Signing Day Aftermath: WNMU Makes Inroads Into Rio Rancho

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Once upon a time, Western New Mexico barely recruited the Albuquerque Metro Region, preferring to stick to southern New Mexico, Arizona and population-heavy southern California in their quest for talent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Third-year Mustangs head coach Billy Hickman, though, is changing the narrative.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Among last year's WNMU signees was former Albuquerque High standout offensive linemen T.J. McCarthy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This year, Hickman and his staff made significant inroads into one of the most talent rich cities in the state – Rio Rancho. Out of their five 2025 New Mexico signees, four are from Rio Rancho: Cleveland TE <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='836902' first='Jon' last='Baca']</strong>, Cleveland LB/DB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1594112' first='Micah' last='Hoffman']</strong>, Rio Rancho WR <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1259000' first='Jace' last='Pitt']</strong> and Rio Rancho OL <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1257335' first='Jack' last='Warble']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>WNMU also signed West Mesa DB <strong>Masumbe Netongo</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“It's a big deal for us. If you want to recruit New Mexico, everything essentially goes through Rio Rancho,” Hickman told Prep Redzone New Mexico. “It's critical for us to be successful there. I want guys from programs that know how to win. That's helpful for our growth. Guys from Rio Rancho are well coached and come in with a different mindset. They come here with an expectation of how we should operate and who we should be. That's very valuable.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hickman attributes WNMU's recent recruiting success in the Albuquerque Metro Region to the school's larger presence in the area. The Mustangs have held a June camp at La Cueva High School for the past two years and intend to do the same in 2025. This allows the WNMU coaching staff to quickly identify prospects they want to pursue.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“We've done a good job the last couple of years identifying the players from New Mexico we want,” Hickman said. “We've been a little more exclusive. We try to make sure we're getting guys who are going to impact our program and guys who want to be here. Having a camp (in Albuquerque) every year has helped. We missed on a few, but for the most part we signed the prospects we wanted from New Mexico.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6-foot-2, 230-pound Baca is an outstanding blocker, and played a huge role in Cleveland gaining about 2,800 yards and 49 TD on the ground in 2024. He also made 20 tackles on defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“We had Jon in camp a couple of times,” Hickman said. “We'll have him at tight end. His skill set is very multiple. He's a tough guy. We're trying to make the tight end spot into a physical, violent position. Jon is a thumper. His strength is definitely blocking in the run game. I'm excited what he's going to do at that position. Jon will have an opportunity to contribute as a freshman.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hoffman, who had 37 tackles, 5.5 TFL and 4 interceptions for the Storm in 2024, will fill a hybrid DB/LB spot for the Mustangs. He'll also play what Hickman called, ‘bandit safety.'</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“In our league, I'm expecting to see more passing,” Hickman said. “Having guys who can run and play in coverage like Micah can is going to be increasingly important. He'll fit in very well at our nickel or outside linebacker spot. He'll have to cover slot receivers and sometimes play in the box.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pitt emerged last fall as one of the top wide receivers in the state. He finished the 2024 season with 82 receptions for 1,199 yards and 16 TD. He's tall, fast and possesses great hands.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Jace was very high on our receiver board, regardless of state,” Hickman said. “He fits in well with our guys. We have a very good wide receiver room. We've been productive at that spot. We expect Jace will continue that. He has very good body control and good length. He'll be a matchup issue for defenses. With his speed, he's going to be a real threat in our league.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6-foot-4, 290-pound Warble anchored Rio Rancho's offensive line in 2024 as the Rams' huge left tackle. He was offered&nbsp; by WNMU coaches last June minutes after the Mustangs camp in Albuquerque concluded.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Getting Jack is a big deal,” Hickman said. “He's comparable to T.J. McCarthy. Both are big dudes, they're long and have broad shoulders and wide hips. Jack is a very committed guy. Once we offered him at the camp, he's been excited about us. Once he committed, he's been helping other guys, even from outside New Mexico. I appreciate him for that. He's big, tall and can move, so he has chance to play right away.”&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Netongo and his family moved to Albuquerque in July. Netongo had an outstanding season for West Mesa. His family is close to Deven Dyer, who transferred to WNMU from New Mexico State. Dyer is the older brother of former La Cueva QB [player_tooltip player_id='611098' first='Cameron' last='Dyer'], who signed with Arizona State.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Masumbe is a stud,” Hickman said. “He's a very skilled cornerback. He has long arms, runs very well and he's a tough guy.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">100% COMMITTED💜💛💜💛<a href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneNM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneNM</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/natemp83?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@natemp83</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachPMA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachPMA</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_PMartinez?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_PMartinez</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/j96xl?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@j96xl</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/The_Coach_Boyle?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@The_Coach_Boyle</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/DrudikJd?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DrudikJd</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/coach_bhickman?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@coach_bhickman</a> <a href="https://t.co/qvr7niscmv">pic.twitter.com/qvr7niscmv</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1257335' first='Jack' last='Warble'] (@Fb78Warble) <a href="https://twitter.com/Fb78Warble/status/1877126068445814804?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 8, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">After careful consideration exited for my commitment to <a href="https://twitter.com/WNMUFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WNMUFootball</a> go stands let's work ‼️<a href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneNM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneNM</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/DrudikJd?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DrudikJd</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/gavinlutman18?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@gavinlutman18</a> <a href="https://t.co/X8zL5i7qQ2">pic.twitter.com/X8zL5i7qQ2</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1259000' first='Jace' last='Pitt'] (@PittJace69356) <a href="https://twitter.com/PittJace69356/status/1885757796874125325?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">After careful considerations, I have chosen to commit to Western New Mexico! 100% Go Stangs!! <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneNM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneNM</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_RGarza?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_RGarza</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/TheRealCoachNF?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheRealCoachNF</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachD_Delgado?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachD_Delgado</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_Clift?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_Clift</a> <a href="https://t.co/0p7CtsNPyW">pic.twitter.com/0p7CtsNPyW</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1594112' first='Micah' last='Hoffman'] (@micah_hoffman15) <a href="https://twitter.com/micah_hoffman15/status/1885530449671577676?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/agtg?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#agtg</a> Very excited for the future! <a href="https://twitter.com/coach_bhickman?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@coach_bhickman</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_Ridenour?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_Ridenour</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_RGarza?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_RGarza</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachD84?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachD84</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachDez03?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachDez03</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneNM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneNM</a> <a href="https://t.co/QcyqGKxJ9u">pic.twitter.com/QcyqGKxJ9u</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='836902' first='Jon' last='Baca'] (@jbaca2025) <a href="https://twitter.com/jbaca2025/status/1885751186629832721?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🚨2025 Football Schedule Realesse🚨here is our 2025 schedule….6 home games, 5 away games…LET'S GO! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RareBreed?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RareBreed</a><a href="https://t.co/ApyIQmrUxq">https://t.co/ApyIQmrUxq</a> <a href="https://t.co/NPSFB00aYH">pic.twitter.com/NPSFB00aYH</a></p>&mdash; WNMU Mustangs (@WNMUathletics) <a href="https://twitter.com/WNMUathletics/status/1887620667169796373?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 6, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Welcome to the Herd, <a href="https://twitter.com/Jr_Masumbe?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Jr_Masumbe</a> !<br><br>🐎 | Masumbe Netongo<br>🏈 | Defensive Back<br>🟣 | West Mesa HS<br>🟡 | Albuquerque, NM <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rarebreed?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Rarebreed</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Mustangs?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Mustangs</a> <a href="https://t.co/nDCJaFbV2C">pic.twitter.com/nDCJaFbV2C</a></p>&mdash; WNMU Mustang Football (@WNMUFootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/WNMUFootball/status/1887276610925306193?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html -->