by Andrew Alonzo | aalonzo@claremont-courier.com

Later this month, 17-year-old Max Leeper will trade the maroon and white of Claremont High School for the cherry and silver of the University of New Mexico, colors fitting of his life’s next chapter.

He completed high school a semester early this fall and signed a letter of intent last month to play football at UNM in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Now he’s about to travel some 760 miles east begin the next chapter of his young life as a Lobo freshman majoring in business administration.

Max visited the campus in June 2025.

(L-R) Jim Johnson, Chloe Leeper, Jeremy Leeper, Max Leeper, Kara Leeper, Abby Leeper and Stephanie Johnson at Max’s December 3 letter of intent signing ceremony to study business administration and to play football at the University of New Mexico. Not pictured is Max’s older brother, Zack. Photo/courtesy of CUSD

“I only took one visit and that was New Mexico and I ended up committing on that visit,” he said. “Honestly, I had committed to New Mexico before the [high school] season had even started.”

He attracted interest from Flagstaff’s Northern Arizona University and Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas, but said the New Mexico coaching staff sold him.

“Honestly, I told myself I wouldn’t ever commit to the brand of school, I would always commit to the coaching staff,” Max said. “And, I mean, they blew it out of the water, just very genuine people.”

Talks with current players, students, and of course his parents also played a role in his decision.

“I will say that University of New Mexico was never really on our bingo card of potential places for Max to go,” said Max’s father, Jeremy Leeper. “What you want is for somebody to see your kid the same way that you see them. And I think that that was one of the biggest things that left us with some comfort when we left Albuquerque, is that the coaches there saw the same things in Max that we see, the opportunity, the unpolished abilities that he has. I think the most satisfying thing for all of us in the family is to see your kids identify a goal, and then pursue it with everything they’ve got, and that’s what we’ve seen with Max. We’re thrilled that he’s getting an opportunity to continue to pursue football at the next level. And it’s been a great run to get him to this point.”

The family will help Max make the move from Claremont to Albuquerque later this month.

CHS football coach Jake Caron is also happy for his former charge.

“The Wolfpack community looks forward to following his collegiate journey and cheering him on as he represents CHS at the Division I level,” coach Caron wrote in a statement. “Max Leeper took a chance on himself and on this program, and in doing so, he helped lay the foundation for the future of Claremont football … His combination of skill, leadership, work ethic, and character elevated his teammates and set a new standard for what future Wolfpack athletes can aspire to.”

Max played tight end and wide receiver for the Wolfpack offense in 2025. He had 55 receptions and averaged 16.2 yards per catch, with seven touchdowns and 1,002 total yards. As an outside linebacker on defense, he had 17 tackles, one for a loss, one sack, two interceptions, and one forced fumble.

Max played for Rancho Cucamonga High in 2024 and had one 25-yard reception as a tight end. As a CHS sophomore in 2023, he had five receptions, averaging 16.4 yards per catch, two touchdowns, and 82 total yards. On defense he had 63 tackles and one sack.

Max thanked his family — parents Kara and Jeremy Leeper, sisters Chloe and Abby Leeper, and older brother Zack Leeper — teachers, teammates, and past and present coaches for helping him get to where he is today.

As Max prepares to head to Alburquerque, he’s not worried about that common college freshman affliction: homesickness.

“I’ve never really had a problem going far,” he said. “I mean, I would consider myself a pretty independent person. And my mom always said it was never how I was going to do when I left, it was just like if I would ever come back. She’s not really necessarily worried about me being on my own, just hoping that I’ll come back and visit, which of course I will.”