Fall Camp Position Breakdown: Safeties
Returning Starters (3): Jerrick Reed II, Ronald Wilson, Tavian Combs
Starters Lost (0): None
Other Letterwinners Returning (1): Antonio Hunt
Other Letterwinners Lost (3): Patrick Peek, Matthias Bertram, Quinn Potts
Redshirts Returning (2): Xavier Hailey, Benji Johnson
Squad Members Returning (0): None
Incoming Freshmen (6): Kalen Woods, Christian Ellis, A.J. Haulcy, Jer’Marius Lewis, David Murphy, Bryson Taylor
Incoming Transfers (2): Josh Williamson, Blaine Smith
There might not be a better trio of Mountain West safeties than what New Mexico will employ in the starting lineup in super senio Jerrick Reed II, true junior Tavian Combs and true sophomore Ronald Wilson. The goal for safeties coach David Howes is who will fill in the gaps behind them, but he has plenty of talent there too.
First, the talk has to be of Reed, Combs and Wilson. Reed was a 2020 postseason First Team All-Mountain West selection, and he was a preseason All-Mountain West pick both in 2021 and 2022. Reed led the team in interceptions in 2020 and he led the Lobos in tackles with 89 in 2021. Combs was the team leader in interceptions last year and was second in tackles with 81. Wilson was one of the top freshmen DBs in the Mountain West, as he led all Mountain West freshmen in interceptions and all freshmen DBs in tackles, despite only playing 10 games.
The other returner at safetie is veteran Antonio Hunt, who has put on around 10 pounds of muscle and brings plenty of experience and has seen plenty of snaps with the ones, and he is almost a fourth starter returning with his previous experience and playing time. Having four returners that can all start but only three spots means the camp reps have been crisp.
Having those three is a luxury for head coach Danny Gonzales and defensive coordinator Rocky Long, but the goal will be to get players behind them to fill in. That list starts with Benji Johnson and Xavier Hailey. Both players were redshirts in 2021, with Johnson playing a few games in 2021 at receiver. He has been converted as a Lobo back and quickly has risen on the depth chart, while Hailey saw action in three games and looks like a younger verion of Wilson, showing solid ability in both the passing and the run game.
Blaine Smith has shown out well and is one of the surprises of Fall Camp. Josh Williamson has also split time at safety and corner, moving more to corner in recent days.
Jer’Marius Lewis is the nephew of former Lobo great Glover Quin, but he is quickly making a name for himself with his quickness and ability to read offenses. Lewis could very well be another in a line of true freshmen that make a significant impact for the Lobos. Kalen Woods, Bryson Taylor and A.J. Haulcy has also looked good as freshmen, and David Murphy as a transfer has already delivered a few big hits and is rangy. Freshman Christian Ellis should get on the field soon dealing with an upper body injury, and will only add to the depth for UNM at safety.
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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. Single game tickets are on sale as well at www.golobos.com/SGT.