Las Cruces, Mayfield, Centennial and Santa Teresa all had football players officially sign to play college football on National Signing Day. The Trojans, Hawks and Desert Warriors each had one player put pen to paper, while the Bulldawgs had three.
The players from Las Cruces, Mayfield and Centennial each contributed to playoff appearances for their respective teams and earned All-State honors in their respective classifications from the New Mexico High School Coaches Association. They all signed in ceremonies held at their schools on Wednesday, Feb. 4, attended by family, friends, teammates, coaches and school leaders, among others.
See the Las Cruces-area players who made their commitments official on National Signing Day.
Are we missing someone? If so, please contact Nick Coppola at ncoppola@lcsun-news.com
Centennial Hawks
TE/DL Luke Matherly
Measurables: 6-1, 220
Committed to: South Dakota Mines
Matherly received a 6A first-team All-State selection from the NMHSCA and made 59 total tackles with two sacks during the 2025 season.
Matherly says he enjoyed his visit to the school, which involved a visit to Mount Rushmore, and his conversations with the Hardrockers’ coaching staff. He also says South Dakota Mines appealed to him because of his aspirations, as he wants to use the engineering degree he gets from there to be an aerospace engineer one day.
“It’s a very good engineering program, and I want to have a really good education,” Matherly said. “And, I had the opportunity to play football there, so being able to continue my academic and my athletic career (is good).”
Centennial TE/DL Luke Matherly signed with South Dakota Mines today. He talked about the opportunity today, how it came about and what he hopes to do with it: pic.twitter.com/WwwtKRoF3S
— Nick Coppola (@Nick_Coppola__) February 4, 2026
Las Cruces Bulldawgs
RB Daniel Amaro
Measurables: 5-9, 195
Committed to: New Mexico Highlands
WR Francisco Winnikoff
Measurables: 6-2, 195
Committed to: New Mexico Highlands
CB Isaac Gomez
Measurables: 5-11, 160
Committed to: New Mexico Highlands
Three of the Bulldawgs’ best players from the 2025 season will all keep playing together.
6A All-State players Amaro, Winnikoff and Gomez will each take their talents to Las Vegas for college. Las Cruces coach Mark Lopez says NMHU connected with the trio early and formed quality relationships with all of them. That made the choice easy for Amaro, Winnikoff and Gomez, who were partial to the Cowboys despite late interest from elsewhere.
“I think their coaching staff is the best coaching staff in the whole entire state,” Winnikoff said. “I think, without a doubt, they did the best job recruiting us. I know the biggest thing for us — me, Danny and Isaac — was having a great connection (and) having a great relationship with the coaches. Honestly, it was a no-brainer from the beginning as soon as they started talking to us.”
Amaro, Winnikoff and Gomez have done it all together, culminating in a District 3-6A title and 6A championship game appearance in 2025. Their shared journey isn’t over yet.
“It’s great,” Gomez said. “Starting as freshmen… and then continuing on with them is just great. A brotherhood that never stops.”
Las Cruces WR Francisco Winnikoff, RB Daniel Amaro and CB Isaac Gomez all signed for New Mexico Highlands today. pic.twitter.com/q1EVNSyvK4
— Nick Coppola (@Nick_Coppola__) February 4, 2026
Mayfield Trojans
C Steven Arellin
Measurables: 5-10, 275
Committed to: Community Christian College (Michigan)
Arellin earned 5A All-State honors from the NMHSCA in 2025. Now, he’ll play at the next level and announced his decision to play for CCC on Wednesday.
Arellin had 16 offers from a variety of programs, but CCC’s staff made the biggest impression on him. He believes the Lions’ future is bright and wants to be along for the ride.
“I love what they have going down there,” Arellin said. “I can’t put any other program down because they were all just such great options. I think this is the one for me, though, and I’m ready to ball out over there.”
Arellin says he “shied away from work” when he first got to Mayfield, but realized his ambitions the more he played for the Trojans. His efforts made him Mayfield’s best offensive lineman, and now he’ll aim to be a great collegiate offensive lineman.
Mayfield center Steven Arellin announced today that he’ll play college football at Community Christian College in Michigan. pic.twitter.com/GI1vV5qoAn
— Nick Coppola (@Nick_Coppola__) February 5, 2026
Santa Teresa Desert Warriors
DB Jonas Lopez
Measurables: 6-3, 165
Committed to: Chabot College (California)
Santa Teresa coach Shae Vierra told the Las Cruces Sun-News that Lopez signed with Chabot College on Wednesday.
Lopez ranked fourth among Desert Warriors with 58 total tackles and led his team with two interceptions this season. He was a two-time first-team All-District selection at Santa Teresa.
This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: The Las Cruces-area players who signed on 2026 National Signing Day
