Three standouts, two takeaways and one surprise from New Mexico's pro day

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Albuquerque Journal, N.M.
Three standouts, two takeaways and one surprise from New Mexico's pro day

Sean Reider, Albuquerque Journal, N.M. · Albuquerque Journal, N.M.

Tue, Mar 24, 2026 ·

5 min read

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New Mexico hosted scouts from 15 different NFL clubs for its annual pro day Monday, putting 17 Lobos through combine-style and positional drills ahead of next month's NFL Draft.

There wasn't a standout time or performance quite like Cam Watts' jaw-dropping 4.31-second 40-yard dash, the major story out of UNM's pro day last spring. Instead, there were a handful of players who tested well across the board, far more consistent than conspicuous with their measurables.

Here are three standouts, two takeaways and one surprise from the workouts:

Three standouts

WR Keagan Johnson

UNM's leading receiver last season put up mostly good numbers, but probably notched his biggest win in the 40 with unofficial times of 4.42 and 4.45.

"I don't know if my tape has a ton of me just breaking away," Johnson said. "I wanted to show that I could not just run routes, but run in a straight line. I feel like I did that today … It would be nice to touch (4.30s) but hey, I'm gonna live with what I did today."

Johnson's 36.5-inch vertical jump was also a mark he was proud of, if only to show "that I can go up and get the ball," he said.

RB Damon Bankston

The 5-foot-10, 186-pound running back said his 33-inch vertical jump was a little shorter than he hoped, but was "pretty sure" his unofficial 40 was marked in the 4.30 range.

Bankston also rang up 21 reps on the bench press and was the only Lobo to return kicks during the workout.

"A lot of people make teams in the NFL on special teams," he said. "Just having the opportunity to showcase that I could return kicks — you know, every team needs a good returner. Being able to show that, and also show that I can play punt return … it's huge for getting to the next level."

S Azariah Levells

The 5-11, 186-pound senior notched a 38-inch vertical (a mark that would have tied for fifth among safeties at this year's NFL Combine) and a broad jump that cleared 11 feet, better than any safety at the combine.

His unofficial 4.56 in the 40 wasn't quite as freaky as the other marks. But for a player that was kept off the field with injuries last season — and remains one court ruling away from being able to return to UNM next season — Monday was a good showing.

Two takeaways

UNM could have more UDFA signees in the NFL

ormer Lobo defensive lineman Devin Brandt-Epps signed with the Bills as an undrafted free agent (UDFA) last spring, but UNM hasn't had many players ink those kinds of deals in recent years.

This pro day, however, a few more scouts were in attendance than UNM is normally accustomed to.

Bankston's return background, paired with good measurables, should get him some attention. Johnson could have some options. And if Keyshawn James-Newby isn't drafted (more on him later), it's hard to imagine him not getting a chance somewhere.

Of course, it's still more of a could than a will at this point. But in terms of getting players on UDFA deals, this feels like the best group UNM has had in a while.

It still feels like UNM's draft hopes rest with one player

If you don't count Commanders running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt (a one-time Lobo who transferred to Arizona to finish out his college career), UNM hasn't had a player drafted since the Seahawks selected Jerrick Reed in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

As of Monday, it still feels like James-Newby is the program's best shot to be drafted this year.

The 6-2, 244-pound defensive end did not participate in position drills after tweaking his hamstring running the 40, but James-Newby's unofficial 40s were clocked in the high 4.40s and 4.50s. That range would've put him near the top of all edge rushers at the NFL Combine.

"(I) ran a little bit faster than I was actually expecting myself to," James-Newby said. "So, yeah, it was a good day in the 40."

One surprise

Brett Karhu takes reps at fullback, linebacker

During position drills, quarterback James Laubstein primarily threw Bankston and receivers like Johnson and Michael Buckley. But one other player hopped in for a bit and made the most of his routes: defensive end Brett Karhu, who finished second on the team in sacks last season.

In addition to those passing reps at fullback, Karhu also did some drills as a linebacker.

"I talked to a couple agents and they were like, 'you never know what they (scouts) are going to put you through, so be ready for anything,'" he said. "So I trained with (linebacker Jaxton Eck), Keyshawn and then I was out here with (quarterback) Jack Layne running routes, too."

Sean Reider covers college football and other sports for the Journal. You can reach him at sreider@abqjournal.com or via X at @lenaweereider.

NEW MEXICO PRO DAY

NFL teams that had scouts at University Stadium on Monday:

Washington Commanders