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Anthony Kennedy. Matthew Jaramillo. Brandon Betancourt.

You probably don't know those guys, or even what they do.

But that talented trio of high school football players has created a bit of a stir among college football fans in New Mexico.

All three recently gave verbal commitments to New Mexico State, which is noteworthy because two of those players also had offers from UNM, and the one that didn't is from Albuquerque. Before this, and since 2007, no players that had offers from UNM and NMSU opted to be Aggies.

I've covered high school sports in this state since 2002 and, during that time, there were always a few truths surrounding Division I football prospects.

• They're are only a handful every year
• Of this group, only one player every few years will land at at BCS school
• Most of the rest of the players land at UNM, either by scholarship or walking on.

This year breaks all those trends so far. Consider ...

• By Signing Day (early February) we could see eight New Mexicans sign Division I football scholarships. That's more than the past three years combined.
• Of this group, three could be playing at BCS schools. One has committed to Notre Dame.

As for the rest? That remains to be seen. Three more players a expected to sign Division I scholarships. All three have Lobo and Aggie offers. And there should be plenty of walk ons.

I don't think this means this state is stepping up its production of DI-caliber football players on a permanent basis.

I don't think it means New Mexico is suddenly going to see more of its kids getting BCS-level scholarships.

But I do think you could start to see more local kids picking NMSU rather than UNM, especially the second-tier talent, which is common in this state and the group that filled out much of the Lobos roster during the tenure of Rocky Long.

First, UNM coach Mike Locksley has fewer scholarships, due to sanctions handed down before he arrived. That means he can take fewer risks. Those risks that Locksley does take likely will be with the type of raw athletes that fit his offensive system, the type of players not common in New Mexico.

Second, NMSU coach DeWayne Walker appears to be building a team on a foundation of defense and ball control offense. That fits the talent common to New Mexico, so it would make sense that more of those players would head to NMSU.

Third, NMSU won the most recent game between the two schools and this year's looks to be another toss up. Considering this year's class of high school talent is better and deeper than it has been in years, that makes this year's game important. If NMSU wins again it could signal a significant shift.

Now, don't get me wrong, if NMSU starts getting more in-state players than it has that doesn't mean the Aggies will suddenly be better than the Lobos. It's a lopsided rivalry. UNM still has many competitive advantages over NMSU. Locksley could build a competitive team -- and consistently beat NMSU -- with fewer Land of Enchantment players.

But if NMSU, with New Mexico players, splits the next four games in this series that could be trouble for Locksley.

Anthony Kennedy. Matthew Jaramillo. Brandon Betancourt.

They could be just the beginning.

A LOOK AT THE NUMBERS

18: New Mexico high school players that have signed DI football scholarship players since 2007

11: The amount, of those initial 18, that went to UNM

4: New Mexico high school players, since 2007, that had scholarship offers from UNM and NMSU. All of them picked UNM

2: New Mexico high school players in the class of 2011 that committed to NMSU despite having UNM offers.