UNM walk-ons, D2 signees get the spotlight
Football signing period resumes on Wednesday
Jaxon Powell was tempted to follow his brother. But he followed his heart.
“I’ve always wanted to play for my hometown team,” said the Manzano High senior defensive end. “And it felt like the best decision for me.”
Powell, 6-foot-3 and 235 pounds, announced last weekend that he will become a preferred walk-on at the University of New Mexico.
“Coach (Danny) Gonzales is the perfect coach for this New Mexico team and he’s gonna build a winning program again,” Powell said.
He said he thought about joining his older brother, Dakota, at Wheaton College, but the lure of wearing the cherry-and-silver was too strong. Albuquerque High offensive lineman Carlos Lovato last week said he, too, would be walking on with the Lobos.
On Tuesday night, two Clovis Wildcats went onto Twitter and announced that UNM had offered them scholarships — electrifying running back Jeston Webskowski and linebacker Ernesto Acuna. Defensive end/linebacker Jaden Phillips of Clovis signed with the Lobos in December.
Wednesday marks the start of the traditional signing period, including for NCAA Division II schools.
West Mesa will have two D-II signees this week, both with Eastern New Mexico and coach Kelley Lee — running back/slot Ja’Calvin Newsom and slot receiver Joseph Thompson.
“I am very, very excited to go to Eastern,” said the 5-11, 185-pound Newsom. “I’ve been having anxiety, trying to calm myself down.”
Cleveland defensive end Jason Gray is a future Greyhound, too.
“I couldn’t be happier for him,” Storm coach Heath Ridenour said. “Jason has worked very hard to earn this opportunity. The Greyhounds are getting a young man that is going to give everything he has to help his teammates be the best they can be.”
Los Lunas offensive lineman Christian Griego is expected to sign with ENMU early next week. Las Cruces High quarterback Marcos Lopez is also expected to sign with the Greyhounds.
Bernalillo inside linebacker Ayden Madrid, the state record-holder for tackles in a single season (172 in 2019), bypassed an offer from Eastern New Mexico. He instead will sign on Wednesday with Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado, where there is frequently snow. Since he’s fond of snowboarding, the choice made sense.
“It just felt like home,” said the 6-foot, 210-pound Madrid, who has started for the Spartans since he was an eighthgrader. “I’m very, very excited to have the opportunity come across.”
Linebacker Cyler Aragon of Grants also is committed to Fort Lewis. St. Pius defensive lineman Aaron Deller is going to sign with St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa.