Valencia High Two-Way Lineman Diego Baeza Signs Letter of Intent to WNMU

Diego Baeza, a 6-foot-2, 310-pound offensive and defensive lineman for the Valencia High Jaguars, publicly signed a letter of intent to play college football at Western New Mexico University, choosing an in-state path after receiving several offers from out-of-state schools. The signing advances a player who has been a fixture on the Valencia line and will move to WNMU's Silver City campus.

WNMU recruited Baeza as an offensive guard, but Baeza made clear he wants to play as much as possible. "I played football my whole life," Baeza said, and added, "It’s a very good program. I like the coaching staff." He also left open the possibility of two-way work in college: "I hope I can play some defense too because I’ll do anything just to play."

Valencia High coaches and teammates saw Baeza as a consistent force along the line. It was hard to miss him on the football field for Valencia, and not just because of his size at 6-foot, 2-inches tall, 310 pounds. "As a lineman for the Jaguars, Baeza was consistently opening or closing holes, depending on which side of the ball he was on," teammates and local accounts noted during the signing period.

There is a discrepancy in reports about Baeza’s intended academic major. A Valencia High School Facebook post states, "The Valencia High School Senior signed today to play football for Western New Mexico University where he plans to study engineering." Other reporting quotes Baeza as saying he "plans to study communication on the Silver City campus." Both statements appear in local accounts tied to the signing; the two versions have not been reconciled in available public materials.

Baeza said he welcomed staying in New Mexico after drawing several out-of-state offers, saying, "I’m happy that I finally got an offer in state." The decision to sign with WNMU keeps a locally developed player in New Mexico and adds depth to the Mustangs’ interior line options as they integrate a player accustomed to playing both offense and defense.

The public signing took place as Baeza completed his high school season with Valencia and prepares to enroll at WNMU. Local fans and Jaguars followers will be watching how the 6-2, 310-pound lineman transitions to the college game and which academic program he ultimately pursues on the Silver City campus.