Recruiting: 2026 Cleveland WR talks commitment to UNM Lobos

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When Prep Redzone New Mexico spoke with 2026 Cleveland wide receiver <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='851903' first='Jacob' last='Maldonado']</strong> about his offer from New Mexico at the Valencia High 7x7 Tournament in June, he strongly hinted he would eventually commit to the Lobos.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Friday, it happened.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Maldonado announced on social media early Friday afternoon that he had committed to UNM ‘after talking with my family.' Maldonado told Prep Redzone that his family's valuable input was critical to his decision:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“My ultimate decision to commit to UNM came down to me and my family talking together and understanding that would be the best place for me to continue my career as a football player and as a student,” Maldonado said.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He added the quality of the Lobos coaching staff was another factor in his choice of colleges. His relationship with Lobos head coach Jason Eck and WR coach Colin Lockett was key.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“The UNM coaches are absolutely great,” Maldonado said. “They are turning the program into a powerhouse. The coaches were a big reason for my commitment.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Maldonado is being recruited by the lobos as both a slot and outside WR.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Maldonado is currently our #10 overall prospect and the #2 WR in our updated 2026 rankings. However, since La Cueva's [player_tooltip player_id='853013' first='Tanner' last='Montano'] has revealed he is giving up football to focus on his blossoming track career (100 and 200 meters and long jump, in particular), Maldonado will ascend to the No. 1 WR spot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He helped lead Cleveland to the 2024 Class 6A state championship with 50 receptions for 918 yards and 11 TD as a junior. He could eclipse 60 receptions and 1,000 receiving yards in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Maldonado is the third 2026 prospect from &nbsp;the Albuquerque Metro Region to commit to the UNM program, joining teammate [player_tooltip player_id='1230420' first='Elijah' last='Richards'], a 6-foot-4 DE/OLB, and Cibola LB [player_tooltip player_id='854199' first='Hayes' last='Baum'] as Lobo pledges.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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> After talking with my family I am blessed and beyond grateful to commit to the University of New Mexico. Can't wait for the future! 100% Committed 🐺‼️<a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_Eck?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_Eck</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ColinLockett15?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ColinLockett15</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/_CoachElliott?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@_CoachElliott</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/UNMLoboFB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UNMLoboFB</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/PrepRedzoneNM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneNM</a> <a href="https://t.co/eF9GVMBl4j">pic.twitter.com/eF9GVMBl4j</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='851903' first='Jacob' last='Maldonado'] (@jakemaldonado08) <a href="https://twitter.com/jakemaldonado08/status/1953878361484275819?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 8, 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 -->