Los Lunas’ Samuels ready to join Michigan

Eastern New Mexico to sign metro prospects

Today, O’maury Samuels officially becomes a Wolverine.

The start of the signing period will be commemorated all over the state today, with dozens of prep football athletes putting their signatures on their national letters of intent.

From the metro area, no player drew as much recruiting attention during the offseason as Samuels, the speedy, muscular Los Lunas High School tailback.

After an appearance at a combine nearly 11 months ago in Dallas, Samuels became a hot commodity, and he wasn’t on the market long.

Within days of that combine, he had agreed to join coach Jim Harbaugh’s fold at the University of Michigan — just as Eldorado quarterback Zach Gentry had done almost exactly two years ago.

Samuels is among the handful of New Mexicans signing Division I letters of intent starting today.

Two prominent skill-position athletes — Rio Rancho running back Josh Foley (New Mexico State) and Volcano Vista wide receiver David Cormier (Air Force) — will sign, as will Los Lunas linebacker Trevor Brohard with the NMSU.

From Mayfield, running back Isaac Vance is signing with Kent State, and wide receiver Gaven Swinson is signing with the Aggies. Two Oñate Knights, fullback Forest McKee (UTEP) and linebacker Matthew Young (NMSU), also are signing.

Piedra Vista offensive lineman Dylan Weaver is signing with New Mexico.

Many other New Mexicans have accepted the Lobos’ request to become preferred walk-ons. That list includes Clovis running back Micah Gray, Del Norte guard Austin Barnes, Cleveland lineman Hayden Wilson, Piedra Vista QB/defensive back Elijah Gamboa, St. Michael’s linebacker Xavier Vigil and Sandia tight end Jacob Barnhill.

Beyond the state’s two Division I programs, the real sweepstakes winner will be Eastern New Mexico and former Valencia head coach — and current Greyhounds coach — Kelley Lee.

ENMU is snagging an unusually large number of metro-area studs, led by Del Norte running back Avery See.

Five members from Rio Rancho’s state championship team — defensive linemen Kevin McCracken and Elijah Goodwin, quarterback Nic Little, wide receiver Dakota Carrasco and safety Zach Dodd — are headed to Portales, as are Manzano’s two playmaking cornerbacks, De Von McGhee and Ryan Moore.

The list also includes Cibola running back Kazy Martin, Eldorado wide reciever Trenton Gaither, Sandia DB/ punter Devin Woolsey and Highland wide receiver Keshawn McCoy.

Eldorado’s Bryce Wade (at tight end, not offensive tackle which was his primary Eagles’ position) and Cleveland tight end Adam Cook both are signing with West Texas A&M.

St. Pius QB Drew Ortiz recently chose Olivet Nazarene University near Chicago.