Fall Camp Position Breakdown: RB

Returning Starters (1): None
Starters Lost (1): Aaron Dumas
Other Letterwinners Returning (1): Chad Alexander
Other Letterwinners Lost (1): Bobby Cole
Redshirts Returning (1): Nate Jones
Squad Members Returning (0): None
Incoming Freshmen (4): Christian Washington, Zach Vigil, Myron Carter, Ray Iwei
Incoming Transfers (4): Sherod White, Jaylen Morgan, Dennis Hayden, Jaden Hullaby

Trivia time…which returning Lobo had the most rushing yards in 2021?  Would you believe … Luke Wysong?  It’s really true.  Of everyone that returned, Wysong’s 112 yards are the most of any returning player.  Now, Nate Jones reshirted last year … so yeah, enjoy that little bit of bar trivia for now, but Jones is back, and the Lobos have eight newcomers that all bring a little something different to the program and the running backs room.

There’s enough talent that Bobby Wooden, who was a receiver in 2020 and a running back in 2021 was moved back to receiver in 2022.  Of the 10 running backs on the roster, just one, Chad Alexander, rushed the ball for UNM last year.  Chad had nine rushes for 41 yards.  That is the total amount of yards for the 10 Lobo RBs in 2021, but it’s possible this is the best set of backs since the heyday of the triple option and leading the NCAA is rushing in 2016.

The key cog is Jones, who will sit Saturday’s opener to finish off the things “owed” to head coach Danny Gonzales.  Jones has been a model citizen and teammate, diving into the scout team with a vengence in 2021, and being a terrific teammate.  Water cooler needs moved?  Jones had it.  Do a little sideline coaching?  Jones could do that too.  Now, he is expected to lead as a sophomore, and his combination of speed and power is sure to create some big plays.

Right there with him is game one starter Sherod White.  White’s path to UNM was supposed to start as a freshmen, but instead he went the JC route to find his way here, and there should be zero dropoff with him in the backfield.  You combine those two with a trio of highly-touted freshmen in Christian Washington, Myron Carter and local product Zach Vigil, and the RB room is already stacked.  Washington is blazing fast, Carter is a combo of speed and power, and well, no one likes it when Vigil runs, because he looks to hit someone as much as hit a hole, and his quick, bruising style should play well in front of the hometown faithful.

The best is UNM moved tight end Jaden Hullaby, a Texas transfer to running back, and he gives the backfield a completely different feel.  Hullaby brings a tight ends blocking ability, and hard-nosed rushing to the crew, and his runs in scrimmages were equal parts powerful and graceful.

best of all, you can’t count out anyone of the running backs.  Transfers Dennis Hayden and Jaylen Morgan have both shined in their opportunities, and Japanese rookie Ray Iwai may be small at 5-5, but he has left several LBs in the dust in drills.  Iwai, who inherited the nickname “Tokyo Drift” which he loves, is a team favorite with his positive attitude and heady play as he is quickly picking up the offense, despite some language barriers.

ANd UNM still has Alexander, who is just as quick and shifty as ever.  It all should spell good things for UNM’s rushing attack in 2022.

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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.  This ends the 2022 positon breakdown series.  Thanks to Robert Portnoy and Chase Christiansen and the coaches for filming each segment.