Adam Evarts | News-Bulletin photo
Mikkel Beltran, bottom left, and Braden Castillo, bottom right, signed letters of intent on Monday to play college football in the fall.
Four county high school football players signed their letters of intent to play football at the college level beginning in the fall.
Two Los Lunas players signed earlier this week. Braden Castillo and Mikkel Beltran both signed letters of intent on Monday afternoon at Los Lunas High School in front of parents, coaches and teammates.
Castillo will play at Western New Mexico University in Silver City. He played offensive lineman at LLHS, and was named to the first team All-State team by New Mexico High School Coaches Association last month. He started all 13 games for the Tigers during their championship run this past season.
Beltran signed his letter of intent to play at Arizona Christian University in Phoenix. Ariz. Christian is an NAIA division team.
Beltran played both offensive and defensive lineman at LLHS, being named to both first team All-State Defensive and Offensive teams.
Beltran accumulated 31 tackles on defense this season. He played in 12 games for Los Lunas, before being injured in the State Semifinals contest versus Goddard.
Valencia Jaguar Jonathan Croker signed his letter of intent to play for Rose-Hulman Institue of Technology in Terre Haute, Ind.
Croker played offensive lineman for the Jaguars and saw action in all 12 VHS contests this past season.
Croker was a team captain and was named as one of New Mexico’s top 100 recruits this season by New Mexico Recruits.
Belen also had a player sign his letter of intent last week. Brody Jaquez announced he had signed his letter of intent to play for Eastern New Mexico University in Portales.
Jaquez played defensive end and tight end for the Eagles this past season. He was named to the All-State and All-Metro first teams by the NMHSCA.
Jaquez was also named the 4A Defensive Player of the Year by NM Preps after recording 75 tackles and 15 sacks this past season.
Adam Evarts is a graduate of the University of New Mexico where he studied journalism and history. He has lived in Valencia County most of his life. Adam covers sports for the Valencia County News-Bulletin, including prep competitions for the three local high schools, Senior Olympics, rodeo, Little League and more.
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April 18, 2024
