ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — When you add up the successes of the last two seasons, the back-to-back bowl berths, the 2016 Gildan New Mexico Bowl title, the school’s first division title in 19 years, the school records for wins, it makes New Mexico Football a part of the landscape. It makes UNM Football must-see TV with all the explosive plays (UNM led the nation in runs of 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 and 70 yards). There were seven games on ESPN last year as well, but perhaps there is no more greater indication of how far a program has come, and how much entrenched it is, than summer camp. Based on the turnout for the Lobo Football 7 on 7 Tournament and OL/DL Camp, Lobo Football is indeed entrenched.
Nearly 500 students, mostly from New Mexico high schools, are taking part in Lobo Football’s 7 on 7 Tournament and OL/DL Camp, giving the campers access to UNM’s facilities, and more importantly, UNM’s coaches and instruction. Let’s face, if you are an offensive lineman, what better than to hear the teaching of an offensive line coach whose charged led the nation in rushing not just at UNM in 2016, but at Cal Poly in 2013, 2014, and 2015? How about getting coaching from the guy that helped Daniel Henry sign a free agent contract with the Baltimore Ravens as a safety? Or the offensive coordinator who turned UNM’s stagnant offensive into a juggernaut so large that it is being replicated throughout the country?
The big turnout is something that Assistant A.D. for Football Brian DeSpain says benefits both the UNM program, but also the young players from New Mexico looking to improve their game.
“It’s a great camp because it’s fun, but we have great facilities that allow us to have a lot of action going on, and a lot of coaching and instruction,” said DeSpain. “The fact that nearly all of the kids attending the two-day camp are from New Mexico high schools allows them a chance to see great facilities, and hopefully it helps to continue to raise the profile that there is great football played in the state of New Mexico.”
The 7 on 7 Tournament and the OL/DL Camp are non-padded, non-contact, skill teaching camps. Along with lunch and a t-shirt, each camper goes through the same drills that UNM student-athletes go through, with the same coaches.
“The goal is to teach the game and build a solid foundation, no matter what the level of the player is,” said DeSpain. “This is the next generation of football players from the state of New Mexico, and it’s great to give those players an avenue to learn and compete.”