Updated 2027 Rankings: New Additions (Part 1)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Earlier today we released the updated 2027 rankings. Here are the top 10 New Additions to the ranking:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1248663' first='Colton' last='McKibben'], Carlsbad</strong>: McKibben was one of the most impressive athletes at the Prep redzone Combine in Grants last month. McKibben is 6-foot-2, 200 pounds but runs well (4.62 seconds) and has some serios hops (camp best 9 feet, 5 inches in broad jump). He'll be a major contributor on the Carlsbad defense for three years. He appeared in 1 varsity game as a freshman in 2023 and made 10 tackles. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1248666' first='Daniel' last='Cardenas'], Rio Rancho</strong>: The one things that stands out about Cardenas is his impressive size. He's already 6-foot-4, 254 pounds. He'll likely make the jump to the Rams varsity in 2024.&nbsp; He stood out at the Prep Redzone Combine in Grants last month.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1272795' first='Vincent' last='Varela Jr.'], Manzano</strong>: The 6-foot-2, 185-pound Varela saw varsity experience as a freshman in 2023, registering 4 QB hurries in 4 games, so he's shown he can get after the opposing signal caller. He has excellent speed and runs track for the Monarchs. Several camp invitations. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1272737' first='James' last='Barreras'], Rio Rancho</strong>: Barreras will challenge for the Rams No. 1 RB job after turning heads as a freshman last season with the Rio Rancho frosh and junior varsity squads. Either way, Barreras will carry the football for the Rams varsity in 2024. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1248719' first='Chase' last='Nelson'], St. Pius X</strong>: Just a few freshman start in the trenches for their school's varsity football team, but Nelson is one of them. He started all but one game at center for St. Pius X last season. Even his head coach describes the 6-foot-0, 240-pound Nelson as a “stud.” High praise for a promising young player. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1272747' first='Jaxon' last='Alba'], Las Cruces</strong>: Alba is being eyed by the Bulldawgs as the backup RB behind [player_tooltip player_id='1137388' first='Daniel' last='Amaro'] but Alba may see action as a DB as a way to get him on the field. One of the top young players in Las Cruces. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1269698' first='Julian' last='Marquez'], Rio Rancho</strong>: Marquez possesses plenty of speed and should see action as a safety in the Rams secondary this season. He played for the freshman and JV teams and suited up 5 times for the varsity. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1272752' first='J'ven' last='Smith'], Atrisco Heritage</strong>: A talented wide receiver, Smith opened eyes at the Prep Redzone Combine in Grants last month. He has good size with a 5-foot-10, 160-pound frame. Atrisco Heritage should have a loaded wide receiver corps in 2024 and Smith looks to contribute. He's already thinking about the next level, visiting New Mexico Highlands for Junior Day. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1248717' first='Diego' last='Martinez'], Cleveland</strong>: An up-and-coming DL prospect who shined at the Prep Redzone Combine in Grants last month. He's listed at 5-foot-11, 228 pounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1272734' first='Josiah' last='Chavez'], Atrisco Heritage</strong>: Rising senior [player_tooltip player_id='1021201' first='Landon' last='Griego'] is penciled in as Atrisco Heritage's starting QB for 2024 but Chavez could be the Jaguars' QB of the future. He's close to six-feet tall with nice speed. He also runs track for AHHS.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneNM/status/1779276073920090145","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/PrepRedzoneNM/status/1779276073920090145 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/VinnyVarela84/status/1778248344193606084","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/VinnyVarela84/status/1778248344193606084 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/JamesB_III/status/1664628002708135947","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/JamesB_III/status/1664628002708135947 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/JewlsJulian/status/1789133093858943335","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/JewlsJulian/status/1789133093858943335 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/jvensmith09/status/1779325939844862411","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/jvensmith09/status/1779325939844862411 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/chavez_josiah_/status/1771744107951448175","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/chavez_josiah_/status/1771744107951448175 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->