Fall Camp Position Breakdown: WRs
Returning Starters (3): Jace Taylor, Andrew Erickson, Luke Wysong
Starters Lost (0): None
Other Letterwinners Returning (3): Tre Hall, Duece Jones (moved from CB), Austin Erickson
Other Letterwinners Lost (5): Mannie Logan-Greene, Keyonta Lanier, Zarak Scruggs, Jr., Cjay Boone, Blake Wells
Redshirts Returning (1): Kai Jessie (moved from TE)
Squad Members Returning (1): Michael Buckley
Incoming Freshmen (2): Jah’Mar Sanders, Tristan White
Incoming Transfers (3): Geordon Porter, Kade Zimmerman, Elijah Spaulding
The wide receiver group is one of great interest for Lobos fans, because it’s a case of what seems bad probably isn’t.
Here’s what seems bad … the Lobos lost five letterwinners from the receiving corps. But that’s not as bad as it seems … Mannie Logan-Greene was out the final half of the season, as was Cjay Boone, and none of the five were starters for UNM. In fact, the five receivers lost 33 catches over 34 games, so less than a catch per game played overall.
Here’s what’s very, very good … UNM returns all three starters from 2021, including Luke Wysong, who arguably had the best season among any freshmen in the Mountain West last year. He was UNM’s leading receiver in terms of both yards and catches. Also back are Jace Taylor and Andrew Erickson. Taylor is the best blocker of the group, and he became more involved in the passing offense as the season wore on, and then there is Erickson, who is entering his fifth year with the program, yet he has two years remaining to play after this season.
Those three give UNM a good base for the receiver room, but you can add Tre Hall, who has successfully returned from a broken ankle to showcase tremendous athleticism in camp so far. Also back is Andrew’s younger brother Austin Erickson, who has continued to get better as a slot receiver. Duece Jones is making the switch to receiver, and Michael Buckley has shown in camp to be a playmaker and should see time in 2022 along with Kai Jessie, who brings plenty of length at 6-5.
However, the big name is Arizona State transfer Geordon Porter, who shows First Team All-Mountain West ability, between his speed, route-running and hands. Along with Porter, Kade Zimmerman is a transfer that also has the advantage of a Spring Camp for experience. Two freshmen look to be future stars in Jah’Mar Sanders and Tristan White.
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Fans can lock in season tickets for the 2022 season, which starts on Saturday, September 3 at 6 pm against Maine by heading to www.golobos.com/2022FBSeasonTix.