ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Never doubt that the UNM recruiting machine under head coach Danny Gonzales is always working. Gonzales announced the addition of Jake Saltonstall for the 2020 season. Saltonstall comes to UNM after a season at Foothill Junior College.
The native of Morgan Hill, California stands 6-4, 250 and was a stellar defensive end for the Owls in 2019. He recorded 52 tackles, with 18.0 tackles for loss totaling 85 yards. He also had 9.5 sacks on the season for 67 yards. He also blocked two kicks, forced a fumble, recovered a fumble and had one pass breakup. He was named a JUCO All-America and he was also First Team All-Conference. He had 10 tackles in the season opener for Foothills, a 27-6 win over Merced in which he had 3.5 sacks and 5.5 tackles for loss. For the season,, Foothills went 10-1 and allowed just 10.6 points per game.
Prior to Foothill, Saltonstall lettered for Mike Gemo at Live Oak High School. “I chose UNM because it was a place I felt like I could call home for the next three to four years,” said Saltonstall. “I committed because I believe that the guys on the team want to win football games and turn the program around. I am excited to start getting to work with my new team and new coaches at the University of New Mexico.”