Position Preview: Top Defensive Backs For 2024 (Part 2)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>New Mexico has many quality defensive backs heading into the 2024 season. In Part 2 of a series, here are 10 more that you definitely need to know for the new campaign, which kicks off in three weeks:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Anthony Alacron, Deming</strong>: Alacron made a ton of plays for the Deming defense last season from his safety spot. He's not afraid to get physical as seen by his 62 tackles and he has the skills to stick with receivers and intercept passes (5 in 2023). &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1119115' first='Wyatt' last='Berry'], Raton</strong>: Berry is a two-way standout for Raton, which has moved to Class 2A. As a cornerback, he had 7 interceptions last season, giving him 12 for his career. Clearly, he has a nose for the football and knows how to read routes. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1119224' first='Luis' last='Gomez'], Eunice</strong>: Gomez is one of the top DBs in the small school ranks. He brings great size (6-3) to both sides of the ball for the Cardinals. Last season Gomez made 93 tackles with an impressive 11 interceptions, second most in the state.</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 2026 DBs in the state last season as he helped spark the Wildcats to the Class 4A title. Gutierrez earned Second-Team All-State and First-Team All-District honors after collecting 29 tackles, 4 INT and 12 passes defended. In other words, teams frequently threw at Gutierrez but he made a ton of plays. Expect the same thing this season.   </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1193983' first='Michael' last='Haynes'], Cleveland</strong>: Haynes and A.J. Manning will form one of the top DB duos in the state this season. Haynes has great speed (4.55 seconds in 40) and tenacity. Eastern New Mexico and Sul Ross State have offered. Cleveland will have a tremendous defense, as always. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Efrain Hernandez, Alamogordo</strong>: Hernandez is an intriguing DB because of his hard-hitting style. Last season he forced 3 fumbles, a high number for somebody in the secondary. Alamogordo looks to be improved this season and the Tigers should compete for a playoff spot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1594674' first='Tommy' last='Lopez'], Portales</strong>: Lopez doesn't just make a lot of tackles (career 149 tackles in 3 seasons), he also knows how to pick off passes (7 INT in 2023, 11 in career). Lopez has been starting on the Rams varsity since he was a freshman. Big senior season ahead. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1120884' first='Christopher' last='Melendez'], Valley</strong>: Melendez is one of the top producers on an underrated Valley defense. Last season he had 8 interceptions and 8 passes defended for the Vikings. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='837021' first='Omar' last='Terrones'], Centennial</strong>: The two Omars (Sanchez and Terrones) will form one of the top DB duos in the state this season. Terrones earned Honorable Menion All-State honors in 2023 after making 46 tackles and 4 INT for the Hawks. With Sanchez and Terrones patrolling the third level, it's going to be tough to throw on Centennial this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137468' first='Kale' last='Watson'], Aztec</strong>: Watson is one of the top two-way standouts in the Four Corners. As a defensive back, he had 54 tackles, 3.5 TFL and 4 interceptions last season for the Tigers. He'll be the leader of the Aztec secondary.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/lvtwildcatsfb/status/1735136337085276307","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 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Mikehaynes07/status/1793848750122913820","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/Mikehaynes07/status/1793848750122913820 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/OmarTerrones17/status/1802059104472760349","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/OmarTerrones17/status/1802059104472760349 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->