Austin High School star Jayden Wilson verbally commits to the University of New Mexico

EL PASO, Texas -- One of the best two-way players in El Paso verbally committed to the University of New Mexico Monday.

Jayden Wilson plays as both a linebacker and running back for Austin High School. In his junior year with the Panthers, Wilson rushed for over 1,400 yards, had 15 touchdowns and 116 tackles.

"The University of New Mexico was the first school to give me an opportunity to play at the next level and they recognized my talent from the jump start in my junior year, they did not wait till my senior year," Wilson said. "I just believe that it was a great fit for me that a bunch of coaches over there believed in me and I believed in them so I decided to commit."

Wilson told ABC-7 the lobos recruited him in his preferred position as a linebacker.

"I'm most definitely a defensive type of guy, I love delivering hits instead of getting hit," Wilson said.

Wilson is the fifth El Paso from the upcoming senior class to commit to a Division 1 school - Parkland WR, Demarion Crest (Texas Tech), Parkland OL, Tyron McDuffie (University of Colorado), Canutillo RB, LJ Martin (Stanford) and Andress WR, Malcolm Anderson (Army).

"It's amazing, all these dudes I know all of them personally, hard workers every single one of them," Wilson said. "It takes a lot of hard work and grind to get to this point. El Paso always has hidden gems, I think we can be overlooked sometimes but I think El Paso and the 915 is starting to be put on the map now for division 1 schools."

Wilson is locked into his final season at Austin before he becomes a Lobo.

"Any high school you want to make it to state," Wilson said. "I believe we can make a deep run this year and it's going to be really exciting."