Rio Rancho's Luke Wysong to enter 2026 NFL Draft

Luke Wysong, a Rio Rancho native and Cleveland High School alumnus, formally declared for the NFL Draft on Jan. 15, 2026, ending a multi-year collegiate career that took him from New Mexico to the University of Arizona. In his final season with Arizona he recorded 24 receptions for 278 yards, marking the statistical foundation he will present to NFL scouts as he begins pre-draft preparations.

Wysong’s trajectory is familiar to local fans who watched him help lead Cleveland High to a championship in 2019 before advancing to college play. After time at New Mexico, he landed at Arizona and developed into a rotational receiver whose senior-year production will be evaluated alongside athletic testing, route running, and special-teams potential by NFL personnel. His decision to declare makes him one of the Rio Rancho players attempting the jump from high school standout to professional athlete.

Over the coming weeks Wysong is expected to pursue pro-day opportunities and other showcases where he can post measurable testing numbers and run position drills for scouts and general managers. Those events typically include university pro days, private workouts, and regional showcases that allow prospects to display speed, agility, catching consistency, and versatility — elements that complement Wysong’s on-field film and season totals.

For Sandoval County, Wysong’s declaration carries more than personal significance. Local high schools and youth programs often benefit from renewed attention when an alumnus reaches the professional stage; exposure can boost turnout at camps and games, sharpen recruiting pipelines, and generate community pride that supports booster programs and local businesses on game days. While a single prospect rarely shifts broader economic trends, a sustained run of players reaching the next level can raise a region’s profile with colleges and scouts.

Coaches and teammates from Cleveland High and his collegiate stops will likely monitor his measurable progress, while family and supporters in Rio Rancho will watch for pro-day dates and potential combine invitations. Scouts will weigh his 24-catch, 278-yard final season against athletic testing and film study to determine his draft standing.

What comes next is a period of evaluation and exposure: detailed testing, individual workouts, and whatever showcases Wysong and his representatives schedule ahead of the 2026 draft cycle. For local readers, his declaration is a reminder that path from the Rio Rancho gridiron to professional opportunity remains open — and a chance to follow a hometown player as he pursues the next level of his football career.