Debut 2029 Rankings: Breakdown For No. 21-30

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We published out initial 2029 Rankings earlier this week. We've already posted articles breaking down prospects #1-10 and #11-20. Here is the breakdown for #21-30.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2114794' first='Dylan' last='Acosta'], Hatch Valley (#21)</strong>: Emerged as one of the top young defensive backs in southern New Mexico with 41 tackles and 1 interception in 2025. Hatch Valley made the 3A playoffs last fall despite being a young team. Future looks bright for the Bears.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2114787' first='Johnathan' last='Valencia'], Estancia (#22)</strong>: Estancia is well represented in our debut 2029 ranking and for good reason. Valencia was one of the Bears' top defensive players with 43 tackles and 4.0 TFL.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2114797' first='Aiden' last='Nieto'], Manzano (#23)</strong>: Nieto impressed as a young LB in 2025 by making 37 tackles, 2.0 TFL, 1 INT and 1 fumble return for a touchdown. Good nose for the football. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2077049' first='Zander' last='Bryce'], Albuquerque Academy (#24)</strong>: The future at QB for the Chargers after the current starter graduates in 2027. Bryce got his feet wet at the varsity level in 2025, and could see more action as the backup in 2026. Great size at 6-foot-2.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2114828' first='Josiah' last='Nunez'], Newcomb (#25)</strong>: One of the stars of Newcomb's defensive front seven in 2025 with 25 tackles, 6.0 TFL and 4 QB hurries. Showed the ability to elude blockers and penetrate into opposing o<strong>ffensive backfields.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2114804' first='Jathen' last='Priddy'], Valley (#26)</strong>: Valley has a lot of promising young players returning in 2026 and Priddy is one of them. Six feet tall, Priddy had 35 tackles and 3.0 TFL for the Vikings last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2114833' first='Judah' last='Salcido'], Valencia (#27)</strong>: Talk about the ability to makes behind the line of scrimmage. Seven of Salcido's 24 tackles in 2025 were for negative yardage. Nearly 6-feet tall, so he has good size and will continue to grow.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2114808' first='Angelo' last='Ortiz'], Rio Rancho (#28)</strong>: You rarely see freshmen make an impact on the varsity at blue blood programs like Rio Rancho. But Ortiz is no ordinary freshman. First, he attempted 5 passes at quarterback, had four rushing attempts and made 34 tackles with 5.0 TFL and 4 QB hurries. Very promising future. Destined to be a defensive leader for the Rams in a couple of years. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2114821' first='Jayden' last='Walker'], Jal (#29)</strong>: Solid contributor to Jal's defense in 2025 with 34 tackles, 5.0 TFL and 2.0 sacks. Along with another promising freshman, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2114825' first='Zade' last='Linman']</strong> (#31 in debut 2029 rankings), Walker represents the future of the Panthers defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2114514' first='Wyatt' last='Babcock'], Bloomfield (#30)</strong>: Who gets to follow in the footsteps of the 2025 New Mexico Heisman Award winner? Babcock. He served as Bloomfield's backup QB in 2025 and completed 10-of-16 passes for 183 yards and 3 TD. Great size at 6-foot-3. Bloomfield has won back-to-back 4A titles and Babcock will try to make it three straight for the Bobcats in 2026. He'll lead a bunch of new players, though. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->