Story by
Albuquerque Journal, N.M.
Three takeaways from UNM's first week of spring practice
- Story byAlbuquerque Journal, N.M.
- Three takeaways from UNM's first week of spring practice
New Mexico wrapped up its first week of spring practice under second-year head coach Jason Eck on Friday, closing its fifth session with a scrimmage period.
Here are three things we learned:
The defense is (unsurprisingly) ahead of the offense
Advertisement
For high school, college and professional teams, it's a fact of life when practice starts back up: The defense is usually ahead of the offense. A lot of that has to do with the general nature of playing defense — you don't need to get your timing down in the same way you might if you were playing offense.
In UNM's case, much of that quality has to do with the fact that it's returning five true starters on defense — linebackers Jaxton Eck and Mercury Swaim , safeties Tavian Combs and Austin Brawley and defensive lineman Brian Booker — while bringing back plenty of guys (safeties C.J. McBean and Drew Speech and cornerbacks Frankie Edwards III and Jahmir Torres) who got meaningful reps last year.
So, if it wasn't all too surprising, Friday's scrimmage period served as a relatively clear confirmation of that: The defense is, in fact, ahead of the offense.
UNM's third-string offense managed the lone offensive touchdown of the day, one countered by McBean's pick six on quarterback Toa Fa'avae. And while the Lobos ran the ball relatively well at all levels, the first- and second-string offenses struggled to move the ball a good bit.
Advertisement
Is that a bad thing, at least right now? I'm inclined to say no.
For starters, the offense is dealing with some injuries (more on that later), but I like what I've seen from the defense at all levels at this point. Replacing the production of Keyshawn James-Newby and Brett Karhu might be impossible, but I've been pleasantly surprised with what I've seen from transfer defensive ends Albert Tuakalau and Jalen Charles so far.
As a matter of fact, I think the defensive line has collectively stolen the show a few times this spring. Connect that with a linebackers room that's working in some new players like Clay Martineau and C.J. Johnson and a secondary that has good options at different positions, and it's not a big surprise that the defense has managed this kind of start.
Is it the strength of the team right now, in the way that it was last season? Eck didn't quite go that far, but he likes what he's seen.
Advertisement
"I expect us to be really good on defense," he said Friday. "We gotta keep improving on offense."
Injuries are stacking up
Perhaps the most noteworthy development from the first week of practice: Eastern Washington transfer receiver Miles Williams will miss the rest of spring with a knee injury. That means UNM will miss Williams and UNLV transfer Troy Omeire – largely expected to be the Lobos' WR1 this fall – for its final 10 practices; Omeire is expected to be cleared over the summer.
On top of that? Returning receivers Shawn Miller, Zhaiel Smith and Kader Diop are all dealing with minor injuries, so UNM effectively missed its top five receivers for Friday's scrimmage period. That's after a season where injuries helped dictate the Lobos only playing three receivers (Miller, Smith and Keagan Johnson) with any regularity.
Advertisement
And on top of that? Defensive end Darren Agu missed Friday's practice with an injury, one of 16 players who weren't able to go in any capacity. If it isn't an ideal arrangement, it's probably not as dire as it sounds. UNM is dealing with significantly more soft tissue injuries than those of the season-ending variety.
But there's no way around it: UNM is a little banged up at the moment, and really banged up at one position where they've already dealt with too many injuries in the past year. Again, it's not quite at the point where it's a major problem, but the Lobos could use a couple positive developments when it comes to these injuries over the next few weeks.
Quarterback separation is minimal at this point
There were some good (and maybe not so good) days for quarterbacks Luke Moga and Toa Fa'avae this week. Sometimes they matched good days, sometimes they didn't.
Advertisement
The big question: Have either separated themselves? Eck didn't think so, largely on the principle that spring practice isn't set up to be a separator in any competition battle.
"I still think it's an evaluation (between) the two," he added.
I'll agree with that sentiment. There's been enough good stuff from both through five practices, but more consistency will go a long way over the final 10.
Sean Reider covers college football and other sports for the Journal. You can reach him at sreider@abqjournal.com or via X at @lenaweereider.
