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NMPreps100: New Mexico HS Football Top 100 Player Rankings

For 20 years, NMPreps.com has been the trusted source for New Mexico high school football. As part of the Rivals brand, NMPreps delivers the best coverage and content for high school sports across the state. Today, we begin releasing our summer edition of the NMPreps Top 100, spotlighting the top players in New Mexico high school football.

Top 25
Link: #1
Link: #2-#5
Link: #6-#10
Link: #11-#15
Link: #16-#20
Link: #21-#25

Top 50
Top 100

NMPreps100: No. 1 to No. 100

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2025 PRESEASON (SUMMER) RANKINGS

No. 78 Laguna-Acoma Hawks - Preview
No. 79 Hozho Academy Wolves - Preview
No. 80 Cuba Rams - Preview
No. 81 Tohatchi Cougars - Preview
No. 82 Crownpoint Eagles - Preview
No. 83 Shiprock Chieftains - Preview
No. 84 Santa Fe Indian Braves - Preview
No. 85 Newcomb Skyhawks - Preview
No. 86 Gallup Bengals - Preview
No. 87 Zuni Thunderbirds - Preview
No. 88 Wingate Bears - Preview
No. 89 Capitan Tigers - Preview

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Working on releasing our 89 to 1. Hitting June hard with content. Any thoughts on who should be ranked in the top 10? What about No. 1 in each class?

2025 COACH TRACKER

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Levi Brooks (Sandia) — Western Oklahoma
Adan Bustos (Rio Rancho) — ENMU
Matthew Castillo (Los Lunas) — NMJC
Uriel Castro (Bernalillo) — ENMU
Sebastian Chavez (Rio Grande) — Lamar CC
Derrick Chee (Cibola) — Arizona Christian
Jayden Conlan (Cibola) — NMHU
Anthony Condon (Sandia) -— Cuesta College CC
Matthew Delaney (Albuq. Academy) — Pima CC
Kyle Evenhus (Los Alamos) — Charleston (W.V.)
Adriel Figueroa-Brito (Sandia) — Pima CC
Jacob Gergen (Hope Christian) — UNM
Luis Gomez (Valley) — Antelope Valley CC
Dominick Gonzales (Grants) — NMHU
Joel Gurule (La Cueva) — NMHU
Isaac Harvey (Cibola) — Luna CC
Reid Jacobson (La Cueva) — UNM
Brayden Likar (La Cueva) — Paradise Valley CC
Tegin Maloney (NMMI) — Claremont McKenna
Ethan Marquez (Eldorado) — Lamar CC
Brady McGahie (Hope Christian) — Central Baptist (Ark.)
Damon McRee (Sandia) — NMHU
Braiden Reynolds (La Cueva) — Grand Canyon
Jackson Roybal (Rio Rancho) — Scottsdale CC
Jacob Segotta (Cibola) — Howard JC
Noah Serna (Rio Rancho) — NMMI
Jarren Villa (Cleveland) — Pima CC

Drew has heard from Sacramento State, Wisconsin Green Bay, Boise State, and UNLV. Recruiting is starting to pick up for the 2027 guard

Maybe it's just my experience but there seems to be a ton of NM high school coaches who love one of these 2 defenses.

3 of the 4 high schools in Santa Fe used one of the two defenses last season. While there seems to be a ton of abq schools who ran the other.

Do you prefer Longs 33 stack or Pattersons 425?

Also weren't both defenses basically born in the state of NM?

Iconic 90s Movies. What movie are you taking?

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No. 78 Laguna-Acoma Hawks

Head Coach: Alfred Herrera
2024 Record: 4-6 overall, 2-3 District 1-2A
Classification: 2A (District 1-2A)
Points For: 269
Points Against: 283
2024 Final Ranking: No. 79 overall (6A–2A), No. 12 in 2A
2025 Preseason Ranking: No. 78 overall, No. 13 in 2A
Playoff Result: 2A First Round – Lost to No. 5 seed Eunice 56-6

Review​

The Laguna-Acoma Hawks took another step forward in 2024, snapping a run of back-to-back 3-7 seasons and reaching the playoffs for the first time since 2016. After finishing 4-6 overall and 2-3 in District 1-2A, the Hawks earned the No. 12 seed in the Class 2A playoffs but were eliminated in the first round by a dominant Eunice squad. Still, the season marked progress for a program that had not finished at or above .500 since its 6-5 campaign in 2016. The 2024 wins came against Zuni (48-18), Santa Fe Indian (52-0), Newcomb (30-14), and Hozho Academy (53-13). The losses were more competitive than in past years, though they included lopsided setbacks to Legacy Academy, Bayfield (CO), and Eunice. District losses to Navajo Prep, McCurdy, and Cuba revealed that the Hawks are still chasing the elite tier in 2A, but they remain in the mix.

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Are you watching? Who is your team?

I've been rooting for Coastal Carolina for a few years now very cool to see them win the Super Regional.

Best concert you’ve ever been too?

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Diego Ortega - 2026 - OL - Alamogordo High School

The 6-foot-5 offensive lineman for the Alamogordo Tigers was immediately impressive during drills and is quickly climbing the charts as a NMPreps Top 100 prospect heading into the season. Ortega made a strong impression on the staff and earned an offer from Eastern New Mexico University.




Vincent Varela Jr. - 2027 - WR/DE - Manzano High School

The 6-foot-2 WR/DE for the Monarchs stood out early in drills with his size, speed, and athleticism. He quickly climbed our radar and could break into the top 50 of the NMPreps Top 100 Player Rankings. As a sophomore, he recorded 18 receptions for 135 yards—numbers that are sure to rise this season. On defense, he added 32 total tackles and 5 sacks.



Nathaniel Best - 2026 - QB - Alamogordo High School

The 5-foot-11 quarterback has solid size, a strong arm, and was clearly one of the top performers among the six quarterbacks at the camp. With Best under center, the Tigers could emerge as a sleeper team this season. He’s a summer riser who will likely earn a spot in the NMPreps Top 100 Player Rankings.



Manny Ortega - 2026 - C/DT - Los Alamos High School

The size may not jump off the screen at 5-foot-8, 220 pounds, but Manny Ortega brings grit, effort, and a “yes sir” attitude that shows in every drill. He lines up at center and defensive tackle for the Hilltoppers and is a name to watch in the trenches for Los Alamos this season. Ortega is firmly on our radar and has the potential to earn All-New Mexico Team honors.




Collin Joyner - 2026 - CB/SS - Cleveland High School

Joyner was the top athlete at the camp and has skyrocketed up our player rankings—potentially breaking into the top 15, if not the top 10, in New Mexico. He picked up an offer yesterday, and it feels like plenty more are on the way before the season kicks off. At 6-foot, 160 pounds, Joyner is also a standout hurdler on the track. He finished last season with 43 total tackles and an interception.



Jahari Morehead - 2027 - WR - Eldorado High School

Morehead made a strong case as a breakout player to watch this season. With lightning-fast speed, he made returning kicks look effortless last year—like he was back in YAFL. The 5-foot-7 wide receiver is a dynamic playmaker and firmly ranks as a top-20 player to watch in New Mexico high school football this season.




Curtis Flakes III - 2027 - WR/DB - St. Pius X School

Flakes III, another standout and SPX Sartan, earned an offer yesterday after proving to be one of the top athletes at the camp. Likely projected as a defensive player at the next level, he’s a top-25 talent on both sides of the ball in New Mexico high school football. It’s wild to think he still has two seasons remaining, and he’s certainly a candidate for a Division I-caliber offer. Last season, he totaled 520 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns, along with 31 total tackles and 3 interceptions.



Cayl Cox-Liggins - 2027 - WR - St. Pius X School

Another player who earned an offer yesterday from Eastern New Mexico University following the camp, Cox-Liggins has firmly been on our radar. The 6-foot-3 wide receiver has the athleticism, reliable hands, and developing speed that could make him a Division I-caliber prospect by his senior season. He finished with 1112 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns as a sophomore.



Deon Session - 2027 - WR - Atrisco Heritage Academy

Somewhat of a newcomer on our radar, Sessions is poised to become a household name for the Jaguars this season. He has the size, quickness, and dependable hands to make an impact. Whether he lines up at tight end or wide receiver, he's a player to keep an eye on. New to the spotlight, but already climbing our rankings fast.

Expect our rankings out later this month for our summer version of the NMPreps Top 100.

No. 79 Hozho Academy Wolves

Head Coach: Cyle Balok
2024 Record: 4-6 overall, 1-4 District 1-2A
Classification: 2A (District 1-2A)
Points For: 250
Points Against: 315
2024 Final Ranking: No. 80 overall (6A–2A), No. 13 in 2A
2025 Preseason Ranking: No. 79 overall, No. 14 in 2A
Playoff Result: Missed Playoffs

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The Storm took the ship at the highest division of the Oklahoma State University Team Camp this past weekend in Stillwater, going 9-0!

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Who are the top five in New Mexico high school basketball coaches today?

Is a traditional run-heavy offense (like Wing-T or Flexbone) still viable for long-term success, or does a spread-style passing attack offer a clearer path to sustained dominance? Does classification matter?

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[1:40 - Spring Game][6:28 - Interview with Head Coach Jeff Lynn]

I'm really looking forward to the Pacers vs. Thunder championship — two young, exciting teams, SGA vs Haliburton! They claim it will be low ratings but I think this is going to be a great matchup.

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We’ve officially kicked off our preseason previews, releasing teams ranked No. 89 through No. 80! Which teams do you feel are ranked too high or too low? Any surprises stand out already? Share your early thoughts on these first previews!

No. 80 Cuba Rams - Preview
No. 81 Tohatchi Cougars - Preview
No. 82 Crownpoint Eagles - Preview
No. 83 Shiprock Chieftains - Preview
No. 84 Santa Fe Indian Braves - Preview
No. 85 Newcomb Skyhawks - Preview
No. 86 Gallup Bengals - Preview
No. 87 Zuni Thunderbirds - Preview
No. 88 Wingate Bears - Preview
No. 89 Capitan Tigers - Preview

No. 80 Cuba Rams

Head Coach: Isaac Montoya
2024 Record: 4-7 overall, 4-1 District 1-2A
Classification: 2A (District 1-2A)
Points For: 163
Points Against: 292
2024 Final Ranking: No. 78 overall (6A–2A), No. 11 in 2A
2025 Preseason Ranking: No. 80 overall, No. 15 in 2A
Playoff Result: 2A First Round – Lost to No. 6 seed Loving

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