The New Mexico Lobos carry again a protection filled with playmakers in 2022 as they dominate their prime 10 returning gamers. New Mexico has some questions on offense, however this protection ought to be capable of carry them to victories towards quite a lot of groups. As we rely down their prime returning gamers, be aware of simply how gifted this secondary is as we inch nearer to the 2022 college football season.
For every Mountain West workforce’s prime returning gamers: Air Force | Boise State | Colorado State | Fresno State | Hawaii | Nevada | New Mexico | San Diego State | San Jose State | UNLV | Utah State | Wyoming
High 10 returning gamers at New Mexico
Because the countdown to the common season continues, as does our prime 10 returning gamers collection. We’re counting down all the highest 10 gamers returning to motion on each workforce — we’ll take care of transfers later — from Air Drive to Wyoming, from Miami to Hawaii, and all in between. Listed below are the highest returning gamers to New Mexico.
10) Syaire Riley, LB
Syaire Riley performs a singular function within the New Mexico protection, dashing the passer and dropping in protection almost equal quantities of time. His versatility allowed him to complete fifth on the workforce in tackles whereas recording a move breakup and 4 whole tackles for loss. In an expanded function in 2022, Riley’s capability to journey sideline to sideline in each sides definitely can pay dividends for this protection and his spot on these rankings.
9) Jake Saltonstall, EDGE
Reverse the all-everything Joey Noble, Jake Saltonstall was capable of finding his favorable matchups within the pass-rushing recreation and end sturdy in 2021. He disrupted the pocket most of the time from the sting and has nice athleticism for his body. There is no such thing as a lack of energy in Saltonstall’s recreation nor an absence of instincts, as he completed with 4.5 tackles for loss a 12 months in the past.
8) Hint Buckler, TE
It wasn’t fairly the aerial assault a season in the past, however the New Mexico passing recreation definitely showcased Hint Buckler as a dominant move catcher. Buckler led the workforce with three receiving touchdowns as he averaged almost 13 yards per catch. He has positive palms and a big catch radius. Buckler additionally proved to be sound within the run recreation with plus-blocking abilities.
7) Ronald Wilson, S
Ronald Wilson led the workforce with two interceptions a season in the past as he flew to the soccer in protection from his sturdy security spot. Enjoying as near the road of scrimmage as he does, Wilson additionally recorded two tackles for loss and made loads of performs in run protection. He did all this as a real freshman a 12 months in the past, and he’s solely getting began in Albuquerque.
6) Isaak Gutierrez, G
Beginning video games at each guard spots in addition to at proper sort out, Isaak Gutierrez is without doubt one of the most versatile offensive linemen within the convention. He proved to be an excessive amount of for some defenders to deal with within the run recreation as he has a fast step off the ball and nice energy on the transfer. Gutierrez’s greatest aspect is his move safety, nonetheless, as he anchors nicely and has terrific steadiness by way of contact.
5) Ray Leutele, LB
It was a terrific season in 2021 for Ray Leutele. He put forth a terrific show of all-around capability, ending second on the workforce with 4 sacks whereas additionally recording two move breakups and an interception. Leutele, as soon as an all-state participant in California at powerhouse Mater Dei, proved to have the ability to lock down the center of the sphere in all sides on the second stage.
4) Donte Martin, CB
Main the workforce with six move breakups a 12 months in the past, Donte Martin broke out in 2021 with a terrific season. Martin confirmed to be extremely sticky in protection, ripping off an interception however forcing greater than a handful of different incompletions with sticky protection. He’s additionally a sound tackler and has plus-run protection abilities, permitting him to man your complete proper facet of the sphere with ease.
3) Justin Harris, EDGE
At one level in his profession, Justin Harris was a extremely sought-after recruit and a Baylor signee. After a prolonged collegiate journey, the 6’6″ edge rusher lastly discovered his place on the Lobos’ entrance in 2021 and made essentially the most of it. He completed second on the workforce with 4 sacks and utilized his size extremely nicely to interrupt up three extra passes on the line of scrimmage. Harris has a terrific athletic body that he makes use of simply in addition to you’d anticipate. One other 12 months with extra reps, and Harris may vault himself into the highest EDGE ranks within the Group of 5, not simply within the Mountain West.
2) Jerrick Reed II, S
A 12 months after main the workforce in tackles, Jerrick Reed II is again to set the tone for the Lobos protection. Reed is a ball hawk in each sense of the phrase, each in protection and towards the run. He recorded seven move breakups and an interception in 2021 and had three video games with at the very least 10 tackles. His alignment permits for favorable matchups in protection and in run protection, given his shocking energy and compact body. Reed is a simple candidate for first-team All-Mountain West recognition.
1) Tavian Combs, S
Ending second on the workforce in tackles in every of the previous two seasons, Tavian Combs is really a tackling machine from his sturdy security spot. Combs flies across the discipline and makes use of his 6’2″, 200-pound body very nicely. He’s athletic and fast however loses nothing on the subject of matching up with probably greater move catchers or ball carriers. He received’t miss tackles usually and doesn’t enable a lot after the catch — if he even provides up a reception. Combs is the identify to know on this Lobos workforce in 2022.
Honorable point out gamers returning to New Mexico in 2022
- Isaiah Chavez, QB
- Shancco Matautia, G
- Radson Jang, C
- Luke Wysong, WR
- Dion Hunter, LB
