University of New Mexico linebacker Nick Speegle was named to The Sporting News’ Freshman All-America third team. Speegle is the first frosh All-American for the Lobos since defensive end Buddy Billingsley was named a Football News second-teamer in 1993. Running back Winslow Oliver was named to Football News’ All-Freshman first team in 1992.
A redshirt freshman from Albuquerque’s La Cueva High School, Speegle started four of the last five games and finished fourth on the team with 56 tackles. His 41 solo tackles ranked second on the squad, and he added five tackles for loss and two sacks for -19 yards.
Speegle started the season backing up linebacker Gary Davis, but really became the Lobos fourth linebacker. He recorded a career-high 13 tackles in his first start against Air Force, and he notched 32 tackles and one sack in his last five games.
New Mexico won four of its last five games to finish the year 6-5, including a 4-3 mark in the Mountain West Conference, which tied Utah for third place. This marks the first winning season for the Lobos under head coach Rocky Long and the program’s first since the 1997 squad went 9-4.