Updated 2026 Rankings: New Additions (Part 1)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We revealed Tuesday the updated Class of 2026 prospect rankings. Here are 10 New Additions (Part 1):</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1672428' first='Collin' last='Bannister'], Las Cruces</strong>: Bannister is a returning starter on the Bulldawgs' defensive line. Last season he made 50 tackles with an impressive 11.0 TFL, 8.0 sacks and 14 QB hurries. He's elite at penetrating opposing offensive backfields. The Las Cruces defense could be one of the best in Class 6A this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1672763' first='Elijah' last='Becenti'], Thoreau</strong>: Going into his senior season, Becenti has developed into one of the top defensive backs in the Four Corners Region. He helped lead Thoreau to 9 wins and the quarterfinals of the Class 3A playoffs in 2024 by making 72 tackles and 2 interceptions. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1672368' first='Aidan' last='Gluhm'], Hobbs</strong>: Gluhm was overshadowed last season, but enjoyed a solid campaign with 69 tackles (39 solo) in just 6 games from his LB spot for the Eagles. Definitely has 100-tackle potential in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1672389' first='Logan' last='Jacobson-Waldrep'], West Mesa</strong>: One of the Top Class of 2026 running backs in the Albuquerque Metro Region. He'll be the Mustangs' No. 1 RB this season after finishing second on the team in rushing in 2024. His coach describes him as the most complete back he's had in his 4 season at West Mesa. High praise, indeed. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1672796' first='Emmanuel' last='Lopez'], Capital</strong>: Lopez was one of the top defensive players in Santa Fe last season as he made 65 tackles, including an impressive 50 solo stops, and 7 QB hurries. The Jaguars should be improved in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1672586' first='Leon' last='Maxwell-Priesen'], Estancia</strong>: The Bears struggled from a won-loss perspective last season, so Maxwell-Priesen was largely overlooked even though he rushed for 730 yards and 7 TD on 136 carries, eclipsing 100 yards 4 times. He also made 39 tackles on defense. Solid two-way player. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1671767' first='Eli' last='Powell'], Cleveland</strong>: The 300-pound Powell will man the nose tackle spot for the Storm this season as they look to repeat as Class 6A champions. He made 17 tackles last season and even had an interception. The Storm's defensive front seven could be nasty in 2025. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1672806' first='Marco' last='Soto Jr.'], Artesia</strong>: Because Artesia's offense has been so prolific throughout the years, the Bulldogs defense is often overlooked. But Artesia has had next level talent on that side of the ball for the past few years. This coming season should be no different. Soto Jr. had 64 tackles, 6.0 TFL and 4.0 sacks in 2024 for the Class 5A runner-up Bulldogs. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jerremy Vargas, Carlsbad</strong>: Vargas is more than just a very good offensive lineman for the Cavemen. He's also one of the strongest players in the state. In April, he won the 308-pound class at the state powerlifting championships. Vargas will be one of the anchors for the Cavemen's O-Line in 2025. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1672525' first='Mickey' last='Widner'], La Cueva</strong>: We don't often show love towards long snappers, but Widner is an exception. First, he's very good at what he does, in addition to playing defense for the Bears. In fact, he's one of the best long snappers in the nation. Second, he's accepted an offer from the US Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, so he'll play FBS football.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I am blessed to announce my commitment to the United States Air Force Academy. ✈️⚡️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BoltBrotherhood?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BoltBrotherhood</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MoneyTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MoneyTeam</a><a href="https://twitter.com/coachskene3?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@coachskene3</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachAlexMeans?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachAlexMeans</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/coachawrightAFA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@coachawrightAFA</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachTimHorton?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachTimHorton</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachTCalhoun?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachTCalhoun</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/LaCuevaFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LaCuevaFootball</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/HKA_Tanalski?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HKA_Tanalski</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/TheChrisRubio?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheChrisRubio</a> <a href="https://t.co/S9ABLrNBpa">pic.twitter.com/S9ABLrNBpa</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1672525' first='Mickey' last='Widner'] (@MickeyWidner) <a href="https://twitter.com/MickeyWidner/status/1912966232178835702?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 17, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Grateful to receive my 2nd Top 12 Invite from <a href="https://twitter.com/TheChrisRubio?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheChrisRubio</a> !<a href="https://twitter.com/Durkin_61?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Durkin_61</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/LaCuevaFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LaCuevaFootball</a> <a href="https://t.co/1IGMT0OpnA">pic.twitter.com/1IGMT0OpnA</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1672525' first='Mickey' last='Widner'] (@MickeyWidner) <a href="https://twitter.com/MickeyWidner/status/1920577496036106431?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 8, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html -->