UNM football notebook: Johnson's injury, Agu's absence and more

Football coaches have said it to their teams for generations: "How you do one thing, is how you do everything."

Jason Eck became the next to do so after Thursday’s practice.

“We need to make sure we’re taking care of our building better — little details like that, I think, carry over,” New Mexico’s first-year head coach said. “If you’re not on top of little details like picking up your trash after breakfast (in the) morning, I think it’s tough to get all the little details right in a new defense or new offense.”

Thursday’s practice also provided plenty of details, big and small, to go over. A few from day two of UNM’s fall camp:

Johnson deals with injury

An otherwise solid day for wide receiver Keagan Johnson closed on a down note after he pulled his hamstring towards the end of practice. That’s after the Kansas State transfer missed the first half of spring practice recovering from ankle surgery and tweaked his other hamstring earlier this summer, a frustrating trend for UNM’s presumed WR1.

“Hopefully we can get him back soon,” Eck said. “I feel for that kid — he’s really worked hard. He’s had two separate rehabs just since he got there … He’s not a guy who probably needs a million reps, we just (got to) get him healthy for the first game.”

Injury aside, Johnson seemed to be in good spirits after practice. It’s clear he understands the opportunity he has in front of him and has looked up to the task over the first couple days. But, like a few other Lobos, getting and staying healthy might be the biggest focus for the clear standout among UNM's receivers.

“I know this team is counting on me, and I want to have a big year,” he said Thursday. “I want to make plays for this team, I want to help the team out. And some things are out of your control, but I’m gonna do everything I can to control my ability to be on the field at all times.”

Agu not with team — for now

An explanation for the last missing Lobo: Darren Agu has not been with the team this week due to a visa issue, Eck said. The 6-foot-6, 244-pound defensive end and London native is still in England after transferring to UNM this spring. It’s unclear when he’ll be back.

In the meantime, Elijah Brody is picking up some reps at defensive end in Agu’s absence and will likely switch over for good. After playing receiver and defensive back last season, the West Mesa High School graduate was moved to linebacker before spring practice, but Eck thinks he’ll fit coming off the edge and had some moments Thursday to back that up.

“I feel for Brody because we have all the players introduce themselves to the whole team (with) where you’re from, what your position (is) and your name, and then an interesting fact about you” Eck said. “And his interesting fact was that he’s played four positions in 13 months.”

A few testy moments

UNM ended the first two practices with walkthroughs. Eck said it’s to prevent injuries more than anything else, but it’s also been a way for the Lobos to rep plays when they’re tired and not processing as quickly.

“Fatigue makes cowards of us all,” quarterback James Laubstein said Wednesday, referencing a line one coach used to emphasize the purpose of the walkthroughs. “We just (got to) stay locked in and limit all the mental mistakes during those walkthroughs and really take advantage.”

One group of Lobos got to walkthrough a little earlier than scheduled on day two. Thursday’s practice got testy at points, including one moment where offensive lineman Richard Pearce and defensive line coach Hebron Fangupo argued with each other in the final 11-on-11 session, one that appeared to get cut short a handful of plays later.

Flareups are to be expected, and Thursday won’t be the last time things get a little tense. But if Eck said he’s fine with some back-and-forth, he made it clear he doesn’t want teammates tearing each other down, much less taking away from the task at hand.

“We can’t let it be a distraction,” he added. “We can’t lose a rep because we got behind – instead of spending 40 seconds running a play, we spend 40 seconds dealing with other s**t. That’s part of the stuff that I think you have to eliminate to go from being a team that hasn’t been very good to a team that’s good.”

News and notes

- Defensive tackle Okiki Olorunfunmi won Wednesday’s hammer, awarded to whoever Eck deems as the player of the practice. He didn’t slow down on Thursday either, moving dudes off the line of scrimmage and bringing solid pressure up the middle. Pencil him in as one of the most interesting Lobos to watch when the pads go on.

- And the winner of Thursday’s hammer? Tight end Cade Keith: “He’s done a good job,” Eck said. “He’s continuing to add lean body mass, he’s kind of a lean 237 (pounds) right now … He’s continuing to grow as a blocker. He’s smart – he’s got some savage to him, some grit and toughness.”

- Former UNM cornerback Cam Watts didn’t advance past the first round of the 100-meter dash Thursday at USATF Outdoor Track & Field National Championships, finishing in 10.41 seconds to place 29th overall. But it appears he already has his next step lined up, and it won’t be in track.

“He’s going to be a graduate assistant with us this year, working in the weight room with (strength and conditioning coach Caleb Heim) and helping out our team that way,” Eck said. “(I’m) excited about him. I think he’s got a good future in coaching.”

- One Lobo’s season is over before it even began: freshman running back Darrion Bowers tore his ACL this summer and will be out for the season, Eck confirmed.

- A scout for the Las Vegas Raiders was in attendance for parts of Thursday’s practice.