ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Third time certainly looks like the charm for Danny Gonzales and the UNM Coaching staff. After getting a late start in 2019 after getting hired the day before National Signing Day and then dealing with recruiting while stationed in Las Vegas, this year was a return to the norm. The NLI class for 2022 certainly reflects it, as Gonzales and company announced 25 signees for the 2022 season.
The class features 19 high school seniors, four junior college transfers, two of whom are sophomores, and a pair of Division I transfers. The class features a cadre of New Mexico players, including Tyler Kiehne, who redshirted at UCLA in 2021, and Hunter Haemker, Cayden Romero, and New Mexico Player of the Year Zach Vigil. The signing of Vigil means that the Lobos have the last three New Mexico Players of the Year on the squad and on scholarship in Isaiah Chavez (2019), Luke Wysong (2020) and now Vigil (2021).
Fans are invited to Revel Entertainment at 5:30 pm for the Lobo Football NLI Signing Day Live Show, taking place in Draft Day Sports Bar. The show will start at 6 pm and be streamed at https://www.facebook.com/NewMexicoLobos and also broadcast live on KNML right here.
“This was our first time as a staff where we really got to meet kids and parents and showcase our facilities and all of the great things about Lobo Football,” said Gonzales. “We have great facilities and we have a vision of where our program is going, and this is a great class because these are young men that want to be here and want to be Lobos.”
The class is split almost evenly with 13 players on the offensive side and 12 on the defensive side. On offense, UNM signed six linemen, two running backs, two tight ends, one receiver, one quarterback and one athlete. On defense UNM signed three defensive linemen, three linebackers, two corners, two safeties and two athletes.
UNM’s class of 25 come from 10 states, with California (6), Texas (6) and New Mexico (4) most represented. Gonzales and company signed two from Oklahoma, two from Florida and one each from Oregon, Kansas, Mississippi, Georgia and Massachusetts.