Lobo football picked last of 12 teams in Mountain West

LAS VEGAS, Nevada — For the sixth straight year, New Mexico football was picked to finish last in some form or fashion in the Mountain West preseason poll.

And for the sixth straight year, no Lobo admitted to being all too bothered by that mark.

“I’ve been the underdog before – high school, ever since I (was) growing up because I’ve moved around a lot – military kid,” defensive back Donte Martin said on Tuesday. “I’m used to being at the bottom and working my way up to the top. It really didn’t bother me any, but we’re coming this season.”

Boise State is picked to win the league, which eliminates divisions in football this year. The Lobos, coming off a 2-10 2022 and 0-8 in league play, were an emphatic last-place selection.

“Everyone always has their preseason (rankings) – not that that ever matters, no one was ever right” quarterback Dylan Hopkins said. “I think (the ranking) was somewhat expected, with how the record was last year and how things went on. How could anyone project us that high?

“But I think after really seeing us this season, it’s gonna be a big difference.”

Hosted at Circa Casino and Resort, Mountain West Media Days opened on Wednesday with players in the spotlight. Martin and Hopkins were asked a bevy of questions about this last spring, summer and the season ahead:

OFFENSIVE BACKFIELD: UNM boasts depth at several positions: wide receiver, linebacker and there’s a solid case to be made for quarterback at this point with Hopkins and the likes of D.C. Tabscott, Devon Dampier and Justin Holaday. But depth aside, no room is more congested than the running back room.

“That’s definitely a group that’s competing more than anyone right now,” Hopkins said.

Hopkins looked to Alabama State transfer Jacory Merritt, preseason All-Mountain West kick returner Christian Washington and Sherod White as a few of the names at the front to help boost the offense. Still, with repetitions needed to fully get the hang of UNM’s wide zone offense, he said repetitions will be key for the group as a whole.

“It’s never easy for a bunch of running backs to get thrown into a new offense, especially one like (offensive coordinator Bryant Vincent’s),” he said.

NO HARD FEELINGS: Cleveland graduate and former UNM linebacker Dion Hunter’s departure from the program this spring left some fans feeling a little shocked and confused. For his part, Martin was clear there’s no ill will directed towards the incoming Cincinnati linebacker.

“I didn’t have no hardship with him,” he said. “Did what he wanted to do. (If) that’s the best for him, that’s the best for him. We always have the mentality of next man up in football.”

In some ways, Hunter’s departure cut the top off the two-deep. Who is the next man up in UNM’s linebacker room?

“The leaders right there, I’ll say (Alec Marenco), (Syaire Riley) and (Ray Leutele), especially with him coming off injury, trying to get back,” Martin said.

BY THE NUMBERS: Following a spring practice on March 1, offensive coordinator Bryant Vincent said the offense was “60-65%” installed. And now?

“I’d say it’s right around 80-85%,” Hopkins said. “We’re always throwing things (in) during the season but as far as our base, we’re pretty locked in.”

Martin didn’t have a true numerical figure on where the offense is at. But after facing the offense this spring and further in 7-on-7 periods over the summer, he noted a few differing trends.

“I don’t know if I’ve seen their full playbook yet,” he said. “They might be waiting for fall camp for that … (what) we’ve been doing in the summer, they’ve been focusing on getting the ball downfield, explosive plays so far.”

SUMMER WORKOUTS: In previous summers, Martin said the team was more focused on pure conditioning. This one? There’s still that element but there’s a clearer focus on strength-building.

“I feel like everybody’s bought in,” Martin added. “Especially with those coming off injury. It’s gonna be interesting heading into fall camp.”