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Draft Scout College Football Player News: New Mexico

Previous 15 Notes

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02/16/23 - Caleb Medford, rJr/2026, New Mexico + More +

Standing on the sideline, cornerback Donte Martin shook his head and laughed when asked about the receivers he just spent the last two hours working to stop. "Their speed, how they came out of the breaks - way different than what we had last year," he said. And head coach Danny Gonzales? If he didn't share the laugh, he at least had the same thought. "The secondary around here has not had to work as hard, I guess," he said. "That's no longer. They've got to come every single day because there's some guys on the outside that can run by them; there's some guys that can make some competitive catches."

Caleb Medford is one of those guys. The TCU transfer and former three-star recruit shined in his first day out for the Lobos, working a 6-foot-3, 205 pound frame up to head-turning speed for some of the cleanest routes of the day. Maybe it was having some familiarity going up against a 3-3-5 (the Horned Frogs and New Mexico share the same base defense) or maybe it was simply the defense seeing him live for the first time. But there's a smoothness to his play and production that pairs well with an easygoing personality. If anybody generated some hype on day one, it was Medford. - Albuquerque Journal

rJr/2026

WR Caleb Medford, New Mexico
News Source: Albuquerque Journal
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02/13/23 - Dylan Hopkins, rSr/2024, New Mexico + More +

Dylan Hopkins spent less than 24 hours in the portal before becoming the third graduate transfer quarterback to join the Lobos in as many years. Gonzales said that wasn't quite the plan but Hopkins' addition was a "special case" given his experience and familiarity with new cordinator Bryant Vincent's offense. The numbers aren't bad, either: the former UAB starter completed 136 of 215 passes (63%) last season for 1,913 yards, 10 touchdowns and four interceptions. Hopkins possessed sneaky efficiency, finishing ninth in the country in passing yards per completion (14.07 yards) among qualified starters. He remains the early favorite to come out on top in an open competition. - Albuquerque Journal

rSr/2024

QB Dylan Hopkins, New Mexico
News Source: Albuquerque Journal
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01/08/23 - Trae Hall, rSr/2024, New Mexico + More +

Wide receiver Trae Hall said before the Lobos' 2022 season finale that he intended to stay and play his super-senior season at UNM. But something changed. Hall is the latest Lobo to enter the transfer portal, having made the announcement Thursday on social media. Hall came to UNM from Henderson, Texas in 2018 as a dual-threat quarterback and showed promise at that position before moving to wide receiver before the 2021 season. A broken ankle ended his '21 season prematurely, and the Lobos' struggles in the passing game limited his productivity. Hall finished his UNM career with 16 receptions for 136 yards and one touchdown. As a quarterback, Hall was 69-of-132 for 585 yards and four TDs with five interceptions. - Albuquerque Journal

rSr/2024

QB Trae Hall, New Mexico
News Source: Albuquerque Journal
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12/18/22 - Aaron Rodriguez, rSr/2025, New Mexico + More +

2022 ALL-MOUNTAIN WEST FOOTBALL SECOND TEAM: P - Aaron Rodriguez, Jr., New Mexico,...Aaron Rodriguez was UNM's third Second Team selection. He finished the year with the exact same amount of punts, 81, as a year ago, and he raised his average this year to 44.2, good for third in the league. A three-time Ray's 8 honoree, Rodriguez netted 40.5 yards per punt, second in the league, and his 23 punts inside the 20 were also tied for second in the league. For the second straight year, Rodriguez' punted more times than any other punter in the FBS. - New Mexico Football

rSr/2025

P Aaron Rodriguez, New Mexico
News Source: New Mexico Football
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10/17/22 - Dylan Hopkins, rSr/2024, New Mexico + More +

OCT 17 CONFERENCE USA OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: UAB QB Dylan Hopkins put up 334 yards of total offense and two touchdowns in UAB's 34-20 victory over Charlotte. He completed 15-of-23 for 231 yards and a touchdown, and added 10 carries for 103 rushing yards and another touchdown. It was his second career 100-yard rushing performance and his third straight game this season throwing for 200-plus yards. Hopkins is leading C-USA in passer efficiency and is completing 67 percent of his passes for 1,170 yards, six TDs and two interceptions. - Conference USA Football

rSr/2024

QB Dylan Hopkins, New Mexico
News Source: Conference USA Football
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10/06/22 - Trace Bruckler, rSo/2025, New Mexico + More +

UNM sophomore standout tight end Trace Bruckler is out for the season after dislocating his right shoulder against LSU on Sept. 24. Bruckler missed UNM's game against UNLV and will have surgery this week, Gonzales said. Bruckler, who led the Lobos with three touchdown receptions last year, tore his left labrum in March when New Mexico ended its spring session, Gonzales said. Bruckler built up enough strength that he was able to forgo surgery and play the first four games, Gonzales said. But Bruckler was not at his best because of the left shoulder pain. He'll have surgery on his left shoulder this week and about a month later will have surgery on his right shoulder, Gonzales said. - Albuquerque Journal

rSo/2025

TE Trace Bruckler, New Mexico
News Source: Albuquerque Journal
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09/19/22 - Reco Hannah, rSr/2023, New Mexico + More +

SEPT 19 MOUNTAIN WEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: RECO HANNAH, NEW MEXICO, Senior, Linebacker, Wedowee, Alabama/Randolph County CC,...Tallied three tackles, one interception and a forced fumble in New Mexico's 27-10 victory over UTEP...Returned interception 22 yards for a score, giving the Lobos a 10-0 lead in the first quarter...In the fourth quarter, stripped a UTEP receiver at the Miner's 41-yard line and had a critical third-down tackle. - Mountain West Football

rSr/2023

OLB Reco Hannah, New Mexico
News Source: Mountain West Football
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09/18/22 - Reco Hannah, rSr/2023, New Mexico + More +

New Mexico forced seven turnovers - including a 22-yard interception return for a touchdown by Reco Hannah in the first quarter - to help the Lobos beat UTEP 27-10 Saturday night. Sherod White scored on a 3-yard run early in the second quarter before George Steinkamp kicked a career-long 51-yard field goal with 8 seconds left in the first half that gave New Mexico (2-1) a 20-3 lead. Nate Jones, who capped the scoring with a 5-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter, had 83 yards rushing on 21 carries for the Lobos. Gavin Hardison passed for 299 yards for UTEP (1-3) but completed just 20 of 45 passes and threw three of the Miners' four interceptions. - New Mexico/AP College Football

rSr/2023

OLB Reco Hannah, New Mexico
News Source: New Mexico/AP College Football
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09/07/22 - Dejon Benton, rSr/2025, New Mexico + More +

Southern California defensive lineman De'jon Benton had a cast over his left forearm and hand Tuesday and did not practice. But when asked whether Benton might be out for an extended period, Riley said he had already "bounced back quick." - Los Angeles Times

rSr/2025

DT Dejon Benton, New Mexico
News Source: Los Angeles Times
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09/06/22 - Shawn Miller, rSo/2027, New Mexico + More +

There was some expectation that freshman wide receiver Shawn Miller - even after missing most of the spring with a collarbone injury - would still find a way into the rotation this season. Miller was fully cleared during training camp and played in the season opener against Wyoming, but the 6-foot-1, 195-pound receiver will miss the rest of the year with an undisclosed injury that will necessitate season-ending surgery. "Unfortunately he won't be with us the rest of this year," Illinois coach Bret Bielema said. "They haven't nailed down exactly how it's at, but it's obviously something that will take him out for the rest of this year." - News Gazette Tribune

rSo/2027

WR Shawn Miller, New Mexico
News Source: News Gazette Tribune
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09/03/22 - Miles Kendrick, rSr/2023, New Mexico + More +

Miles Kendrick threw two touchdown passes and Sherod White ran for two scores to spark New Mexico to a 41-0 victory over FCS-member Maine in a season opener on Saturday. White had the first scoring play of the game on a 4-yard run 7 seconds into the second quarter. Luke Wysong followed with a 13-yard TD run and then caught a 10-yard scoring strike from Kendrick to put the Lobos up 21-0 at the half. White had a 3-yard touchdown run and Jah'Mar Sanders scored on a 10-yard run to push New Mexico's lead to 34-0 after three quarters. Kendrick connected with Gordon Porter for a 7-yard score in the final period. Kendrick finished 14-of-17 passing for 170 yards with two interceptions. Joe Fagnano threw for 96 yards for Maine, completing 12 of 27 passes. The Black Bears rushed 20 times for only 22 yards. - New Mexico/AP College Football

rSr/2023

QB Miles Kendrick, New Mexico
News Source: New Mexico/AP College Football
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09/01/22 - Luke Wysong, Sr/2025, New Mexico + More +

2022 PRESEASON WUERFFEL TROPHY (COMMUNITY SERVICE) WATCHLIST: Luke Wysong, New Mexico, So., WR,...Played in 11 games in 2021, earning five starts...led the Lobos with 24 receptions and 224 yards...also was UNM's leading punt returner and leading kickoff returner...averaged 11.0 yards per punt return on seven returns, including a 63-yard touchdown against Colorado State. - New Mexico Football

Sr/2025

WR Luke Wysong, New Mexico
News Source: New Mexico Football
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08/22/22 - Trae Hall, rSr/2024, New Mexico + More +

Trae Hall's biggest play as a wide receiver for the University of New Mexico came on his final snap of the season last year against UNLV. It was a sensational 21-yard reception that featured a broken tackle - but included, unfortunately, a broken left ankle in the first quarter of a 31-17 home loss to the Rebels on Nov. 6. Shortly after the season-ending injury, Hall attempted to hop on one leg off the field. He remembered how coach Danny Gonzales has told players to do their best to always come off the field without assistance.

Fast forward to now. Hall has regained his speed, the ability to cut and has shown he'll be able to contribute consistently among a deep group of wide receivers. "Overall the healing process, it was a success," said Hall, who was idle for six months during this offseason. "I just want to thank the trainers and doctors, and for the players and coaches motivating me to still be here, Coach G keeping me here." Coach Danny Gonzales has been impressed with Hall's determination. "If you would've seen him in May compared to now you wouldn't believe it's the same guy or the same injury," Gonzales said. "In May he was limping like it was a week old...He's further than we've expected right now. He's done some really good things. I'm happy with his progress and where's he's at." - Las Cruces Sun News

rSr/2024

QB Trae Hall, New Mexico
News Source: Las Cruces Sun News
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08/21/22 - Tirek Austin-Cave, rSr/2025, New Mexico + More +

West Virginia assistant Jeff Koonz fielded questions during a media session on Monday, and with two responsibilities - special teams coordinator and inside linebackers coach - those inquiries covered a wide range. That's exactly what Koonz believes his linebackers can do this season. Team speed has been a theme from the beginning of spring and it's an asset that coaches hope can make up for a relative lack of depth, especially at the mike position, where junior-college transfer Lee Kpogba is set to take over the starting job. On Monday, Koonz stressed that it's not just physical speed but a greater understanding of the defense that is allowing his linebackers to play faster and faster. "I like how we run," Koonz said. "Part of that too is understanding where the fit is and they work within relation to each other and the scheme and understanding that so they can play faster. You've got to have a fast guy, obviously, but you can have a fast guy that's processing and he's not getting to the ball and I think we've really progressed with that." Kpogba has been in the fold since December and went through spring practices, giving him a leg up.

Behind him, however, depth at mike was a concern throughout the summer. The addition of Tirek Austin-Cave from Miami in May addressed that issue, with Morgantown native and redshirt Caden Biser also getting snaps there. Koonz added that true freshman Trey Lathan is getting reps at the mike and will positions. But Austin-Cave is the most intriguing option, and Koonz gave an update on his progress. "Austin-Cave has shown exactly what we were hoping for athletically - the skill set that he has and he's been a quick learner," Koonz said. "Austin-Cave has come in and had a really good camp and I'm excited to see how he finishes the week, how much he progresses. Obviously, coming in later, he doesn't have as good an understanding, the amount that Lee has having been able to go through the spring. But I've been impressed with how he's picked it up and how quickly he's picked it up." - Charleston Gazette-Mail

rSr/2025

ILB Tirek Austin-Cave, New Mexico
News Source: Charleston Gazette-Mail
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08/13/22 - Eli Sanders, rJr/2026, New Mexico + More +

Sanders came to Iowa State as a four-star recruit out of Chandler, Ariz. He had just nine carries as a true freshman, appearing in four games to preserve his redshirt. The limited experience on the field, though, didn't limit Sanders' ability to learn at the feet of one of the best running backs in school history. "It was great just watching his pregame, how he studies film, how he practices," Sanders said of Hall, who was a second-round pick in this spring's draft. "It's really exciting to see at that level what it takes. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication and motivation and love of the game." Sanders' explosive speed is what has stood out early. "He is a guy that can make big plays, explosive plays," Scheelhaase said. "Not only catching the ball out of the backfield, but hit some runs, run the ball downhill, finding creases in between the tackles, which is good to see. "He's got a lot that he's done already, and he's starting to feel that comfort on the college level." Sanders, though, needs to continue to work on making simple plays and his pass protection, Scheelhaase said. - Des Moines Register

rJr/2026