UNM football notes: Lobos get key WR back, host one notable visitor at midway point of fall camp

The Lobos have crossed the midway point.

New Mexico hosted its 13th practice of fall camp Wednesday morning, crossing over into the second half of the Lobos’ 25-practice camp.

Observations, notes and news from Wednesday’s practice:

One position battle ends, another begins

On Wednesday, one position battle came to an end. Head coach Jason Eck said he believes Malik Aliane won UNM’s starting left tackle spot, beating out an injured Tevin Shaw to solidify four of five spots on the first team offensive line.

“He’s worked hard changing his body. He leaned up a little bit, lost some baby fat,” Eck said. “He’s a really good athlete … he doesn’t really have the prototypical length you usually have (in) a tackle, but he’s the athlete you like in a left tackle.”

The focus now shifts to the other side of the line. After opening camp in a battle to start at center, Isaiah Sillemon has played his way into a competition with Nevell Brown for the first team right tackle duties.

Brown missed the last few practices with a “little tweak” in his leg, Eck said, opening the door for Sillemon — primarily a guard in his college career — to start taking significant reps at tackle.

“They both had little (injuries and) missed a little time,” Eck said. “But they’re showing some toughness, battling and those guys are really competing for that right tackle spot. Those guys don’t wanna miss (time).”

Johnson returns

After missing the last two weeks of practice with a hamstring injury, wide receiver Keagan Johnson returned to practice Wednesday — well, most of it. The 6-0, 199-pound senior went through walkthrough at the start of practice and individual periods, but did not participate in any team periods.

Eck said the plan is to slowly ramp Johnson back into full practice participation “maybe” 10 days before the season-opener.

“He’s making progress … we just gotta be smart,” Eck added. “We can’t throw him in and have him do too much again. I kind of regret (that) maybe we had him do too much at the start of camp, and that led him to get injured early.”

One notable visitor

UNM had one notable visitor Wednesday: former South Dakota State head coach John Stiegelmeier. The 68-year-old was invited by Eck to spend a couple days at fall camp after coaching under him at SDSU from 2016-21. Offensive coordinator Luke Schleusner and director of strength and conditioning Caleb Heim also worked previously under Stiegelmeier.

Stiegelmeier won 199 games and the 2022 FCS national championship with the Jackrabbits, capping a historic 34-year run with the program.

“(He’s) just kind of a consultant, you know, coaching the coaches,” Eck said. “He’s a veteran set of eyes. (He) was a head coach a long time and I learned a lot from him. I think he’s one of the most influential coaches in my life ... so (it’s) great to have him here.”

For his part, Stiegelmeier said it was an “honor” to be invited, and complimented Eck and his staff for putting their own mark on the program.

“There’s some pride there — not pride (in) what you did, but pride to say, ‘I got to be around that guy for a while,’” Stiegelemeier said Wednesday. “Would I have followed New Mexico football a year ago? No. ... (But) I’m excited to follow from a distance and someday get down here and see a game.”

News and notes

THE HAMMER: The winner of Wednesday’s hammer, awarded to whoever Eck deems the player of the practice: safety Tavian Combs. Eck said the sixth-year senior has “firmly” earned UNM’s starting boundary safety spot, and complimented him for a “heck of a camp.”

“He’s really worked hard. In the spring, (there were) days we had to limit him, but I think he hasn’t missed a practice (in fall camp),” he added. “He’s been a guy who’s been very durable, smart. Credit to him; we brought in quite a few transfers at safety to kind of compete (with) him.”

PUBLIC WELCOME: Friday’s scrimmage (1-3 p.m.) at University Stadium will be open to the public, the program announced Wednesday. UNM will be unveiling its new tailgate area north of the stadium after, with autographs available to fans in attendance.

WED. INJURY REPORT: Cornerback Jayden Sheridan was out of pads and did not practice Wednesday.

"He’s got a little concussion, but we expect him to be back soon,” Eck said. “I think he can lift today with his teammates. So he’s pretty far along on the protocol.”

Also on the report Wednesday: wide receivers Kader Diop, Isaiah Blair and Evan Wysong, safety Drew Speech and Shaw.