10 players to watch during UNM's spring game

New Mexico hosts its first spring game under head coach Jason Eck on Friday, representing the 15th and final session of spring practice.

Here are 10 players to watch as the Lobos take the field for the last time until summer:

WR Keagan Johnson

After missing the start of practice with an ankle injury, the 6-foot 185-pound Kansas State transfer has been something of a revelation over the final week-and-a-half of practice, consistently showcasing the speed and receiving ability befitting a true WR1. Be sure to keep an eye out for No. 6 come Friday night.

“The thing that just jumps out is his play speed,” said offensive coordinator Luke Schleusner on Tuesday. “He’s fast, plays fast (and) he’s played a lotta ball. He gives us that vertical threat down the field.”

S Albert Nunes

The 6-1, 206-pound Northern Iowa transfer has functioned as UNM’s unquestioned starting nickel (or “star”, at least in this defense’s terminology) for the entirety of spring practice, a reflection of his athleticism and versatility. And few positions in UNM’s 4-2-5 base are more important than the “star”, a position that allows for the schematic multiplicity defensive coordinator Spence Nowinsky desires.

TE Dorian Thomas

The 6-4, 248-pound Arizona transfer has been a force catching the ball this spring, occasionally lining up outside for the Lobos. Even if he stands to grow some as a blocker, Thomas’ receiving skills have helped him carve out a nice role for himself in a tight end room, especially with Keayen Nead now in the transfer portal.

“We don’t really have a lot of bigger receivers,” Schleusner said. “He kind of fills that role of the big target that you can use on some slants and spot routes and different things over the middle.”

OL Isaiah Sillemon

After playing a year out of position, Sillemon is back on the line — but at a new spot. The 6-1, 307-pound longtime guard is locked in a battle with Idaho transfer Kaden Robnett for the starting center role, a competition expected to stretch into fall camp. Be sure to watch his reps with the first-string offensive line.

RB Scottre Humphrey

The 5-10, 201-pound Montana State transfer came into spring with high expectations and has since lived up to them, showcasing the bruising style that made him a coveted addition in the portal. Along with Weber State transfer Damon Bankston, Humphrey is at the front of a deep running back room, and should be expected to clock a full shift Friday night.

LB Elijah Brody

At a position returning veterans like Dimitri Johnson and Randolph Kpai, Brody has been a pleasant surprise in the wake of his shift to linebacker. The 6-1 West Mesa High School graduate recently said he’s up to 225 pounds, and has been seeing some steady work with the first-string defense this spring — could he be in the mix for a larger role this fall?

S Clint Stephens

The 6-1, 198-pound UCLA transfer has played his way into a starting role at strong safety in his first spring with the Lobos, helping address a position that lost all of last season’s production to the portal. Keep an eye out for Stephens on the back end of plays Friday night.

DL Gabe Lopez

After playing off the edge last season, the 6-2, 250-pound Lopez spent the first couple weeks of spring bouncing back and forth between the interior and his usual position. Now? It looks to be more of a “permanent” move to the inside for one of UNM’s veterans up front, an unexpected (if effective) change to watch for.

“He’s done a good job with that,” Eck said Tuesday. “We gotta (get him) to gain some weight over the summer … but, you know, his athleticism shows up rushing against guards a little more than it showed rushing on the edge. He’s smart, he’s tough — he’s really had a good spring.”

QB James Laubstein

Laubstein, a 6-3, 209-pound senior, has repped as UNM’s first-string quarterback for all but one of UNM’s 15 practices, and will continue to do so Friday night. There’s no guarantee it’ll be his job by the end of fall camp, but he’s been more than serviceable in his first extended crack at the Lobos’ starting job, and could set up a compelling competition come August.

CB Abraham Williams

Along with Montana State transfer Jon Johnson, the 6-1, 189-pound Williams has played himself to the top of UNM’s cornerback depth and regularly shined in practice. The Idaho transfer is also back to returning kicks after earning FCS All-American honors in that role as a sophomore at Weber State.