Recruiting: NMHU hosts prospects, extends offers

<p>New Mexico Highlands hosted numerous 2025 prospects on Friday in Las Vegas. Right now, we know at least five players left the NMHU campus with offers. Here they are:</p>   <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='613752' first='JJ' last='Arellano'], Rio Rancho</strong>: We've written extensively about Arellano and the Rio Rancho football team as they prepare for the 2024 season. He's a dynamic dual threat QB and is going into his third year as the Rams' starting QB. Both of his first two years were impacted by injuries. If Arellano stays healthy, watch out. NMHU is his first offer.</p>   <p>“I was excited about my first offer, especially after coming back from my injury and still getting recognized from last season,” Arellano told prep Redzone New Mexico. “Coach Hudson is building something special there. He's driven, and all about culture and making sure his players are where they need to be on the field and in academics.</p>   <p>“His new coaching staff was welcoming. They came from all over the country to help build the program. Speaking with some of the players there helped me appreciate the program even more. Being able to see how the program is from a players point of view got me excited to see how their season turns out this year. NMHU is definitely a great option!”</p>   <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='836902' first='Jon' last='Baca'], Cleveland</strong>: Baca is a physical 6-foot-2, 215-pound tight end for the Storm and is expected to play a larger role in Cleveland's passing attack next season. Baca impressed the NMHU coaches at the recent College Football Prospect ID Camp in Albuquerque, which led to a conversation with Cowboys assistant coach Daniel Rowlett, watching film, an invitation to visit campus and then the offer.   </p>   <p>“I was very excited, grateful, and fortunate,” Baca told Prep Redzone New Mexico. “After we arrived, Coach Hudson talked to us and he seemed very ambitious about how he wanted to have an academic first, football second program. He also discussed how they were a small community and that they were proud of that.</p>   <p>“Everyone knows each other and holds each other accountable. When we toured the facilities, they were better than expected. I felt like the entire coaching staff cared about their players and is committed to turning the program around.”</p>   <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='340259' first='Manuel' last='Gonzales'], Grants</strong>: The 2024 wide receiver/defensive back  from Grants helped propel the Pirates to a bounce back season in  2023 by contributing on both sides of the ball, including 27 tackles, 4 interceptions and 8 passes defended on defense. He'll add great depth to the Cowboys if he signs with the Cowboys.   </p>   <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='837139' first='Gabriel' last='Marquez'], Cleveland</strong>: Marquez is one of New Mexico's top offensive line prospects in the 2025 class. He showed off his impressive skills and technique at last week's College Football Prospect ID Showcase in Albuquerque. He was offered by head coach Ron Hudson during his visit to NMHU on Friday.</p>   <p>“When Coach Hudson pulled me aside and let me know that I was getting offered, I was happy and filled with joy and excitement,” Marquez said. “Someone had seen my potential and was giving me an opportunity. All I can do is give glory to God because I know he is leading me down the right path. I loved the facilities there and everything about the program. They have great coaches and staff. Coach Hudson is building something special.”</p>   <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1194194' first='Ricky' last='Scroggins'], Manzano</strong>: It's the first offer for the 6-foot-1, 280-pound Scroggins, an interior offensive and defensive linemen for Manzano. He had 26 tackles and 6 TFL for the Monarchs last season, earning Second-Team All District honors. Also a power lifter. Great strength and mobility.   </p>   <p>“It's been my dream to play college football since I was 5 or 6 years old,” Scroggins told Prep Redzone New Mexico. “It's finally starting to feel like it might become a reality. I like how prideful the entire staff was of their campus, and how everybody there seemed tight-knit. The staff was very open to answering questions from the recruits and parents, and all shared their different backgrounds in coaching and their experiences.”</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/j1arellano/status/1763760564738924711?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/jbaca2025/status/1763729905332650136?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/MarquezSharky/status/1763687950389538911?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/RickyS5071/status/1763701420748837099?s=20 </div></figure>

New Mexico Highlands hosted numerous 2025 prospects on Friday in Las Vegas. Right now, we know at least five players left the NMHU campus with offers. Here they are: