UNM football: Lobos land two commitments after busy recruiting weekend

On the heels of a busy recruiting weekend, the Lobos landed a couple commitments.

Junior college defensive end Albert Tuakalau and prep safety Marco Beltran committed to New Mexico via posts on social media earlier this week.

A 6-foot-5, 235-pound defensive end, Tuakalau committed after taking an official visit to UNM during the Lobos’ 20-17 win over Colorado State last week. The Redwood City, Calif., native made 19 total tackles (4.5 for a loss) and two sacks as a sophomore this season with College of San Mateo.

“Beyond blessed to announce my commitment to the University of New Mexico!” Tuakalau wrote Monday on X. “Couldn’t have made it this far without God, my family, coaches and brothers at (College of San Mateo). Thank you to (head coach Jason Eck) and (defensive line coach Loni Fangupo) for the opportunity!”

The 5-10, 180-pound Beltran committed to UNM after making 51 total tackles and three interceptions at College Park (Texas) High School. A senior, he is the 20th prep commit to join the Lobos’ class of 2026.

Beltran had other offers from Army, Navy, Air Force, Colgate, Sam Houston State and Sacramento State, per 24/7 Sports.

“After much thought and prayer with my family and coaches, I’m excited to commit to the University of New Mexico!” Beltran posted Tuesday on X. “Go Lobos!”

Eck said earlier this month that UNM’s home game against Colorado State would mark UNM’s last major recruiting weekend, in no small part because the Lobos’ home finale falls on Black Friday (Nov. 28).

“I just think it’s kind of a goofy thing to ask a kid to fly in on Thanksgiving Day or something for an official visit,” he added on Nov. 4. “We’re gonna try to get all those knocked out for Colorado State and that would be kinda it for the December signing period. And then we’d focus all our efforts to January for the portal signing period (Jan. 2-11).”

For now, some of the other players from the prep and junior college ranks that visited UNM last weekend:

ATH Alex Brown

The 6-3, 180-pound senior caught 43 passes for 854 yards and seven touchdowns this fall at Skyline (Utah) High School.

QB Xavier Cocci

A 6-1, 201-pound junior, Cocci completed 216 of 301 passes for 3,846 yards, 29 touchdowns and four interceptions this season at Skyline (Utah) High School.

ATH Maximus Cocci

The 6-1, 240-pound junior caught 40 passes for 608 yards and four touchdowns this fall at Skyline (Utah) High School.

OL Noah Anker

A Kolding, Denmark, native, the 6-8, 300-pound recently concluded his redshirt freshman season at Northwestern Oklahoma State.

DE Trenton Rocker

The 6-3, 200-pound redshirt sophomore defensive end made 22 total tackles (6.5 for loss) and 4.5 sacks this season at Copiah Lincoln (Miss.) Community College. Rocker previously played at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.

TE Fernando Garcia

A 6-6, 240-pound freshman, Garcia caught one pass for 17 yards this season at Golden West (Calif.) Community College.

OL Carlos Rios

The 6-5, 300-pound junior out of DePaul (Illinois) College Prep holds an offer from Toledo, per 24/7 Sports.

QB Izaiah Casaus

A 6-0, 185-pound sophomore, Casaus completed 31 of 74 passes for 514 yards, six touchdowns and four interceptions at Atrisco Heritage High School this season.

OL Matheu Alderman

The 6-5, 270-pound Eldorado High School lineman visited UNM last weekend and received a preferred walk-on from the Lobos.

All prep statistics courtesy of MaxPreps.com.