Lobos Add 20 to 2021 Roster on Signing Day

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Head coach Danny Gonzales and his football program have been on a pretty good roll in December with an undefeated month and a host of national honors and recognition for the program.  That hot month continued as Gonzales and his staff have announced 20 additions to the 2021 roster, and those additions have both a heavy local, and Texas feel.

The Lobos picked up 10 players on offense (three receivers, three offensive linemen, two quarterbacks, one running back and one tight end), eight on defense (five defensive backs and three linebackers) and two players listed at athletes that can play on either side of the ball.  The class included four from New Mexico high schools (one each from Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Clovis and Roswell), nine from Texas, three from California, three from Arizona and one from Georgia.

Not only is it a versatile class in regards to positions, it’s a versatile class in regards to the skill set.  Fifteen of the 20 in the class were multisport athletes in high school, with several playing three and even four sports, showcasing a well-rounded Class of 2021.

The four New Mexico student-athletes highlights the commitment that Gonzales made when he was hired almost one year ago to the day (December 17, 2019).  The Lobos, which had 24 New Mexico players on the roster in 2020 including two signees from the February 2020 class, hit the Land of Enchantment hard, not unexpected from a head coach who was born and raised in the Duke City.

“We are excited to have all of these young men join our program,” said Gonzales.  “I know the pride that you feel in being from New Mexico and wearing the Cherry and Silver, and our four New Mexico recruits certainly will continue the tradition that we are building of finding the best players in the Land of Enchantment and keeping them here to play for the Lobos.”

“I really like the mix of this class, and I think it will address some needs for us.”  Gonzales added, “We played 20 true freshmen in 2020, so this year we went after a diverse type of class as far as skillset and ability.”

Below are capsules on the 20 signees in the class:

Andrell Barney, Jr.

Defensive Back

5-11, 185, Fr, HS

Chandler, Ariz. (Basha HS)

*Lettered in football, baseball and track at Basha High School for coach Kenneth Harper

*Parents are Andrell Barney, Sr. and Vivian Green

*Named first team all-region and all-state honors

*Recorded 59 tackles, one interception, three forced fumbles and 16 pass breakups as a senior

*Also played receiver and returned punts and kickoffs and had six receiving touchdowns in 2020

*Related to former Lobo women’s basketball player Brandi Kimble

*Birthday is February 8, 2002

Trace Bruckler

Wide Receiver

6-3, 200, Fr, HS

Frisco, Texas (Lone Star HS)

*Lettered in football at Lone Star High School for coach Jeff Rayburn

*Parents are Tony and Lauren Bruckler

*Named all-district in 2019

*Recorded 56 receptions for 828 yards and five touchdowns in 2019

*Helped Lone State to the 2019 state semifinals

*Birthday is September 19, 2002

Arrison Cole

Offensive Line

6-7, 290, Fr, HS

Suwanee, Georgia (Lambert HS)

*Lettered in football and wrestling at Lambert High School for coach Tommy Watson

*Parents are Eric Cole and Brenda Hartsook

*Served as a team captain as a junior and senior

*Honor roll member with a 3.6 GPA

*Birthday is November 15, 2002

Aaron Dumas

Running Back

5-11, 205, Fr, HS

El Paso, Texas (Americas HS)

*Lettered in football, wrestling and track at Americas High School for coach Patrick Melton

*Parents are Ron Dumas, Stacy Baldwin and Frances Dumas

*Led Americus to a pair of district titles

*Named Associated Press Class 6A First Team All-State as a junior as he rushed for 3,184 yards with 36 touchdowns, rushing for 100 yards in all 12 games

*Named District 1-6A Offensive MVP as a sophomore and was Associated Press First Team and TSWA Second Team Class 6A All-State as he rushed for 2,332 yards and 15 touchdowns

*Named to the 2019 Dave Campbell’s Mr. Texas Football Whataburger Super Team

*Played in 26 varsity high school games, rushing for 57 touchdowns and he had 26 100-yard rushing games
*Birthday is September 15, 2002

Coryon Francis

Defensive Back

6-2, 175, Fr, HS

Fort Worth, Texas (North Crowley HS)

*Lettered in football and track at North Crowley High School for coach Courtney Allen

*Parents are Coryea Francis and Lisa Wilson

*Named all-district at defensive back

*Also played for Team Ambush in 7-on-7

*Birthday is December 6, 2002

Damon Gentry

Defensive Back

6-1, 165, Fr, HS

Fort Worth, Texas (O.D. Wyatt HS)

*Lettered in football and basketball at Wyatt High School for coach Zachary Criss

*Parents are Damon Gentry, Sr. and Tyra Walker

*Recorded six interceptions as a junior, and added six rushing touchdowns as he scored 12 total for the 2019 season.

*Birthday is January 27, 2003

Xavier Hailey

Defensive Back

5-11, 160, Fr, HS

Tulare, Calif. (Tulare Union HS)

*Lettered in football, wrestling and track at Basha High School for coach Darren Bennett

*Parents are Lorenzo and Cheryl Hailey

*Four-time honor roll member

*Helped Tulare to the 2017 and 2018 Valley Championship

*Birthday is December 16, 2002

Kai Jessie

Athlete

6-5, 200, Fr, HS

San Diego, Calif. (Patrick Henry HS)

*Lettered in football at Patrick Henry High School for coach Seth Padgett

*Parents are Brandon Jessie and Harper Clark

*Recorded 65 receptions for 972 yards and 16 touchdowns as a junior, his first season of football

*Attended Helix High School as a freshman and sophomore, and just played basketball

*Father Brandon played basketball under Rick Majerus at Utah and then in the NFL with the New York Giants, and his grandfather Ron was a pro bowl tight end with the Los Angeles Rams

*Birthday is August 6, 2003

Benji Johnson

Wide Receiver

6-4, 195, Fr, HS

Hooks, Texas (Hooks HS)

*Lettered in football, baseball, track and basketball at Hooks High School for coach Chris Birdwell

*Parents are Ben Johnson and Theresa Johnson

*Named first team all-district and second team all-state

*Recorded 16 touchdowns and 962 yards receiving

*Was also team MVP for basketball

*Full name is Benjamin Johnson II

*Birthday is February 21, 2003

Ja’Shon Lowery

Linebacker

6-5, 250, Fr, HS

Albuquerque, N.M. (La Cueva HS)

*Lettered in football and basketball at La Cueva High School for coach Brandon Back

*Parents are Sean Lowery and Malissa Cox

*Named second team all-district twice in both football and basketball

*Won a state title in 2018, winning 33-14 over Cleveland in the 6A Finals.

*Birthday is September 8, 2002

Larry Luna

Offensive Line

6-6, 300, Fr, HS

Roswell, N.M. (Goddard HS)

*Lettered in football and track at Goddard High School for coach Chris White

*Parents are James and Yolanda Luna

*Named First Team All-State 5A as an offensive lineman in 2019 and Second Team All-State as a defensive lineman as well

*Also was a two-time all-district selection and three times named all-academic

*Birthday is November 10, 2002

Alec Marenco

Linebacker

6-3, 225, Fr, HS

El Paso, Texas (Burges HS)

*Lettered in football and track at Burges High School for coach James Routledge

*Parents are Oscar and Christina Marenco

*Recorded 113 tackles and 6.0 for loss while catching 17 passes for 253 yards

*Mostly a linebacker in high school but also played receiver, kicker, punter and at times, quarterback

*Is a sprinter and jumper in track

*District champions in 2019 and 2020

*Birthday is August 13, 2003

Bear Milacek

Quarterback

6-3, 210, Fr, HS

Anthem, Ariz. (Boulder Creek HS)

*Lettered in football and track at Boulder Creek High School for coach Tony Casarella

*Parents are James and Becky Milacek

*Named Offensive Team MVP as a junior and senior

*Over 25 games on varsity, threw for 5,254 yards with 308 completions and 44 touchdowns

*A four-year Arizona All-Academic Team member

*Birthday is December 6, 2002

CJ Montes

Quarterback

6-2, 200, Fr, HS

Pasadena, Calif. (Paraclete HS)

*Lettered in football at Paraclete High School for coach Dean Harrington

*Parents are Cipriano Montes and Kiana Scott

*Part of Paraclete’s Division 3-AA state title team

*Threw for 2,200 yards and 19 touchdowns as a junior

*Full name is Cipriano Montes, Jr.

*Birthday is September 18, 2002

Jaden Phillips

Athlete

6-2, 255, Fr, HS

Clovis, N.M. (Clovis HS)

*Lettered in football and basketball at Clovis High School for coach Cal Fullerton

*Parents are Bryian and Carolyn Phillips

*Named Second Team All-State and First Team All-District in 2019

*Caught 53 passes for 973 yards and six touchdowns while recording 52 tackles, 12 TFLs and 5.0 sacks on defense

*Named Second Team All-District as a sophomore

*Birthday is January 21, 2003

JD Roberts

Linebacker

6-2, 235, Fr, HS

Scottsdale, Ariz. (Notre Dame Prep)

*Lettered in football at Paraclete High School for coach George Prelock

*Parents are David and Kim Roberts

*Named All-State 5A at linebacker as Notre Dame prep made back-to-back state semifinal appearances

*Named 2020 5A San Tan First Team All-Region and 2019 5A First Team Northern Valley All-Region

*Recorded 114 tackles and 20 rushing touchdowns over 17 games as a senior

*Recorded 73 tackles as a junior with a team-leading 19.5 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks.

*Full name is James Roberts

*Birthday is September 17, 2002

Isaiah Sillemon

Offensive Line

6-3, 290, Fr, HS

Dallas, Texas (Lancaster HS)

*Lettered in football at Lancaster High School for coach Chris Gilbert

*Parent is Chassidi Sillemon

*Helped Lancaster to a 2020 District Championship

*Member of the National Honor Society

*Birthday is April 22, 2003

Jacob Trussell

Tight End

6-6, 205, Fr, HS

Georgetown, Texas (Georgetown HS)

*Lettered in football, basketball and track at Georgetown High School for coach Chuck Griffin

*Parents are Carl and Danya Russell

*Recorded 23 catches for 462 yards and five touchdowns

*Birthday is August 4, 2003

Ronald Wilson

Defensive Back

5-10, 180, Fr, HS

Fort Worth, Texas (North Crowley HS)

*Lettered in football and track at North Crowley High School for coach Courtney Allen

*Ran the 100m and was part of North Crowley’s 4×400 relay team

Luke Wysong

Wide Receiver

5-10, 170, Fr, HS

Rio Rancho, N.M. (Cleveland HS)

*Lettered in football and track at Cleveland High School for coach Heath Ridenour

*Parents are Adam Wysong and Beth Wysong

*His father Adam and two uncles Ben and Daniel played football at New Mexico, and his mother Beth played volleyball at New Mexico

*Named Second Team 6A All-State in 2019 and First Team All-Metro

*Recorded 20 catches for 525 yards and two touchdowns, and also recorded two interceptions

*Birthday is May 29, 2003