#BestOfThe2000s: D.J. Renteria

@UNMLoboFB on Twitter

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — D.J. Renteria was an anchor on Rocky Long’s early UNM teams, giving him a powerful defensive lineman to anchor the 3-3-5.  He perlayed that time into an all-conference 2003 season, and his raw power was never forgotten by the fans.  He was voted as the third and final linemen to the #BestOfThe2000s team.  He is the 17th member of the 30-person squad.

D.J. Renteria topped second place Nik D’Avanzo in the voting, which has been going on all month on UNM’s Football Twitter account.
 

Congrats to the 17th member of the #BestOfThe2000s team, D.J. Renteria!!! He is the third and final defensive lineman on the squad!!! We will announce the next positions to nominate for in a little bit! #GoLobos pic.twitter.com/l3jfcK0Z2Y

— New Mexico Football (@UNMLoboFB) April 16, 2020

The series is a way to engage Lobo fans with the current situation regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.

Renteria was a team captain in 2003 with fellow #BestOfThe2000s teammate Jason Lenzmeier.  D.J. helped the 2003 squad to an 8-4 record and a berth in the Las Vegas Bowl against Oregon State.  He was one of seven Lobos that year to earn First Team All-Conference honors, but he was the only defensive lineman from UNM honored.  His play earned him a slot in the 2004 Hula Bowl.  He ranked tied for 10th in career tackles for loss with 34.5 and his four fumble recoveries in 2002 still rank tied for fifth in UNM single-season history.

#BestOfThe2000s Team (Selected by the Fans)