815946' first='Ricky' last='Armendariz'], Artesia</strong>: Armendariz is one of the biggest and best offensive linemen in New Mexico. Listed at 6-foot-4, 285 pounds. His job this season is to open holes for Artesia's running backs and protect QB [player_tooltip player_id='590681' first='Nye' last='Estrada'] in the pocket. Invited to Junior Day by Eastern New Mexico. His recruiting should gather momentum this fall.</p>   <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='817229' first='Jose' last='Castillo'], Espanola Valley</strong>: Castillo was one of the more unheralded defensive linemen in the state last season, and played a key role in the Sundevils' turnaround campaign. With 7 TFL in just 10 games, Castillo showed an impressive ability to penetrate into opposing offensive backfields.   </p>   <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='815963' first='Andrew' last='Evans'], Centennial</strong>: Evans is an outside linebacker/defensive back who is going into his third season as a starter for the Hawks. He's extremely physical and, based on his film, not afraid to come up to the line of scrimmage and help out in run defense. He's a solid tackler.</p>   <p><strong>Andrew Grine, Albuq. Academy</strong>: Grine stepped up his game after Albuquerque Academy lost its top receiver, Kellan Gehre, to an injury last season. Grine had a season high 6 receptions and 1 TD in a Class 4A playoff game against Taos. Grine will compete for the Chargers' No. 1 WR spot.</p>   <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='815958' first='Nathaniel' last='Lopez'], Gadsden</strong>: Wonder why Gadsden enjoyed one of its best seasons in school history last fall? It's because of players like Lopez, an incredibly strong 6-foot-1, 260-pound defensive tackle who earned District Co-Defensive Player of the Year honors after totaling 62 tackles and 3.0 TFL in 12 games. He deadlifts over 500 pounds. Gadsden reached the 5A quarterfinals last November and expectations are high for 2023.     </p>   <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='815953' first='Lonicio' last='Macias'], Roswell</strong>: Macias is an underrated wide receiver for the Coyotes. He is able to leap over defender, catch short passes and turn them into big gainers and more. Eastern New Mexico invited him to Junior Day. He's also a standout track athlete.   </p>   <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='815949' first='Zaeden' last='McPherson'], Hobbs</strong>: McPherson emerged last season as one of the top outside linebackers in southern New Mexico. Playing alongside ENMU signee [player_tooltip player_id='138050' first='Kenyon' last='Singleton'], McPherson had 113 tackles, 4 TFL and 4 QB Hurries in 2022. As a senior, McPherson transitions to becoming the No. 1 LB for the Eagles.   </p>   <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='815950' first='Diego' last='Montano'], Rio Rancho</strong>: Montano will have a key role on what should be a solid Rio Rancho defense in 2023. Montano was a ballhawk last season with 6 interceptions in his first season with the Rams varsity. His deeds haven't gone unnoticed. He recently visited ENMU and NMHU for Junior Days.    </p>   <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='815957' first='Jose' last='Ontiveros'], Rio Rancho</strong>: Ontiveros proved at the state powerlifting championships that, pound-for-pound, he's one of the strongest players in the state. His weight total was 1,240 pounds, impressive for a 240-pounder. Invited to Junior Day at ENMU. He should be a major contributor for the Rams in the trenches this upcoming season.</p>   <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='817212' first='Erick' last='Thomas'], Eldorado</strong>: After seeing his first varsity action for the Eagles last season, Thomas has been a standout on the 7x7 circuit with NM Heat. Recently visited NMHU for Junior Day.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Rickyamrendariz/status/1635003419097452550 </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/Lonicio_Macias/status/1599604832217636864 </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/HobbsEaglesFB/status/1595425029915045889 </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/nathanlo63/status/1592899690038972417 </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/Dmon_tano/status/1594432861767348226?s=20 </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/Jose_Ontiveros_/status/1643016019131379713?s=20 </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/erick_thomas3/status/1652704676004118528 </div></figure>

We've released the updated 2024 rankings. As always, we've added dozens of new prospects. In Part 2 of a series, we tell you who they are and why they were added to the rankings: