Updated 2026 Rankings: New Additions (Part 3)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We released our updated 2026 Rankings on Monday. In the third of a series, here are 10 more New Additions to the rankings (listed in alphabetical order):</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137110' first='Jake' last='Angel'], Socorro</strong>: Socorro is loaded with promising young talent and Angel showed in 2023 that he belongs in that group. He collected 42 tackles and 3.0 TFL to spark the Warriors defense. Socorro is going to be very good over the next couple of years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137082' first='Kamren' last='Apodoca'], Tucumcari</strong>: Possessing a 6-foot-3, 185-pound frame, Apodoca is a major college prospect ready to blossom. He contributed on both sides of the ball last season. Tucumcari moved to Class 2A in the new realignment. Don't be surprised if the Rattlers contend for the district title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137428' first='Erick' last='Cordova'], Highland</strong>: Cordova earned 2^nd team All-District honors as a defensive end after a season in which one-third of his tackles produced negative yardage. He also had 11 QB hurries and 2 sacks. One of the best young linemen in the Albuquerque Metro area. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137475' first='Jayden' last='Gutierrez'], Lovington</strong>: Gutierrez emerged as one of the top young defensive backs in the state this past season, earning Second-Team All-State honors after amassing 29 tackles, 4 interceptions and an amazing 12 passes defended. In other words, opposing quarterbacks threw in Gutierrez's direction all season long but he continued to make great defensive plays. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137840' first='Makaio' last='LaSalle'], Tularosa</strong>: LaSalle had a fantastic season for Tularosa, which reached the semifinals of the Class 2A playoffs. LaSalla led Tularosa with 110 tackles and earned First-Team All-State honors at inside linebacker. He also had 17 TFL, an amazing number for a LB, and 6 sacks, testaments to his speed and quickness. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137115' first='Marcus' last='Ochoa'], West Mesa</strong>: Ochoa earned Honorable Mention All-District honors after a sophomore season in which he contributed nearly 700 total yards to the Mustangs' offense, including 345 rushing yards and 4 TD on just 48 carries, an average of 7.2 yards per carry. Dynamic player.     </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137896' first='Max' last='Roche'], Clovis</strong>: Roche brings great size (6-2, 215 pounds) and mobility to the Wildcats defense. As a defensive end, he had 46 tackles in just 6 games. An offseason getting bigger and stronger could make Roche scary good in 2024. Potential major college prospect. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137898' first='Bodi' last='True'], Manzano</strong>: True emerged as one of the top young defensive ends in the Albuquerque metro area last season, totaling 31 tackles, 8.0 TFL, 6.0 &nbsp;sacks and 7 QB hurries. The 6-foot-0 True already has good size and should continue to grow and develop. If he does, he should get the opportunity to play at the next level. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137846' first='Nicholas' last='Vierra'], Santa Teresa</strong>: The extremely young Desert Warriors (1-9) struggled as a team last season, which prevented Vierra from being properly recognized as an emerging and promising dual threat QB. He threw for nearly 800 yards and rushed for over 500 yards on 91 carries. Santa Teresa will continue to rely on Vierra as they try to climb the 5A ladder in a very difficult district. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137835' first='Krew' last='Ward'], Hope Christian</strong>: In his first action at the varsity level, Ward was tremendous for the Huskies with 66 tackles in just 7 games. Ward and Hope Christian move to District 3A-2, where they'll compete with 3A powers St. Michael's, Robertson and West Las Vegas. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/lvtwildcatsfb/status/1735136337085276307?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/lvtwildcatsfb/status/1735136337085276307?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/HHS_HornetsFB/status/1734050937667473427?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/HHS_HornetsFB/status/1734050937667473427?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/wmhs_mustangFB/status/1727346390416916912?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/wmhs_mustangFB/status/1727346390416916912?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->