ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — University of New Mexico head football coach Danny Gonzales has announced 11 signees on National Signing Day, the first official day that student-athletes can sign GIAs and NLIs to play in the 2023 football season.
The NCAA approved the early signing period in 2017, which runs this year from Dec. 21-23. The mid-year 2-4 (junior college) transfer signing period also commenced today and lasts through Jan. 15, 2023, while the regular signing period is slated for Feb. 1-April 1, 2023.
Of the 11 initial signees, eight are slated for the offensive side of the ball, including two freshmen quarterbacks and four receivers. The Lobos also picked up a pair offensive lineman, one from the junior college ranks. All told of the initial 11 signees, eight are high school seniors and three are junior college transfers. UNM also signed three high school players from New Mexico. Seven of the 11 (Cook, Dampier, Miller, Moore, Murrell, Smith and Toilolo) will enroll in time for the 2023 Spring semester and participate in Spring practice.
“This is a terrific class and it should pay immediate dividends for us in 2023,” said Gonzales. “There was great desire to be a part of what we are building, and not only do we have very talented players in this class, but we have a great students who consistently were at the top of their class academically. We have several joining us for spring football which will be a great benefit as well, and we once again have signed the best high school players in our state.”
The last four New Mexico State Players of the Year have ended up with the Lobos under Gonzales in Isaiah Chavez (2019 Gatorade winner), Luke Wysong (2020 Gatorade winner), Zach Vigil (2021 Gatorade winner) and Evan Wysong (2022 MaxPreps winner).
Below are capsules of the complete 2023 signing class: