Humphrey, Abraham Earn Preseason All-MW Honors

LAS VEGAS, Nev. — A pair of FCS All-American transfers, running back Scottre Humphrey and kick returner Abraham Williams, have been named Preseason All-Mountain West in a vote by coaches and media. The announcement kicked off the 2025 Old Trapper Mountain West Media Days, hosted by Circa in Las Vegas, Nevada.

New Mexico’s two honorees marked the first preseason award winners since 2023, and it tied for the most for UNM since 2017. Williams’ honor was the fifth time in the last 13 seasons that UNM had the preseason kick returner named to the team.

The league also announced the predicted order of finish, with New Mexico coming in 11th, one point ahead of Nevada. Last year, UNM finished tied for fifth place after being selected 11th in the preseason poll.

Humphrey is UNM’s first preseason running back and first preseason offensive player since 2017, when Tyrone Owens was named to the squad. An FCS All-America by FCS Football Central, Stats Perform, and Phil Steele in 2024, Humphrey rushed for 1,386 yards for FCS runner-up Montana State. That total ranked seventh in the FCS last year as Humphrey gained at least 100 yards in eight of 12 regular-season games.

One of those games was at University Stadium, where Humphrey rushed for 140 yards, including the winning touchdown from four yards out with 10 seconds left.

His 6.96 yards per carry led the Big Sky and ranked third in the FCS, with his 16 touchdowns ranking seventh.

Abraham Williams is the fifth Lobo to be named to the Preseason All-Mountain West team as a kick returner in the last 13 seasons, joining Christian Washington in 2023, Carlos Wiggins in 2014 and 2015, and Chase Clayton in 2013.

Hampered by injuries last year at Idaho, Williams is the active leader in kickoff return touchdowns with five, all of which are 100-yard returns. He was a consensus FCS All-American in 2022, named First Team by all six All-American outlets. He averaged a stunning 37.4 yards per return on 24 returns, with four returns for 100 yards, making him the only college football player at any level to have more than two kickoff return touchdowns in a season.

He followed 2022 with another All-America honor in 2023, averaging 29.7 yards per return on 18 returns with another 100-yard touchdown, which gave him the FCS record for career 100-yard kickoff return touchdowns.

Williams is also a starting defensive back, with 58 career tackles, seven pass breakups, a fumble recovery, and three interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown.

Humphrey and Williams are two of four All-America transfers on the 2025 squad, joining defensive end Keyshawn James-Newby and linebacker Jaxton Eck. UNM’s 45-man transfer class is the third largest in the FBS, along with 72 total newcomers to the program.

New Mexico being picked 11th is not a surprise given the returning numbers. UNM is tied nationally for fewest passing yards returning (zero), fewest starters returning (five), fewest non-kicking points returning (two), and second in fewest rushing yards (-11). However, UNM added 31 transfers, all of whom have started at least one college game, mainly at the Division I level. Moreover, although UNM returns -11 rushing yards, all four transfer running backs led their previous teams in rushing last season, when the “Rushmore Four”—Humphrey, Damon Bankston, D.J. McKinney, and Deshaun Buchanan—combined for 3,538 yards and 30 touchdowns.

The 3,538 yards would have ranked second in the FBS last year, behind Army’s 4,207 rushing yards in 14 games. They also combined for 30 rushing touchdowns, tying for 19th in the FBS.

Lobo Football season tickets are on sale now and can be purchased here. UNM has partnered with Cumulus Media for a limited number of half-price season ticket packages, available here while supplies last.

The university also offers great group rates; fans can contact the UNM Ticket Office at 505-925-5719 or reach out to Director of Ticket Sales Ryan Cosper at rcosper@unm.edu for group sales inquiries. This week, UNM’s mini plan packages went on sale. The Cherry Plan features Idaho State, Utah State, and San Diego State, starting at $49. The Silver Plan includes games against New Mexico State, Nevada, and Colorado State, starting at $66. Mini plans can be purchased here.

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