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UNM football: First wave of transfer additions announced
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More than one Eck will be on hand for head coach Jason Eck’s first season at New Mexico.
Former Idaho linebacker Jaxton Eck — Jason’s son — is transferring to UNM, the program announced Thursday via a post on social media.
Jaxton Eck, a 6-foot-1, 225-pound sophomore, earned first team All-Big Sky honors after logging a team-high 134 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and one interception in 14 games last season. He entered the transfer portal following his father’s departure from Idaho on Dec. 14, picking up offers from UNM, Michigan State, North Carolina State, Stanford, Coastal Carolina and UMass.
BOOM!!!! Let's welcome First Team All-Big Sky backer Jaxton Eck (@jaxtonjay) to the Lobo Family! Lat year he had 134 tackles, a pick, a PBU and 3.5 TFLs.
— New Mexico Football (@UNMLoboFB) December 26, 2024
That'll work around here...#GoLobos pic.twitter.com/tJZt589Hu2
With UNM losing two of its starting linebackers via the portal or expired eligibility, Eck will be expected to help fill an immediate need within the Lobos’ defense. He has two years of eligibility remaining.
Eck was one of six transfers formally announced on Thursday, the first wave of additions as UNM rebuilds its roster following former head coach Bronco Mendenhall’s departure. Fourteen Lobos have committed to new programs and nearly 20 remain in the portal.
Offensive linemen Richard Pearce and Malik Aliane and safety Tavian Combs announced their returns to UNM over the past couple weeks.
The remaining transfers announced by UNM:
GUNSLINGER!!! Let's welcome QB Jack Layne (@JackLayne18) to the Lobo Family. The RS-Jr threw for 14 TDs and 1,472 in less than 7 games.
— New Mexico Football (@UNMLoboFB) December 26, 2024
For his career ... 23 TDs, 2,165 yds and 5 INTs in 18 games. That works...and works well!#GoLobos pic.twitter.com/n9SUtyPv7V
QB Jack Layne (Idaho)
A 6-2, 200-pound quarterback, Layne completed 99 of 154 passes (64.3%) for 1,477 yards, 14 touchdowns and four interceptions in six games for Idaho last season. The redshirt sophomore from Lake Oswego, Ore., entered the season as the Vandals’ starter before he was sidelined with a collarbone injury suffered in a season-opening loss to Oregon.
After missing nearly two months, Layne returned before the end of the season and passed for 1,309 yards, 13 touchdowns and three interceptions and helped lead Idaho to a 4-1 finish. He has three years of eligibility remaining.
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Let's welcome RB Deshaun Buchanan (@DeshaunBuchana8) to the Lobo Family!!! One of the top FCS freshmen last year, he rushed for 567 yards and 5 TDs in nine games and just 79 carries. That's 7.2 yards per carry, which should sound familiar...#GoLobos pic.twitter.com/SeC8nVpUGu
— New Mexico Football (@UNMLoboFB) December 26, 2024
RB Deshaun Buchanan (Idaho)
Buchanan, a 5-11, 190-pound running back, led Idaho in rushing last season with 573 yards and five touchdowns. The freshman from Phoenix ran for a career-high 212 yards and two touchdowns in a 39-30 win over Portland State on Nov. 9, one of two games with 100-plus yards rushing.
Buchanan has three years of eligibility remaining.
Lobo fans let's welcome TE Aiden Valdez (@aidenDvaldez11) to the Lobo Family! Another Campbell Camel, Aiden had 10 catches in 10 starts last year with three TDs.
— New Mexico Football (@UNMLoboFB) December 26, 2024
He's the only TE in Campbell history with a multiple TD reception game.
Aiden Valdez. That's the list.#GoLobos pic.twitter.com/Fgr5lC9v94
TE Aiden Valdez (Campbell)
Valdez, a 6-5, 240-pound tight end, caught 12 passes for 106 yards and three touchdowns in 12 games for Campbell last season. The sophomore from Hacienda Heights, Calif., joins the Lobos with two years of eligibility remaining.
Ho Ho Ho, Let's Go Go Go!!!
— New Mexico Football (@UNMLoboFB) December 26, 2024
Let's Welcome offensive lineman Kaden Robnett (@KadenRobnett) to the Lobo Family. A starter at Idaho with two years to play, he brings immediate toughness and size to the O-Line room!#GoLobos pic.twitter.com/tpQxAbwsDO
OL Kaden Robnett (Idaho)
Robnett, a 6-2, 290-pound offensive lineman, started two games for Idaho in 2024, allowing one sack over 61 pass blocking snaps before suffering a season-ending injury in September. The redshirt sophomore from Graham, Wash., has four years of eligibility remaining.
Let's welcome veteran DB Abraham Williams to the Lobo Family! Williams brings DB experience and is a 2X All-America kick returner.
— New Mexico Football (@UNMLoboFB) December 26, 2024
HE HAS 5⃣ CAREER 100-YARD KO RETURN TDS.
FIVE?!?!?!?
MW kickers better hit it out of the end zone. Just sayin...#GoLobos pic.twitter.com/D5i0ZuLWlY
DB Abraham Williams (Idaho)
Williams, a 6-1, 185-pound defensive back, made 17 total tackles in five games for Idaho last season. The senior from Salt Lake City was also a two-time All-American kick returner at Weber State and is first among active players in kickoff return average (33.1 yards).
He has one year of eligibility remaining.
Let's throw in a coach for good measure! Big time hire in Stanley Franks, Jr. (@franks_coach) for our secondary and defensive pass game coordinator! He brings professional playing and coaching experience to UNM!
— New Mexico Football (@UNMLoboFB) December 26, 2024
He shows up and yards allowed goes ⬇️#GoLobos pic.twitter.com/FNCxQGPfpD
COACHING HIRE: UNM also announced Thursday the hire of secondary coach and defensive passing game coordinator Stanley Franks Jr., the seventh assistant coach hired under Eck.
Franks joins the Lobos after three seasons as Idaho’s cornerbacks coach. The former Vandal defensive back has previously coached at Washington State, Idaho State, Cabrillo (Calif.) College and with the Canadian Football League’s BC Lions.
