Story by
Albuquerque Journal, N.M.
Two defensive starters questionable for UNM at San Jose St.
- Story byAlbuquerque Journal, N.M.
- Two defensive starters questionable for UNM at San Jose St.
Two of the Lobos' key defensive starters might not be available Saturday.
Defensive end Darren Agu and safety Tavian Combs are questionable for New Mexico's game at San Jose State, per an availability released Thursday by the Mountain West.
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The 6-foot-6, 252-pound Agu has started every game for UNM at its Jack (boundary end) position. The fifth-year senior and former Vanderbilt transfer leads the Lobos with 28 quarterback pressures and is second on the team with four sacks.
Combs has started every game for UNM at boundary safety. The 6-2, 198-pound seventh-year senior leads the Lobos with four interceptions in addition to 28 total tackles, the second-highest mark on the team.
Initial availability report is out. The headline here: S Tavian Combs and DE Darren Agu are questionable for Saturday's game. https://t.co/0cwCiW0dBd
— Sean Reider (@lenaweereider) October 30, 2026
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It is unclear why Agu and Combs are questionable. Monday, UNM head coach Jason Eck said the Lobos "came out pretty good" health-wise after their 21-16 win over North Dakota State.
"No one is out (due to) that game," he added. "For how physical (the game) was, we came out in pretty good shape."
Linebacker Jaxton Eck (shoulder) and wide receiver Shawn Miller (concussion) have been ruled out for Saturday's game, per the report. Eck said Jaxton's return for UNM's game against UNLV (Nov. 14) would be the "absolute best-case scenario."
Receiver Abraham Williams is also questionable to make his season debut against SJSU. The 6-1, 192-pound converted cornerback has not appeared in a game after suffering a lower body injury during practice.
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A second availability report will be released in the hours before Saturday's game. All Mountain West teams are required to submit availability reports with designations, but without injury specifics, prior to each league contest.
Full team injury reports
New Mexico
QB James Laubstein — Out (Full Season)
LB Nick Wheeler — Out (Full Season)
WR Troy Omeire — Out (Full Season)
OL Elvin Harris — Out (Full Season)
QB Jack Layne — Out (Full Season)
DE Cody Thumlert — Out (Full Season)
LB Jaxton Eck — Out (Full Game)
WR Shawn Miller — Out (Full Game)
WR Abraham Williams — Questionable
DE Darren Agu — Questionable
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S Tavian Combs — Questionable
San Jose State
WR Jase Nix — Out (Full Game)
WR Cooper Hoch — Questionable
DL Ian Shewell — Questionable
OL Tyler Chen — Questionable
TE Kamaehu Kopa-Kaawalauole — Questionable
Sean Reider covers college football and other sports for the Journal. You can reach him at sreider@abqjournal.com or via X at @lenaweereider.
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