After 45 days, University of New Mexico football is ever closer to a full roster.
The NCAA fall transfer portal closed on Wednesday after The Athletic reported 1,285 players entered between its opening on Dec. 5 and closing on Wednesday. Nineteen New Mexico players added to that total, trailing only Colorado State (22) for the most portal departures in the Mountain West. Texas A&M, the Lobos’ season-opening opponent, had the most in the nation with 27.
As of publication, 11 former Lobos have announced new schools while eight are still searching for landing spots. In their place, New Mexico has added six players through the Group of 5, Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) and junior college ranks as part of an effort to restock an offense that finished dead-last of 131 teams in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) in total offense in 2022.
New Mexico is expected to announce further portal additions in the coming weeks.
QUARTERBACKS: New Mexico bolstered their quarterback room with two additions in redshirt junior Dylan Hopkins (UAB) and freshman David Charles Tabscott (Appalachian State).
With one year of eligibility remaining and a familiarity with new UNM offensive coordinator Bryant Vincent’s system, Hopkins is the early favorite to start for the Lobos heading into spring practice. The Maryville (Tennessee) High School alum started 15 games with UAB, throwing for 4,750 yards, 31 touchdowns and 16 interceptions with a 60.4% completion percentage over 33 games.
Tabscott, a former consensus three-star recruit from Father Ryan High School in the Nashville, Tennessee metro area, did not see the field in his lone season with the Mountaineers. He will join the Lobos with three years of eligibility remaining.
RUNNING BACKS: Junior Andrew Henry (Louisiana-Monroe) marks the first transfer addition to a running back room that averaged 123.2 rushing yards per game (101st in FBS) in 2022.
In two seasons with the Warhawks, Henry rushed for 807 yards and eight touchdowns on 206 attempts. The Allen High School (Texas) product previously attended Fort Scott Community College and Trinity Valley Community College.
WIDE RECEIVERS: Redshirt junior Jeremiah Hixon (Alabama State) announced his intention to join the Lobos on Twitter with one year of eligibility. In four seasons with the Hornets, Hixon had 122 receptions for 1,510 yards and zero touchdowns
Xavier Van (University of San Diego) comes to Albuquerque after spending his freshman season with the Toreros. Van indicated on his Twitter account he had been offered a preferred walk-on spot with the Lobos after appearing in two games during the 2022 season.
TIGHT ENDS: Freshman Everett Hunter (Modesto Junior College) announced his commitment to the Lobos on Twitter with three years of eligibility remaining.
SPECIAL TEAMS: After one season at Albany, freshman long snapper Brendan Durkin announced his commitment to the Lobos via Twitter. The Goshen, New York native appeared in two games for the Great Danes and has four years of eligibility remaining.
