Recruiting: Pair of Cleveland standouts commit to WNMU

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Western New Mexico has secured commitments from two of the top players in the 2026 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And the Mustangs continue to thrive in the city of Rio Rancho.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A pair of Cleveland standouts – defensive back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='853709' first='Connor' last='Steele']</strong> and tight end <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1142637' first='Noah' last='Escudero']</strong> – recently announced their commitments to WNMU. Steele announced on Wednesday and Escudero on Friday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both players had integral roles in helping the Storm capture their second consecutive Class 6A state championship in late November.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Steele, a ballhawking DB with excellent speed and instincts, had 28 tackles in 10 games this past season. He was a two-year starter for the Storm. The 6-foot-4, 235-pound Escudero earned a reputation as one of the top blocking tight ends in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Steele and Escudeo both took official visits to WNMU on Dec. 13-14. Escudero visited Texas-Permian Basin in mid-November. Steele visited Bethel College in Kansas. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last year WNMU signed several players from the city of Rio Rancho, including players from both Cleveland and Rio Rancho.     </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">100% committed to <a href="https://twitter.com/WNMUFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WNMUFootball</a>!!! <a href="https://twitter.com/CSAPrepStar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CSAPrepStar</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneNM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneNM</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/nmprepcosports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nmprepcosports</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/nmpreps?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nmpreps</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_Ridenour?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_Ridenour</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/MathisGaius?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MathisGaius</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/j47coleredflag?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@j47coleredflag</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/MooseB90?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MooseB90</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PlayBookAthlete?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PlayBookAthlete</a> <a href="https://t.co/n3uKLh721v">pic.twitter.com/n3uKLh721v</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1142637' first='Noah' last='Escudero'] (@_Noah_Escudero) <a href="https://twitter.com/_Noah_Escudero/status/2007177770607264062?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 2, 2026</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- 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 careful consideration and talking with my family, I am committing to <a href="https://twitter.com/WNMUFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WNMUFootball</a> to continue my academic and athletic career! Thank you to my parents and coaches for supporting me through everything! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/committed?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#committed</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/rollstangs?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#rollstangs</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/stanggang?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#stanggang</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_RGarza?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_RGarza</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/coach_bhickman?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@coach_bhickman</a>… <a href="https://t.co/CI7ticOuig">pic.twitter.com/CI7ticOuig</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='853709' first='Connor' last='Steele'] (@CJSteele2026) <a href="https://twitter.com/CJSteele2026/status/2006495015200059776?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 31, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">2025 Senior season highlights❗️<br>No missed games <br>8 receptions 106 yds<br>17 y/g<br>3 tds<br>14 pancakes<br>2025 class 6A NM state champion!<a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_Ridenour?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_Ridenour</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PlayBookAthlete?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PlayBookAthlete</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/MathisGaius?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MathisGaius</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneNM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneNM</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CSAPrepStar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CSAPrepStar</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/MooseB90?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MooseB90</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/nmprepcosports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nmprepcosports</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/nmpreps?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nmpreps</a> <a href="https://t.co/Mg4BxVXpva">pic.twitter.com/Mg4BxVXpva</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1142637' first='Noah' last='Escudero'] (@_Noah_Escudero) <a href="https://twitter.com/_Noah_Escudero/status/1996331000406982921?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 3, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I had a great official visit <a href="https://twitter.com/WNMUFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WNMUFootball</a> this weekend! Thank you for the hospitality! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/gostangs?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#gostangs</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_Ayon12?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_Ayon12</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachD_Delgado?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachD_Delgado</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneNM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneNM</a> <a href="https://t.co/xfGYhURhJi">pic.twitter.com/xfGYhURhJi</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='853709' first='Connor' last='Steele'] (@CJSteele2026) <a href="https://twitter.com/CJSteele2026/status/2000701405624197576?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 15, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html -->