Locals sign with colleges

CLOVIS - While it's easy to get wrapped up in it, Clovis football coach Cal Fullerton insists national signing day is just another day on the calendar.

But it's fair to say Wednesday was no ordinary day for the Wildcat program, with three players signing national letters of intent and two of them heading to Division-I University of New Mexico.

Ernesto Acuna and Jeston Webskowski, who had both made non-binding verbal commitments to Eastern New Mexico University, had the understandable change in plans when the Lobos came calling Tuesday night. Johnny Jimenez, meanwhile, stuck with his verbal commitment and signed with Western New Mexico University.

Between Wednesday and the December Division I early signing days, five Wildcat seniors found their way onto college programs with four going Division I. Quarterback Chance Harris graduated in the fall and is already enrolled at Colorado State, while Jaden Phillips now has a pair of Clovis teammates joining him in Albuquerque.

"I think it's a testament to our coaching staff, a testament to our kids, a testament to our parents who let us coach their kids the way they need to be coached and don't have many questions for us," Fullerton said. "They trust us. Obviously, winning helps, and that gets you noticed, but the way they practice and play, they deserve every ounce of praise and credit they're getting.

"I played Division II. I've seen Division-I athletes. There are some kids who are tweeners that could help a Division-I at some point. I think the guys who signed are no-brainers and can help their programs right away."

Acuna and Webskowski told The News they were actually in the same room when they got separate calls from Lobo coaches making an offer.

"It was unreal," said Webskowski, a 6-foot, 200-pound running back. "That's a phone call I've been waiting for my whole life."

Acuna, a 6-foot-3, 215-pound linebacker who lost about half of his 2019 season to a knee injury and still hasn't played a down of football this year due to the state barring athletic competitions, had concerns he wouldn't get looks. But going to Albuquerque with his friends is relief and joy all at once.

"I've grown up with them since fifth grade," Acuna said. "We would always talk about how it would be amazing to play college ball together."

For Jimenez, who will keep on driving a little past Albuquerque, realized he had a chance to play college football while doing a completely non-football activity. His parents and grandparents operate farms and dairies, and a online video of him tossing hay bales led to about eight college coaches messaging him.

The 6-foot-2, 278-pound guard anticipates having an opportunity with the Mustangs.

"They're rebuilding," Jiminez said. "They've stacked their last class and my class."

Coach says

Fullerton, when asked about each signee, provided the following:

Acuna: Fullerton noted that Acuna's best games for Clovis were the biggest, against three Lubbock schools and the second district game prior to his injury.

"Not having a senior year after hurting his knee is a testament to how hard he's worked. He's a strong leader, and I can't say enough good things about Ernesto."

Jimenez: The rare lineman who started as a sophomore, Jiminez has been a leader and can always be counted on to attend a workout even while there were inconsistent messages about whether or not a season would happen.

"He wasn't really good with our schemes at first," Fullerton admitted. "But once he figured that out, and with his toughness, the sky was the limit."

Webskowski: Fullerton said the Wildcats' primary running back leads by example, and has a following without being loud or boisterous.

"(Fans) don't see Jeston's work ethic when the gates are closed," Fullerton said, "when people aren't in the stands or the weight room."