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 Draft Scout College Football Player News: New Mexico
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  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 MedfordNew Mexico
News Source: Albuquerque Journal
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  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 HopkinsNew Mexico
News Source: Albuquerque Journal
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  TCU transfer safety D'Arco Perkins-McAllister opted for New Mexico to be with former teammate Marvin Covington. Perkins-McAlister and is one of 18 players the Lobos gained through the portal. Perkins-McAllister spent the last two seasons with the Horned Frogs, recording seven tackles and a pass breakup during his collegiate career. He played in 20 games during the last two years for TCU. Perkins-McAllister played high school football at Stratford Comprehensive (Tennessee) High School, where he was rated as a four-star prospect in the 2021 cycle. New Mexico announced 13 additional transfers on Wednesday afternoon to bring their total haul up to 18 after the 45-day fall transfer portal window closed on Jan. 18. All transfers have enrolled at UNM for the spring semester and will be eligible to participate in spring practice. - Albuquerque Journal

Sr/2025 SS DArco Perkins-McAllisterNew Mexico
News Source: Albuquerque Journal
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  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 HallNew Mexico
News Source: Albuquerque Journal
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  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 RodriguezNew Mexico
News Source: New Mexico Football
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  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 HopkinsNew Mexico
News Source: Conference USA Football
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  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 BrucklerNew Mexico
News Source: Albuquerque Journal
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  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 HannahNew Mexico
News Source: Mountain West Football
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  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 HannahNew Mexico
News Source: New Mexico/AP College Football
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  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 KendrickNew Mexico
News Source: New Mexico/AP College Football
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  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 WysongNew Mexico
News Source: New Mexico Football
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  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 HallNew Mexico
News Source: Las Cruces Sun News
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  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-CaveNew Mexico
News Source: Charleston Gazette-Mail
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  Shortly after safeties Jerrick Reed II and Tavian Combs were told that they were the University of New Mexico's top tacklers during a media interview, Reed immediately offered a correction. "Stop," Reed said in a playful tone. "I was the top tackler." Reed recorded 89 total tackles, 54 unassisted after playing every game for the 3-9 Lobos. Combs, in his second year, finished with 81 total tackles, 40 unassisted. He played in 11 of 12 games. The two safeties know they will be expected to make just as many tackles this season, which began with practices on Friday and Saturday. To prepare for the role, Combs added 20 pounds of muscle during the offseason. "It's the standard," Reed said of the safeties making tackles in Rocky Long's 3-3-5 defense. "People look at you to be that guy, you have to be that guy. You can't slack off because everybody will notice. Every day you gotta come in and work hard. Have the right mind-set, film study, eat right, take care of your body so that you can stay on top of your game and be that guy when your play is called."

Reed, a preseason All-Mountain West Conference pick for the second straight season, arrived at UNM in 2019, when the Lobos struggled mightily against the pass, the deep ball especially. The Lobos allowed 321.4 yards passing yards per game and ranked 130th and last in the Football Bowl Subdivision. But in 2021, UNM allowed 219.8 passing yards per game to rank 54th, its best passing defense since 2010 when the unit was ranked 53rd at 218.8 yards per game. "It's been night and day for sure," Reed said. "It was bad then, it's good now and we're gonna be better when the season comes." - Albuquerque Journal


rSr/2023 SS Jerrick Reed IINew Mexico
News Source: Albuquerque Journal
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  2022 PRESEASON PAUL HORNUNG AWARD WATCH LIST: Luke Wysong, New Mexico,...Wysong led the Lobos and all Mountain West freshmen in 2021 in receiving yards, catches, kickoff returns and punt returns, and could very well lead the way in 2022 as well. Wysong added around 15 pounds of muscle in the off-season and is still one of the fastest players in the league, starring in the 60-yard dash at the Mountain West Indoor Championships. - New Mexico Football

Sr/2025 WR Luke WysongNew Mexico
News Source: New Mexico Football
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