Recruiting: NMHU secures two commitments on Monday
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It goes without saying that the three Division II schools in New Mexico compete annually for many of the top prospects within the state. Prior to National Signing Day last Wednesday, Eastern New Mexico dominated the headlines by gaining the…
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Continue ReadingIt goes without saying that the three Division II schools in New Mexico compete annually for many of the top prospects within the state.
Prior to National Signing Day last Wednesday, Eastern New Mexico dominated the headlines by gaining the commitments – and then signing – of 25 NM prospects. Western New Mexico signed seven prospects.
New Mexico Highlands, though, is battling back.
Monday, the Cowboys secured the commitment of two highly regarded prospects – Grants WR Knight Long Knight Long 5'7" | 130 lbs | WR Grants | 2024 State NM and Valencia OL Andrew Rightley.
Rightley told Prep Redzone New Mexico that he was recruited by NMHU to play center. He visited the NMHU campus in Las Vegas on Feb. 2.
“The main factor that convinced me that NMHU was the best choice for me were the coaches,” Rightley said. “I really loved how when I got there, the coaches just started talking to me and treated me like I was already playing for them. It really felt like home to me. What really impressed me was not just what the NMHU football program is doing but how they are doing it. They want us to succeed on the football field and in the classroom.”
Rightley was recruited by several other schools, including the University of Saint Mary in Kansas. But after visiting there, Rightley chose NMHU.
“I just thought NMHU was a better fit for me,” said Rightley, who earned First-Team All-Metro and Second-Team All-State honors. He played in the O-D All-American Game at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. in early January.
“My time at Valencia High School has been amazing,” Rightley said. “I was a part of history with us winning a playoff game in 2021. We made the playoffs every year I played. It’s been an honor playing for that program. It’s made me a better player and a better person. There is great things to come for Valencia, for sure.
New Mexico Highlands secured commitments (and their signatures) from Rio Rancho RB Rayce Ramirez Rayce Ramirez 5'10" | 170 lbs | RB Rio Rancho | 2024 State NM and Albuquerque High LB Diego Viscarra Diego Viscarra 5'11" | 170 lbs | WR Albuquerque High | 2024 State NM on National Signing Day.
In other recruiting news:
— Arizona Christian University in Phoenix announced today the signing 2024 West Mesa DB Tavon Archibald Tavon Archibald 6'0" | 170 lbs | DB West Mesa | 2024 State NM ;
— 2024 Cibola DE Abram Smith-Bernhard signed with Fort Lewis College
— 2024 Hobbs DL Oliver Hill Oliver Hill 6'1" | 315 lbs | LB Hobbs | 2024 State NM committed to NMMI.