Fort Lewis coach excited about New Mexico signees
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Next to Eastern New Mexico, no school might have had a better February when its came to signing 2021 New Mexico prospects than Fort Lewis College in Durango, Co. Head coach Darrius G. Smith and the Skyhawks added two scholarship…
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Continue ReadingNext to Eastern New Mexico, no school might have had a better February when its came to signing 2021 New Mexico prospects than Fort Lewis College in Durango, Co.
Head coach Darrius G. Smith and the Skyhawks added two scholarship players from the Land of Enchantment to its roster along with a preferred walk-on.
Bernalillo linebacker Ayden Madrid Ayden Madrid 5'11" | LB Bernalillo | 2021 State NM , who holds the record for the most single season tackles in state history, was one of seven prospects to sign with Fort Lewis on Traditional Signing Day (Feb. 3). Madrid is also an elite running back with nearly 1,000 rushing yards in 2019.
Smith, who coached Bernalillo head coach John Cobos at New Mexico Highlands in the late 1990s, emphasized Madrid is joining the Fort Lewis program as a linebacker.
“I love Ayden’s aggressiveness,” Smith told Prep Redzone New Mexico. “I like his approach to the game and his understanding of the game. The Bernalillo coach has done a great job coaching him. He has a high football IQ. He’s a tackling machine.
“I’m excited about his potential and what he could add to our defense. Ayden embodies the things I liked about John when he played at Highlands. He’s aggressive, smart and instinctive to the ball. It was a no-brainer for me to try to Ayden to come here.”
Madrid attracted interest from New Mexico, so Fort Lewis is essentially getting a Division I caliber player to bolster the defense.
Santa Fe (NM) Capital running back Luke Padilla Luke Padilla 5'9" | 190 lbs | RB Capital | 2021 State NM had several offers to choose from but ultimately signed with the Skyhawks on Feb. 13. Padilla rushed for 1,852 yards and 23 touchdowns as a junior in 2019. He also drew interest from Oklahoma Panhandle State.
“Luke is a very versatile running back,” Smith said. “He has a good low center of gravity. He has very good vision. When you watch the film, he’s dynamic. He was outrunning the competition. When you do that, even when people have angles on you, there’s something special.
“When I called people I knew and asked about Luke, they gave me raving reviews. I see him adding some great depth to our backfield. Soon, I see him getting his college legs under him, especially after some time in the weight room and our nutrition program. He’s going to be a dynamic force for us.”
FLC also added LB Cyler Aragon from Grants High School as a preferred walk-on.
“He’s a versatile athlete that’s going to add depth to our program,” Smith said. “Preferred walk-ons are important because you don’t know when injuries will come into play or when your number is called. When it is called, we want them to play at a high level.”
.@TheFortFootball officially announces the signing of Bernalillo standout LB @AydenMadrid. Huge pickup for them. https://t.co/bxCTg7xzVR
— Prep Redzone New Mexico (@PrepRedzoneNM) February 3, 2021
It’s official ✍🏼🦅 @DGS_4ya @Coach_Stickney @TheFortFootball @tmtru10 @SportsPrimo @sfnmsports @JnorthSports @nmpreps @PrepRedzoneNM pic.twitter.com/qGzNlIRKvD
— Luke Padilla (@lukepadilla25) February 13, 2021
Shout out and congrats to Cyler Thomas Aragon (Laguna Pueblo, NM), out of Grants HS in New Mexico, who has signed his letter to play football for the Fort Lewis Skyhawks in Durango, CO.#NativePreps #Laguna #Pueblo pic.twitter.com/400txKYGGB
— NDNSPORTS.COM (@ndnsports) February 4, 2021
Very proud to announce Ayden Madrid signing his NIL to play football at Ft. Lewis College in Durango, CO. Proud day for Bernalillo HS and the Spartan Football Program. pic.twitter.com/CxQ2M7AJA0
— John Cobos (@j2cobos) February 3, 2021