June 8, 2010
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Former Lobo football standouts Clint McPeek and Kendall Briscoe are Colonials now. Both were drafted by the Hartford franchise of the United Football League during its 2010 Player Draft.
McPeek, a safety and linebacker during his tenure at New Mexico, was selected in the 11th round. Briscoe, a defensive lineman, went in the 12th.
“I’m excited about the opportunity to play, but it really hasn’t set in,” said Briscoe. “I look forward to mini-camp and being in the professional environment. I plan on working hard and trying to make the most of this experience.”
The draft consisted of 12 rounds, with each of the five UFL franchises receiving one pick per round for a total of 60 selections. A number of National Football League veterans were mixed in with college selections during the early rounds of the draft, with former Detroit Lions’ defensive end Dewayne White going first overall to the expansion Omaha Nighthawks.
The Colonials’ minicamp begins on Wednesday, June 9, and runs through the 13th. Briscoe and McPeek will find a familiar face on the sidelines when they arrive. Hartford’s defensive coordinator is Osia D. Lewis, who held the same title from 2003-07 for the Lobos. Both McPeek and Briscoe played for Lewis during their first two seasons at New Mexico.
Briscoe played 47 games for the Lobos along the defensive line, starting 13. He led all defensive tackles in the Mountain West Conference last season with 13.5 tackles for loss. He also posted a career-high 46 tackles and 3.0 sacks during his senior campaign.
McPeek ranked second on the team and ninth in the MWC with 94 tackles in 2009, including 45 solo stops. He finished with 249 career tackles and capped off his senior campaign with an Academic All-MWC honor as well.
Entering its second season, the UFL expanded from four teams to five with the addition of the Omaha Nighthawks to the original four franchises: the Las Vegas Locomotives, Florida Tuskers, Sacramento Mountain Lions and Colonials.
For more information about the Colonials, visit www.HartfordColonials.com or www.ufl-football.com