UNM football notebook: Combs carving out role, linebacker thoughts and more

The pads went on Friday — sort of.

New Mexico donned shoulder pads for day three of fall camp, the first step toward fully-padded practices.

Combs carving out role

If Tavian Combs’ spring was about getting comfortable again, it seems like that’s been accomplished. UNM’s sixth-year safety has seen plenty of run at boundary safety with the first team defense, making some solid plays along the way. And it doesn’t look like he’s still recovering from the leg injury that took the better part of his last two seasons away.

It just looks like he’s playing — no physical restrictions or mental blocks.

“He’s practicing well, and I don’t think he’s showing any hesitancy or favoring it,” Lobo head coach Jason Eck said Thursday. “I think he’s gonna be ready to go. He’s a guy we’re gonna want to play as much as his body can handle, but it looks like he’s able to handle more than I thought he maybe would in the spring.”

Eck has made a point to say he likes the depth of the secondary at this point, and could see as many as 13 defensive backs playing in the season opener against Michigan. That might be the best thing working in Combs’ favor for now, the idea that he won’t have to carry a huge workload on the backend like season’s past.

For his part, Combs isn’t really concerned with how much — or where — he plays, so long as he’s out there. It appears that’s on track to happen.

“I love football,” he said. “Just put me out there, make sure to give me the right instructions and I’ll go out there and do what I need to do.”

In the middle

Before spring practice, I wrote that the linebackers could be the one non-running back position to step up the most this season. The thinking was that UNM’s returning tandem of Dimitri Johnson and Randolph Kpai paired with Idaho transfer Jaxton Eck would have a considerably high floor to start, at least compared to most other positions on the roster.

I don’t know how much that floor has changed at the start of fall camp. But the room’s deeper than it was in the spring: with Eck, Johnson, Kpai, St. Francis (Penn.) transfer Mercury Swaim and Jacksonville State transfer Ky’Won McCray, UNM effectively has five players in the room that started last year.

Even with that in mind, it’s hard to see Johnson or Eck’s starting roles taking a hit. But McCray (known as “Weezy” to the team) has had some strong moments, notably coming up with an interception Thursday. He’s easily the longest player in the room and Eck thinks he’s the most athletic, which tracks — McCray spent a lot of time at safety with the Gamecocks.

Swaim has also been a pleasant surprise. He isn’t as big or as filled out as guys like Johnson or Eck, but has made plays, particularly in the passing game. Curious to see what role he takes on this season.

“He’s a freak athlete, freak in the weight room,” Jaxton said. “Super strong and super fast. He’s been great, too, so excited about him.”

Punting down under

How did a 27-year-old former Australian Rules football player make it to UNM? For City College of San Francisco transfer Daniel Hughes, it was simply a matter of figuring out what he wanted to do with the next few years.

“I was getting to that age where you kind of make a choice — either you are all in (on Australian Rules football) and try it out, or maybe give it up, try something else,” Hughes said Wednesday. “I’ve seen a few buddies of mine punt in America. Like, I’ve got a big leg. Let’s give it a go.”

After deciding to pursue football, Hughes worked with Prokick Australia, a program that’s expected to place upwards of 50 punters at the FBS level this season. Eck said special teams coordinator Daniel Da Prato has worked with the organization in the past, and pulled Hughes from the transfer portal to help fortify the Lobos’ depth; UNM has just two punters on the roster right now.

“It’s gonna be a competition, too,” Eck said Wednesday. “I thought Charles Steinkamp kicked it really well today — I went over with my stopwatch and timed two of his punts, one had like a 4.9 (second) hangtime, the other was like 5.2. You’re not gonna return the ball if you have 4.9 and 5.2.”

News and notes

• Wide receiver Keagan Johnson was out of pads and did not practice Friday after suffering a hamstring injury Thursday. It is unclear when he might return.
• Defensive coordinator Spence Nowinsky said this summer that Texas State transfer Caleb Coleman was going to work mostly at boundary safety. But we’ve seen him work more at nickel star through the first few days of practice, rounding out a room with Albert Nunes, David Murphy and Ke’Shawn Monroe.

Why?

“He’s got a little more experience playing man (coverage),” said Eck. “Nunes and Murph are very good players, but they’re more guys in man coverage you’d want covering tight ends and backs than you’d want receivers. I think Caleb may be able to give us some man coverage on receivers out of that spot.”

• Offensive lineman Richard Pearce broke the team down before warmups Wednesday. Thursday, defensive lineman Gabe Lopez did so. Both choices made sense — Pearce and Lopez are clearly leaders on the team.

Friday? It was tight end Dorian Thomas’ turn. Between that and his play this week, it seems like the Arizona transfer is trending for a substantial role this season. Keep an eye out for him over the next few weeks.

• A scout from the Denver Broncos was in attendance at Friday’s practice.