Ad
UNM position previews: Lobo running backs, linebackers bring ‘unique’ depth, talent
New Mexico linebackers coach Nate Palmer signals during Tuesday’s practice in UNM’s indoor practice facility.
Published
Modified
Note: See links at the bottom of the page for more position previews
Running backs
It’s a unique situation. John Johnson will tell you as much.
“When I was (coaching) at South Dakota State, we had some talented dudes — I coached two dudes out of that group that both got drafted,” New Mexico’s running backs coach said Tuesday. “But I don’t know if we were this deep, to where we got four guys that could play at any given moment, that can go anywhere in the country and, I feel like, could be a starter.
“In 17 years, it’s probably the deepest group I’ve had.”
Perhaps no position on UNM’s roster has attracted as much attention as the running backs, precisely because of that depth. After losing all of their rushing production from last season, the Lobos reloaded with four backs that led their teams on the ground, with two earning All-Big Sky honors in the process.
At the top, Montana State transfer Scottre Humphrey. The 5-foot-10, 209-pound junior is expected to be UNM’s lead back after rushing for 1,386 yards and 16 touchdowns with the Bobcats last season, bringing a powerful, low-to-the-ground rushing style with him.
But if Humphrey’s the clear number one, Weber State transfer Damon Bankston isn’t too far behind. With 1,104 yards and six touchdowns last year, the 5-10, 186-pound junior has perhaps the best burst of any in the room, and has showcased his speed best in the second level; he’s expected to have a large role with the first-team offense.
“We got a mix of everything, you know?” Johnson said. “We got power in Scottre, but Scottre got good burst as well. And same thing with Damon — Damon’s not as powerful as Scottre but man, he’s electric when he gets the ball in his hand. And he’s smooth, he’s moving (and) it doesn’t look like he’s running fast.”
Of course, there’s more: Idaho transfer Deshaun Buchanan led the Vandals with 567 yards while Sam Houston State transfer and reigning Conference USA Freshman of the Year D.J. McKinney followed Johnson — the running backs coach at SHSU last season — via the portal. Both will be expected to maintain considerable roles this season behind Humphrey and Buchanan.
Ad
“He’ll rocket out of a cannon, you know? But he’s strong, too,” Johnson said of the 5-8, 182-pound McKinney. “He’s like my (Mighty Mouse). At my last spot, we used to call him the little chihuahua — he was feisty, he was small, but mean, he will hit you and blow you up.”
But where there’s depth, there’s a question: With only so many carries to distribute, how do you keep everybody happy?
Johnson doesn’t think it’s much of a question at all.
“We all had these conversations one-on-one and all of them said, ‘coach, I ain’t worried about the carries,’” he said, “‘I want to help the team win.’ When you got a group like that, that’s explosive, that’s very talented, and they got the right mindset … the carries and the success and production are going to come.
“It’s a unique situation, man. I’m very happy about it.”
Linebackers
If there’s a defensive equivalent to the depth the running backs have, it likely rests in UNM’s linebackers room.
That’s because five players — transfers Jaxton Eck (Idaho), Ky’Won McCray (Jacksonville State) and Mercury Swaim (St. Francis), and returners Dimitri Johnson and Randolph Kpai — all started last season. All played a significant amount of plays. And all produced to the level of respective all-conference honors.
“Five people have played a lot of football in my room, so it’s a great room to be around,” linebackers coach Nate Palmer. “But at the same time, it’s a fight for consistency. It’s a fight to be the best we can. And they strive for it every day, right?
“Every day is not perfect, but they come out here every day and they do try to be perfect.”
Running a 4-2-5 base defense, Eck (134 total tackles last season) and McCray (66 total tackles last season) are expected to start at UNM’s Mike and Will linebacker spots, respectively. With experience playing safety, the 6-4, 200-pound McCray has shined throughout camp with his speed and playmaking ability.
“He comes from a different upbringing, so he brings a different perspective to the room,” Palmer said of McCray. “Bit of a hard-nosed, not gonna take anything (guy). But he’s been a pleasure to coach — he sees football, he loves the game.”
But position flexibility is at a premium in the middle of UNM’s defense. Palmer said Johnson and Swaim will play Mike (a traditional standup linebacker) and Will (“a more physical safety,” Palmer said) for UNM, adding that he considers the former his “most versatile linebacker. I just think he brings a different edge game.”
And like the running backs: With five starters and only two starting spots, how does a coach keep everybody content?
“In my eyes, everybody’s a starter because everybody’s gonna rotate, right?” Palmer added. “So what you don’t go out there on the first play — that’s all the starter is, right? So, like, just take the onus off of it and let’s focus on the main thing, which is helping the team achieve a common goal.”
