Lobos Sign 10, Mendenhall Holds Season Finale Presser
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The University of New Mexico and head coach Bronco Mendenhall have announced the signing of 10 incoming student-athletes to NLIs for the upcoming season. The 10 players are a mix of high school players (six) and junior college transfers (four). The signings were decidedly on the defensive side of the ball with two linebackers, three defensive backs, two edge rushers and one defensive lineman.
The following are short biographical sketches on UNM’s first 10 signees of the upcoming recruiting cycle.
Jorden Cunningham
OL | 6-5 | 285 | Fr. | HS | Montreal, Quebec, Can.
Brophy College Prep HS [Phoenix, Ariz.]
Brophy College Prep High School
*Lettered in football and track and field at Brophy College Prep High School.
*Brophy to AIA 6A Conference semifinals in 2023 and 2024, earning 2024 All-Central Region second-team honors
*The No. 54 ranked prospect in the state in the Class of 2025 Top 150 by the Arizona Republic.
*Father Rick played at Texas A&M and in the NFL.
Takeshi Faupula
RB | 5-9 | 220 | Yuba City, Calif.
Butte College | Yuba City HS
Butte College
*As a sophomore, he rushed for 928 yards in 10 games on 143 rushes, a 6.5 yards per carry average.
*Scored seven touchdowns with a long rush of 65 yards.
*Added 10 catches for 75 yards.
*Named first team all-conference.
*Rushed just 14 times as a freshman for 101 yards, with a 7.2 yards per carry average.
Yuba City High School
*Lettered in football at Yuba City.
*Named to the Honor Roll with a 3.7 GPA.
Jackson Irwin
EDGE | 6-4 | 230 | Jr. | JC | Huntington Beach, Calif.
Saddleback College | Edison HS
Saddleback College
*Twice Named First Team All-Southern League
*Finished third on his squad with 39 tackles, including 5.5 TFLs and 3.0 sacks.
*Added one interception, one PBU, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, two blocked kicks and a blocked punt returned for a touchdown.
Edison High School
*Lettered in football, baseball and track and field.
*was team defensive MVP as a senior.
*Was on the Dean’s List his final semester.
Abe Jager
CB | 6-3 | 175 | Fr. | HS | Salt Lake City, Utah
Lehi HS
Lehi High School
*Lettered in football at Lehi High School for Ed Larsen, and also lettered in basketball
*Was named All-State after a senior season where he recorded six interceptions with one returned for a touchdown, 32 solo tackles, two fumble recoveries, and had five PBUs.
*Was named All-State and All-Region as both a junior and a senior.
*Was named to the Utah state All-Freshman Team.
Chris Joe
LB | 6-3 | 200 | Fr. | HS | Brentwood, Calif.
Liberty HS
Liberty High School
*Recorded 52 tackles and 5.0 TFLs as a senior with two interceptions.
*Also played on offense with 22 catches for 422 yards and five touchdowns.
*Overall on defense he recorded 106 tackles, six interceptions, three PBUs and one forced fumble.
*Was a three-time MVP on defense for Liberty.
Tydon Jones
LB | 6-3 | 210 | Fr. | HS | Garland, Utah
Bear River HS
Bear River High School
*A three-year starter in football for coach Trampis White.
*As a senior he earned Region 11 Defensive MVP and overall team MVP honors.
*Had 102 tackles, two interceptions, four forced turnovers, 10.0 sacks and a defensive TD.
*Was First Team All-Region 11 as a junior and Honorable Mention All-Region 11 as a sophomore.
Solo Langi
DL | 6-0 | 285 | Jr. | JC | Provo, Utah
Snow College | Timpview HS
Snow College
*Over his two seasons he played in 19 games with 47 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss for 44 yards and 4.0 sacks for 28 yards.
*Had 2.5 sacks in the season opener against the Utah Islanders.
*Earned NJCAA Player of the Week for his efforts against the Islanders.
Timpview HS
*Recorded 37 tackles as a junior and as a senior at Timpview.
*Graduated in 2020.
James Marshall V
EDGE | 6-2 | 240 | Fr. | HS | Mesa, Ariz.
Westwood HS
Westwood High School
*Lettered in football for Westwood High School.
*Was named First Team All-Region as a defensive flex player
*Recorded seven sacks as a senior.
*Was an Academic Scholar his senior season.
Titan Saxton
S | 6-0 | 188 | So. | JC | Smithfield, Utah
Snow College | Utah State | Sky View HS
Snow College
*Recorded 47 tackles in his lone season playing with 7.0 TFLs, 2.0 sacks, a forced fumble, two interceptions and three PBUs.
*Also averaged 22 yards on kickoff returns and 8.0 yards on punt returns
*Was named the NJCAA Defensive Player of the Week after an eight tackle, 3.0 TFL game.
Utah State
*Redshirted
Sky View High School
*Named 4A All-State as both a junior and a senior, leading Sky View to back-to-back state titles.
*Had 56 tackles and three interceptions as a senior as Sky View went 13-0.
*As a sophomore he had 35 tackles and two interceptions as Sky View went 13-1.
*Also lettered in basketball and track & field, and was a member of the Honor Roll.
Ryan-Jalen Tillman
S | 5-11 | 175 | Fr. | HS | Layton, Utah
Viewmont HS
Viewmont High School
*Lettered in football and track & field at Viewmont High School
*Was named Honorable Mention All-State in football in 2024.
*Also was First Team All-Region in football as a senior.
*Is the Viewmont High School record holder in the 100-meter dash.