PRZ Exposure Series Camp: Defensive Players To Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Prep Redzone Exposure Series Camp is set for Saturday at Albuquerque High from Noon-3 p.m. Many of the top 2027-29 prospects in the state have already registered. Here are nine of the most intriguing defensive players ready to compete:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ivan Chavez, Artesia</strong>: A rising junior, Chavez will be one of Artesia's key defensive linemen in 2026. Averaged close to 4 tackles for game last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2214425' first='Alessio' last='Cisneros'], Las Cruces</strong>: The rising senior is expected to see significant action on the Bulldawgs' defensive line in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1155132' first='Aiden' last='Maldonado'], Sandia</strong>: One of the top linebackers in the Albuquerque Metro region. Next level prospect. Good speed. He's been a standout at previous Prep Redzone camps. Had 13.0 TFL, 4.5 sacks and 8 QB hurries in 2025, so he makes a lot play behind the line of scrimmage. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1679768' first='Joaquin' last='Manning'], Cleveland</strong>: One of the talented newcomers on the defensive line for the Storm. Though described as undersized, Manning has a fantastic motor and makes plays. He'll be one of the leaders on Cleveland's new look defensive line. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2104470' first='Jacob' last='Soto'], Las Cruces</strong>: Described as the Bulldawgs' most improved player, Soto made 89 tackles last season. He's added about 30 pounds of muscle to his frame since the end of last season. Preparing for a monster senior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1604734' first='Jacari' last='Smith']. Rio Rancho</strong>: One of the top defensive ends n the state. Second Team All-State in 2025. Wreaks havoc on opposing offenses as seen by his 17.0 TFL, 7.0 sacks and 20 QB hurries last season. Next level prospect. Fort Lewis College offered on Thursday </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1988470' first='Ezra' last='Wagner'], Sandia</strong>: A workhorse last season as he played nearly every snap on defense for the Matadors. He'll team with [player_tooltip player_id='1155132' first='Aiden' last='Maldonado'] (see above) to give Sandia an outstanding LB corps. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1708067' first='Jay' last='Watts'], Legacy Academy</strong>: An emerging defensive end in Class 2A. Watts will be one of the leaders of Legacy Academy's defense. Solid sophomore season with 61 tackles, 8.0 TFL and 9 QB hurries. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1606138' first='Amryn' last='Wheeler'], Hobbs</strong>: Impressive size at 6-foot-3, 225 pounds. He'll arrive in Albuquerque looking to build on an impressive 2025 campaign, which included a staggering 28 QB hurries. Next level prospect. New Mexico Highlands has offered. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Honorable Mention</strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Joseph Larson, La Cueva</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1686690' first='Donovan' last='Misquez'], Cleveland</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cruz Mora, Manzano</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2114601' first='Gabriel' last='Muhammad'], Navajo Prep</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1684744' first='Brody' last='Rodriguez'], Artesia</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1690572' first='Tristan' last='Romero'], Volcano Vista</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/MtMWa6CplQ">https://t.co/MtMWa6CplQ</a><br>Junior Year Highlights<br><br>8 games played<br>56 TOT(14 solo 42 Asst)<br>14 TFL<br>4.5 sacks<br>10 QB hurries<br>1 DEF TD(Pick 6)<br>2 FF (2 recovered)<a href="https://x.com/CoachKelleyLee?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachKelleyLee</a> <a href="https://x.com/ShielWood?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ShielWood</a> <a href="https://x.com/natep4?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@natep4</a> <a href="https://x.com/jbmorriscoach?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@jbmorriscoach</a> @CoachO_SJSU <a href="https://x.com/CoachParkerIowa?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachParkerIowa</a> <a href="https://x.com/Coach_Heacock?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_Heacock</a> <a href="https://x.com/CoachSintim?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachSintim</a> <a href="https://x.com/CoachTaufaasau?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachTaufaasau</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1155132' first='Aiden' last='Maldonado'] (@Aidenmaldonado_) <a href="https://x.com/Aidenmaldonado_/status/1988057164867567987?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 11, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Had a great time at the Fort Lewis camp! <a href="https://t.co/E5celGgObE">pic.twitter.com/E5celGgObE</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1604734' first='Jacari' last='Smith'] (@Jacari35Smith) <a href="https://x.com/Jacari35Smith/status/2058309403573424382?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 23, 2026</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Varsity sophomore season 54 tot tackles(14 solo) 6 tfl(2 sacks) 3 forced fumbles <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/newmexico?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#newmexico</a> #22 #2028 <a href="https://x.com/ENMUFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ENMUFootball</a> <a href="https://x.com/NMStateFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NMStateFootball</a> <a href="https://x.com/UNMLOBOS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UNMLOBOS</a> <a href="https://x.com/PrepRedzoneNM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneNM</a> <a href="https://x.com/WNMUFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WNMUFootball</a> <a href="https://x.com/coachwilder0917?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@coachwilder0917</a> <a href="https://x.com/NMHUFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NMHUFootball</a> <a href="https://x.com/Hudl?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Hudl</a> <a href="https://t.co/Cx7Rffb0zn">https://t.co/Cx7Rffb0zn</a> <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/hudl?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#hudl</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1988470' first='Ezra' last='Wagner'] (@Ezrawagner_4) <a href="https://x.com/Ezrawagner_4/status/1988424415760314530?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 12, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">2025 Varsity Highlights Sophomore Season‼️<br>We Finished 10-2 &amp; District Champs🏆<br>2 Way Starter DL/OL<br>61 Total Tackles<br>26 Solo Tackles<br>8 TFL<br>3 Sacks<br>9 QB Hurries<br>2 Fumble Recovers<br>1 Blk FG<a href="https://x.com/legacyacademyFB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@legacyacademyFB</a> <a href="https://x.com/PrepRedzoneNM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneNM</a> <a href="https://x.com/_NMAA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@_NMAA</a> <a href="https://x.com/nmpreps?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nmpreps</a> <a href="https://x.com/nmprepcosports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nmprepcosports</a> <a href="https://x.com/PrepRedzone?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzone</a> <a href="https://t.co/GuXrubuf5K">pic.twitter.com/GuXrubuf5K</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1708067' first='Jay' last='Watts'] (@JayWatts82) <a href="https://x.com/JayWatts82/status/1998218936161276115?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 9, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">[player_tooltip player_id='1606138' first='Amryn' last='Wheeler'] junior Szn - by highlights - Hudl <a href="https://t.co/cDhXZtsLKQ">https://t.co/cDhXZtsLKQ</a> <a href="https://x.com/PrepRedzoneNM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneNM</a> <a href="https://x.com/HobbsEaglesFB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HobbsEaglesFB</a> <a href="https://x.com/CoachWhiteDB1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachWhiteDB1</a> <a href="https://x.com/YUFBRecruiting?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@YUFBRecruiting</a> <a href="https://x.com/GVSU_FBRecruits?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GVSU_FBRecruits</a> <a href="https://x.com/Crim_Recruiting?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Crim_Recruiting</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1606138' first='Amryn' last='Wheeler'] (@AmrynW1532) <a href="https://x.com/AmrynW1532/status/2004693254911185316?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 26, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Had an amazing time at the <a href="https://x.com/CSUPFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CSUPFootball</a> junior day and spring game thank you <a href="https://x.com/Coach_TPearson?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_TPearson</a> and <a href="https://x.com/CoachBehbahani?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachBehbahani</a> I am looking forward to their camps!! <a href="https://x.com/PrepRedzoneNM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneNM</a> <a href="https://x.com/nmpreps?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nmpreps</a> <a href="https://x.com/Coach_RGarza?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_RGarza</a> <a href="https://x.com/CoachD84?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachD84</a> <a href="https://t.co/zkO1XA1sUO">pic.twitter.com/zkO1XA1sUO</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1679768' first='Joaquin' last='Manning'] (@JoaquinManning1) <a href="https://x.com/JoaquinManning1/status/2045999505640923490?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 19, 2026</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html -->