Fall camp is (almost) here. Three questions for UNM football ahead of practice

New Mexico opens fall camp on Wednesday, the first of 15 practices leading into the Lobos’ first season under head coach Jason Eck.

Here are three questions for UNM entering fall camp:

1. Which quarterback will win the starting job?

The most obvious — and important — question as UNM enters fall camp concerns the starting QB. Because, for the first time in a couple years, there will be a good ol’ fashioned quarterback battle. Idaho transfer Jack Layne and returner James Laubstein are the primary contenders for the position, while UConn transfer Cole Welliver, freshman Toa Faavae and Gabriel Motschenbacher are on the outside looking in.

Layne, of course, has the advantage of previously playing in Eck’s system, and playing well. But an elbow injury held him out for all but one session of spring practice, opening the door for Laubstein to operate as UNM’s de facto QB1. Can he continue to close the gap and take the job? Or will a fully-healthy Layne grab hold of the starting spot?

2. Can a new-look defensive line cure UNM’s woes up front?

To be clear, it isn’t quite the highest bar. Over the last two seasons, UNM has finished at, or near, the bottom of the Mountain West in rushing defense and sacks. That can’t all be pinned on the defensive line. The Lobos haven’t had much injury luck up front, either.

At least for now, there’s a sense things could change for the better. After all, Idaho transfer Keyshawn James-Newby is the most credentialed pass rusher UNM has added in quite some time. Brian Booker, a 6-foot-3, 225-pound Texas Southern transfer, made a noticeable impact on the interior during spring practice. And holdover defensive ends Gabe Lopez and Okiki Olorunfunmi have been permanently moved inside, a change the former has enjoyed to this point.

“I always knew I could play (inside),” Lopez said earlier this month at Mountain West Media Days. “Because even with (former head coach Danny Gonzales) when I first got here, we had a three-down package (where) I was playing (two technique, when a defensive lineman lines up over the guard) at 230. So I knew if I put on some weight that I could take my twitchiness inside and help us.”

With Lopez and Olorunfunmi fortifying the interior, there’s also more depth than previously thought. Is there enough for UNM’s defensive line to stay consistently effective throughout the season?

3. Which receivers will step up behind Johnson?

There’s no reason to beat around the bush: Keagan Johnson will be UNM’s WR1 as long as he’s healthy. That’s all after the 6-0, 199-pound Kansas State transfer missed the first half of spring practice to recover from an offseason procedure, was slotted in with the second team and ended up finishing camp with the starters.

As for the rest of the room?

“We need some of those other guys to take a step forward,” Eck said at Mountain West Media Days.

One new name to watch for? Freshman Zhaiel Smith. Both Eck and offensive coordinator Luke Schleusner have said they believe the 6-1, 190-pound Tualatiun (Oregon) High School product could play immediately after arriving this summer and impressing coaches and players alike.

“(Strength and conditioning coach Caleb Heim) has had great reports from how he’s doing in the weight room,” Eck said. “Hearing the player’s reports about how seven-on-seven (practices) have gone, he’s the guy who showed up and really earned the respect of his teammates right away.”

One additional thought: during last year’s camp, running back Javen Jacobs (17 catches, 130 yards, one touchdown) emerged as UNM’s best pass-catching back. Will another back have similar production? And will tight ends Dorian Thomas and Cade Keith continue as effective pass catching targets?

“Both those guys are a little bit more of your move tight end, (they can) split out and do all the things,” Schleusner said this summer. “And I think they’re both going to be good enough to compete at the line of scrimmage as well.”