Lobo cornerback Abe Williams moves to receiver

Note: Quotes from Jason Eck are from the latest episode of Reider’s Block, a UNM football podcast hosted by Journal staff writer Sean Reider. The full podcast is available on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

One of the Lobos’ defensive starters is set for a new role – on the other side of the ball.

New Mexico cornerback Abraham Williams has been moved to wide receiver, head coach Jason Eck told the Journal.

The 6-foot-1, 186-pound redshirt senior made 22 total tackles in seven starts last year before injuries held him out of the final four games. Williams — a former FCS All-American kick returner — also returned six kickoffs for 96 yards for the Lobos.

“(Williams) is doing a good job,” Eck said last week. “He can really run. He's got to take care of his hamstring because his hamstring was bothering him a little bit.

“But he's definitely a weapon who can really run and take the top off things (with his) speed. And I think (wide receivers coach Carson Walch) will do a great job developing him.”

The decision to move Williams — a former high quarterback — to wide receiver was made to take advantage of his skill set while keeping him healthy in his final year of eligibility, Eck said. The former Idaho and Weber State transfer suffered three concussions over the last two years, holding him out for long stretches of his two seasons under Eck.

UNM’s need for more speed at receiver also made Eck open to the change.

“We think this is an opportunity (for Williams),” he added. “You know, when you tackle, you're not leading with your head, but … it's in the vicinity, you know. So it can be a tough deal there. Hopefully this is something that can keep him on the field more because that was an issue that way.”

In moving over to receiver, Williams also figures to help bolster a room that lost its leading receiver in Keagan Johnson, but added two transfers in Troy Omeire (UNLV) and Miles Williams (Eastern Washington) and two early enrollees in DJ Darling and Massiah Mingo.

UNM also returns Zhaiel Smith and Shawn Miller, who combined for 23 catches and 311 yards last season.

Injury updates

UNM’s receiving depth will be tested in the coming weeks: Omeire is set to miss spring practice after recently undergoing knee surgery, per Eck. 

After catching 31 passes for 514 yards with the Rebels last season, the 6-4, 210-pound former Arizona State and Texas transfer is expected to serve as UNM’s top receiver this season.

“It’s not an ACL (injury), so I'm very confident he'll be back for (this season),” Eck said. “We probably expect him to miss all (of) spring.”

Southern Cal transfer tight end Joey Olsen will miss this season, however, after tearing his ACL during offseason workouts. The former four-star prospect transferred to the Lobos after two years with the Trojans, and was expected to help play a role in UNM’s revamped tight end room.

“He's got a great attitude, and he's working really hard. I really like that kid. Just his demeanor and his personality. He's got a good energy to be around. You know, he's very motivated to try to get back for next year. But, you know, we'll see.”

Sean Reider covers college football and other sports for the Journal. You can reach him at sreider@abqjournal.com or via X at @lenaweereider.