City Series: Top Wide Receivers in Southern NM for 20024
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The calendar has turned to April and we’re about 4-1/2 months from kickoff of the 2024 season. We continue our ‘City Series’ by taking a look at the top wide receivers in southern New Mexico, including those on the rise:…
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Continue ReadingThe calendar has turned to April and we’re about 4-1/2 months from kickoff of the 2024 season. We continue our ‘City Series’ by taking a look at the top wide receivers in southern New Mexico, including those on the rise:
TOP SIX:
Ethan Conn Ethan Conn 5'11" | 165 lbs | WR Artesia | 2025 State NM , Artesia: Conn emerged as one of the top wide receivers in the state last season as he helped the Bulldogs capture another Class 5A championship. He had close to 60 receptions for nearly 900 yards. Even with a new quarterback in 2024, Conn likely won’t miss a beat.
Jay Lee Jay Lee 5'11" | 155 lbs | WR Socorro | 2026 State NM , Socorro: In terms of number of receptions and total yardage, Lee was the No. 1 sophomore receiver in the state in 2023, finishing with 60 receptions for 944 yards and 13 TD. He’ll be a key part of what should be a prolific Socorro offense in 2024. Also an outstanding pole vaulter.
Nate Libby Nate Libby 6'3" | 175 lbs | WR Las Cruces | 2025 State NM , Las Cruces: The duo of Libby and Francisco Winnikoff Francisco Winnikoff 6'1" | 185 lbs | WR Las Cruces | 2026 State NM (see below) was one of the state’s best in 2023. Both receivers along with starting QB Gunnar Guardiola Gunnar Guardiola 6'2" | 185 lbs | QB Las Cruces | 2026 State NM are back in 2024. Libby had 63 receptions for 1,089 yards last season, including 10 receptions for 150+ yards and 2 TD in the quarterfinal playoff win over rival Centennial. Offered last June by New Mexico Highlands.
Jordan Lucas Jordan Lucas 5'10" | 170 lbs | WR Centennial | 2025 State NM , Centennial: AS we’ve said in the past, Lucas is a camp warrior who is constantly looking to perfect his craft. Those efforts are paying off as he had over 40 receptions in 2023 and college coaches are showing keen interest. He recently visited Davidson College in Charlotte, NC for Junior Day.
Elijah Rivero Elijah Rivero 5'9" | 150 lbs | WR Lovington | 2026 State NM , Lovington: Rivero will have a new quarterback throwing him the ball in 2024, but he should build on an outstanding sophomore season in which he caught 54 passes for 823 yards and 8 TD. He earned First-Team All-District honors as a slot receiver and kick returner.
Francis Winnikoff, Las Cruces: A rising junior, Winnikoff has excellent size (6-1) and speed (4.6 in the 40). He used those attributes to catch 55 passes for 983 yards and 9 TD in 2023. Together, Winnikoff and Nate Libby Nate Libby 6'3" | 175 lbs | WR Las Cruces | 2025 State NM will be dynamic.
ON THE RISE:
Demarcus Alaniz Demarcus Alaniz 5'8" | WR Hatch Valley | 2026 State NM , Hatch Valley: He was the Bears’ leading receiver as a sophomore in 2023.
Alex Amaro Alex Amaro 5'9" | 150 lbs | WR Socorro | 2025 State NM , Socorro: Between Amaro, Jay Lee Jay Lee 5'11" | 155 lbs | WR Socorro | 2026 State NM (see above) and QB Isaiah Ocampo Isaiah Ocampo 5'10" | 150 lbs | QB Socorro | 2025 State NM , the Warriors will have one of the most dangerous passing attacks in Class 3A.
Robert Castaneda Robert Castaneda 5'10" | 165 lbs | WR Carlsbad | 2026 State NM , Carlsbad: Led the Cavemen with 39 receptions for 622 yards and 8 TD as a sophomore in 2023.
D’Shawn Franklin, Hobbs: 24 receptions for 394 yards and 5 TD in 2023. He could be Hobbs’ No. 1 WR in 2024.
Ashton Garcia Ashton Garcia WR Hot Springs | 2025 State NM , Hot Springs: Garcia led the Tigers in receiving in every major category in 2023.
Kaesn George Kaesn George 5'10" | 170 lbs | WR Dexter | 2025 State NM , Dexter: The Demons’ leading receiver in 2023 is back.
Luis Gomez Luis Gomez 6'2" | 160 lbs | DB Eunice | 2025 State NM , Eunice: Gomez (39 receptions in 2023) and Maddox Mata Maddox Mata 5'10" | 155 lbs | WR Eunice | 2025 State NM (42 receptions) will form a nice WR duo for prolific QB Elijah Melancon Elijah Melancon 5'11" | 170 lbs | QB Eunice | 2026 State NM .
Michael Gonzales, Alamogordo: Alamogordo’s top returning WR with 26 receptions in 2023.
Tyvin Howard Tyvin Howard 6'2" | 180 lbs | WR Chaparral | 2027 State NM , Chaparral: A 6-foot-2, 180-pound rising sophomore, Howard showed last season he has a bright future.
Tommy Lopez, Portales: The Rams’ top 3 receivers graduate, so Lopez ascends to the No. 1 role for 2024.
Maddox Mata Maddox Mata 5'10" | 155 lbs | WR Eunice | 2025 State NM , Eunice: See Luis Gomez Luis Gomez 6'2" | 160 lbs | DB Eunice | 2025 State NM above.
Zakk Minjarez Zakk Minjarez 5'9" | 170 lbs | WR Gadsden | 2025 State NM , Gadsden: After leading the Panthers in receptions a season ago, Minjarez is primed for another big year.
Ulysses Montes Ulysses Montes 5'7" | 160 lbs | WR Santa Teresa | 2025 State NM , Santa Teresa: 38 receptions in 2023.
Tristen Onsurez Tristen Onsurez 5'8" | 115 lbs | WR Loving | 2026 State NM , Loving: Nearly 40 receptions as a sophomore in 2023.
Christopher Orozco, Gadsden: Averaged almost 18 yards per reception in 2023.
Xavier Perez, Organ Mountain: He’ll help spark the Organ Mountain passing game in 2024.
Kolby Sanchez, Roswell: An intriguing newcomer to the WR position for the Coyotes. Expectations are high.
Ian Sandoval Ian Sandoval 5'10" | 175 lbs | WR Carlsbad | 2025 State NM , Carlsbad: Excellent intermedia range WR for the Cavemen in 2023.
Ralph Silva Ralph Silva 5'11" | 150 lbs | WR Centennial | 2026 State NM , Centennial: A rising junior, Silva emerged last season as an outstanding receiver for the Hawks.
Luke Thompson Luke Thompson 6'2" | 160 lbs | WR Texico | 2026 State NM , Texico: One of the top young receivers in Eastern New Mexico.