The Tucson to Silver City, N.M., contingent of high school football players is getting larger.
Cienega receiver Caleb Kidneyannounced Thursday that he will continue his football career at Western New Mexico, joining teammates Hunter Schlagel, a defensive tackle, and Isaiah Webb, a linebacker, with the Mustangs next season.
Western New Mexico, an NCAA Division II program, already has nine players from Southern Arizona, including Webb’s brother Thomas, a safety.
“With the lack of exposure because of the season cut short (due to COVID-19), he felt this was a good opportunity,” said Caleb’s father Chris. “They have been looking at him the last couple of years and he can also be with his friends. He’s played with Hunter (in the Tucson Youth Football & Spirit Federation) since they were 7 with the Wildcats.”
I want to say I am excited to be continuing my future at @WNMUFootball Thank you @coachb_blevins5 @CoachTristan_ @CoachBeauGrech for giving me this opportunity. Also thanks to @GametimeRC @CienegaFootball @SOAZFootball @JavierJMorales @CodyTCameron #2021GametimeFamily pic.twitter.com/5l1m4d55zw
— Caleb Kidney (@CalebKidney2021) February 26, 2021
Caleb, 6-foot-1 and 170 pounds, is the 10th Cienega player to make a commitment or sign with a college.
The others are RB/S C.J. Flores(NAU), LB/RB Josiah Flores(Fort Lewis), RB Gabe Levy(Mary), WR/DB Charles Hamm III(Jamestown), DT Hunter Schlagel(Western New Mexico), LB Isaiah Webb(Western New Mexico), SS Sebastian Felix(Drake), C Andrew Husfelt(Washburn) and QB Ryan Swoger(South Dakota State).
Here is the list of the 34 local Class of 2021 players who have committed or signed:
- Former Salpointe OT Jonah Milleron May 18 to Oregon . He signed on Dec. 16.
- CDO RB Stevie Rockeron July 16 to Arizona . He signed on Dec. 16.
- Ironwood Ridge QB Chase Casselon Sept. 23 to St. Norbert . He signed on Feb. 3.
- Nogales LB Rene R. Urias Jr.on Oct. 1 to Grinnell, He signed on Feb. 13.
- Cienega QB Ryan Swogeron Oct. 23 to South Dakota State . He signed on Dec. 16.
- Walden Grove LB Sebastian Adamskion Nov. 16 to Drake . He signed on Dec. 16.
- Cienega C Andrew Husfelton Nov. 19 to Washburn . He signed on Feb. 3.
- Ironwood Ridge FS Dylan Cookon Nov. 24 to Morehead State
- Walden Grove WR Alex Culbertsonon Nov. 24 to Simpson
- Catalina Foothills TE Garrick Krautzon Dec. 9 to Morehead State.
- Cienega SS Sebastian Felixon Dec. 16 to Drake . He signed on Feb. 3.
- Cienega LB Isaiah Webbon Dec. 18 to Western New Mexico . He signed on Feb. 3.
- Cienega DT Hunter Schlagelon Dec. 18 to Western New Mexico. He signed on Feb. 3.
- Buena OT Dominic Avanton Jan. 19 to Sioux Falls. He signed on Feb. 3.
- Pusch Ridge RB/DB Evan Lovetton Jan. 19 to Minot (N.D.) State . He signed on Feb. 3.
- Cienega WR/DB Charles Hamm IIIon Jan. 19 to Jamestown . He signed on Feb. 3.
- Buena RB Isaac Benoiton Jan. 20 to Sioux Falls . He signed on Feb. 3.
- Salpointe TE Fernando Torreson Jan. 22 to St. Olaf .
- Cienega RB Gabe Levyon Jan. 23 to Mary . He signed on Feb. 3.
- Nogales WR Ricky Hanlanon Jan. 27 to Western New Mexico . He signed on Feb. 3.
- Cienega LB Josiah Floreson Feb. 2 to Fort Lewis. He signed on Feb. 3.
- Cienega S/RB C.J. Floreson Feb. 3 to NAU. He signed on Feb. 3.
- Empire ATH Yani Brownon Feb. 3 to Arizona Christian .
- Tucson WR/S Daniel Becerraon Feb. 3 to Chadron (Neb.) State .
- Sahuaro WR/S Damon Robledoon Feb. 3 to Concordia (Chicago) . He signed on Feb. 3.
- Desert View LB Anton Jameroon Feb. 4 to Ripon .
- Rincon/University WR/S Steven Geigeron Feb. 4 to Lawrence. He signed on Feb. 4.
- Walden Grove RB Stephen Brower Jr.on Feb. 5 to Simpson. He signed on Feb. 18.
- Desert View RB Jacob Ramirezon Feb. 11 to to Lyon .
- Salpointe RB David Corderoon Feb. 15 to Ottawa .
- CDO CB Raife Anthonyon Feb. 16 to Aurora .
- Sunnyside WR Anthony Galvezon Feb. 17 to Simpson .
- Salpointe DE Brees McCrarenon Feb. 25 to Fort Lewis .
- Cienega WR Caleb Kidneyon Feb. 25 to Western New Mexico
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ALLSPORTSTUCSON.com publisher, writer and editor Javier Morales is a former Arizona Press Club award winner. He is a former Arizona Daily Star beat reporter for the Arizona basketball team, including when the Wildcats won the 1996-97 NCAA title. He has also written articles for CollegeAD.com, Bleacher Report, Lindy’s Sports, TucsonCitizen.com, The Arizona Republic, Sporting News and Baseball America, among many other publications. He has also authored the book “The Highest Form of Living” , which is available at Amazon.