Updated 2026 Rankings: Fastest Stock Risers (Part 1)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We revealed earlier today the updated Class of 2026 prospect rankings. Here are 10 of the Fastest Stock Risers:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='851894' first='Gary' last='Chavez'], Grants</strong>: Chavez has rocketed up the rankings on the strength of, well, his strength. Chavez won the Class 4A individual title at last month's state powerlifting championships. Pound for pound, he's one of the strongest players in the state. But Chavez is a very good football player, too. He had 87 tackles, a staggering 27.0 TFL, 6.0 sacks and 13 QB hurries as a junior in 2024. He overpowers opponents and makes plays.     </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1266545' first='Amin' last='Cooper'], Albuquerque High</strong>: Cooper is one of the fastest players in the state. At a recent track meet in preparation for this weekend's big school meet at UNM, he finished second in the 200 and third in the 100 behind La Cueva's [player_tooltip player_id='853013' first='Tanner' last='Montano']. He's also developing into a solid football player. Last season he made 36 tackles in 8 games &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1600122' first='David' last='Gaytan'], Jal</strong>: Gaytan probably doesn't get the attention he deserves because he plays for a Class 2A program located in the far southeastern corner of the state. He finished third in the state in tackles last season with 153, an incredible number for a defensive linemen. He added 9.0 QB hurries and 3 forced fumbles. Clearly, he's a playmaker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1429624' first='Alvin' last='Gomez'], Volcano Vista</strong>: The 6-foot-1, 245-pound Gomez earned First-Team All-State and First-Team All-District honors following a superb 2024 season for the Hawks. This fall, he'll combine with DE [player_tooltip player_id='1224569' first='Kaleb' last='Vander Wilt'] to form one of the top DL duos in the state. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1594128' first='Isaac' last='Gomez'], Las Cruces</strong>: Gomez was recently offered by New Mexico Highlands. He had 46 tackles, 6 INT and an impressive 29 passes defended last season, including multiple Pick-6s. He's also a standout on special teams. He'll be a the leader of what should be a talented and senior-dominated secondary for the Bulldawgs in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137877' first='Kaleb' last='Hutchens'], Bloomfield</strong>: The Bobcats lose a lot of talent off last season's undefeated Class 4A state championship team, but Hutchens is back after leading Bloomfield in receptions (31) and TD catches (12). He earned Second-Team All-State honors in 4A. Hutchens and [player_tooltip player_id='853022' first='Peyton' last='Duncan'] will form a strong WR-RB duo for the Bobcats. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1594142' first='Jhett' last='Kinghorn'], La Cueva</strong>: Kinghorn has excellent speed, routinely blazing the 100 in under 11 seconds and the 200 in just over 22 seconds. He'll show off his speed at this weekend's big school state track and field meet. He's also an outstanding DB for the Bears and he'll be the leader of the secondary as La Cueva seeks a fourth straight appearance in the Class 6A state championship game. Honorable Mention All-State selection in 2024. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1599859' first='Troy' last='Logan'], Cleveland</strong>: The Storm's top returning tackler. Opened eyes with his impressive performance in Last November's Class 6A state championship game. Finished his junior season with 53 tackles, 8.0 TFL, 5.0 sacks and 2 forced fumbles. Second-Team All-State selection at inside LB. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Marcos Ochoa, West Mesa</strong>: Ochoa might be one of the most underrated prospects in Albuquerque. Averaged over 6 yards per carry and 18 yards per reception in 2024. Great speed. Qualified for the 100 meters at this weekend's state track and field meet. His coach describes Ochoa as a Division I talent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1268759' first='Diego' last='Ortega'], Alamogordo</strong>: Ortega has developed into one of the top O-Line prospects in the state. Massive size at 6-foot-4, 305 pounds. Offered by New Mexico Highlands late last month. Didn't get a lot of attention last season because the Tigers struggled from a win-loss perspective and didn't make the playoffs. But Alamogordo should be much improved in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🔥 Huge shoutout to [player_tooltip player_id='1429624' first='Alvin' last='Gomez'] for earning a spot on the 2024 All-State 1st Team as a defensive lineman! Your hard work and dedication paid off, and we couldn't be prouder. Keep shining, Alvin! 🏆💪 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GATA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GATA</a> <a href="https://t.co/wC2zdTKV5J">pic.twitter.com/wC2zdTKV5J</a></p>&mdash; Volcano Vista HS Football (@vvhsfootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/vvhsfootball/status/1867617028502090170?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 13, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Shoutouts <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneNM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneNM</a> for the write up and opportunity to compete!! Looking forward to this next season!! <a href="https://t.co/8bcWzCaYbg">pic.twitter.com/8bcWzCaYbg</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='851894' first='Gary' last='Chavez'] (@Gary_Chavezz) <a href="https://twitter.com/Gary_Chavezz/status/1886160604605608084?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 2, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">[player_tooltip player_id='1137877' first='Kaleb' last='Hutchens'] <br>Jr year<br>9 games <br>12 TD <br>31 Rec <br>653 Yds <a href="https://t.co/pFzpwK2zbI">pic.twitter.com/pFzpwK2zbI</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1137877' first='Kaleb' last='Hutchens'] (@KalebHutchens2) <a href="https://twitter.com/KalebHutchens2/status/1863688717917098227?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 2, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Check out my Junior year highlights <br>Alamogordo high school<br>Offensive tackle <br>HT:6'4 <br>WT:300 <br>2nd team all district <br>2nd team all state<a href="https://t.co/pBpFpp9Ez3">https://t.co/pBpFpp9Ez3</a><a href="https://twitter.com/AlamoFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AlamoFootball</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachCiscoAHS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachCiscoAHS</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachDrefs?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachDrefs</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneNM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneNM</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1268759' first='Diego' last='Ortega'] (@DiegoOrtega7726) <a href="https://twitter.com/DiegoOrtega7726/status/1877044850274566427?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 8, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Junior Year Reg. Season Highlights<a href="https://twitter.com/jernarogilford?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@jernarogilford</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_Kwam?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_Kwam</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CharlesMack19?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CharlesMack19</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/_maximus347?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@_maximus347</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/mjgaynor?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@mjgaynor</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_BPerkins?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_BPerkins</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachJ_Ortiz?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachJ_Ortiz</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/goodwin_kevin14?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@goodwin_kevin14</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_KJackson?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_KJackson</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/DjTialavea_86?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DjTialavea_86</a> <a href="https://t.co/ecSWyeGNtU">https://t.co/ecSWyeGNtU</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1594142' first='Jhett' last='Kinghorn'] (@JhettKinghorn) <a href="https://twitter.com/JhettKinghorn/status/1856372250645279108?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 12, 2024</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Junior year highlights 2nd team all state 1st team all district<br>5 total touchdowns 7 interceptions, 3 pick sixes, 2TFLs, 35 total tackles, 4 pass deflections <br> <a href="https://twitter.com/LCHSFOOTBALL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LCHSFOOTBALL</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/mjlopezdawgs?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@mjlopezdawgs</a><a href="https://t.co/IQDFuNAtH3">https://t.co/IQDFuNAtH3</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1594128' first='Isaac' last='Gomez'] (@IsaacGom_32) <a href="https://twitter.com/IsaacGom_32/status/1915476104112201762?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 24, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html -->