Recruiting: Maldonado thrilled with UNM offer

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Twelve days ago, 2026 Cleveland wide receiver <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='851903' first='Jacob' last='Maldonado']</strong>'s future in football changed dramatically.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Soon after attending a camp at the University of New Mexico, Maldonado was offered by the Lobos, marking his first FBS offer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“I had been talking with them for a while,” Maldonado told Prep Redzone New Mexico recently following a 7xt jamboree at Valencia High School in Los Lunas. “UNM knows the type of program we have at Cleveland. I had a good showing at the camp. After that, their coaches gave me the good news. I couldn't be more blessed.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Maldonado is one of several New Mexico prospects offered by the Lobos in last few weeks. 2027 St. Pius X running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1154954' first='Hershul' last='Olloway']</strong> and 2026 Cibola linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='854199' first='Hayes' last='Baum']</strong> have also been offered, while 2026 Cleveland DE/OLB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1230420' first='Elijah' last='Richards']</strong> has committed to the Lobos. 2026 Cleveland OL <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='851862' first='Moses' last='Sparks']</strong> was offered months ago by the Lobos.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>New UNM head coach Jason Eck has made an effort to recruit – and ultimately offer – deserving New Mexico prospects.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“I'm definitely getting that vibe,” Maldonado said. “I think (Eck) understands the talent we have here in New Mexico. The fact he's looking at New Mexico kids shows the type of coach he is. I believe if they recruit the best high school players here, they will become great college players.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Maldonado said he was impressed by UNM's ‘high energy' approach throughout the program.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“They showed us at the camp the level of intensity they have because it was a full padded camp,” Maldonado said. “They have a lot of energy and they're all about the team. They want you to hit, they want you to be physical with your hands because playing receiver is more than just running routes. You have to be able to block and be nasty. I think what they have going on there is phenomenal.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Between Maldonado, Sparks and Richards, expect Lobo coaches to attend many of Cleveland's game this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“With me and Elijah, they're going to have coaches watching us,” Maldonado said. “I'm excited. I think it's great. I'm excited for the future of the UNM program.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Seven months ago, Maldonado and the Storm captured the Class 6A state championship with a victory over La Cueva at Wilson Stadium in Albuquerque. But the Cleveland players started offseason workouts in January with an eye on a third state title in the last four years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“We've kept our head down and kept working when no one else knows,” Maldonado said. “It's about stacking days. I think we're going to flourish when the time comes.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Maldonado ran track in the spring. He runs the 100 in 10.9 seconds and the 40 in under 4.5 seconds. He is being recruited by the Lobos as a slot receiver. Former Cleveland standout Evan Wysong currently plays slot for UNM.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Maldonado hinted he is considering committing to the Lobos. Don't be surprised if he's wearing the cherry and silver a year from now.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“That seems like the place I would want to go,” Maldonado said. “Nothing is entirely set in stone yet but UNM is definitely a place I would love to be at and it's close to home.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Besides participating in 7-on-7 events with his Cleveland teammates, Maldonado has been actively camping during the spring and summer. He recently attended camps at Utah Tech and Louisiana-Monroe. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">[player_tooltip player_id='851903' first='Jacob' last='Maldonado'] Junior Highlights<br>V. Sue Cleveland High<br>5'10 175<br>WR/RB<br>3.75 Cumulative GPA 📖 <a href="https://t.co/YJlu0ySKfW">pic.twitter.com/YJlu0ySKfW</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='851903' first='Jacob' last='Maldonado'] (@jakemaldonado08) <a href="https://twitter.com/jakemaldonado08/status/1900250595791167787?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">After a great camp today at <a href="https://twitter.com/UNMLoboFB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UNMLoboFB</a> I'm blessed to say I've been offered an opportunity to continue my academic and athletic career at The University of New Mexico! <a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_Eck?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_Eck</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/_CoachElliott?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@_CoachElliott</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_RGarza?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_RGarza</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_Ridenour?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_Ridenour</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneNM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneNM</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/nmpreps?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nmpreps</a> <a href="https://t.co/FhTpNqQffh">pic.twitter.com/FhTpNqQffh</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='851903' first='Jacob' last='Maldonado'] (@jakemaldonado08) <a href="https://twitter.com/jakemaldonado08/status/1933999869263479058?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 14, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Im blessed to announce I've received my second D1 offer from my hometown college <a href="https://twitter.com/UNMLoboFB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UNMLoboFB</a> Thank you for believing in me and giving me this opportunity!! ✝️🐺 <a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_Eck?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_Eck</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/COACHJJ_LOBOS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@COACHJJ_LOBOS</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Beau_Davidson?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Beau_Davidson</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/thecoachflakes?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@thecoachflakes</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneNM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneNM</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/nmpreps?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nmpreps</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/247recruiting?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@247recruiting</a> <a href="https://t.co/8LN8r4ZGiN">pic.twitter.com/8LN8r4ZGiN</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1250361' first='Hershul' last='Olloway Jr'] (@Hersh_Olloway2) <a href="https://twitter.com/Hersh_Olloway2/status/1930360137723822480?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 4, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">So blessed to receive an offer From The University Of New Mexico to continue my Athletic and Academic journey! Thank you <a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_Eck?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_Eck</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/coach_nowinsky?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@coach_nowinsky</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/natep4?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@natep4</a> and the rest of the staff! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AGTG?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AGTG</a> ✝️ <a href="https://t.co/ebInMFiaRd">pic.twitter.com/ebInMFiaRd</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='854199' first='Hayes' last='Baum'] (@The__Baum) <a href="https://twitter.com/The__Baum/status/1935762312260186274?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 19, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html -->