Five Selected to MW Wire Preseason Teams

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The MW Wire, a news service that features beat writers in all 12 Mountain West cities, has selected their preseason All-Mountain West teams, and five Lobos appear over six positions, highlighted by five Second Team selections.

UNM took up three Second Team Special Teams spots as punter Aaron Rodriguez was named to the second team along with kickoff returner Christian Washington and punt returner Luke Wysong.  Wysong also earned a Third Team selection nod as wide receiver.

Others on the second team included Donte Martin at corner and Tavian Combs as safety.  Martin is the only returning starter on the defense, but that is a statistical anomaly in away.  Combs was a starter until he was injured in game three, Bryce Santana took over at nose late in the year.  Alec Marenco was starting at linebacker until an injury, and Syaire Riley was a starter in 2021 but was hit by the injury bug as well in 2022.  Returning defensive backs Jermarius Lewis, Bryson Taylor also started games in 2022, so while only one starter statistically returns, plenty of starting experience is there.

That doesn’t include any of the 30 transfers that grace the Lobo roster, several of whom have earned preseason accolades from other sources, including safety D’Arco Perkins-McAllister and receiver DJ Washington.  The Lobos also boast transfer quarterback Dylan Hopkins, whose 25 career starts is second-most among all Mountain West quarterbacks.

Lobo season tickets are on sale at www.golobos.com/tickets, and they are the best way to guarantee a seat for all six home games, including UNM’s rivalry game with New Mexico State on September 16, the solar eclipse game vs. San Jose State on October 14 and Homecoming vs. Hawai’i on October 21.