Signing day sneak peek: State schools loading up on New Mexico prep football talent

A handful of the state’s prep football heavyweights had their Division I signing moment in the sun two months ago.

Wednesday begins the signing period for other football players, a great number of whom are destined to play for one of New Mexico’s state schools.

Consider Class 4A’s 2,000-yard man, Highland High running back Amiri Mumba. The 5-foot-10, 200-pound Mumba, one of the state’s most high impactful skill-position athletes who led the Hornets to the Class 4A state playoffs in November, is signing with Eastern New Mexico.

“They just run the ball a lot,” Mumba said. “I want the ball.”

Mumba said discussions with Greyhounds coach Kelley Lee helped tilt the favor in ENMU’s direction.

“He’s a cool guy, and he keeps it very real and down to earth,” Mumba said. “He wasn’t just trying to tell it to me.”

Mumba reached 2,003 yards in 11 games last season for Highland. Opposing 4A defenses had a difficult time getting him to the turf throughout his career.

How quickly he’ll be able to get into Eastern gear is not certain, but Mumba, 17, sounded optimistic it would be sooner rather than later.

“I think going in, I should be getting some playing time,” he said. He added, “Playing football in high school, I never expected the opportunity to play in college. I want to do everything I can to succeed at the next level.”

Valley’s big defensive lineman, Juan Vigil, also is expected to sign with the Greyhounds, Vikings coach Billy Cobos said. The Greyhounds also are expected to sign Lovington guard Damien Muñoz, Artesia defensive lineman Kaden Grantham and Roswell High running back/wide receiver Jaylon Cloud.

New Mexico Highlands is looking at a huge haul of New Mexicans starting Wednesday, the list being topped by Cleveland High running back Juan Muñoz from the Class 6A state champion Storm.

Rio Rancho High quarterback JJ Arellano is among the players who are also going to sign with Highlands. Another of the metro’s top skill athletes, Isaac Houlihan of Albuquerque High, is committed to the Cowboys.

His AHS Bulldog teammate, two-way lineman Estevan Baca, is joining Houlihan in Las Vegas.

Centennial offensive athlete Jordan Lucas is signing with New Mexico Highlands. So are Artesia linebacker Grant Johnson, Pojoaque Valley lineman Ethyn Boyd, Mayfield’s Luke Linnan, Las Cruces offensive lineman Brenden Franco, Gadsden running back Alfredo Andrade, Alamogordo lineman Ke’Maurion Morrall and Hatch Valley’s Orrin Russell.

Western New Mexico’s recruiting trail led them to raiding Cleveland and Rio Rancho. The Mustangs’ signing haul will include tight end Jon Baca and OLB/DB Micah Hoffman from Cleveland, and receiver Jace Pitt and offensive tackle Jack Warble from Rio Rancho.

New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell is in line to sign a handful of top athletes, including three locals in linebacker Michael Lucero, quarterback Jacob Palomino and LB/safety Keegan Nichols, who all played for Class 5A state champion Roswell High.

Three players from Lovington — offensive tackle Valente Herrera, running back Ondalis Cardenas and slot receiver Alec Holguin — also are headed to NMMI, as are two defensive backs from Centennial, safety Omar Terrones and cornerback Omar Sanchez, and Rio Rancho High linebacker Kai Bradford.

Other signings of note:

• Three other prominent Roswell High football players are signing with West Texas A&M: Noah Lynn, Xai Carrasco and Mason Greathouse.
• Two players from La Cueva’s girls state soccer championship team are signing: Sasha Lucero (UTEP) and Leah Barone (Emery Riddle).
• Camila Chavez from Sandia Prep’s track and field team is set to sign with Portland State.