Ranking New Mexico football's four most significant transfer additions (so far)

The Lobos have made a little noise in the portal.

Since head coach Jason Eck was hired in December, New Mexico has signed 30 transfers and accumulated the second-ranked transfer class in the Mountain West, per 24/7 Sports. If that ranking holds, it’d be the best mark in recent memory; UNM has not finished higher than sixth since the transfer portal was established in 2018.

The four most significant transfers (so far) in what’s shaping up to be a strong portal class for UNM:

4. QB Jack Layne (Idaho)

Analysis: Layne, a 6-2, 200-pound redshirt sophomore, completed 99 of 154 passes (64.3%) for 1,477 yards, 14 touchdowns and four interceptions after a collarbone injury held him out for over half of last season. Lobo fans may still be reeling from Devon Dampier’s departure to Utah, but Layne’s well familiar with Eck and offensive coordinator Luke Schleusner’s offense and has shown he can thrive as a starter. It’s fair to pencil him in as such until further notice.

3. WR Keagan Johnson (Kansas State)

Analysis: After losing all four of its leading receivers in the portal, Johnson represents one of just two wide receivers the program has signed via the portal after he caught 29 passes for 359 yards and one touchdown with Kansas State last season. The 6-0, 206-pound junior was electrifying with sheer promise as a freshman at Iowa (18 receptions, 353 yards, two touchdowns) before injuries derailed his time with the Hawkeyes. Could Albuquerque be where his career kicks into another gear?

2. DL Keyshawn James-Newby (Idaho)Analysis: Before this week, James-Newby was No. 1 on this list. And for good reason: The 6-2, 240-pound defensive lineman was flat-out dominant last season, racking up a Big Sky-best 10.5 total sacks with 55 total quarterback pressures. For comparison, UNM’s best individual mark in 2024? Four sacks and 24 pressures, both on behalf of edge rusher Moso Tuitele.

Some trepidation over defensive up-transfers is understandable. But James-Newby was a difference-maker for two seasons at NAIA Montana Tech before blossoming into an FCS All-American at Idaho; with one year of eligibility remaining, he’ll get a shot to make his mark with the Lobos next.

1. RB Scottre Humphrey (Montana State)

Analysis: On its face, there might not be a more significant transfer in UNM’s recent history. Because Humphrey was simply that good in his second year with Montana State: The 5-11, 210-pound sophomore rushed for 1,386 yards (fifth in FCS) and 16 touchdowns (seventh in FCS) last season, a key cog in one of the best offenses in all college football.

UNM already did some great work bringing in transfer backs Deshaun Buchanan (Idaho), Damon Bankston (Weber State) and D.J. McKinney (Sam Houston State). But Humphrey — previously recruited by Eck’s staff at Idaho before choosing the Bobcats — has the right mix of power and speed to rise to the top of the room, and quick. That he chose the Lobos over Ole Miss, Virginia Tech, North Carolina and Boise State is no small item either.

Honorable mentions

- Linebacker Jaxton Eck (a Big Sky-best 134 total tackles with Idaho last season) just missed this list, but expect him to make an immediate (and sizable) impact in a linebacker room down Dimitri Johnson and Jayden Wilson since the end of last season.

- After losing its entire starting offensive line for the second straight year, it was never a question that UNM would look to the portal to rebuild the position. Idaho transfer Kaden Robnett, Mercer transfer Israel Mukizawa and North Carolina A&T State transfer R.J. Adams might just be the names to look for from that group come spring.

- UNM badly needed some experience in the secondary and Ohio transfer safety Austin Brawley will help. The 5-foot-9, 180-pound junior joins the Lobos with 97 career tackles and three interceptions in 29 game appearances over the past three seasons, and has plenty of experience working with new defensive coordinator Spence Nowinsky.