Position Breakdown: Defensive Line

This is the second in a series in which each position will get broken down prior to the start of the 2021 season.

Tuesday, August 17: Offensive Line
Wednesday, August 18: Quarterbacks
Thursday, August 19: Cornerbacks
Friday, August 20: Running Backs
Saturday, August 21: Linebackers
Monday, August 23: Receivers
Tuesday, August 24: Defensive Line
Wednesday, August 25: Tight Ends
Thursday, August 26: Safeties
Friday, August 27: Specialists

Position Breakdown: Defensive Line

Starters Returning (3): Joey Noble (7 starts), Jake Saltonstall (6 starts), Ben Gansallo (3 starts)
Starters Lost (0): None
Returning Letterwinners (4): Ben Bertram, Bryce Santana, Ian Shewell, Omar Darame
Letterwinners Lost (0): None
Redshirts (6): Kyler Drake, Langston Murray, Keith Alvarado, OJ Bartley, Adam Gay, Justin Harris
Incoming Transfers (0): None
Incoming Freshmen (3): Ja’ Shon Lowery, Larry Allen, Jaden Phillips

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. —  When one looks at the defensive line for UNM, what you have is experience.  Just not all last year.

Two of the biggest names along the defensive line for the 2021 Lobos both redshirted the 2020 season in Justin Harris and Langston Murray, and both guys are quite the story.  Murray is the obvious one, just from looking at him.  By his own admittance, Murray was not … well, svelte.  He was a big defensive tackle, and that got him some playing time early in his career, but in Danny Gonzales’ defense, a big nose tackle wasn’t needed.  Murray was challenged … if you want to play, you have to get in better shape, slim down a little and gain quickness.

Mission accomplished.  Murray, who was around 365 when he got to UNM in 2017, is below 300 pounds and flashing plenty of strength and quickness as he looks to anchor UNM’s line from the middle.  Murray, who also has been active outside of football with a major internship at a local bank, no looks the part and acts it, and is a walking lesson for Lobos who might not see the field.

He could have quit. He could have transferred. Instead, he transformed, and he should be a rock all season long.

While Harris didn’t have to lose weight, he needed to learn the system, and for a guy who has played at several schools, his natural abilities and previous lessons needed mending.  Much like Murray, he has risen to the challenge and could very well line up with Murray as two surprise starters for the Lobos, and if that does happen, that’s really a good omen, because UNM returned all three starters from a year ago.

Joey Noble, who must sit the opening half of the season, was the motor on the 2020 Lobos and looks to have another big campaign.  He’s joined by returning starters Ben Gansallo, who could play both spots on the line, and the talented Jake Saltonstall, who showed his wares as the season progressed a year ago.  Those five on the front line could be as good as any combo in the league.

But there’s more in a very deep crew for line coach Jerome Haywood.  Adam Gay showed himself out as perhaps the strongest Lobo at Night of Champions, and Bryce Santana and Ben Bertram also could see significant playing time because there isn’t that much separation between everyone.  It should allow for motors to be at full force, which can only lead to good things.

And again, there’s more talent to talk about. Kyler Drake, Keith Alvarado and OJ Bartley have starter potential, and UNM’s three true freshmen in Jaden Phillips, Ja’Shon Lowery and Larry Allen just add to what might be UNM’s deepest position on the defense.

Tickets: Season-game tickets are still available via golobos.com/tickets, and fans can now get in on mini-plans as well.  UNM is currently ahead of the 2019 season ticket totals.

There are two mini-plans for fans to get in on, the Cherry Plan and the Silver Plan. The Cherry Plan gets you a three-game set of the opener against Houston Baptist, New Mexico State and UNLV.  The Silver Plan gets fans tickets for New Mexico State, Air Force and Utah State.

Single game tickets are available by clicking the game below:

9/2 Houston Baptist
9/11 New Mexico State
10/2 Air Force
10/16 Colorado State
11/6 UNLV
11/26 Utah State

Wednesday: A breakdown of UNM’s tight ends.