Making it Official
The University of New Mexico unloaded official roster updates this week. Most of them have been discussed as the players announced their commitment on social media, but there are some new names that could really make an impact next year.
De’jon Benton (DT) 6-foot-1, 270-pounds
The trenches were the focus for the Lobos. Adding a player who was at USC for five seasons gives UNM a veteran to help rebuild a defensive line that was only a part of 10-sacks in Mountain West play. Benton appeared in 26 games for the Trojans.
Baraka Beckett (OL) 6-foot-3, 315
The Lobos went back to the Campbell well with Beckett (Elvin Harris also transferred in from Campbell). The Pacific Palisades, California native did not play his first three seasons at UCLA and transferred to Campbell after sitting out the 2022 season. Beckett was able to play in 11 games for the Fighting Camels this past season.
Shawn Miller (WR) 6-foot-1, 205
Don’t forget to put football in the search bar after you type in Shawn Miller (Sean Miller the college basketball coach will pop up even though it isn’t spelled the same). Hailing from Chandler, Arizona the wideout began his high school career at Saguaro High School, the same school Lobo quarterback Devon Dampier played at. Miller spent the last two years at Illinois after finishing his high school career at IMG Academy in Florida. He redshirted as a freshman after an injury in training camp and appeared in six games last year.
Isaiah Jones (WR) 6-foot-4, 200
There are a lot of wide receivers listed on the Lobos roster, but not a lot of production. Caleb Medford showed he can be a difference maker after catching 30 passes for 551-yards and two touchdowns last season. He returns. Jones played his freshman season at El Camino College before transferring to Syracuse where he would work his way into the starting lineup over the last two years. He appeared in three games before suffering a season-ending injury vs. Purdue in 2022 and last year played 10 games with six starts, missing time in the middle of the year due to injury.
Eli Sanders (RB) 6-foot, 200
The competition for carries behind Jacory Croskey-Merritt will be a battle to watch in camp. Sanders returns to the southwest after rushing for 477 yards and four touchdowns at Iowa State last year. The Californian native finished his high school career in Chandler, AZ where he was rated a four-star recruit by Rivals and a three-star by 247Sports.
Noah Avinger (CB) 6-foot-1, 190
New Mexico finally got one from San Diego State after seeing some of their top defenders transfer to SDSU over the last two years. Avinger missed last year due to injury, but he made his mark as a freshman and sophomore. He started his first college game in the opener against New Mexico State, becoming the first true freshman Aztec cornerback to start since Leon McFadden in 2009. As a sophomore he had 25 solo tackles and three pass breakups. It was a family affair as SDSU as his brother, Lucky, was a running back with the Aztecs, while his twin sister, Asia, played on the SDSU women’s basketball team before transferring to Georgia.
Local Focus
When you put the pieces together, they fit. His former offensive coordinator, Tim Beck, is their new offensive coordinator. His former head coach, Jerry Kill, is chief consultant to the head coach and now Diego Pavia will compete to be the starting quarterback at Vanderbilt. Commodore fans will enjoy the fact Pavia led New Mexico State to a win at Auburn last season. Pavia was named the Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year after throwing for 2,973 yards, rushing for 928 with 33 total touchdowns. What a journey it has been for Pavia; Volcano Vista, New Mexico Military Institute, New Mexico State and now the SEC.
Another Follower
La Cueva quarterback Aidan Armenta, who redshirted last season at UNM, will continue his career at Louisiana Monroe. Bryant Vincent the Lobos offensive coordinator last year was hired as the Warhawks head coach in December.
Aggie Bound
After earning All-Mountain West honorable mention honors at Fresno State last season Rio Rancho native, Tre Watson, is transferring to Texas A&M. The tight end caught 38 passes for 378-yards and four touchdowns as a junior. Watson was heading to Washington where former Bulldogs head coach Kalen DeBoer was the leading man but switched to A&M after DeBoer was hired by Alabama.
