UNM Is No Longer the Hunter — Can the Lobos Handle Being Hunted?
“All due respect, you got no f*in’ idea what it’s like to be number one…”
That’s not typically a feeling University of New Mexico football fans have gotten used to, much less have ever even felt before. But there is a new buzz around these parts that proclaims the “Real Ones” are back.
The Lobos are back. And this time around, with much higher expectations and a larger target on their backs.
Last season proved that Jason Eck could win at New Mexico.
Going 9-4 overall and 6-2 in the Mountain West, good enough for a first place tie. The Lobos exceeded Lobo fans’ expectations and appeared in their first bowl game since 2016. Eck not only achieved nine wins in his first season, but he also tied for the most wins by a first-year head coach in New Mexico school history.
The Lobos were a perfect 6-0 at home, marking the first time they have gone undefeated at home since 1962.
They also went toe-to-toe with two Big Ten teams in Michigan and Minnesota, games they were not considered to make a splash in. They were in a 10-point game with Michigan in the Big House in the fourth quarter, and took Minnesota to overtime in the Rate Bowl in Phoenix.
To say that Eck flipped Lobo football on its head in year-one is an understatement. But it’s exactly what he did - and then sprinkled more magic dust to top it off.
He took a New Mexico program who brought back the fewest amount of returning players in the FBS and transformed it into a force Albuquerque could get behind - literally. The program realized a 57.8% increase in average attendance, the most in the FBS last season. University Stadium also sold out (Sept. 27 vs. New Mexico State) for the first time since 2007.
The low riders, the gravitating energy are just examples of the genuine sense of care Eck and his family have shown New Mexico that is second to none. Even the best Lobo football head coaches in school history didn’t have this aura.
The 2025 Mountain West Coach of the Year honor was definitely earned 100 times over.
So how do you parlay that into year two, especially when there are higher expectations in a new-look MW where New Mexico is being looked at as a top-dog?
Does the mentality change? The underdog mantra isn’t quite fitting anymore, so what personality does this year’s team take on?
The roster turned over more than any program in FBS last season. This year? They retained their primary signal caller in Jack Layne - someone who has run the Eck-Schluesner script the last three seasons.
Layne is recovering from a torn tendon in his elbow, so his health and timetable to return opens the door for a potential position battle in the fall. Eck added some exciting depth at the quarterback spot in 6-foot-2 Oregon transfer Luke Moga. The backup last season for the Ducks didn’t see many reps in Eugene, Ore., but Moga is a former four-star talent with notable speed at the position.
And don’t forget about the return of backup quarterback James Laubstein. Laubstein emerged as a key situational backup with a knack for finding space to run. A downhill runner who gave the offense a new look when under center.
And what about portal additions at other key skill positions? Wide receiver transfer Troy Omeire (UNLV) comes to Albuquerque with the top-level FBS pedigree any program in the country would want: former four-star recruit, 6-4 frame, 31 receptions for 514 yards and five touchdowns to lead the Rebels last season. Omerire had previous stops at Texas and Arizona State.
The Lobo passing game left more to be desired last season, but it’s been a long time since the program had an athlete such as Omeire suit up in the cherry and silver.
Having Omeire lineup on opposite sides of veterans such as Shawn Miller and underclassmen speedsters Massiah Mingo and Zhaiel Smith could create better matchups, making the passing game more of a threat attacking down the field.
The running back room was a strength last season and was quite a pleasant surprise. Damon Bankston led the RB-by-committee trio with 114 carries for 635 yards and five touchdowns, while DJ McKinney (111 carries, seven TDs) and Scottre Humphrey (77 carries, five TDs) saw a healthy share of the load.
With Bankston (New York Giants) headed to the NFL and McKinney transferring to Tulsa, the committee approach more than likely falls on the shoulders of Humphrey.
An injury sidelined Humphrey for a portion of last season, and he never got quite back to himself - although I’d anticipate his expectations for the upcoming season to be lofty.
There wasn’t any bigger surprise from a personnel standpoint from last season’s squad than that of All-Mountain West first-team tight end Dorian Thomas (56 receptions, 560 yards, four TDs). He exploded on the scene by catching two touchdowns in the opener against No. 14 Michigan. That performance red tagged him on all scouting reports for the rest of the season, yet he still delivered.
Thomas’ emergence ended up costing New Mexico a key foundational piece in its offense because Power Four school UCLA came calling with deeper NIL pockets.
That type of production will be near impossible to replicate.
However, Cade Keith (20 receptions, 253 yards, three TDs) was more of an unknown until conference play where he became one of the more productive tight ends in the league. Heading into his sophomore season, the No. 1 TE role should be his for the taking.
Eck also secured multiple incoming transfers/recruits for depth at the TE position.
The defense, anchored by 2025 MWC Defensive Player of the Year Jaxton Eck, finished the season ranked No. 4 in the MW. With Eck looking to build off of last year's momentum, questions loom around the impact of losing Keyshawn James-Newby (Philadelphia Eagles) and Brett Karhu to the NFL and graduation, respectively. Both players finished in the top four of the MW in sacks. And with cornerback Abraham Williams making the transition to wide receiver, it seems like there are more voids to fill than experienced bodies. Replacing that sort of pressure and production won’t be easy.
The pressure has increased and the approach more than likely has, too. How do the Lobos go from being the hunter, to now the one being hunted? Time will tell, but if Eck’s resume is any indication, then year two could be more fun than the first.
