Aug. 15, 2005
Wide Recievers
What was an inexperienced group of newcomers and first year starters last fall could be one of the strongest units in the improving New Mexico offense this year. The Lobos return five wide receivers that saw significant action in 2004, including a tremendous talent in senior Hank Baskett (Clovis, N.M.).
Baskett turned in one of the best seasons in UNM history in his first year as a regular, ranking ninth on the all-time list with 909 receiving yards on his 54 catches last fall. Boasting an elite combination of size, strength, speed, athleticism and pure hands, Baskett proved to be one of the Mountain West’s premier receiving talents last year and he should be even better in 2005.
“He’s 6-4, 220 pounds, he runs really well, he jumps really high and most man-cover corners have trouble defending him,” Long said. “He also has a size advantage against zone coverage, getting in the holes and being able to take hits while still catching the ball.”
A nagging groin injury forced the former MWC outdoor high jump champion (6-11 leap in 2004) to redshirt the track season, but it could not keep him off the field during spring football practice. Baskett never missed a single workout and was one of the most impressive performers on the field day in and day out.
While Long said he would like to see even more production from Baskett this season, he emphasized that the rest of the wide receiver corps must step up and become greater threats in the passing game. Second-year seniors Anthony Carter (Winslow, Ariz.) and Chris Brawley (Leighton, Ala.) should be much improved with a full year of D-I experience under their belt, while sophomores Marcus Smith (San Diego, Calif.) and Travis Brown (West Covina, Calif.) could emerge as consistent contributors in their second seasons. Carter and Brawley earned the majority of snaps opposite Baskett last year, but Brown began to develop as a dependable target late in the season. Meanwhile, Smith, a converted tailback, displayed explosive speed and raw talent in his first full year at receiver. Junior transfer Thomas Wilson (Chico, Calif.) and true freshmen Jamar Dean (Greenville, S.C.), Daryl Jones Jr. (Tampa, Fla.) and Mike Vandenberg (Moraga, Calif.) could also join the rotation with a strong performance in fall camp.
The entire group will get ample opportunity to succeed in the Lobos’ expanded spread option package, which will put the ball in the receivers’ hands more often on both passing and rushing plays.
Tight Ends
New Mexico’s tight ends should be better overall this year with senior Logan Hall (Idaho Falls, Idaho), junior Curtis Pino (Albuquerque, N.M.) and redshirt freshman prospect Chris Mark (Las Vegas, Nev.) returning from a year ago. The versatile unit also got a boost in the form of talented 6-4, 230-pound junior transfer John Mulchrone (Chicago, Ill.).
Logan Hall will look to become more of a threat in the offense this fall. |
One of New Mexico’s most highly-touted additions last spring, Hall was hampered throughout much of 2004 with myriad injuries, including chronic pain in his hand after breaking a bone during preseason camp. A big target in the passing game at 6-5, 245 pounds, Hall showed signs of improvement with a solid performance in the Lobos’ bowl game and secured the top spot on the depth chart with a strong spring season. According to Long, the injury was the only thing that prevented Hall from being a key member of the offense last season and the coaching staff is hopeful that he will be healthy and productive in 2005.
Mulchrone, meanwhile, was one of the most impressive newcomers on the field during the spring. An honorable mention All-America selection last year at Palomar College (San Marcos, Calif.), Mulchrone showed sure hands and good athletic ability, and should be a key contributor this fall. Pino, a former walk-on, missed much of the spring with a knee injury, but has proven to be a fine blocker and solid receiver. The 6-5, 256-pound Mark has a bright future ahead of him and will give UNM some excellent depth at the position this season.
Offensive Line
Perhaps the most celebrated position at New Mexico during Long’s tenure, the Lobo offensive line group, better known as “The Hitmen,” has established itself as one of the most dominant units in the Mountain West Conference. Since 2001, the group has earned first team all-conference honors five times – more than any other school in the MWC. In 2004, two members of The Hitmen secured first team all-conference honors, including unanimous selection Claude Terrell, a fourth-round draft pick of the St. Louis Rams, and repeat first team honoree Ryan Cook (Albuquerque, N.M.). Honorable mention selection Robert Turner (Austin, Texas), meanwhile, was the third Lobo lineman recognized by the league’s media and coaches.
Ryan Cook has been one of the nation’s premier centers for the past two years and should work his way up the NFL Draft lists in 2005. |
One of the country’s premier centers over the past two years, the 6-7, 320-pound Cook returns as the senior leader of the group after quietly enjoying one of the best seasons by a Lobo center in 2004. He averaged 10 knockdowns per game, while finishing the year with perfect assignment grades in a remarkable four games. A Lombardi Award and Rimington Trophy candidate once again, Cook will make a strong push for All-America honors in 2005.
“Ryan has a chance to be an NFL player,” Long said. “He’s gotten better every year and he’s got unbelievable size for as good an athlete as he is. We’re expecting an even better performance out of him this year.”
After earning Freshman All-America honors in 2003, the underrated Turner led the team in knockdowns the following season, driving his opponent into the turf 137 times in 2004. As he enters his junior season, the 6-4, 319-pound guard has established himself as one of the most intimidating run blockers in the MWC. As he polishes the technical aspects of his game, Turner appears to be the next in a long line of standout Lobo offensive linemen.
Senior tackle Terrance Pennington (Compton, Calif.), put together a solid campaign last fall in his first year as a starter. An imposing figure at 6-7, 319 pounds, Pennington displayed good technical skill and assignment understanding last season and could be one of the most improved players on the offensive line in 2005. His progression will be a key element in the success of the unit, which will be continue to audition for the open quick guard and strong tackle positions during preseason practice.
Robert Turner led The Hitmen with 137 knockdowns in 2004. |
During the spring, however, 6-3, 318-pound redshirt junior Bo Greer (Princeton, Ind.) took a major step towards establishing himself as the clear-cut starter at quick guard. A tremendous physical talent, Greer has continued to improve his understanding of the blocking scheme and could develop into one of the team’s top linemen this fall. Meanwhile, 6-5, 297-pound junior Patrick Hodges (Ruidoso, N.M.) did a solid job as the starting quick tackle during the spring and will be a legitimate candidate for the top spot in preseason camp.
For much of the spring practice season, the Lobos had just nine healthy linemen on the field, giving several young players an excellent opportunity to gain experience working with the first and second team offense. Two of the greatest beneficiaries were sophomore center Vince Natali (Park Ridge, Ill.) and massive redshirt freshman Dustin Moore (Brenham, Texas). According to the coaching staff, the 6-2, 298-pound Natali had the best spring of any lineman, leading the team in knockdowns and making a strong case to join the starting lineup. His performance has even opened up the possibility of moving the fleet-footed Cook to tackle in an effort to get Natali on the field. The 6-5, 360-pound Moore made significant progress during the spring, improving his grasp of the system and polishing his technique.
Six new Hitmen joined the team in August, including junior college All-American Anthony Kilby (Albuquerque, N.M.), who will push for a starting job at tackle. The 6-5, 354-pound Kilby arrived at UNM in June and got to work immediately. A dominant physical force, Kilby could establish himself as one of the best five linemen on the field as he continues to improve his fitness and familiarity with the blocking schemes.