Lobos Announce 18 Signees on National Signing Day
Complete National Signing Day Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — University of New Mexico head coach Bob Davie, who will enter his eighth year with the program in 2019, has announced 18 signees for the 2019 football campaign. Of the 18 signees, 13 are junior college signees, with five coming from the high school ranks.
The signees represent 11 states and five time zones (Atlantic, Central, Mountain, Pacific and Hawaiian). Davie picked up 10 new players on defense, a side of the ball hit hard by graduation as UNM will return just one starter, Aaron Blackwell, although two would-be starters will return from injury in Trent Sellers and Alex Hart. On the defensive side, UNM picked up five defensive backs, four linebackers and one lineman.
On offense, UNM added eight new players, three linemen, two receivers, and one quarterback, one running back and one tight end. UNM returns almost it’s whole offensive line, and overall the offense only lost four starters.
The December 19-21 signing period is the first of two for football for the 2019 season, as the traditional National Signing Day for the spring semester will be on February 6, which is the first Wednesday in the month of February.
Below are capsules of the class:
Rocky Aitogi
OL | 6-5 | 354 | So | JC
Kona, Haw. | Fort Scott CC
JUNIOR COLLEGE
*Lettered at Fort Scott Community College for coach Kale Pick.
*Saw action in eight of 10 games .
*Served in the U.S. Army National Guard.
*Is married, and he and his wife Anna have a son, Lio.
*Has only been playing football for one year.
HIGHLIGHT VIDEO
Chad Alexander
RB | 5-6 | 164 | Fr | HS
New Orleans, La. | Landry-Walker HS
HIGH SCHOOL
*Lettered in football at Landry-Walker High School for coach Emanuel Powell, and also lettered in track.
*Rushed for 1,084 yards on 118 carries with 17 rushing touchdowns as a senior for Landry-Walker.
*Also had a 70-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.
*Scored double-digit touchdowns as a junior.
*Helped win a 5A state title as a sophomore in 2016.
HIGHLIGHT VIDEO
Cade Briggs
OL | 6-3 | 275 | Fr | HS
Las Vegas, Nev. | Bishop Gorman HS
HIGH SCHOOL
*Lettered in football at Bishop Gorman HS for coach Kenny Sanchez.
*Named second team All-Southwest League as a guard in 2018.
*Won a state title in all four seasons, including 2018, ending the season on a 10-game winning streak.
*Helped Bishop Gorman rush for 523 yards on 52 carries in the state title game, scoring eight rushing touchdowns.
HIGHLIGHT VIDEO
Eric Cuffee
DB | 5-11 | 190 | Jr | JC
Waco, Texas | Trinity Valley CC/Texas/Waco HS
JUNIOR COLLEGE/TEXAS
*Originally played for the Texas Longhorns from 2016-17, redshirting in 2016.
*Lettered one season at Trinity Valley for coach Sherard Poteete.
*Saw action in 10 games with 13 tackles and a pass breakups.
HIGH SCHOOL
*Lettered in football at Waco HS for coach Marty Herbst.
*Named all-state as a senior, and he was a three-time all-district selection.
*Participated in the 2016 Under Armour All-America game.
*Was rated among the top 125 defensive backs out of high school by ESPN.
*Also competed in the 100m, 200m, 4x100m and 4x200m at Waco High School.
HIGHLIGHT VIDEO
Omar Darame
DL | 6-3 | 238 | Fr | HS
Arlington, Texas | Sam Houston HS
HIGH SCHOOL
*Lettered in football at Arlington High School for coach Anthony Criss.
*Recorded 63 tackles, 27 solo, with 10 for loss.
*Also recorded a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and an interception.
*Also competed in track at Sam Houston, including the shot put.
HIGHLIGHT VIDEO
Reco Hannah
LB | 6-2 | 211 | Jr | JC
Wedowee, Ala. | Highland CC/Randolph County HS
JUNIOR COLLEGE
*Lettered in football at Highland Community College for coach Aaron Arnold.
*Named Honorable Mention NJCAA All-America as a sophomore linebacker as well as First Team All-KJCCC honors.
*As a sophomore recorded 90 tackles, 16 for loss, 7.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, one interception (returned 100 yards for a touchdown), six hurries and three breakups.
*In his two-year career he had 153 tackles, 29.5 for loss, 13 sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, six hurries, seven breakups and two interceptions.
HIGH SCHOOL
*Lettered in football at Randolph County High School for coach Pat Prestridge.
*As a senior he recorded 102 tackles, five sacks, five interceptions, 11 breakups, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery while also rushing for 2,008 yards on 199 carries with 31 TDs along with 13 catches for 353 yards.
HIGHLIGHT VIDEO
Jacobi Hearn
LB | 5-11 | 237 | Jr | JC
Jackson, Miss. | Mississippi Gulf Coast CC/Clinton HS
JUNIOR COLLEGE
*Lettered in football at Mississippi Gulf Coast for coach Jack Wright.
*Was fourth on the team with 60 tackles, including 16 for loss, eight sacks, a pass break-up and a 48-yard fumble return for a touchdown.
*Named all MACJC South First Team.
*As a freshman recorded 33 tackles, one for loss and a forced fumble.
HIGH SCHOOL
*Lettered in football at Clinton High School for coach Judd Boswell.
*Helped Clinton to a 6A state championship as a senior, recording 123 tackles, 20 for loss, seven sacks, four passes defended, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
*Named to Mississippi Association of Coaches Class 6A First Team and Clarion-Ledger All-State Second Team.
HIGHLIGHT VIDEO
Brandt Hughes
QB | 6-2 | 226 | Jr | JC
Chico, Calif. | Butte JC/Pleasant Valley HS
JUNIOR COLLEGE
*Lettered two seasons at Butte Junior College for coach Rob Snelling.
*Led Butte to a 9-2 record, going 136-for-227 (59.9%) for 2,146 yards and 14 touchdowns, while rushing for five more touchdowns.
*Led Butte to a No. 2 ranking during the season, as the Roadrunners went 9-2.
*Played in seven games as a freshman, going 52-102 (51.0%) for 575 yards and five touchdowns, and a rushing TD.
HIGH SCHOOL
*Lettered in football at Pleasant Valley High School for coach Mark Cooley.
*Was 147-for-263 passing for 2,064 yards and 26 touchdowns against just five interceptions as a senior.
*Also rushed for three touchdowns.
HIGHLIGHT VIDEO
Antonio Hunt
DB | 5-8 | 152 | So | JC
Lancaster, Calif. | College of the Canyons/Paraclete HS
JUNIOR COLLEGE
*Lettered in football at College of the Canyons for coach Ted Iacenda.
*Tied for the team lead as a sophomore with four interceptions, adding 27 tackles, six breakups and a fumble recovery.
HIGH SCHOOL
*Lettered in football at Paraclete High School for coach Dean Herrington.
*Played both ways, recording 36 tackles, one interception and 11 pass breakups as a defensive back and seven catches for 166 yards and a touchdown, with a long of 70, on offense during his senior season.
HIGHLIGHT VIDEO
Jacob Jankoviak
OL | 6-2 | 285 | Jr | JC
Corona, Calif. | Fullerton JC/Centennial HS
JUNIOR COLLEGE
*Lettered in football at Fullerton Junior College for coach Tim Byrnes.
*Was selected First Team All-SCFA National at offensive line.
*Blocked for a team that averaged 43.4 points and 492.4 YPG on offense.
*Played on Fullerton’s undefeated national champions in 2017.
HIGH SCHOOL
*Lettered in football at Centennial High School for coach Matt Logan.
*Started for one of the top prep programs in Southern California.
HIGHLIGHT VIDEO
Kyle Jarvis
TE | 6-3 | 244 | So | JC
Antioch, Calif. | Contra Costa College/Antioch HS
JUNIOR COLLEGE
*Lettered in football at Contra Costa College for coach Patrick Henderson.
*Played in 10 games with 11 catches and 154 receiving yards.
*Started as a tackle as a freshman, playing every snap.
HIGH SCHOOL
*Lettered in football at Antioch High School for coach John Lucido.
HIGHLIGHT VIDEO
Marquae Kirkendoll
DB | 6-0 | 171 | Fr | HS
Chicago, Ill. | Simeon HS
HIGH SCHOOL
*Lettered in football at Simeon High School for coach Dante Culbreath
*Lockdown corner who led Simeon to an 11-1 record as a senior.
*Also lettered in track at Simeon.
HIGHLIGHT VIDEO
Jordan Kress
WR | 6-0 | 197 | Jr | JC
Loveland, Colo. | Butte JC/Mountain View HS
JUNIOR COLLEGE
*Lettered two seasons at Butte Junior College for coach Rob Snelling.
*Led the team as a sophomore with 44 receptions for 863 yards and five touchdowns.
*Led the team with a 30.9 average on 14 kickoff returns, including an 84-yard TD.
*Led the team as a freshman with 20 receptions, 429 yards and six touchdowns, also picking up 16 yards rushing.
HIGH SCHOOL
*Lettered in football at Mountain View High School for coach Bart Mayes.
*Earned All-Area honors from the Reporter-Herald.
*Also placed in the state finals in the 100m and 200m as a senior.
HIGHLIGHT VIDEO
James Lewis
LB | 5-11 | 215 | Jr | JC
Tulsa, Okla. | Coffeyville JC/Tulsa Memorial HS
JUNIOR COLLEGE
*Lettered at Coffeyville Junior College for coach Aaron Flores
*As a freshmen a racked up 53 tackles in just nine games, including 4.5 for loss.
HIGH SCHOOL
*Lettered in football at Tulsa Memorial High School for coach Ryan Reed.
*Played both linebacker and running back for Tulsa Memorial.
*Helped Tulsa Memorial to four straight winning seasons.
HIGHLIGHT VIDEO
Shaddrick Lowery
DB | 5-9 | 191 | So | JC
Dania Beach, Fla. | College of the Canyons/American Heritage HS
JUNIOR COLLEGE
*Lettered in football at College of the Canyons for coach Ted Iacenda.
*Earned First Team All-SCFA honors as a sophomore, recording 41 tackles and five pass breakups.
*As a freshman he recorded 38 tackles, two forced fumbles and a pass breakup.
HIGH SCHOOL
*Lettered in football at American Heritage High School for coach Mike Rumph.
*Played both ways, recording 36 tackles, one interception and 11 pass breakups as a defensive back and seven catches for 166 yards and a touchdown, with a long of 70, on offense during his senior season.
HIGHLIGHT VIDEO
Tye Moore
WR | 5-7 | 150 | Fr | HS
Las Vegas, Nev. | Desert Pines HS
HIGH SCHOOL
*Lettered in football at Desert Pines High School for coach Tico Rodriguez.
*Named Class 3A First Team All-State by the state’s coaches, and Honorable Mention All-State by the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
*Led his team in receiving both as a junior and as a senior.
*Also played point guard on the basketball team.
HIGHLIGHT VIDEO
Jerrick Reed II
DB | 5-10 | 188 | So | JC
Olive Branch, Miss. | NW Mississippi CC/Olive Branch HS
JUNIOR COLLEGE
Lettered in football at Northwest Mississippi for coach Benjy Parker.
Recorded 71 tackles, three for loss, one sack, one fumble recovery, two interceptions and three pass breakups.
Helped NWMCC to an 8-2 record.
HIGH SCHOOL
Lettered in football at Olive Branch for coach Tyler Turner.
As a senior had 99 tackles and seven for loss as Olive Branch went 12-2 and advanced to the third round of the 6A state playoffs.
Also added seven interceptions for 271 yards and eight kickoff returns for 120 yards.
Named First Team All-State by The Clarion Ledger.
HIGHLIGHT VIDEO
Devin Sanders
LB | 6-2 | 236 | So | JC
San Diego, Calif. | San Diego Mesa CC/Mira Mesa HS
JUNIOR COLLEGE
*Lettered in football at San Diego Mesa for coach Gary Watkins.
*Recorded 40 tackles, three sacks, two pass breakups and three fumble recoveries.
*Originally attended Humboldt State in 2016.
HIGH SCHOOL
*Lettered in football at Mira Mesa for coach Gary Blevins.
*Also lettered in basketball.
HIGHLIGHT VIDEO