NM talent scooped up by NM schools as signing period begins

The state’s Division II football programs officially scooped up plenty of New Mexico talent as Wednesday marked the start of the latest signing period, which is primarily for non-Division I signees.

New Mexico Highlands attracted the top running back from the 2025 season, Las Cruces High’s Danny Amaro. He signed on Wednesday, as did his Bulldawgs teammate, wide receiver Francisco Winnikoff. The Cowboys also signed La Cueva lineman Skyler Sargent, Artesia defensive back Edel Villa, Cleveland tight end Nathaniel Gutierrez and Grants tight end Gary Chavez. Three Volcano Vista Hawks – offensive lineman Gabe Koeppe, along with defensive linemen Kaleb Vander Wilt and Alvin Gomez, also are headed to Las Vegas.

Western New Mexico announced a large batch of signees Wednesday. That list included Volcano Vista’s Samuel Chavez (OL) and Ismael Mendez (WR), Cibola defensive back Jalil Dixon, Cleveland’s Connor Steele (S) and Noah Escudero (TE), Albuquerque High defensive end Sergio Cisneros, Valencia interior offensive lineman Diego Baeza and Goddard’s Desmond Sicre, making this an unusually large haul of New Mexico signees for the Mustangs.

As of 6 p.m. Wednesday, Eastern New Mexico, which has recently undergone a coaching change, had not on its social media account or website formally announced any local signees.

Previously reported commits, wide receiver Jacob Maldonado of Cleveland (UNM) and Storm quarterback Jordan Hatch (New Mexico State), are now officially signed as well. Former UNM commit Elijah Richards of Cleveland this week announced that he was going to play for North Alabama football instead.

Other signings of note:

Prominent La Cueva runner Nikko Mihan (cross country/track) at Adams State (Colorado) University;

Cleveland runner Lucas Espinoza will do both sports at Oral Roberts University in Oklahoma;

Cibola wide receiver Danny Triplett with Sterling (Kansas) College;

La Cueva receiver Isaiah Goree with Mesa Community College in Arizona.