Eight players to watch during UNM's second scrimmage of fall camp

New Mexico is opening its second scrimmage of fall camp Friday to the public, inviting fans to check out the team from 1-3 p.m. at University Stadium.

Eight players to watch during what’s expected to be the Lobos’ last scrimmage of camp:

1. QB Jack Layne

Layne represents one half of UNM’s quarterback competition, a multi-week battle set to end soon. Head coach Jason Eck said at the start of camp that they’d prefer to name a starter by Monday. The 6-foot-2, 206-pound Idaho transfer has the most experience with this offense, and has looked comfortable running it through two weeks of practices.

Will that be enough for him to win the starting job?

2. QB James Laubstein

The only quarterback from last year’s team, Laubstein — 6-3, 211-pound senior — served as UNM’s de facto QB1 during spring practice while Layne was sidelined with an elbow injury. Now, he represents the other half of the Lobos’ quarterback competition, holding his own against Layne in one of the most notable storylines of camp.

“You can’t not think about it, right?” Laubstein said of the competition at the start of camp. “But I think the biggest thing for me is (to) just be myself. And I feel like if I do that and be myself the best I can, everything will play itself out — whether that’s in Jack’s favor, or my favor.”

3. DE Keyshawn James-Newby

After missing spring practice to recover from a labrum injury, James-Newby has shined in his first extended run as a Lobo. The 6-2, 244-pound senior has been (arguably) the best player on the defense throughout camp, showcasing a pass rushing skill set the program hasn’t had in years.

“I want 16 sacks. It’s really my goal,” James-Newby said at the start of camp. “If I can’t get that, I just wanna ... be a double-digit guy from this point on. If I (have) a professional career, I wanna be a double-digit guy.”

4. CB Abe Williams

A preseason All-Mountain West kick returner, the 6-1, 186-pound Williams effectively won one of UNM’s starting spots this spring, and has emerged as a “complete” corner in his coach’s eyes.

“I think he’s, by far, our best corner,” Eck said Wednesday. “He’s got great length. He really runs well. … He can also change direction. I think he’s smart and he’s physical. He’s not afraid to come up and tackle guys.”

5. WR Zhaiel Smith

When asked about Smith over the summer, Eck and offensive coordinator Luke Schleusner said they expected the freshman from Portland, Oregon to play immediately. He’s lived up to that expectation — and then some — working his way up to UNM’s first team offense in the wake of injuries to fellow receivers Keagan Johnson, Kader Diop and Isaiah Blair.

6. OL Isaiah Sillemon

After playing last season out of position, Sillemon battled Kaden Robnett throughout spring and the early part of camp to start at center. The 6-1, 310-pound redshirt senior lost, but now finds himself in another position battle with Nevell Brown for starting right tackle duties after playing the majority of his career on the interior.

“Being a little on the shorter side of the offensive line, you gotta play different. You gotta use what you know best to get in a certain spot (and) know where your spot is,” Sillemon said Wednesday of the shift to tackle. “You don’t have as much help as (guards). It’s a lot of one-on-one, so (I’m) just honing in on that and winning one-on-ones at the end of the day.”

7. LB Jaxton Eck

One of UNM’s two starting linebackers, Eck has had a strong camp, routinely making plays against the pass and run. The 6-1, 224-pound junior Idaho transfer has also shown a knack for coming up with stops on late downs; a quality the Lobos have lacked over the last couple seasons.

8. S Tavian Combs

The longest tenured player on UNM’s roster, Combs has seen a bit of a career resurgence during camp. The sixth-year senior has “firmly” earned starting boundary safety duties, Eck said, after struggling with injuries for the last few seasons.

“In the spring, (there were) days we had to limit him, but I think he hasn’t missed a practice (in fall camp),” Eck said Wednesday. “He’s been a guy who’s been very durable (and) smart. Credit to him; we brought in quite a few transfers at safety to kind of compete (with) him.”