Spring Practice No. 9 Breakdown: OL
Upcoming Schedule
Practice #10: Thursday 4/18 8:30-10:45 am
Practice #11: Saturday 4/20 10-12:15 pm
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — As part of the 2019 spring camp, GoLobos.com will do a position-by-position breakdown of the various positions on offense, defense and special teams. Today’s breakdown is on the offensive line position.
Letterwinners returning:
Teton Saltes (Albuquerque, N.M.)
Austin Cook (Ft. Scott, Kan.)
Kyle Stapley (Morgan, Utah)
Jarred Sylvester (Clayton, N.J.)
Javon Mosley (Fort Worth, Texas)
Chris Estrella (San Jacinto, Calif.)
Radson Jang (Honolulu, Haw.)
David Zavala (Lakewood, Calif.)
Redshirts/Squad members returning:
Colston Chacon (La Habra, Calif.)
Hayden Wilson (Albuquerque, N.M.)
Brad Murphy (San Jose, Calif.)
Letterwinners lost:
Aaron Jenkins
2019 Signing Class in camp:
Jacob Jankoviak (Corona, Calif.)
2019 Signing Class not yet enrolled:
Rocky Aitogi (Kona, Haw.)
Cade Briggs (Las Vegas, Nev.)
Justice Spates (Pacoima, Calif.)
The Electric Company. The Hogs. The Seven Blocks of Granite. The Big Uglies.
Offensive lines have nicknames. Offensive linemen have quirks. No Denver Bronco offensive lineman does interviews. Ever. As for New Mexico’s offensive line, they are learning on the fly, and with plenty of bodies in camp, and plenty of chances to showcase their wares, perhaps a nickname will soon be in order for those big Lobos up front.
In all there’s 11 returners along the offensive line, and while UNM has to replace a four-year starter and All-Mountain West honoree in Aaron Jenkins, the is no shortage of talent along the line, and no shortage of competition either with 12 total linemen in spring camp and three more on the way.
As far as returning starters go, the Lobos return three, and all three turned it tremendous 2018 seasons. Starting with the guy who touches the ball first, Kyle Stapley saw more snaps on offense than any other player on the Lobos, seeing action for 812 snaps, six more than Teton Saltes and Aaron Jenkins. Stapley, who hadn’t played center before last year, was a revelation in the middle, never committing a penalty and allowing just 13 total pressures. His snap accuracy according to Pro Football Focus was 99.1%, an incredible number for someone snapping every snap from the pistol for the first time in his career.
With Stapley in the middle, Teton Saltes handled the right side of the line at tackle. Playing 806 snaps in just his second season as an offensive lineman, Saltes had a 96.7% pass blocking efficiency. Chris Estrella, much like Stapley and Saltes, started all 12 games, but Estrella started in six at left tackle, and then moved to left guard for the final six. Estrella turned in a 98.1 pass blocking efficiency, and he saw action for 769 snaps.
When Estrella moved over, it was to make room for Jarred Sylvester, who played 338 snaps, most of those coming over the last six games. Sylvester turned in a great season, allowing just one sack over the final six games while protecting UNM’s quarterback’s blindside.
Javon Mosely was the reserve who saw the most action in 2018, playing 97 snaps on offense, and his 6-7 frame proved a challenge for any defensive player. In those 97 snaps, he not only didn’t allow a sack, but he didn’t even allow a hit on a Lobo quarterback.
While those five players took the bulk of the offensive snaps in 2018, there are plenty of linemen in camp ready to move into the lineup as well. Radson Jang is a center with high upside who is entering his third season. Austin Cook, David Zavala, Brad Murphy, Hayden Wilson and Colston Chacon all have a year in the system, and they are joined in spring camp by Jacob Jankoviak.
Joining the 12 in the fall will be JC transfers Rocky Aitogi and Justice Spates and along with Cade Briggs from the high school ranks. In all, it will give the Lobos 15 players in the offensive line room, and it will allow UNM’s offensive line coach Saga Tuitele to utilize UNM’s offensive line versatility like a jigsaw puzzle, putting the best five out on the field.
Now for a nickname…
NEXT UP: Thursday, April 18, safeties
PRACTICE NOTES: The Lobos practiced for 24 periods on Tuesday, same as last week. The opening two weeks went 27 periods.