Updated 2026 Rankings: New Additions (Part 1)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We published our newly updated 2026 prospect rankings on Monday, As always, the list features many newcomers. Here are 10 of the top New Additions to the 2026 rankings (listed in alphabetical order):</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1266528' first='Briggs' last='Beavers'], Ruidoso</strong>: Beavers is a 6-foot-2 defensive end for the Warriors. Last season he made 43 tackles and an impressive 12.0 tackles for loss. Certainly one of the defensive players to watch in Class 3A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1266485' first='Landon' last='Casalino'], Manzano</strong>: Casalino is a physical specimen at 6-foot-5, 270 pounds. He is the likely starter at left tackle for the Monarchs. Casalino and 6-foot-1, 285-pound [player_tooltip player_id='1194194' first='Ricky' last='Scroggins'] will form an impressive OL duo.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1248678' first='Josiah' last='Castillo'], Goddard</strong>: The 6-foot-3, 180-pound Castillo made the long journey from Roswell to Grants for the Prep Redzone Combine in April and he showcased an impressive skill set. Good speed and quickness. Last season he had 27 receptions for 527 yards and scored 10 TD for the Rockets. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1266523' first='Isaac' last='Gomez'], Las Cruces</strong>:&nbsp; Gomez is expected to start at cornerback for the Bulldawgs after being a pleasant surprise as a sophomore in 2023. He developed into a shutdown corner in the final weeks of last season, so look for more of the same in 2024. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1266895' first='Gabe' last='Henry'], Hobbs</strong>: With a powerful 6-foot-2, 195-pound frame, Henry is the logical successor at running back to the graduating [player_tooltip player_id='1103655' first='Saul' last='Armendariz'], who rushed for close to 1,200 yards in 20213. Henry got a taste of varsity football in 2023 and averaged 7 yards per carry and scored 5 TD. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1266890' first='Gabe' last='Koeppe'], Volcano Vista</strong>: After a productive sophomore season on the Volcano Vista JV team, the Hawks are ready to unleash the 6-foot-7, 280-pound Koeppe on their foes. Is he the next great offensive linemen in Albuquerque? He's sure to attract plenty of recruiting interest this fall. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1266489' first='Anthony' last='Nevarez'], Mayfield</strong>: Nevarez emerged last season as one of the top running backs in Las Cruces as he helped carry Mayfield to the Class 5A quarterfinals. Nevarez and Trojans QB [player_tooltip player_id='1257289' first='Luke' last='Linnan'] promise to be a dynamic offensive backfield duo.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1230420' first='Elijah' last='Richards'], Cleveland</strong>: Richards is the highest ranked newcomer in the 2026 rankings. Why? He's 6-foot-5, 215 pounds with a dynamic skill set. He has very good speed. He'll likely play a hybrid OLB/DE role for the Storm in 2024 after gaining valuable experience as a sophomore in 2023. FBS schools are taking notice. Boston College of the ACC and Buffalo have recently invited him to their camps. He recently visited New Mexico for Junior Day.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1266547' first='Luke' last='Stailey'], Silver</strong>: The 6-foot-2, 275-pound Stailey is one of the top young offensive line prospects in southern New Mexico but doesn't get a lot of publicity due to geography. He's started on the O-Line the last two years for the Colts and earned First-Team All-District honors in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1224569' first='Kaleb' last='Vander Wilt'], Volcano Vista</strong>: The 6-foot-4, 200-pound Vander Wilt should become a major contributor to the Hawks offense in 2024 as a tight end. He made 11 tackles on defense last season with 2.0 TFL and 1 sack. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/L57578Landon/status/1767746730508841460","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/L57578Landon/status/1767746730508841460 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Josiah_Casti11o/status/1777067790567891062","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/Josiah_Casti11o/status/1777067790567891062 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/E_Richards22/status/1761913734921130470","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/E_Richards22/status/1761913734921130470 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Kaleb_vw/status/1722101761127678134","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/Kaleb_vw/status/1722101761127678134 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->