City Series: Top Wide Receivers In Albuquerque Metro For 2026

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our City Series continues with a look at the top wide receivers in the Albuquerque Metro Region. The recent decision of talented St. Pius X WR [player_tooltip player_id='1154956' first='Cayl' last='Cox-Liggins'] to move to a suburb of Phoenix, AZ for the 2026 season alters this list:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gabriel Gonzales, Valley</strong>: Definitely one of the most underrated pass catchers in Albuquerque. Gonzales has been playing varsity football since he was a freshman. Last season. He caught 66 passes for 1,058 yards and 4 TD in 2025. Valley will have a new QB in 2026. The right choice = another 60+ receptions and 1,000+ receiving yards for Gonzales. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1605074' first='Logan' last='Hague'], Albuquerque Academy</strong>: Led the Chargers with 59 receptions for 1,031 yards (9^th most in the state) and 7 TD in 2025. His chances of putting up similar numbers in 2026 are good since Academy has an experienced and capable quarterback returning. Good speed and quickness. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1613284' first='George' last='Smith'], Sandia</strong>: One of the most dynamic athletes in the entire state. Individually, Smith's first season at Sandia was a success as he made 49 receptions for 729 yards. Combined rushing and receiving output surpassed 1,000 yards. Offered in both football and basketball. Visited Utah last weekend. 4.5 speed in the 40. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1686972' first='Chris' last='Lopez'], La Cueva</strong>: Few players anywhere in the state are faster than Lopez. He ran the fastest 40 at the Prep Redzone Showcase in Grants in December. And he's only getting faster. Ran 200 meters in just over 22 seconds at a track meet in March. Lopez caught 8 passes for 149 yards and 1 TD in La Cueva's walk-off quarterfinals win at Centennial in November. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1155116' first='Jahari' last='Morehead'], Eldorado</strong>: Grabbed the attention of everybody in Week 1 last season when he scorched Organ Mountain for 9 receptions and 298 yards and 4 TD in just over one half of football. Excellent speed. He flashed that speed on the summer camp circuit in 2025 (4.42 in the 40 at the ENMU camp), leading to multiple offers. Also a brilliant special teams performer. Capable of scoring every time he touches the call. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1613490' first='Evan' last='Nanez'], Cleveland</strong>: Our newly anointed No. 1 prospect in the 2028 class. And for good reason. Nanez is arguably the most dynamic athlete in the state. Two-sport standout who will likely receive D1 offers in both football and basketball. Caught 51 passes for nearly 1,000 yards and an impressive 16 TD. And those numbers came when he was sharing pass catching responsibilities with a guy who signed with the UNM Lobos. Now he's the Storm's No. 1 WR. Sky is the limit. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1651252' first='Ajay' last='Vigil'], Cleveland</strong>: Top candidate for 6A Breakout Player of the Year in 2026. Vigil caught 29 passes for 446 yards and 2 TD last season. He could double those numbers in 2026 as he'll likely be targeted far more by Cleveland coaches. Also a standout basketball player. Whoever emerges as the Storm's new starting QB will enjoy an abundance of riches at WR in Nanez and Vigil. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Honorable Mention</strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1680003' first='Colby' last='Bateson'], Eldorado</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1613629' first='Ethan' last='Carter'], Hope Christian</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1827328' first='Landon' last='Cochran'], Hope Christian</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2104452' first='Andres' last='Cordova'], Los Lunas</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1826084' first='Kordell' last='Erby'], Del Norte</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1155012' first='Curtis' last='Flakes III'], St. Pius X</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2075776' first='Tayson' last='Gaxiola'], Los Lunas</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1613618' first='Juan' last='Carlos Landeros'], Albuquerque High</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1613459' first='Ezra' last='Ocampo'], St. Pius X</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1613352' first='Broden' last='Price'], Manzano</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1613448' first='Christian' last='Perez'], Legacy Academy</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1155114' first='Deon' last='Session'], Atrisco Heritage</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1272752' first='J'ven' last='Smith'], Atrisco Heritage</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gilly Terrazas, Rio Rancho</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Vincent Varela, Manzano</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1605990' first='Darrien' last='Williams'], Hope Christian</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sophomore season highlights ‼️‼️<br><br>1st team all state receiver<br>2nd team all state kick returner <br>24 total TDS<br>996 receiving YDS<br>242 rushing YDS<br>2 kick return TDS<br>1 punt return TD<br>Back to back State champions 🔵🏆<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/coach_crow?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@coach_crow</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_Eck?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_Eck</a>… <a href="https://t.co/215V9TubIz">pic.twitter.com/215V9TubIz</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1613490' first='Evan' last='Nanez'] (@EvanNanez5245) <a href="https://twitter.com/EvanNanez5245/status/1998156331371642904?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 8, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">2025 Varsity Highlights (Soph)<br>(Full Highlights in Hudl link above)<br>#5 WR/Slot/S<br>6-0 165 4.5<br>2028 Prospect<br>Sandia HS, NM<br>2025 Season Stats<br>1,032 Rec/Rush Yards<br>15 TDS (6 more called back on pen.)<br>49 Rec - 729yds <a href="https://t.co/YWprhRCgZk">pic.twitter.com/YWprhRCgZk</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1613284' first='George' last='Smith'] (@georgesmithlll) <a href="https://twitter.com/georgesmithlll/status/2013096769014686179?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 19, 2026</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">End of sophomore season varsity highlights ⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzone?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzone</a>⁩ ⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/gavinlutman18?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@gavinlutman18</a>⁩ ⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/LoboRecruiting?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LoboRecruiting</a>⁩ ⁦⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/JamesDYodice?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JamesDYodice</a>⁩ ⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_Eck?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_Eck</a>⁩ <a href="https://t.co/7mDRK4CIz8">pic.twitter.com/7mDRK4CIz8</a></p>&mdash; Chris (@chrislopez1317) <a href="https://twitter.com/chrislopez1317/status/1999326549460558014?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Junior year midseason highlights<br>Receiving yards-558-9 td's<br>Rushing yards-135-1 td<br>KOR yards 246<br>PR yards 121<br>1060 all purpose yards<a href="https://twitter.com/GioEvans3?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GioEvans3</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/JamesDYodice?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JamesDYodice</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/_CoachElliott?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@_CoachElliott</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_Eck?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_Eck</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachDaPrato?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachDaPrato</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/DCobb27?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DCobb27</a> <a href="https://t.co/Wc6jfA1vxn">pic.twitter.com/Wc6jfA1vxn</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1155116' first='Jahari' last='Morehead'] (@JahariM2) <a href="https://twitter.com/JahariM2/status/1973594216661160129?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 2, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html -->