April 26, 2007
As much as it hurts to admit, it has been more than four years since I roamed the confines of University Stadium. Being around the coaches and players during spring practices has refreshed my memories of my first spring season in 2000 and the highs and lows I endured. Arriving on campus as a highly touted recruit the previous summer, I was accustomed to being the experienced leader that teammates could look to in any situation. My first spring season would continue to teach me that I would now be the inexperienced youngster looking to others for the strength I was used to giving.
My mental approach was uncertain in my first spring. I was unsure of many things and questioned myself a lot. Was I good enough? Where would I fit into the team? Would I succeed?
The hardest thing I had to adjust to was coming from my high school team, where I was very important, to being on a team where I was at the bottom of the totem pole. This ate at me for the longest time and was the most difficult thing to deal with. Not being part of the starting group, running with the reserves in practices and many other instances where I was at the bottom trying to fight my way to the top were rough.
Although my first spring ball was difficult, both physically and mentally, there was a bright moment where I said to myself I am going to make it. This instance came for me during daily drills between the offense and defense. Because of an injury, I was tossed into the mix with the first team during middle drills.
On my first play I found myself face to face with all-conference running back and future NFL draft pick Jarrod Baxter. I probably remember my performance a little more favorably in my mind, but I know I held my own against one of the established stars of the team and at that point I knew the bottom of the totem pole wasn’t a place for me.
Though my first spring was mentally and physically draining at times, I learned many great lessons from it and eventually evolved into a productive player. Redshirt freshman wide receiver Chris Hernandez, last year’s co-offensive scout team player of the year, is following a similar path. I met up with Chris before team meetings on Wednesday to talk about enduring the hardships of the first spring football season. During our conversation, Chris struck me as someone that seemed poised to grow tremendously during spring practices and I think it’s clear he is looking forward to helping the team in any way possible this fall.
Click here to listen to my entire All-Access interview with Chris Hernandez.
-D.J.
David J. Renteria was a four-year letterman (1999-2003) and two-year starter on the defensive line at New Mexico. Renteria was a first team all-Mountain West Conference selection in 2003, when he helped lead the nation’s fifth-ranked run defense, and a second team pick in ’02. The Roswell, N.M. native finished his career tied for ninth all-time at UNM with 34.5 tackles for loss. He also had 14 sacks and 111 tackles in 49 games (29 starts). Renteria played professionally for three years with the Houston Texans, St. Louis Rams, San Francisco 49ers and Denver Broncos organizations. He is currently working as a student assistant in the UNM Athletics Media Relations office while he finishes his degree in Communications.
Cherry-Silver Game Six Days Away!
Lobo fans, the annual Cherry-Silver Spring Football Game is only six days away. Be sure to come down to University Stadium at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, May 2nd to check out the Lobo football team’s final practice of the 2007 spring season. Admission is free and all your favorite players will be signing autographs after the game.
If you can’t make it to the stadium in person, you can watch the game on your computer. For the first time ever, the Cherry-Silver game will be broadcast live on the GoLobos.com All-Access package with the Voice of the Lobos, Mike Roberts, and former all-conference defensive lineman D.J. Renteria providing commentary. Visit GoLobos.com today to sign up for your free All-Access membership.
With 44 returning letterwinners, 20 returning starters and 32 players from the state of New Mexico, 2007 looks to be another exciting year at University Stadium with home game versus New Mexico State, BYU and Air Force. Season tickets will go on sale June 18!