Recruiting: ENMU gains 2 more commits on Friday

<p>Eastern New Mexico continued its impressive recruiting run in the state of New Mexico on Friday when two more highly ranked prospects, including the player ranked No. 3 overall in our updated 2024 rankings, committed to the Greyhounds.</p>   <p>The two new additions to ENMU's recruiting class are Albuquerque Academy LB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='275045' first='Brody' last='Whitaker']</strong> and Artesia OL <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='815946' first='Ricky' last='Armendariz']</strong>. ENMU has currently secured 15 commitments from New Mexico players since the beginning of January. Signing Day is Feb. 7. </p>   <p>Also on Friday, Roswell RB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='340165' first='Bryce' last='Sanchez']</strong> committed to hometown NMMI. Thursday, Centennial 6-foot-4 running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1037108' first='Jesus' last='Barraza']</strong> committed to Sul Ross State University in Alpine, TX.</p>   <p>Whitaker is ranked No. 3 behind only Cleveland LB [player_tooltip player_id='274701' first='Stratton' last='Shufelt'] (UTEP commit) and West Mesa QB/ATH [player_tooltip player_id='275488' first='Elijah' last='Brody'] (ENMU commit) in our 2024 rankings. He enjoyed a stellar career with the Chargers, finishing with 310 career tackles, 49.0 tackles for loss, 28.0 sacks and 19 QB hurries in 41 career games.</p>   <p>“My time at Albuquerque Academy has been incredible and memorable,” Whitaker said. “Not only did I make strong bonds with my coaches and teammates, but the sports-enthused faculty at this school supported me early on, which I will forever be grateful for. The community support at this school has been great, which has propelled me to these heights that were once only dreams.”</p>   <p>Whitaker says he was recruited by ENMU to play linebacker. He will visit the Portales campus for a second time next week.</p>   <p>“I really liked the intensity the ENMU coaching staff brings to the table,” Whitaker said. “It fits my style as a player. I also enjoyed how clean and well-kept the campus is. It gives me that West Texas feel which I kind of like.”</p>   <p>In addition,. Whitaker said the ENMU coaching staff offered him a very attractive scholarship package (D2 schools are allowed to offer partial scholarships, unlike FBS programs) and attending college in Portales puts him closer to his older brother, who is attending Texas Tech in nearby Lubbock, while his family in Albuquerque can come watch him play.</p>   <p>Whitaker chose ENMU over offers from Fort Lewis College and Western New Mexico. Those were his final three schools.</p>   <p>The 6-foot-3, 295-pound Armendariz is one of the top 2024 offensive line prospects in his class. He told Prep Redzone New Mexico that ENMU's run-heavy, up-tempo flexbone offensive scheme fits his skill set perfectly. He will likely play one of the interior OL positions for the Greyhounds.</p>   <p>Armendariz visited ENMU last week and he described the campus and football facilities as ‘impressive.' Artesia won two state championships in 2021 and 2023 during his time with the Bulldogs.</p>   <p>“My career at Artesia had to be one of the best ever,” Armendariz said. “I'm grateful to have played on some great teams.”</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/1750916002404253809?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/BrodyWhitaker54/status/1750892317702017166?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/BryceSanchez_/status/1750953808065405165?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/JesusBa00025243/status/1750627029119029584?s=20 </div></figure>

Eastern New Mexico continued its impressive recruiting run in the state of New Mexico on Friday when two more highly ranked prospects, including the player ranked No. 3 overall in our updated 2024 rankings, committed to the Greyhounds.