National Signing Day: Lobos lose three-star RB, gain seven new signees

If National Signing Day isn’t dead, it’s a far cry from what it used to be.

The high drama that used to define the first Wednesday in February — surprise commitments, shocking flips and memorable announcements galore — has all but disappeared with the rise of December’s early signing period. And since most coaches prefer this calendar, it doesn’t appear that's changing any time soon.

Still, Lobo fans received a surprise Wednesday — one reminiscent of National Signing Day’s not-so-distant peak.

Three-star running back and former New Mexico signee Gabriel Wilson has flipped to Iowa State, the program announced Wednesday via release.

The 5-foot-9, 185-pound Houston native is set to follow former UNM running back John Johnson, who left for the same role with the Cyclones in December. He was among the Lobos’ highest-rated recruits in the class of 2026 and represents the most recent decommit after former cornerback signee Kingston Spivey flipped to Arizona in January.

The Lobos did, however, announce some seven new signees on National Signing Day, bringing their total prep signing class to 31. A look at those new signees:

CB Azari Warren

The 6-1, 168-pound Warren made 45 total tackles last season at Chino Hills (Calif.) High School. A three-star prospect, he chose UNM over additional offers from Louisville, Michigan State, Utah and New Mexico State.

DL Devin Palmer

The 6-2, 280-pound Palmer made 47 tackles and three sacks last season at Allen (Texas) High School, earning second team 6A All-State honors. He chose UNM over additional offers from Lamar and Washburn.

RB Jerod Terry Jr.

The 5-9, 185-pound Terry rushed for 604 yards in nine games last season at Sierra Canyon (Calif.) High School. A three-star prospect, he is set to join UNM as a walk-on after receiving additional offers from Sacramento State, Arizona, Colorado and San Diego State.

S Justice French

The 6-2, 206-pound French made 77 receptions for 1,136 yards and 12 touchdowns in his last two seasons at Hobbs High School. A walk-on, he will move over to safety upon joining the Lobos.

LB Broden Schmidt

The 6-2, 219-pound Schmidt made 159 total tackles (18 for loss) last season at Mica Mountain (Ariz.) High School, helping the Thunderbolts win their second straight state title. He will join the Lobos as a walk-on.

DL Johnathan Trentadue

The 6-4, 190-pound Trentadue made 27 tackles (14 for loss) last season at La Sierra (Calif.) High School. He will join the Lobos as a walk-on.

TE Enrique Zatarain

The 6-4, 220-pound Zatarain made 19 catches for 301 yards over three varsity seasons at St. Paul (Calif.) High School. He will join the Lobos as a walk-on.

UNM’s class of 2026, by state

California (8)

-CB Brannon Hampton (Tustin High School)

-TE Max Leeper (Claremont High School)

-DB Joshua Mensah (Rancho Cucamonga High School)

-TE Walter Moore (St. Bonaventure High School)

-RB Jerod Terry Jr. (Sierra Canyon High School)

-DL Johnathan Trentadue (La Sierra High School)

-CB Azari Warren (Chino Hills High School)

-TE Enrique Zatarain (St. Paul High School)

Texas (7)

-DL Nick Barber (Brandeis High School)

-S Marco Beltran (College Park High School)

-WR DJ Darling (Ridge Point High School)

-OL Sebastian Dawkins (Westfield High School)

-WR Bailen George (Ridge Point High School)

-DL Devin Palmer (Allen High School)

-OL Jebralon Stewart (DeSoto High School)

Arizona (6)

-OL Braden Chick (American Leadership Academy)

-OL Ty Gates (Centennial High School)

-S Jaron Liles (Queen Creek High School)

-OL Joshua Meisner (Salpointe Catholic High School)

-S Xavier Rivera-Rogers (Basha High School)

-LB Broden Schmidt (Mica Mountain High School)

New Mexico (4)

-OL Matheu Alderman (Eldorado High School)

-LB Hayes Baum (Cibola High School)

-S Justice French (Hobbs High School)

-WR Jacob Maldonado (Cleveland High School)

Illinois (2)

-OL Danzel Newell (Marist High School)

-WR Dorian Patterson (Crete-Monee High School)

Oregon (1)

-QB Cade Mitchell (Mountainside High School)

Nevada (1)

-WR Massiah Mingo (Bishop Gorman High School)

Oklahoma (1)

-LB Ricklan Holmes (Del City High School)

Kansas (1)

-OL Brody Litton (Beloit High School)

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