Lobos wide receivers coach Colin Lockett expected to leave for UCLA 

New Mexico wide receivers coach Colin Lockett is expected to take the same position at UCLA, the Journal learned Wednesday.

In his first year with UNM, the 34-year-old coached wide receiver Keagan Johnson to an All-Mountain West Honorable Mention and led a room that caught 90 passes for 1,159 yards and four touchdowns this season.

Lockett joins running backs coach John Johnson as the second assistant to resign from the program for a new job in the last week; the Journal reported Saturday that Johnson is expected to take the same role at Iowa State.

Chris Hummer of 24/7 Sports first reported Lockett’s departure. Lockett did not respond when reached by the Journal for comment.

A Diamond Bar, Calif. native, Lockett would join Bob Chesney’s inaugural staff at UCLA. He has previously worked in California as a wide receivers coach at UC Davis and graduate assistant at San Diego State, his alma mater.

Lockett caught 130 passes for 1,999 yards and 16 touchdowns from 2010-13 with the Aztecs, ending his career with 4,405 all-purpose yards. He went on to spend three seasons on the practice squads of the NFL’s Cincinnati Bengals and Washington Commanders (at that time, known as the "Redskins"), and the CFL’s BC Lions before entering coaching.

Lockett has also worked as a graduate assistant at Oregon and a quality control assistant at Washington.

Playing hurt

One of the Lobos’ key starters played hurt in the second half of the season – without knowing the full extent of his injury.

Quarterback Jack Layne dealt with a torn tendon in his throwing arm throughout the final stretch of UNM’s season, head coach Jason Eck told the Journal. 

Eck said Layne underwent surgery on Dec. 29 to “clean up some tissues,” only to find a tendon in his right elbow was completely torn. Layne previously missed all but one session of spring practice with what Eck said was an issue in the same elbow.

In his first season with UNM, Layne completed 213 of 327 passes for 2,486 yards, 13 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. The 6-foot-2, 204-pound redshirt junior struggled during the Lobos’ 20-17 loss to Minnesota in the Rate Bowl, completing 14 of 25 passes for 88 yards and one interception on Dec. 26.

“He was a tough sucker to push through all that, and we look forward to getting him healthy this offseason,” Eck said. “We believe in him and know he’ll be ready to go, full-strength, for next year.”

Linebacker Jaxton Eck also fractured his scapula in the Rate Bowl, and is expected to be out for “at least” three months, per Eck. The 6-1, 224-pound junior made 128 total tackles last season, earning Mountain West Co-Defensive Player of the Year honors.

Entering the portal

Two Lobos announced their plans to enter the transfer portal Wednesday: wide receiver Isaiah Blair and defensive end Landon Williams.

Blair, a 5-foot-11, 194-pound junior, appeared in eight games this season, but did not record a catch. A former Cerritos (Calif.) Junior College transfer, he has one year of eligibility remaining.

“Thank you to New Mexico for the opportunity and amazing season,” Blair posted Wednesday via X. “I am forever grateful.”

Williams, a 6-4, 236-pound redshirt junior, made five total tackles in seven games this season. The Albuquerque native and Albuquerque High School graduate has one year of eligibility remaining.

“After lots of thoughts and prayers, I have opted to enter my name into the transfer portal as a graduate transfer … I am extremely thankful for the staffs that have given me (an) opportunity during my time at New Mexico,” Williams posted Wednesday via X.

With Blair and Williams’ announcements, 11 Lobos have announced their plans to enter the portal since the start of December. Players cannot officially enter until Friday, Jan. 2. The portal closes Jan. 16.