Class 4A: The One Player On Every Team You Need To Know (Part 1)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The start of the 2026 New Mexico high school football season is just over two weeks away. Here is the one key player to know for all 16 Class 4A teams:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Albuquerque Academy</strong>: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1369761' first='William' last='Braun']</strong>. If the Chargers want to make a deep run in the Class 4A playoffs, they need Braun to live up to his status as one of the top quarterbacks in 4A. Fantastic size. His 6-foot-4 frame makes him a next level talent. Going into his senior season, Braun has already thrown for nearly 5,000 yards and 49 TD in his career.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">End Of Junior Season Highlights❗️❗️<br>30 Passing TD&#039;s<br>2410 Yards Passing<br>1st Team All District<br>1st Team All Metro<a href="https://t.co/oCkxUL2aun">https://t.co/oCkxUL2aun</a><a href="https://x.com/mjgaynor?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@mjgaynor</a> <a href="https://x.com/mikeymarquardt?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@mikeymarquardt</a> <a href="https://x.com/LukeSchleusner?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LukeSchleusner</a> <a href="https://x.com/Waters21John?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Waters21John</a> <a href="https://x.com/Coach_Eck?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_Eck</a> <a href="https://x.com/franks_coach?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@franks_coach</a> <a href="https://x.com/coachmcthompson?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@coachmcthompson</a> <a href="https://x.com/coachirishodea?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@coachirishodea</a> <a href="https://x.com/grayson_kline?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@grayson_kline</a> <a href="https://x.com/Coachrhud?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coachrhud</a>…</p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1369761' first='William' last='Braun'] (@WillBraun_9) <a href="https://x.com/WillBraun_9/status/1995260524263870969?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 30, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Belen: [player_tooltip player_id='1604925' first='Gonzalo' last='Cano']</strong>: Cano emerged last season as one of the most dynamic dual threat quarterbacks in the Albuquerque Metro Region as he joined the prestigious 1,000-1,000 club. Good arm and plenty of speed. The Eagles could surprise some folks if Cano has a big year. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bernalillo: [player_tooltip player_id='853757' first='Ulisses' last='Castro']</strong>: Now a senior, Castro has been on our radar since he was a freshman. Fantastic size (6-3, 240 pounds) and exemplary skill. FBS caliber talent. He should shine on both sides of the ball as a TE/WR and DE/Edge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">End of the 2025-2026 season stats<br>Offense <br>-698 passing yds<br>-528 rushing yds<br>-44 receiving yds <br>-4 Rec<br>- 572 all purpose yds<br>Defense <br>-56 total tackles<br>-9 solo<br>-9 TFL<br>-5 sacks<br>-12 qb hurs<a href="https://x.com/BernalilloF?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BernalilloF</a> <a href="https://x.com/j2cobos?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@j2cobos</a> <a href="https://x.com/jarmaine94?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@jarmaine94</a><a href="https://x.com/theblakemiller7?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@theblakemiller7</a> <a href="https://t.co/q4p5renvsn">https://t.co/q4p5renvsn</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='853757' first='Ulisses' last='Castro'] (@UlissesCas09) <a href="https://x.com/UlissesCas09/status/1999192026747908305?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bloomfield: [player_tooltip player_id='1826139' first='Cable' last='Carruth']</strong>. A two-way standout for the Bobcats. Carruth is the top returning receiver on offense and a +standout safety on defense. The Bobcats are seeking the three-peat   </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Del Norte: [player_tooltip player_id='1826084' first='Kordell' last='Erby']</strong>. Erby is one of the most underrated players in the Albuquerque Metro Region. &nbsp;He had 42 receptions for 573 yards for the Knights in 2025. Unfortunately, you don't hear much about Erby because the Knights typically struggle in football, going 1-9 for three consecutive years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">255lb squat/345lbs deadlift/165 power clean <a href="https://x.com/PrepRedzoneNM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneNM</a> there is still alottt of room to add for this upcoming season!!! <a href="https://t.co/KMVSdQECwZ">pic.twitter.com/KMVSdQECwZ</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1826084' first='Kordell' last='Erby'] (@KordellErby) <a href="https://x.com/KordellErby/status/2083347674418589723?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 1, 2026</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Espanola Valley: [player_tooltip player_id='1606533' first='Benny' last='Trujillo']</strong>. Trujillo is one of the top players in northern New Mexico, and Espanola Valley's best athlete and top players. One of the top 2028 defensive backs in the state. If Espanola Valley's new coach is going to lead the Sun Devils to a winning record in 2026, Trujillo must bring it every week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">2025-25 Defensive Highlights <a href="https://x.com/PrepRedzoneNM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneNM</a> <a href="https://x.com/Coach_Eck?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_Eck</a><a href="https://x.com/ColinLockett15?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ColinLockett15</a> <a href="https://x.com/coach_bhickman?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@coach_bhickman</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/ScottHood63?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ScottHood63</a><a href="https://x.com/ArtBrilesENMU?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ArtBrilesENMU</a> <a href="https://x.com/scout60735?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@scout60735</a><a href="https://x.com/CouchPSports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CouchPSports</a> <a href="https://x.com/CoachD_Delgado?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachD_Delgado</a> <a href="https://t.co/jMdN5YHzOv">pic.twitter.com/jMdN5YHzOv</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1606533' first='Benny' last='Trujillo'] (@benny_trujillo1) <a href="https://x.com/benny_trujillo1/status/2081581730981691658?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 27, 2026</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Grants: [player_tooltip player_id='1613727' first='Antonio' last='DeVargas']</strong>. DeVargas emerged last season as one of the top young defensive linemen in the state, amassing an impressive 77 tackles (most on the team) and 20.0 TFL and 11 QB hurries. He has a quick first step and is very strong. Grants lost nine of their top 11 tacklers from last season to graduation. DeVargas is being counted on to have a solid junior campaign.     </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lovington: [player_tooltip player_id='1606138' first='Amryn' last='Wheeler']</strong>. As soon as Wheeler enrolled for classes at Lovington, his transfer from Hobbs was finalized. By doing so, he changed the dynamic of Class 4A and boosted the Wildcats' chances of playing on Thanksgiving weekend. Wheeler is one of the top pass rushing defensive ends and edge players in the state. Lightning quick first step. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">After a lot of prayer and trusting God's plan, I've made the decision to transfer to Lovington High School and begin a new chapter in my journey.<br> thankful for every coach, teammate, and supporter who has been part of my journey.<a href="https://x.com/lvtwildcatsfb?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@lvtwildcatsfb</a> <a href="https://x.com/PrepRedzoneNM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneNM</a> <a href="https://x.com/CouchPSports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CouchPSports</a> <a href="https://t.co/gXSVhfmQEt">pic.twitter.com/gXSVhfmQEt</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1606138' first='Amryn' last='Wheeler'] (@AmrynW1532) <a href="https://x.com/AmrynW1532/status/2072060549983347127?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 30, 2026</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html -->