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NEW MEXICO FOOTBALL
Ten Lobos sign to return to program next season
Starting quarterback, two key offensive linemen among players set to return as part of 'Real Ones' campaign
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What do a 5-foot-10, 180-pound defensive back, a 6-2, 206-pound quarterback and a 6-3, 325-pound defensive lineman have in common?
At least to New Mexico, they’re considered “Real Ones.”
At least 10 Lobos are expected to return to the program next season via the program's “Real Ones” campaign, designed to aid player retention efforts through the Lobo Alliance.
The 'Real Ones'
A look at the 10 players to resign with UNM, as announced by the program over the last week:
QB Jack Layne
Summary: The 6-2, 206-pound redshirt junior completed 199 of 302 passes for 2,398 yards, 13 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He also rushed for 150 yards and four touchdowns on 77 carries.
LB Jaxton Eck
Summary: The 6-1, 224-pound junior was named the Mountain West Co-Defensive Player of the Year after making 126 total tackles and 1.5 sacks.
OL Jaymar Tasi
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Summary: The 6-foot-2, 308-pound freshman appeared in 10 games and finished the regular season as a starter.
DE Xavier Slayton
Summary: The 6-2, 243-pound junior made 20 total tackles, 1.5 sacks and one interception in 10 games.
DE Darren Agu
Summary: The 6-6, 244-pound junior made 24 total tackles and two sacks in 10 games. He has two years of eligibility remaining.
OL Kaden Robnett
Summary: The 6-2, 269-pound redshirt freshman started all 10 games at center and did not allow a sack over 424 pass protection snaps, per Pro Football Focus.
S Austin Brawley
Summary: After missing eight games with an injury, the 5-10, 180-pound senior made 21 total tackles and three interceptions in the last three games. He has one year of eligibility remaining.
DL Brian Booker
Summary: The 6-3, 235-pound junior made eight total tackles and one sack in 11 games on his way to an All-Mountain West honorable mention.
DL Jalen McIver
Summary: The 6-4, 281-pound sophomore made 10 total tackles and 1.5 sacks in 11 games after joining the Lobos over the summer.
CB Frankie Edwards III
Summary: The 5-10, 174-pound sophomore made 47 total tackles in 12 games.
Looking to add
While the portal doesn’t open until early January, Eck has made it clear what positions UNM would like to add to: Edge rushers and cornerback.
“That’s definitely an area, with edge rushers, that we’re looking to add to,” Eck said in a news conference Dec. 8. “(At cornerback), Jon Johnson was such a good player, and I just think we have to get our numbers up at corner anyway. There were some times this year where we got a little thin when we had an injury at corner.
“Those come to mind right away. I think we’ll have four starters back — hopefully — on the offensive line … I think we need a few more tackle bodies in the program, maybe some older guys. You look at like, (Malik Aliane) this year — (he was) playing tackle with really, a little bit more of an inside guard, center body type.”
Another area the Lobos might add? Kicker, especially after starting placekicker Luke Drzewiecki’s eligibility expires.
“Now I do think, between guys in the program with Grant Glasgow and Christian Munguia, that one of those guys could certainly be our field goal kicker next year. But wouldn’t mind bringing another guy (in) to compete with those guys as well.”
Still need a ride?
For fans still interested in traveling to Phoenix for the Rate Bowl, there are still spots open on a charter bus organized by a local Lobo fan. Contact Bobby Aragon at 505-974-0215 for more details.
