UNM football roster preview: Key offensive players, transfers, sleepers and freshmen to watch for

New Mexico football’s nearly-finalized roster is public, with the vast majority of incoming transfers and freshmen already training for the season ahead. The Lobos currently have 105 players listed on the roster; a handful are expected to be added as they arrive over the summer.

Here’s a look at some key players, transfers, sleepers and freshmen currently listed at each offensive position:

Quarterback

What the room looks like: Jack Layne (2), Gabriel Motschenbacher (3), Cole Welliver (12), James Laubstein (13), Toa Faavae (15)

Key player to watch: Jack Layne — if he’s healthy. The 6-foot-2, 202-pound Idaho transfer threw for 1,477, 14 touchdowns and four interceptions last season with the Vandals. He entered spring as UNM’s QB1 until an elbow injury held him out for all but one practice.

Now, with the starting job wide open, all eyes will be on Layne heading into fall camp. And if the elbow is good to go, it’s easy to see how Layne’s familiarity and experience with UNM’s offense gives him a leg up on the rest of the competition.

Transfer to watch: Cole Welliver. The 6-7, 220-pound UConn transfer is short on experience, but long on upside entering his first fall camp with the Lobos. He might have the biggest arm in the room, and his experience playing in a pro-style at the prep level should also translate as he fights for a shot to start.

Sleeper to watch: Is James Laubstein really a sleeper after ending spring practice as UNM’s de facto QB1? Probably not. But with no career snaps under center at the FBS level, the 6-3, 209-pound former Sussex County (N.J.) Community College transfer makes as much sense as any here with a more than adequate floor, and a ceiling that remains a question.

Freshman to watch: Toa Faavae, the only incoming freshman in the room. As a senior at powerhouse De La Salle (Calif.) High School, the 6-1, 190-pound former three-star recruit passed for 698 yards, rushed for 534 and put up 17 total touchdowns last season; head coach Jason Eck even referred to him as probably the fastest quarterback he’s ever recruited.

But if his athleticism isn’t a question, how he takes to UNM’s pro-style offense is. In De La Salle’s modified option offense, Faavae threw three touchdowns and seven interceptions on only 82 passing attempts last season.

Running back

What the room looks like: Damon Bankston (1), D.J. McKinney (4), Deshaun Buchanan (8), Darrion Bowers (20), Scottre Humphrey (22), Rei Iwai (26)

Key player to watch: UNM is going to have to figure out how to make a talented (if congested) running back room work. But that all starts with making sure Scottre Humphrey gets his first. The 5-10, 210-pound Montana State transfer was a beast for the Bobcats last season, rushing for 16 touchdowns and 1,386 yards — 140 of which came against the Lobos in a 35-31 season-opening loss to Montana State.

Humphrey had high expectations coming into spring practice and exceeded them with a bruising, every-down presence. He’s UNM’s RB1 until further notice.

Transfer to watch: With Humphrey taken, let’s go with Damon Bankston. The 5-10, 190-pound Weber State transfer rushed for 1,104 yards and six touchdowns last season before joining UNM, where he showcased impressive burst and speed this spring.

Sleeper to watch: Deshaun Buchanan. Out of the three former Big Sky running backs UNM added, Buchanan was the only one not to rush for 1,000-plus yards last season, with a team-high 567 yards and five touchdowns on the ground. Statistics aside, however, there’s plenty to like from a back that knows UNM’s run scheme as well as any in the room.

Freshman to watch: Only one in the room, and that’s Darrion Bowers. The 5-9, 180-pound Bowie (Texas) High School product earned second team All-State honors after rushing for 2,100 yards and 27 touchdowns last season — could he carve out a role for himself with the Lobos?

Wide receiver

What the room looks like: Zhaiel Smith (0), Isaiah Blair (5), Keagan Johnson (6), Kader Diop (9), Evan Wysong (10), Shawn Miller (14), Michael Buckley (17), Mikey Beck (18), Deriece Brown (21), Xavier Van (84), Miles Johnson (87), Jered Rennick (89)

Key player to watch: Keagan Johnson. Despite missing the first half of spring practice recovering from a leg injury, the 6-0, 185-pound senior Kansas State transfer made a quick impact, drawing attention for his play speed and contested catch ability. He’s far and away the most experienced (963 career receiving yards) player in the room, a quality that should translate into a commanding role entering his senior season.

Transfer to watch: Isaiah Blair. The 5-11, 190-pound Cerritos (Calif.) Community College transfer caught 35 passes for 675 yards and six touchdowns last season before turning heads this spring with a violent release and a handful of big plays.

Sleeper to watch: Kader Diop. After transferring in last summer from San Diego Mesa (Calif.) Community College, the 5-11, 182-pound receiver saw steady work on special teams, and little else. Diop started and ended last season as an afterthought in the receivers room, even when injuries stressed it late last season.

This year should be different. Diop (pronounced JOPE) consistently earned praise from coaches this spring as a blocker and threat to catch the ball. In a receiver room that isn’t particularly deep, it’s not hard to see how he could play his way into a contributing role this fall.

“He had a great spring and it really surprised us,” offensive coordinator Luke Schleusner said during a recent Q&A with the Journal. “He’s also physical, so I think some of the things we want to do with the receivers, (bringing) the physicality in the run game, he can help us out with.”

Freshman to watch: Zhaiel Smith. The 6-1, 190-pound former Idaho commit followed Eck to UNM after a stellar senior year at Tualatin (Oregon) High School, routinely sprinting past defenders to the tune of 600 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns last season.

“Physically, (he) could be ready,” Schleusner said. “Now it’s just how quick – mentally – does he pick things up?”

There also might be some upside for him as a returner, too. If it can be assumed that cornerback Abraham Williams has kickoff duties down, pencil Smith (plenty of wiggle and shiftiness) in as a contender to return punts for the Lobos this fall.

Offensive line

What the room looks like: Isaiah Sillemon (50), Malik Aliane (51), RJ Adams (52), James Bailey (53), JoJo Matautia (54), Marko Luera (56), Jonny Shively (57), Jaymar Tasi (58), Kaden Robnett (59), Blake Ryan (63), Israel Mukwiza (66), Tyler Lawrence (68), Mason Jones (70), Travis Gray (71), Nevell Brown (72), Jordan Mora (73), Tevin Shaw (77), Richard Pearce (78), Trace Edmundson (79)

Key player to watch: Richard Pearce. The 6-2, 320-pound former East Carolina transfer was a team captain last season, led the offense in snaps played, gave up no sacks, organized a community turkey drive … you get the point. Even with some ferocious competition on the interior offensive line, it’s hard to see Pearce not playing a major role at one of UNM’s guard spots this season.

Transfer to watch: Kaden Robnett. Playing on limited reps this spring, the 6-2, 293-pound Idaho transfer worked his way into a heated competition with Isaiah Sillemon for the starting center job, and has the athleticism and versatility to play just about anywhere on the interior. Like Pearce, it’s clear Robnett will be a contributor up front — the only question is where.

Sleeper to watch: Couple good candidates here, but let’s go with Tevin Shaw. The 6-4, 321-pound former Houston transfer missed all of spring practice recovering from an injury suffered last season, but will almost certainly be a contender to start at left tackle this fall.

Freshman to watch: Jaymar Tasi, a 6-2, 300-pound former Idaho commit who earned All-State honors twice at Roosevelt (Wash.) High School before following Eck to UNM. The Lobos shouldn’t have to play many (if any) freshmen up front this season, but Tasi and fellow former three-star Marko Luera are worth paying attention to.

Tight end

What the room looks like: Dorian Thomas (7), Aiden Valdez (11), Simon Mapa (85), Aldin Bilalbegovic (86), Cade Keith (88), Marcus Vinson (N/A)

Key player to watch: We are cheating a little here by choosing Marcus Vinson, the only player here not listed on the current roster. If he does arrive, however, the 6-4, 255-pound UTEP transfer would give UNM a good deal of experience and physicality upfront — two awfully helpful traits considering how often the Lobos will line up in 12 personnel this fall.

Transfer to watch: All but one player in the room is a transfer, but let’s go with Dorian Thomas. The 6-4, 248-pound Arizona transfer made an impact with his athleticism and pass-catching ability this spring, but consistency will be key for the former three-star prospect.

Sleeper to watch: Cade Keith. The 6-5, 228-pound TCU transfer showed plenty of flashes this spring (particularly as a receiver) even if he likely needs to bulk up a bit.

Freshman to watch: Aldin Bilalgegovic, the only true freshman in the room. The 6-5, 210-pound Alberta, Canada native caught five passes for 97 yards and three touchdowns at IMG (Florida) Academy last season – how much will he see the field in his first year with the Lobos?