Mike Smith
Artesia Daily Press
msmith@currentargus.com

Artesia High School football standout Grant Johnson took a big step toward the future Feb. 6 when he signed a national letter of intent to play for New Mexico Highlands University next fall.

“I’m excited and ready to take on the challenge in my life and move on with my career,” he said with teammates, coaches, teachers and administrators watching at the Bulldog Bowl as the 6-foot, 205-pound outside linebacker committed to continuing his education and football career in Las Vegas, New Mexico,

“The town of Las Vegas really surprised me when I took a visit there and the coaches, too,” Johnson said. “They really seem genuine and they really believe in their culture there.”

The 17-year-old senior plans to major in business and wants to be a business developer once he graduates from college.

Johnson’s play progressed from his sophomore year to his senior year. As a newcomer he played in nine games and had 16 total tackles with two tackles for loss.

This past season he played in 12 games, recorded 81 total tackles (16 for loss) and had two sacks.

Johnson said his greatest memory playing in a Bulldog uniform was winning back-to-back 5A football titles in 2023 and 2022.

“My sophomore and junior (years) winning those state championships, is a great memory and it’s something that doesn’t come easily because you feel like you earned it,” he said.

Artesia head coach Jeremy Maupin said coaching Johnson for three seasons was “a blessing.”

“Grant, thank you for all you’ve done with Artesia football,” he said before Johnson signed his letter.

This fall he will play for a New Mexico Highlands Cowboys squad that finished 2-9 overall and 2-7 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.

Defensively, the Cowboys gave up 485 points, 3.031 yards rushing and 2,380 yards passing.

Grant’s mother, Melissa Johnson, said football has been part of her son’s DNA since he was little.

“He would go out in the backyard and play and do plays on his own for hours. It’s neat to see his hard work pay off,” she said.

Melissa said he’ll miss Friday nights watching Grant play at the Bulldog Bowl.

“It’s bittersweet. You raise them to watch them fly and now I get to watch him fly,” she said.

Grantham signs with Eastern

Another Artesia defensive standout, Kaden Grantham, signed a letter of intent Feb. 10 to play for the Eastern New Mexico University Greyhounds in Portales.

Grantham, a 6-foot-4, 220-pound defensive lineman, played in 13 games for the Bulldogs in 2024 and accounted for 65 total tackles, 9 for loss. He also recorded five sacks and intercepted a pass.

In a video announcing the signing, Greyhounds head coach Kelly Lee said Grantham could play next fall as a first-year student in Portales.

“He’s been a three-year starter down in Artesia,” Lee said. “He’s got a lot of speed – we’ve timed him in the 40 (yard dash). He’s a 4.6 guy on the D-line. We think he could come in and be a pass rusher.”

Grantham will play for a Greyhounds squad that was 3-8 overall last season and 1-8 in the Lone Star Conference.

Mike Smith can be reached at 575-308-8734 or email at msmith@currentargus.com.