Freshman Friday; 5 More 2026 Prospects You Need To Know

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As time goes on, we're finding out that the class of 2026 in New Mexico is DEEP. Everywhere you look, there are promising players. Some already have made a mark at the varsity level. Some are ready to contribute for the first time this season. Here are 5 more Fantastic Freshmen you need to know before the 2023 season kicks off:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Evan Salazar. Taos</strong>: Somebody has to replace Dameon Ely at quarterback for the Tigers, and it appears Tigers head coach Art Abreu has settled on Salazar, who contributed to the varsity last season on defense as he made 38 tackles and 1 interception from his defensive backs pot. A new era begins for Taos.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mario Molinar, Bernalillo</strong>: Jahvon Maes McChriston's graduation (and decision to sign with New Mexico Highlands) means Bernalillo is looking for a new standout at linebacker. Molinar could be the guy as he gained valuable experience as a freshman last fall and made 37 tackles, 4 TFL and 1 forced fumble. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Devaughn Kensey, West Las Vegas</strong>: Add Kensey to your list of breakout candidates in 2023. Kensey proved at the Eastern New Mexico camp in Albuquerque last weekend that he's blazingly fast, running the 40 in 4.52 seconds. He also has a great quarterback (C.J. Perea) throwing him the football. The Perea-Kensey connection could be the best in Class 3A this season.    </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jayen Barros, La Cueva</strong>: The Bears are going to be loaded at wide receiver this season with Barros looking to join the fun. He also blazed a fast 40 at the ENMU camp, finishing .01 seconds behind Kensey. His 4.53 time in the 40 makes him one of several LCHS wide receivers with incredible speed. He has run the third fastest 100 by a 9^th-grader in school history (11.45 second). Fastest? Fellow 2026 classmate [player_tooltip player_id='402251' first='Tanner' last='Montano'] (10.77). &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gunnar Guardiola, Las Cruces</strong>: Guardiola started multiple games at quarterback for the Bulldawgs last season, becoming the youngest starting QB for the Bulldawgs in recent memory. He played like a veteran, offering promise for the coming season. First he must win the job as he faces competition from other hopefuls. He recently camped at West Texas A&amp;M.       </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/CoachCarlos62/status/1660712191132319745?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/CoachCarlos62/status/1660712191132319745?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/GunnarGuardiola/status/1660458582134104064?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/GunnarGuardiola/status/1660458582134104064?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->