Five Early Preseason Candidates for the 2021 New Mexico Mr. Football
NMPreps and Rivals is home to the New Mexico Mr. Football award. Since 2006 NMPreps has been home to the ultimate stop for New Mexico high school athletics and we continue. New Mexicans talking New Mexico sports!
Today, we look at five early candidates for the award given to the most valuable player each season.
Stratton Shufelt
2024, LB-TE, Cleveland High School
Scoop: Shufelt hit the scene during the spring and earned a quick offer from D-1 UNM. The sophomore sensation will be a big target as the revamped Cleveland Storm look to keep the title in Rio Rancho despite the graduation of a handful of next-level players, including the 2020 New Mexico Mr. Football award winner Luke Wysong (University of New Mexico). Teammate watch: Evan Wysong (ATH/2023)
Zach Vigil
2022, RB, Rio Rancho High School
Scoop: The top-ranked running back in the state as we enter the 2021 New Mexico high school football season. Vigil has been a must-watch since hitting the scene as a super quick, explosive sophomore running back now turns into the senior with all eyes on him. That includes defenses and what should be next-level schools. Expect him to return to 2019 form when he rushed for 1,253-yards and 18-touchdowns for an 8-win Rams team. Teammate Watch: Deven Dyer (LB/2022) *transferred to La Cueva HS
Javyn Morales
2023, RB, Goddard High School
Scoop: Morales is one that we really liked when we had a glimpse of the 2023 prospect. The top-ranked RB in 5A football could have plenty more eyes on the prospect and we hope the justice of getting more highlights on him is done. Morales hits holes quickly and has great cutting and change of direction. Teammate watch: Adrian Vega (QB/2022).
Aden Chavez
2023, QB, Cibola High School
Scoop: We couldn't start the conversation for 2021 New Mexico Mr. Football without adding the top-ranked quarterback in the state. Chavez returns as one of the most talked-about prospects in the state and for good reason. Remember he threw for over 500-yards and 5 touchdowns in just a pair of games this Spring. Hasn't been this much talk of a QB in some time and the last big-time QBs really showed out. Love the young man's character, demeanor, and obviously his arm and decision-making. Teammate Watch: Brayden Mummert (TE/2023)
Colton Gililland
2022, ATH, Tularosa High School
Scoop: Not many prospects from the small school division but Gililland looks to put his name among the rest. Also, the Wildcats have a chance to be a player in 2A football this season and his status could only grow. The 6-foot-3 prospect rushed for 382-yards, passed for another 227, and totaled for 5 touchdowns during a four-game Spring schedule. Teammate watch: Ricky Bryant (ATH/2024)
Note: We will release more names throughout the week. Join the conversation though and give your candidates.
NMPreps and Rivals is home to the New Mexico Mr. Football award. Since 2006 NMPreps has been home to the ultimate stop for New Mexico high school athletics and we continue. New Mexicans talking New Mexico sports!
Today, we look at five early candidates for the award given to the most valuable player each season.
Stratton Shufelt
2024, LB-TE, Cleveland High School
Scoop: Shufelt hit the scene during the spring and earned a quick offer from D-1 UNM. The sophomore sensation will be a big target as the revamped Cleveland Storm look to keep the title in Rio Rancho despite the graduation of a handful of next-level players, including the 2020 New Mexico Mr. Football award winner Luke Wysong (University of New Mexico). Teammate watch: Evan Wysong (ATH/2023)
Zach Vigil
2022, RB, Rio Rancho High School
Scoop: The top-ranked running back in the state as we enter the 2021 New Mexico high school football season. Vigil has been a must-watch since hitting the scene as a super quick, explosive sophomore running back now turns into the senior with all eyes on him. That includes defenses and what should be next-level schools. Expect him to return to 2019 form when he rushed for 1,253-yards and 18-touchdowns for an 8-win Rams team. Teammate Watch: Deven Dyer (LB/2022) *transferred to La Cueva HS
Javyn Morales
2023, RB, Goddard High School
Scoop: Morales is one that we really liked when we had a glimpse of the 2023 prospect. The top-ranked RB in 5A football could have plenty more eyes on the prospect and we hope the justice of getting more highlights on him is done. Morales hits holes quickly and has great cutting and change of direction. Teammate watch: Adrian Vega (QB/2022).
Aden Chavez
2023, QB, Cibola High School
Scoop: We couldn't start the conversation for 2021 New Mexico Mr. Football without adding the top-ranked quarterback in the state. Chavez returns as one of the most talked-about prospects in the state and for good reason. Remember he threw for over 500-yards and 5 touchdowns in just a pair of games this Spring. Hasn't been this much talk of a QB in some time and the last big-time QBs really showed out. Love the young man's character, demeanor, and obviously his arm and decision-making. Teammate Watch: Brayden Mummert (TE/2023)
Colton Gililland
2022, ATH, Tularosa High School
Scoop: Not many prospects from the small school division but Gililland looks to put his name among the rest. Also, the Wildcats have a chance to be a player in 2A football this season and his status could only grow. The 6-foot-3 prospect rushed for 382-yards, passed for another 227, and totaled for 5 touchdowns during a four-game Spring schedule. Teammate watch: Ricky Bryant (ATH/2024)
Note: We will release more names throughout the week. Join the conversation though and give your candidates.
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