Impactful Journeys: Daniel Amaro Is Fueling Las Cruces Football
In a program with as rich a tradition as Las Cruces High School, earning your place among the greats takes more than talent, it takes consistency, toughness, and heart. And through three varsity seasons, Daniel Amaro has checked every box.
The Class of 2026 running back/slot receiver has already racked up 3,022 rushing yards, 4,646 all-purpose yards, and 54 total touchdowns, making him one of the most productive returning players in the state of New Mexico. And yet, the way he carries himself, you’d never know it. Humble, focused, and relentless, Amaro isn’t chasing spotlight, he’s chasing legacy.
After a busy summer attending camps at Texas Tech, Arizona, Arizona State, and others, earning recognition at every stop, Amaro is now locked in for his senior year. And his goal is simple:
“To have a better season than last.”
From Cruces to Silver City and Back
Amaro’s football journey started early, but it took a detour.
Born and raised in Las Cruces, his family moved to Silver City when he was in third grade. It was there, at age 9, that he picked up a football for the first time. The reason?
“I loved watching Marshawn Lynch,” Amaro says. “I wanted to be just like him.”
Aggressive and fearless from day one, Amaro’s earliest memory of football isn’t scoring touchdowns or learning plays, it’s calling out the biggest kids on the team for hitting drills. He wanted the smoke. And he still does.
“I’ve always embraced competition,” he says. “That’s what fuels me.”
More Than Just a Running Back
Amaro has developed into a powerful, low-to-the-ground weapon who can make plays from the backfield, the slot, or as a return specialist. That versatility has helped him rack up big numbers and just as importantly, lead by example.
“I’m a fierce competitor,” Amaro says. “Being a running back gives me a chance to lead in different ways. I want to set the tone-physically, mentally, and emotionally-for our team.”
He’s also become known for his ability to bounce back. His favorite memory in football? Scoring a touchdown on his first touch after coming back from an injury during his junior year.
“That meant everything to me,” he says. “It reminded me why I love this game.”
Work Over Opponents
While Amaro has faced some of the toughest defenses in the state, he doesn’t prepare by studying opponents. Instead, he puts the focus back on his own team.
“I treat every game like it’s the same,” he says. “We don’t focus on who we’re playing, we focus on us, on what we can do better.”
It’s a mature, team-first mindset that’s helped define Amaro’s approach on and off the field.
A Multi-Sport Leader with a Hidden Talent
When he’s not running past defenders in the fall, Amaro is competing elsewhere. He’s a baseball player and wrestler, showing off his physicality and discipline year-round. He also enjoys hanging out with friends, playing pickleball, and finding ways to feed his competitive edge even during downtime.
And yes, he has a hidden talent most fans don’t know about: he can sing.
“I’m a country guy,” Amaro says. “And yeah, I’ve got some pipes.”
His pregame meal? Chipotle. His go-to mindset? Confidence built from preparation.
“I believe every coach I’ve had has helped shape me,” he says. “Every experience matters.”
Built Like Skattebo, Thinks Like Kobe
Amaro’s favorite player is Cam Skattebo, the Arizona State running back known for his toughness and chip-on-the-shoulder attitude.
“He’s undersized, and he has to prove himself every time he steps on the field,” Amaro says. “That’s how I carry myself too.”
It’s no surprise, then, that Amaro embraces one of the oldest truths in football: you don’t have to be the biggest, you just have to play bigger.
With one more season ahead in the Bulldogs backfield, Amaro is determined to leave it all on the field—and then take that same mentality with him to the college level.
“I absolutely plan to play at the next level,” he says. “I’m ready.”
His favorite quote, fittingly, is one of optimism and perseverance:
“There’s always light at the end of the tunnel.”
And if you’ve seen Daniel Amaro run -through tackles, through adversity, and through expectations-you already know he’s going to reach that light.
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