Sept 13, 2007
Senior Tyler Donaldson is a third-year defensive end who earned second team all-MWC honors in 2006 – his first full season of gameday action at the Division I level. One of the quickest defensive linemen in the Mountain West Conference, Donaldson uses excellent speed and agility to knife around blockers in the Lobos’ stunt-heavy scheme. He is a versatile player who can man all three spots up front for New Mexico.
After transferring to UNM from the New Mexico Military Institute in January of 2005, the Lawrenceville, Ga. product showed flashes of ability during practice before taking a medical redshirt season. Donaldson has recorded 12.5 career tackles for loss and 9.0 sacks in his first 15 starts over the past 2 seasons.
Donaldson is off to a tremendous start to the 2007 season with 3.5 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks in the first two games. He also has 12 tackles, two quarterback hurries and a 17-yard interception.
D.J. Renteria: What could potentially be the biggest victory on the schedule this year?
Tyler Donaldson: I feel like the BYU game would be the biggest victory we could get this year because they were conference champs last year and they are our first conference game.
DR: What is the thing that you miss the most about being away from home?
TD: Definitely my family, but also the scenery is very different here. I miss all the green trees and grass everywhere back home.
DR: What word would the ladies on campus use to describe you?
TD: Spectacular! That would explain me pretty well.
DR: Who would you say is the most fashionable defensive lineman in the group?
TD: Michael Tuohy because he is the only person I know that can wear the same thing everyday and make it look pretty good.
DR: What is your favorite food?
TD: That would most definitely be Chick-fil-A without a doubt. I have been eating there since I was a kid.
DR: If you could be any person for a day who would it be?
TD: I would be rather be a lion because all they do is lay around and eat animals all day.