Recruiting: NMHU secures two commitments on Monday

<p>It goes without saying that the three Division II schools in New Mexico compete annually for many of the top prospects within the state.</p>   <p>Prior to National Signing Day last Wednesday, Eastern New Mexico dominated the headlines by gaining the commitments – and then signing – of 25 NM prospects. Western New Mexico signed seven prospects.</p>   <p>New Mexico Highlands, though, is battling back.</p>   <p>Monday, the Cowboys secured the commitment of two highly regarded prospects – Grants WR <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='590241' first='Knight' last='Long']</strong> and Valencia OL <strong>Andrew Rightley</strong>.</p>   <p>Rightley told Prep Redzone New Mexico that he was recruited by NMHU to play center. He visited the NMHU campus in Las Vegas on Feb. 2.</p>   <p>“The main factor that convinced me that NMHU was the best choice for me were the coaches,” Rightley said. “I really loved how when I got there, the coaches just started talking to me and treated me like I was already playing for them. It really felt like home to me. What really impressed me was not just what the NMHU football program is doing but how they are doing it. They want us to succeed on the football field and in the classroom.”</p>   <p>Rightley was recruited by several other schools, including the University of Saint Mary in Kansas. But after visiting there, Rightley chose NMHU.</p>   <p>“I just thought NMHU was a better fit for me,” said Rightley, who earned First-Team All-Metro and Second-Team All-State honors. He played in the O-D All-American Game at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. in early January.  </p>   <p>“My time at Valencia High School has been amazing,” Rightley said. “I was a part of history with us winning a playoff game in 2021. We made the playoffs every year I played. It's been an honor playing for that program. It's made me a better player and a better person. There is great things to come for Valencia, for sure.</p>   <p>New Mexico Highlands secured commitments (and their signatures) from Rio Rancho RB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='590563' first='Rayce' last='Ramirez']</strong> and Albuquerque High LB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='815923' first='Diego' last='Viscarra']</strong> on National Signing Day.</p>   <p><strong>In other recruiting news</strong>:</p>   <p>-- Arizona Christian University in Phoenix announced today the signing 2024 West Mesa DB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='274992' first='Tavon' last='Archibald']</strong>;</p>   <p>-- 2024 Cibola DE <strong>Abram Smith-Bernhard</strong> signed with Fort Lewis College</p>   <p>-- 2024 Hobbs DL <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1103274' first='Oliver' last='Hill']</strong> committed to NMMI. </p>   <p></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/_Knight_Long/status/1757148943585059180?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/GHSCoachBrown/status/1756097038184550713?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/andRightley65/status/1757097673943810424?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/andRightley65/status/1743033450171347072?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/VHSJagFootball/status/1735098133619565046?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/FLCFootball/status/1755634955667767604?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/oliverfrom575/status/1756473353194315966?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/2xRayce/status/1755371350578094088?s=20 </div></figure>

It goes without saying that the three Division II schools in New Mexico compete annually for many of the top prospects within the state.