Signing Day Aftermath: ENMU Coach Talks NM Signees

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Eastern New Mexico signed 10 2025 prospects (and two 2024 prospects) from the Land of Enchantment on Wednesday, National Signing Day for non-Division I programs. Afterwards, Greyhounds head coach Kelley Lee sat down and discussed those 2025 prospects on his annual NSD TV show.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>OFFENSE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>ENMU signed the top two rushers in the state in 2024 – <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1119205' first='Alex' last='Fuentes']</strong> of Texico (2,107 yards on 233 carries) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='615425' first='Amiri' last='Mumba']</strong> of Highland (2,003 yards on 236 carries).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fuentes helped lead the Wolverines to a perfect 12-0 season and their second consecutive Class 2A state championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Alex had an outstanding career at Texico,” Lee said. “He's type of young man we want in our program.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mumba was slowed by injuries for a few weeks in the middle of the season but finished with a flourish, rushing for 200+ yards in five of Highland's last six games. He led the Hornets to the schools' first quarterfinal playoff appearance in decades.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mumba is also a state champion wrestler and power lifter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“It's not often we get a guy who's a state champion in two different sports,” Lee said. “He runs with a low center of gravity and he's hard to tackle. It seems like every time he carries the ball he gets eight yards.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The third New Mexico running back signed by ENMU Is <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1594192' first='Jaylon' last='Cloud']</strong> of Class 5A champion Roswell.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Jaylon is a very dynamic ball carrier,” Lee said. “He's also a very good receiver. They threw him a lot of passes on wheel routes. Very good athlete. We like him as a slot running back. He impressed us when he had the ball in his hands.” &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1118909' first='Damien' last='Munoz']</strong> from Lovington had an integral role on one of the top offensive lines in the state. He was credited with 59 pancake blocks in 2024. Munoz played alongside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='613058' first='Valente' last='Herrera']</strong> (signed with NMMI) and junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='853015' first='Alex' last='Rivera']</strong> (multiple Power 5 offers).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Lovington had a great offensive line last season,” Lee said. “Damien can move very well. He came into his own during his senior year. They have a tackle (Rivera) who has five or six big time offers. Damien played on the other side and you really couldn't tell them apart. He has a lot of upside.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another offensive linemen signed by ENMU is 6-foot-4, 250-pound <strong>Maddox Chavez </strong>from Goddard.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“We got to know Maddox during his junior year,” Lee said. “He's a very good offensive linemen. He fits in our system. He's really developed physically over the last year or so. And he's still growing. No fat. He has long arms. He's a physical guy that can move. He's a great run blocker.”&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Six-foot-5 Alamogordo OT <strong>Makai Gonzalez</strong> flew under the radar this past season because the Tigers struggled with the won-loss record, but he's also an excellent fit for ENMU's system. His older brother played for the Greyhounds a few years go.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Makai was kid of an unknown guy but he has a ton of upside,” Lee said. “He gets after it. He could be a very good player for us down the road.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DEFENSE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the headliners among the New Mexico defensive prospects signed by ENMU is 6-foot-4, 225-pound Artesia DE <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1118370' first='Kaden' last='Grantham']</strong>, who had 65 tackles, 9.0 TFL and 5.0 QB sacks for the 5A runner-up Bulldogs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Kaden has a lot of speed,” Lee said. “We've timed him at a lot of camps. He's a 4.6 guy on the D-Line. We think he can come in and develop into a very good pass rusher and help out right away. Obviously, he played at a great program in Artesia.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1119224' first='Luis' last='Gomez']</strong> of Eunice was an underrated two-way player for the Cardinals, catching 52 passes for 735 yards and 5 TD on offense while making over 90 tackles on defense in 2023. Gomez has great size at 6-foot-3, 215 pounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“We think Luis is one of the hidden gems of our class,” Lee said. “He's a fantastic high jumper and triple jumper. Great athlete. What I like about him is he's physical and will run downhill and tackle.” &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='613691' first='Taye' last='Smith']</strong> of Texico is the second former Wolverine standout to sign with ENMU this year. The 280-pounder was an exception linemen and tight end for Texico and projects as a DL at ENMU. Also a three-time state champion in the shot put.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“It's amazing how fast he is,” Lee said. “He projects as a pretty good defensive linemen at the college level. He's big and strong, but also very quick. I thought he was one of the best athletic prospects in the state, Division I all the way down.”&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='837220' first='Juan' last='Vigil']</strong>, listed at 6-foot-5, 290 pounds, was a standout defensive linemen for Valley and partially earned his LOI from ENMU with numerous impressive camp performances, including the Prep Redzone Combine in Grants last April. This past season, Vigil terrorized opposing offenses with 20.0 TFL, 17.0 QB hurries and 6.5 sacks. He even intercepted a pass.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Juan could easily carry 300 pounds,” Lee said. “Juan got a lot of attention on the wrestling side. He's been playing football for only a few years, so he has a ton of upside. He's a big guy that can move. He was one of the best players in the state. We're thrilled to get him.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Welcome to Portales, Juan!<br><br>Vigil comes to Eastern from the ABQ!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ReignForever?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ReignForever</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ALLIN?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ALLIN</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ENMU?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ENMU</a> <a href="https://t.co/kQlP4DylFH">pic.twitter.com/kQlP4DylFH</a></p>&mdash; Eastern New Mexico University Football (@ENMUFootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/ENMUFootball/status/1887263299739525322?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html /--> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Welcome to Portales, Damien! <br><br>Munoz comes to Eastern New Mexico after earning all-state honors for Lovington. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ReignForever?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ReignForever</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ALLIN?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ALLIN</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ENMU?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ENMU</a> <a href="https://t.co/BCwVOIDOCn">pic.twitter.com/BCwVOIDOCn</a></p>&mdash; Eastern New Mexico University Football (@ENMUFootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/ENMUFootball/status/1887259462286909693?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Welcome to Portales, Jaylon!<br><br>Put your hands in the air🙌<br><br>Cloud is headed to Eastern!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ReignForever?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ReignForever</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ALLIN?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ALLIN</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ENMU?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ENMU</a> <a href="https://t.co/f0Dd2pxJIy">pic.twitter.com/f0Dd2pxJIy</a></p>&mdash; Eastern New Mexico University Football (@ENMUFootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/ENMUFootball/status/1887205039296614584?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Welcome to Portales, Luis!<br><br>Staying in New Mexico and ready to don the green and silver!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ReignForever?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ReignForever</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ALLIN?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ALLIN</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ENMU?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ENMU</a> <a href="https://t.co/XE7MezREIP">pic.twitter.com/XE7MezREIP</a></p>&mdash; Eastern New Mexico University Football (@ENMUFootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/ENMUFootball/status/1887188250827366826?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Welcome to Portales, Maddox!<br><br>Heading north to be a Greyhound!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ReignForever?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ReignForever</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ALLIN?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ALLIN</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ENMU?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ENMU</a> <a href="https://t.co/GMr1wsMr0Z">pic.twitter.com/GMr1wsMr0Z</a></p>&mdash; Eastern New Mexico University Football (@ENMUFootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/ENMUFootball/status/1887187454194799020?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Welcome to Portales, Alex!<br><br>The first team all-state honoree is heading to Eastern New Mexico!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ReignForever?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ReignForever</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ALLIN?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ALLIN</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ENMU?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ENMU</a> <a href="https://t.co/g2jTtb1DlH">pic.twitter.com/g2jTtb1DlH</a></p>&mdash; Eastern New Mexico University Football (@ENMUFootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/ENMUFootball/status/1887186176408494573?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Welcome to Portales, Kaden!<br><br>Excited to see Grantham this fall!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ReignForever?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ReignForever</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ALLIN?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ALLIN</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ENMU?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ENMU</a> <a href="https://t.co/Ldmt5ZukcW">pic.twitter.com/Ldmt5ZukcW</a></p>&mdash; Eastern New Mexico University Football (@ENMUFootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/ENMUFootball/status/1887182263735230896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Welcome to Portales, Makai!<br><br>Staying in the Land of Enchantment to play for the Hounds!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ReignForever?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ReignForever</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ALLIN?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ALLIN</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ENMU?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ENMU</a> <a href="https://t.co/nXCWRC1PER">pic.twitter.com/nXCWRC1PER</a></p>&mdash; Eastern New Mexico University Football (@ENMUFootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/ENMUFootball/status/1887179775766372738?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Welcome to Portales, Amiri!<br><br>A great day to be a Greyhound!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ReignForever?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ReignForever</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ALLIN?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ALLIN</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ENMU?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ENMU</a> <a href="https://t.co/4ngrdYIlxn">pic.twitter.com/4ngrdYIlxn</a></p>&mdash; Eastern New Mexico University Football (@ENMUFootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/ENMUFootball/status/1887178622118887504?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Welcome to Portales, Taye! <br><br>Not going far! Ready to see Smith as a Greyhound!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ReignForever?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ReignForever</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ALLIN?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ALLIN</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ENMU?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ENMU</a> <a href="https://t.co/6cPlDcIZzC">pic.twitter.com/6cPlDcIZzC</a></p>&mdash; Eastern New Mexico University Football (@ENMUFootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/ENMUFootball/status/1887177429942485043?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>       <br> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->