Hounds announce list of 24 signees for football

PORTALES — Eastern New Mexico University football coach Tye Hiatt announced a list of 24 signees for the 2022 season, a compilation of players who signed during the recent signing period as well as the early signing period in December.

Hiatt is preparing for his second season at the helm of the Greyhounds, who were 4-7 in 2021 and 1-6 in Lone Star Conference play.

“I thought this was a good class,” Hiatt said. “I thought our coaching staff did a great job of what we needed to get position-wise.”

Eight of the players are from New Mexico and 10 more come from Texas. The others are from California (four) and Arizona (two).

Hiatt said that while the Hounds didn’t lose a large amount of players from last season, they attempted to address needs in the defensive line and at wide receiver.

One of the top prospects is Asa Wondeh, a wide receiver from Sacramento City College whom Hiatt said was a first-team selection in the California juco ranks.

“For us to get him, that was a big addition,” he said.

Along the defensive line, Hiatt cited Christian Carreathers, a 6-2, 345-pounder from Albuquerque High who played for the NJCAA national champion New Mexico Military program the last two seasons.

They also signed Brennen Davis, a 6-foot-2, 200-pound linebacker from Muleshoe, among their area signees.

“He’s a really good-looking kid,” Hiatt said. “Some kids on that list are from small schools who I think will do a good job at Eastern.

Hiatt said the Hounds are projecting about 90 players to be in spring practice, which begins on March 30. He said he and his staff hope to add more talent in the weeks to come.

“We were able to retain a lot of kids,” he said. “To have that many kids going into spring practice is a huge plus.

“I think our coaches did a great job of getting kids who are the right fit for Eastern.”