Trending Up: Fastest Stock Risers In Updated 2026 Rankings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Earlier today we released our updated Prep Redzone New Mexico 2026 prospect rankings ahead of kickoff to the 2025 campaign later this month. Here are some of the Fastest Stock Risers (listed in alphabetical order):</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1266460' first='Diego' last='Baeza'], Valencia</strong>: Baeza is quickly becoming one of the top offensive linemen in the state. Great size at 6-foot-2, 300 pounds with exceptional mobility as he showed at several camps this summer. Linemen of the Year in District 4A-2.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1750954' first='Joaquin' last='Bolanos'], Roswell</strong>: Son of Goddard head coach Arturo Bolanos, formerly the defensive coordinator for the Coyotes. Bolanos is developing into one of the top linebackers in the state. Described by his coach as a ‘stone cold killer.'</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1266485' first='Landon' last='Casalino'], Manzano</strong>: Casalino's massive size (6-foot-6, 280 pounds) has already attracted the attention of college coaches. And his skill set is pretty good too. Casalino showed off his mobility and powerful hands on the camp circuit this summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137066' first='Robert' last='Castaneda'], Carlsbad</strong>: Perhaps the most underrated receiver in the state. Castaneda put together solid back-to-back seasons as a sophomore (39 receptions) and junior (48 receptions, 11 TD) for Carlsbad. Eastern New Mexico offered in late May. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='851894' first='Gary' last='Chavez'], Grants</strong>: Arguably the strongest player, pound-for-pound - in the state heading into the 2025 season. He plays in the trenches on both sides of the ball, but shined on defense in 2024 with 87 tackles, a staggering 27.0 TFL, 13 QB hurries and 6 sacks. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='851898' first='Gage' last='Conway'], Albuquerque Academy</strong>: His 6-foot-5, 180-pound frame makes Conway a valuable weapon in the passing game, especially in the red zone when windows get tighter. Conway, a fantastic athlete, outleaps defenders and makes plays. His coach describes him as one of the best receivers in the state. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1267176' first='Jalil' last='Dixon'], Cibola</strong>: Expected to play a key role on what could be a very good Cibola defense this season in David Howes' first season as head coach. Dixon was impressive during camping season. He had 30 tackles, 8 passes defended and 2 INT as a junior in 2024. Definitely a next level talent. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='853022' first='Peyton' last='Duncan'], Bloomfield</strong>: While Bloomfield lost some key pieces off last season's undefeated Class 4A state championship team, Duncan is back. He was a whirlwind last season with nearly 1,400 rushing yards and 29 receptions to go along with 30 tackles and 5 INT on defense. If Duncan has another big year, Bloomfield could repeat. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='854297' first='Tristin' last='Fernandez'], Grants</strong>: Fernandez does it all for Grants. He's a top notch duel threat quarterback on offense and the Pirates' leading tackler on defense (103 tackles). He's also a weight room warrior. Fernandez and a senior-dominated Grants team could be headed for a huge season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1266408' first='Parker' last='Miller'], Rio Rancho</strong>: One of the top wide receivers in the Albuquerque Metro Region. Miller boosted his recruiting prospects when he blazed the 40 in 4.49 seconds at a camp in June. Soon, Eastern New Mexico and New Mexico Highlands offered. He'll be Rio Rancho's #1 WR in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Marcos Ochoa, West Mesa</strong>: Ochoa combines good size and blazing speed into a dynamic package. He has flown under the radar because West Mesa has struggled to get past the first round of the Class 6A playoffs. If the Mustangs make noise this season, Ochoa will be one of the loudest Mustangs. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1416992' first='D'Marcus' last='Rodriguez'], Pojoaque Valley</strong>: Rodriguez was one-half of one of the most dynamic running back duos in the state last season. Rodriguez combined with 2027 RB [player_tooltip player_id='1129687' first='Jonah' last='Villegas'] for nearly 1,500 rushing yards and 12 TD. &nbsp;Rodriguez was First-team All-District in 2024. Look for another big year from him. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1599565' first='Frank' last='Sheppard'], Los Alamos</strong>: &nbsp;Although not well known outside of northern New Mexico, Sheppard was one of only four players in the state last season with 150+ tackles. He also plays offensive line for the Hilltoppers, so he never comes off the field. He calls the plays for the Los Alamos defense and has fantastic football instincts. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1600843' first='Kamal' last='Stith'], St. Michael's</strong>: Stith emerged last season as a quarterback to watch in the future when he played every third series for the Horsemen. Now he has the gig to himself and don't be surprised if he has a monster season. He looked impressive throwing the football with confidence during 7x7 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1599883' first='Lance' last='Volk'], Moriarty</strong>: Volk started popping up on radars during a series of impressive camping season performances. He's a big guy at 6-foot-1, 290 pounds but moves well and has a powerful punch. Second Team All-State for the Pintos in 2024. Recently picked up his first offer from Culver-Stockton College in Missouri.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Highlight reel <a href="https://t.co/XbpoaIwlpr">pic.twitter.com/XbpoaIwlpr</a></p>&mdash; Castanedacavemenfootball (@Castaneda11111) <a href="https://twitter.com/Castaneda11111/status/1880694276688117973?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 18, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Congratulations to D. B. For being named Lineman of the Year in 4A District 2‼️ 🏈 🐆 <a href="https://t.co/Z9tBC8ZOKq">pic.twitter.com/Z9tBC8ZOKq</a></p>&mdash; VHS Jaguars Football (@VHSJagFootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/VHSJagFootball/status/1865407814010552825?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 7, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">[player_tooltip player_id='854297' first='Tristin' last='Fernandez'] <br>Qb/Mlb<br>Junior szn<br>Passing yards~1465<br>Rushing yards~334<br>PTD~10<br>RTD~6<br>Total Tackles~103<br>Solo~73<br>Assisted~30<br>TFL~15<br>Caused Fumbles~4<br>Fumbles Recovered~1<br>Sacks~8<br>BKA~2<a href="https://twitter.com/GHSCoachBrown?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GHSCoachBrown</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneNM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneNM</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/COACHKDJR?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@COACHKDJR</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/coachkreutzmann?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@coachkreutzmann</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_Eck?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_Eck</a><a href="https://t.co/dMWpIxoaYY">https://t.co/dMWpIxoaYY</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='854297' first='Tristin' last='Fernandez'] (@tfernandez1123) <a href="https://twitter.com/tfernandez1123/status/1923560875958448376?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 17, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/dmarkrodriguez/status/1884460119385100543","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/dmarkrodriguez/status/1884460119385100543 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/LanceVolk_65/status/1947079373133373592","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/LanceVolk_65/status/1947079373133373592 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Landon_Casalino/status/1856023872845521114","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/Landon_Casalino/status/1856023872845521114 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneNM/status/1932949224833814711","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/PrepRedzoneNM/status/1932949224833814711 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->