Photos by Daniel Zuniga

Rio Rancho, New Mexico- I have completed my list highlighting the top 25 New Mexico football recruits for the 2027 class. I will update my top 25 lists every month and half, and will release a top 25 lists for the 2028 class soon.

Reminder to all, though I believe I have a good grasp on the New Mexico sport landscape, I do not know every single player in the state. If you are a prep football player, and want to get on my radar, please, tweet me you position, year, and highlight tape or HUDL Link. X: @CouchPSports

Finally, don’t lose sleep over the opinion of a couch potato.

1. Colton McKibben: Carlsbad high school, LB (MIKE), 6’3” 215 pounds

Player comp: Ohio State LB Arvell Reese

2. Hershul Olloway Jr.: St. Pius X high school, RB, 5’7” 170 pounds 

Player comp: CU Boulder RB Phillip Lindsay 

My take: Olloway Jr. is a polished, patient, and explosive runner which is why he has received three D1 offers along with a ton of interest from Mountain West and Pac-12 teams. The cherry on top, he possesses home-run speed: clocked in the 4.4s in the 40-yard dash, and posted a 10.67 mark in the 100m dash. His best asset though, is his vision. I love the way he sees the field, and seamlessly switches gears to adjust to his blockers and defenders. He is Le’Veon Bell-esqe in some of his approaches and waiting for blocks to develop. His contact balance is akin to Lamar Jackson where he isn’t a bruiser as a runner but he still makes it extremely difficult for tacklers to get a clean lick on him. Olloway Jr. is the top RB in New Mexico, and is one of the best to come out of the state in some time. I think the receiving chops are there too, and I wonder if the departure of Cayl Cox-Liggins can get him some more work as a security blanket.

3. Isaiah Carpenter: St. Pius X high school, QB, 6’5” 205 pounds

Player comp: Oregon QB Justin Herbert 

My take: Carpenter possesses all the tools that are coveted at the D1 level. He has the best arm talent in the state, prototypical height & size, and is disciplined with his feet and eyes especially when maneuvering around the pocket. He goes through his reads, throws heaters if need be, can whip a moonball, and has thrown from multiple arm angles. Despite collapsing pockets, Carpenter will always keep his eyes down field, in search for a receiver. As a runner, he has legs and the giddy up to gain some extra yards. Important to note, Carpenter was a basketball star before switching focus to the gridiron. As a two-year starter, Carpenter has 62 passing touchdowns, and 5,500 plus passing yards. I am excited to see how grounded Carpenter is after a year in OC Damien Ocampo’s system. 

4. Dock Love: La Cueva high school, EDGE, 6’2” 210 pounds 

Player comp: Clemson EDGE T.J. Parker  

My take: Love quietly produced one of the best seasons in New Mexico (seven sacks & eight TFLs), and set a hard edge for one of the best defenses in the state. The first-year starter grew each week, and showcased a ton of different arrows in his quiver. Love has a patient style while playing as a run defender that consists of diagnosing then attacking. As a pass rusher, he has shown twitchness, is the best edge rusher in New Mexico when it comes to generating speed-to-power, and has shown a deep bag of ways to get to the quarterback. Something else that sticks out about Love is his strength, and his ability to press-and-stack lineman. I think he can play DE in an odd front but as a standing DE as well. Look, this is the most talented EDGE class that I’ve seen in New Mexico in some time. When deciding the top guy, we’re splitting hairs. Love is the top guy in my opinion, and has the highest floor of any player in New Mexico regardless of position.

5. Wyatt Lohr: V.Sue Cleveland high school, OG, 6’1” 275 pounds 

Player comp: Nebraska IOL Cam Jurgens 

My take: In his first-year starting, Lohr quickly established himself as one of the best interior linemen in the state, forming quite the tandem with 2026 number-one recruit, Moses Sparks Jr. Lohr has strength, quick feet, and brings a ton of nasty to the trenches. In fact, Lohr’s motor never stops, even if Evan Nanez already caught the Jordan Hatch moon ball. Simply put, until that whistle is blown, Lohr will be looking to knock your head off. Lohr is textbook on pullers, and I am genuinely curious to know his 10-yard split because on tape, he looks like a freight train. Some important context for the strength profile, Lohr has set numerous lifting records at Cleveland, and currently holds the school squat record. Think about the guys who have played at Cleveland: Desmond Branch, Henry Hattis, etc. Out of all the guys, Wyatt Lohr is the strongest. I envision Lohr as a center at the next level, and I am excited to see how his game develops in the Michael Denison era. 

6. Isaic Alderman: Eldorado high school, OT, 6’4” 288 pounds 

Player comp: Washington OT Troy Fautanu 

My take: Alderman has been a starter since his sophomore year serving as the blindside protector for the Eagles while his brother, Matheu, played right tackle. For years, the Alderman brothers formed the best tackle tandem, and wreaked havoc in the trenches. I love his anchor, raw strength, and how he wins the hand battle. At a 7-on-7 event this past year- that included schools like Cleveland, La Cueva, Eldorado, and Rio Rancho- Alderman was the second strongest guy there –in terms of raw power– only behind Cleveland’s Moses Sparks Jr. who committed to the Utah Utes. I think that says something. Something to note as well is his ability to adjust to different rushers, he can speedy rushers, bendy guys, bull rushers, you name it. Alderman should have plenty of suitors, and I am hoping he gets a shot to play tackle at the next level. 

7. Ulisses Castro: Bernalillo high school, TE/EDGE, 6’3” 215 pounds

Player comp: Wisconsin TE Jake Ferguson/ Boise State DE DeMarcus Lawrence 

My take: In the last few years, I’ve covered the Bernalillo Spartans a ton, and Castro has always been a player that has stood out. From catching touchdown passes from his brother, to ripping the ball out against opposing quarterbacks, this guy understands the game of football. Now, I like his athleticism but I wouldn’t say he has game-changing athleticism. What makes him special is his finesse game, and how he sharpens the small details: clever releases, catch focus in traffic, adjustments to catching the football, and his DAWG as a blocker. Defensively, he’s explosive, loose, and has great balance/body control. Personally, I love Castro as a tight end in college but plenty of coaches see him as an end. This past season, he was asked to play quarterback and did an admirable job. I’ve heard that he might go back to playing tight end/defensive end for his senior year but can’t confirm anything just yet. Whoever lands Castro gets a high floor player, and a high character dude off the field. For the 2027 class, he’s tight end one, and a top-3 EDGE talent.

8. Curtis Flakes III: St. Pius X high school, DB, 6’0” 150 pounds 

Player comp: Clemson DB Nate Wiggins 

My take: The best defensive back in New Mexico, regardless of class, is Curtis Flakes III. He plays receiver too but I see him more as an outside corner at the next level. This past season, he had 12 pass breakups, three interceptions, and earned All-State honors at DB & WR. What separates Flakes from the rest of the pack is his elite change-of-direction, field IQ, ball hawking ability, and his make-up speed. To be honest, Flakes is the only corner in the state that I’d leave on an island, he can mirror and match up with any wide receiver in the state. He’s also very creative after making a catch or snagging an INT. I would like to see a little bit more in run support but if you need someone to potentially eliminate one side of the field, Flakes is your guy. Flakes should have a ton of interest at the next level, and I’m curious to see how he grows as a receiver with the departure of Cayl Cox-Liggins.

9. Isaac Behrens: Cibola high school, EDGE/DT, 6’4” 225 pounds 

Player comp: Wisconsin DT Keeanu Benton

My take: Behrens is one of my favorite players in the state, and is the definition of a selfless player. This past season, Behrens racked up nine TFLs, two sacks, and 60 tackles. However, his impact goes far beyond the stat sheet. He is elite at shedding blockers, and if there was a stat that tracked that sort of thing, I’d think he’d be the state leader. He can take on double teams, hold the point of attack, and is a chess piece on the defensive line. With the departure of Cibola’s top-four sack leaders–Hayes Baum, Angelo Garcia, Jacob Newman, and Damien Suarez– I’m excited to see how Behrens handles being the GUY on Cibola’s defense, and his game develops under the tutelage of head coach David Howes. Nonetheless, Behrens has D1 written all over him, and it’s time for the state to take notice.

10. Deon Session: Atrisco Heritage Academy high school, WR, 6’3” 185 pounds 

Player comp: Washington WR Denzel Boston 

My take: Session is wide receiver one for me, and is currently the best contested catch threat in New Mexico. High point passes to Session are essentially a guarantee with his length, body control, and strong hands. He’s also very good at back-tracking underthrown passes, and arguably one of the best blocking receivers. This past season, Session had 624 receiving yards, and 8 touchdowns. Here’s the context: he played with four different starting quarterbacks, and his best games came against the best competition. He has some nice shiftiness to him, and can cut and brake pretty effortlessly. After the catch, he has long strides that could turn a simple slant into a home run score for six. Though speed isn’t his calling card,  I think his long speed is a bit underrated. Session is primed for a huge senior season with the Jaguars, and he could potentially put up his best season yet. Also, don’t sleep on his teammate, J’ven Smith who is one of the best separators in the state when healthy.

11. Amyrn Wheeler: Hobbs high school, EDGE,  6’3” 225 pounds

Player Comp: Purdue DE George Karlaftis 

My take: Last season, Wheeler had 10 TFLs, 4.5 sacks, 28 QB hurries, 57 total tackles, and four forced fumbles. Wheeler also does a great job of getting his hands up on pass plays, and bats down passes like a madman. He had 7 pass deflections, and a couple even led interceptions for his teammates. If I can give advice to any OC out there, don’t leave your OT on an island with Wheeler. His pass rush profile is awesome. He can hit the spin, cross chop, upend you on a bull rush, you name it. He looks more comfortable standing up, and is lethal from a 7 or 9 tech. I’d love to see how he does against double teams or maybe from attacking with a hand in the dirt. Nonetheless, Wheeler should be a dark horse candidate to lead the state in sacks. 

12. Shamus Wright Jr.: Hobbs high school, RB, 5’10” 194 pounds

Player comp: Ohio State RB J.K. Dobbins 

My take: Whenever Hobbs played a metro team, I’d ask some of the top players on that metro team what they saw when they watched Hobbs on film…Shamus Wright Jr.’s name came up a ton. The Hobbs running back has earned the respect of New Mexico players, and he has three-down potential at the next level. In eight games this past season, he had 624 rushing yards (82 carries), six rushing touchdowns, nine catches, 56 receiving yards, and one receiving touchdown. His build and compact frame scream future bell cow, and his traits are very apparent. He has rhyme when making cuts, and isn’t afraid to lower his shoulder to meet defenders. He’s shifty from gap-to-gap, and is a hard man to tackle in open space. Wright Jr. is also a master at shaking off angle tacklers. His build-up speed is fantastic, and he has soft hands to be a safety value for any signal caller. Finally, I like his effort as a blocker. Wright Jr. has generated some D1 buzz, and I am interested to see who ultimately offers the talented halfback. 

13. Ryan Hunt: St. Michael’s high school, EDGE/ TE, 6’3” 190 pounds

Player comp: Texas Tech EDGE Romello Height 

My take: This past season, Hunt was the state leader in sacks (22.5) and tackles for loss (35). In his career, Hunt has 39.5 sacks, and 62 tackles for loss. His numbers are unreal, and his polish is as clean as they come. He’s a speedy, long-strider with a relentless motor. He is great at hand fighting, and tackling cutback runners. He has a lean frame but has the type of wingspan that suggests he could pack some more mass. Some think he is a tight end at the next level, and I think the three-sport athlete is more than capable of playing at either tight end or defensive end. However, I like his motor for the defensive side of the ball, and I think he prefers playing on defense too.

14. Denton Walter: Las Cruces high school, LB, 6’2” 205 pounds

Player comp: Virginia Tech LB Divine Deablo 

My take: Walter was the state leader in tackles (197), and is a twitched up, quarterback on the Bulldawgs defense. He could very well set the record for most career tackles in New Mexican prep history, and he should generate some nice interest from colleges. He’s a well-rounded MIKE who is disciplined in coverage, a patrol officer in run defense, and has some juice in pass rush situations. I love how he maneuvers in traffic, his instincts, and his quick-trigger to make plays in the backfield. He’s great pre-snap, and I’ve heard this guy is a film junkie. For anyone wanting to watch Walter in action, his best games came against Volcano Vista, Rio Rancho, Hobbs, and the first matchup against Cleveland. Las Cruces quietly has the best returning linebacker duo with Walter and Hunter Parmeter, and I am hoping more colleges start showing more love to the talented Walter.

15. Vince Varela: Manzano high school, EDGE, 6’4” 225 pounds

Player comp: Ohio State EDGE Jonathon Cooper

My take: Varela is truly one of the hidden gems in the state, and another great prospect that makes the 2027 EDGE class so special. First off, this guy is jacked, and without a doubt has the type of body to play at the D1 level. I love his pass rush repertoire, his athleticism, his violent hands, really, I think he’s one of the most complete defenders in New Mexico. He’ll strike fast to create leverage points, and is great at knocking lineman off balance. He also has some impressive ankle flexion, and a great first-step. Varela has plenty of upside as a pass rusher, and I think he could be difference-maker in 4-3 under front defense. The Manzano standout also plays tight end, and though I prefer him at EDGE, he’d make a nice inline tight end at the next level.

16. Jahari Morehead: Eldorado high school, WR, 5’8” 150 pounds 

Player comp: West Alabama WR Tyreek Hill 

My take: Morehead is the top weapon in New Mexico, and is the most notable mismatch for any opposing defense. He has freaky movements, cuts, game-breaking speed, and a deep bag of tricks to escape defenders on releases. Morehead can hurt you as a field stretcher, a YAC demon or as a returner. His presence on the field is always known to defensive coordinators as the Eldorado speedster can break the back off a defense at any time. For reference, Morehead had 296 receiving yards and 4 TDs in just one half of football. The knock on Morehead? His size. I firmly believe that if he was 5’10” 170ish pounds, he’d be in the debate for the top spot in the class. Forget the size, he is as dominating of a player as they come, and very few have been able to stop him. I hope he gets a D1 shot because that’s the caliber of dominance that we are talking about. 

17. Ifeoluwa Samuel Abiodun: La Cueva high school, DT, 6’2” 285 pounds 

Player comp: Cincinnati DT Dontay Corleone 

My take: Abiodun is my top pure nose tackle in the state, and was an anchor on the La Cueva defense. Simply put, this cat can hold the point of attack. He’ll devour blocks to clear the way for linebackers, and is rarely on the ground. He’s got light feet, natural power, and  is sneaky quick in the short-area especially when closing on a quarterback or runner in the backfield. Abiodun instantly raises the floor of your run defense the second he steps on the field, and is an important cog for defensive efficiency. In 2026, I’d love to see him just play with a little bit more consistency on a down-to-down basis. However, the flashes are real, and Abiodun has bully potential written all over him.

18. Bryson Bloom: Alamogordo high school, RB, 5’11” 190 pounds 

Player comp: Memphis RB Tony Pollard 

My take: Bloom is a really nice prospect down south who has generated a ton of D1 interest including a D1 offer from Coastal Carolina. Bloom is instinctive in traffic, shows great vision, contact balance, and has some nice speed to run away from defenders. He has fluid change of direction, can get skinny in small creases, and is creative on the second level of the field. This past season, Bloom had 1009 rushing yards (134 carries) and eight rushing touchdowns. I am excited to see him be the focal point of the offense, and see if he can grow as a receiver; I think he has the brakes to expand on his route tree. Nonetheless, Bloom is another very talented running back in the 2027 class that has playmaker potential. 

19. Jordan Herrera: Los Alamos high school, 5’8” 170 pounds 

Player comp: Arizona State Cam Skattebo 

My take: Herrera plays running back like he’s 220 pounds, he is as physical as they come and gains most of his yards after contact. Herrera was the state’s leading rusher with 2,224 rushing yards, and was the catalyst for the Hilltopper offense. I’ve watched Herrera play a ton, and am always impressed with his leg drive. It really is a treat to watch him shake off defenders, and wimpy tackles. I think it’s important to note that while other players are working on their speed in track & field, Herrera is playing rugby and only getting more physical. Like Morehead, Herrera has naysayers pointing out the level of competition on the Hilltoppers schedule this season. My response, he dominated. Others have said that bulldozing defenders doesn’t translate to the next level. My response, physicality is a skill, and all teams need a running back to turn a one-yard carry into three or four yards. Herrera brings that skill to table, and brings violence to your team. All that being said, Herrera is also one of the nicest guys that I’ve ever met, and a team-first guy who will be a leader on-and-off the field.

20. Jacari Smith: Rio Rancho high school, EDGE, 6’1” 215 pounds

Player comp: South Carolina DE Melvin Ingram 

My take: Smith is technically refined, and brings a ton of twitch and body control to the trenches. He has a huge wingspan, is scheme versatile, and is a great run defender. He plays with a strong motor matched with a nice blend of power and speed. He understands leverage, can split double teams, and has great body control. I also love that he has a strong background in wrestling. The Rams might just have the best returning pass rush duo in the state, and Smith is a high IQ player who always finds a way to win. 

21. Jahleel Lewis: Sandia high school, QB, 6’3” 225 pounds 

Player comp: Oklahoma QB Baker Mayfield 

My take: The highs of Lewis show a rocket arm, and throws that zip in the smallest window between 3 defenders. The Sandia signal caller is gifted, tough, and has some excellent ball placement. Lewis operates from the pocket, has a packed frame, and has a traditional throwing release. He makes nice throws even when taking big hits, and is pretty consistent in scanning the field and going through reads. The talent is there. What I would like to see a little bit more in 2026 is those flashes against some of the powerhouse teams in the state. Nonetheless, Lewis, is an intriguing signal caller who offers a high ceiling, and has a wide selection of toys at his disposal including George Smith III and Gad Harris. All of which points to a huge season for Lewis.

22. Nijion Bokor: Albuquerque high school, EDGE, 6’3” 201 pounds

Player comp: Georgia DE Nolan Smith 

My take: Bokor has shown potential that equates to a D1 player, and is one of the biggest balls of clay. On pass reps, he has a nasty bull rush, great hand placement, and length to separate pretty effortlessly. Athletically, his agility and speed-to-power conversion are rare. He missed part of the season due to an injury but still made his presence known as a disruptor and pocket collapser. I am also a fan of his team-first mentality, and just the way he carries himself. Now, he has only been playing football for just a few years, and is still raw. However, with guidance from the coaches at Albuquerque high, a few refined counters, and some more strength, Bokor could easily be one of the blue chip players in the state. 

23. Noah Lovato: Rio Rancho high school, EDGE, 6’4” 200 pounds.

Player comp: Stanford DE David Bailey 

My take: This past season, Lovato produced 12 sacks, 14 QB hurries, 18 tackles for loss, and 59 total tackles. It’s hard to believe Lovato hasn’t been playing football for very long but boy is he good at it. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find any tape to review but from what I remember from the few Ram games I watched live, he is definitely a difference maker with the desired height, size, and athleticism combo that colleges covet. Important to note, that Lovato has a strong basketball background, and has been included in some of the top prospects list for prep hoopers. Lovato has a ton of upside, and I hope to watch more of him soon.

24. Brock Wright: Carlsbad high school, RB, 6’0” 185 pounds 

Player comp: BYU RB Tyler Allgeier 

My take: Wright has a great feel for space, is well-built, reliable, and someone who can handle the blue collar carries. Wright has been a starter for a couple of years now, and has given the Cavemen plenty of yards after contact. The junior tailback is a downhill runner who is not afraid to lower his shoulder, and has shown some willing patience in waiting for blocks to develop. Another thing to note, Wright is an excellent drive finisher. In all, I think Wright offers a nice balance of physicality and agility. If you want to see his impact, watch his highlights against Rio Rancho. In that game, Wright had 121 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown en route to one of the biggest upsets of the year. The multi sport athlete will be a crucial part of Carlsbad’s offensive identity this season, and Wright has all the traits of a workhorse.

25. Brad Mallory: Los Lunas high school, LB, 6’1” 205 pounds 

Player comp: Wisconsin LB Zach Baun 

My take: Mallory is a twitchy linebacker who is fantastic pre-snap, and even better at shedding blockers. I love this guy’s closing speed, and have heard some rave reviews for the person he is off the field. I think Mallory has shown plenty of explosiveness as a pass rusher, and if you ask me, could play at any linebacker spots.Though he held his own in coverage, I am curious about the lateral movements, and hoping to see a Los Lunas game live this year. Nonetheless, Mallory is a well-round player who offers a ton of strength, grit, and leadership to a new era in Los Lunas.