ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. --- Wednesday, December 3, was National Signing Day for Lobo Football, and after an unprecedented season where the Lobos went 9-3 and tied for first place in the Mountain West, head coach Jason Eck and his staff have brought in a host of new players for the 2026 season.
Fans should stay tuned to UNM's social media channels for the latest roster updates as players will continue to sign over the upcoming days.
Nick Barber
Defensive Line, 6-3, 250, Fr-HS#
San Antonio, Texas (Brandeis HS)
A three-year starter for Brandeis, playing defensive line and tight end … caught 25 passes in his career for 213 yards, and a touchdown … was named All-District (27-6A) as a junior … was named Academic All-District as a sophomore and a junior … also on the track & field team and was both district and area champion in the shotput and discus as a junior … comes from an athletic family as his father wrestled at Oklahoma, his uncles played football at North Texas and UTEP, and his grandfather played football and wrestled at Toledo.
Hayes Baum
Linebacker, 6-0, 218, Fr-HS#
Albuquerque, N.M. (Cibola HS)
Played locally at Cibola High School … recorded 116 tackles with seven sacks, 12 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and two interceptions … for his career, he had 298 tackles over 29 games with 36.0 TFLs, 13.0 sacks, five interceptions, five PBUs, three fumble recoveries, and six forced fumbles … also played on offense, going 31-for-65 passing for 238 yards and rushing 100 times for 653 yards and 17 touchdowns.
Marco Beltran
Safety, 5-11, 185, Fr-HS#
The Woodlands, Texas (College Park HS)
Lettered three seasons at College Park High School … played in 13 games as a senior with 56 tackles and 6.0 TFLs … also recorded three interceptions, six PBUs, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries … for his career, he had 200 tackles in three seasons with 8.0 TFLs, 11 interceptions, eight PBUs, seven fumble recoveries, and four force fumbles … averaged 21.5 yards per kickoff return in his career and 17.4 yards per punt return … scored nine total touchdowns, one rushing, two on fumble returns, one on an interception return, four on punt returns and one on a kickoff return.
Kalique Cheeves
Corner, 6-2, 165, Jr-JC#
Livermore, Calif. (City College of San Francisco/Granada HS)
Lettered at City College of San Francisco … recorded 28 tackles with 2.0 TFLs, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, three interceptions, and 13 pass breakups … helped CCSF to a 7-4 record.
Braden Chick
Offensive Line, 6-2, 165, Fr-HS#
Queen Creek, Ariz. (American Leadership Academy)
Lettered at American Leadership Academy for two seasons … played both guard and tackle … was a team captain his senior year.
Eli Cronin
Linebacker, 6-0, 210, Fr-HS#
Chandler, Ariz. (Basha HS)
Lettered at Basha High School for three seasons … was named All-State 6A at linebacker, and was the Premier Region Defensive Player of the Year … recorded 413 tackles in his career, including 106 as a senior and 193 as a junior … had 54 career TFLs, with 21.5 in each of his final two seasons … 17.5 career sacks with 5.5 as a senior and 9.0 as a junior … recorded three interceptions as a senior and had 10 career PBUs, five career fumble recoveries, and three career forced fumbles.
DJ Darling
Receiver, 6-0, 175, Fr-HS#
Missouri City, Texas (Ridge Point HS)
Lettered at Ridge Point High School … was a three-sport student-athlete … caught 24 passes as a senior for 569 yards and nine touchdowns … averaged 23.7 yards per catch … also returned kickoffs and punts … the DJ stands for Darvard Darling Jr.
Sebastian Dawkins
Offensive Line, 6-2, 280, Fr-HS#
Spring, Texas (Westfield HS)
Lettered at Westfield High School … played for coach Desmar Black … named Westfield’s Offensive Player of the Game after a win over Aldine.
Markus Fetcho
Offensive Line, 6-6, 290, So-JC#
Spokane, Wash. (Laney College)
Played offensive line at Laney College for the late John Beam … prepped at Mead High School in Spokane, where he helped his team to a 9-2 record, 8-1 in district, as a senior.
Ty Gates
Offensive Line, 6-6, 280, Fr-HS#
Peoria, Ariz. (Centennial HS)
Lettered at Centennial High School … was rated a standout from the Mesa-Centennial Classic by PrepZone … was named 6A First Team All-Region … helped Centennial to the 6A state title in 2024 … Ty is short for Ty’aun.
Bailen George
Receiver, 6-0, 155, Fr-HS#
Missouri City, Texas (Ridge Point HS)
Lettered at Ridge Point High School for coach Rick Iafavers … as a senior, he caught 46 passes for 722 yards with five touchdowns and a long of 56 yards … for his career over two seasons, he recorded 77 catches for 1,214 yards and 12 touchdowns … also added a 21.8 punt return average on 15 returns with a long of 64 yards and three touchdowns.
Brannon Hampton
Corner, 6-3, 170, Fr-HS#
Tustin, Calif (Tustin HS)
Lettered at Tustin High School … recorded 67 tackles with 4.0 tackles for loss and a sack … also recorded an interception, which he returned 55 yards for a touchdown … recorded 24 pass breakups, 19 as a senior … caught one pass on offense, for a 15-yard touchdown.
Ricklan Holmes II
Linebacker, 6-0, 220, Fr-HS#
Oklahoma City, Okla. (Del City HS)
Lettered at Del City High School … was The Oklahoman’s 2024 Big All-City Defensive Player of the Year … also lettered in track, wrestling, and power lifting … on defense, he recorded 96 tackles, his third straight season with at least 90 tackles … added 16.0 TFLs, 5.0 sacks, an interception, a fumble recovery, and a forced fumble … for his career he totaled 332 tackles, 44.0 TFLs, 20.0 sacks, three picks, three forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries … on offense, he rushed for 984 yards with four 100-yard games … rushed for 1,894 yards and 10 touchdowns in his career … was a part-time kickoff specialist with six career touchbacks.
Max Leeper
Tight End, 6-7, 220, Fr-HS#
Claremont, Calif. (Claremont HS)
Lettered at Claremont High School … played for coach Jake Caron … as a senior, he recorded 53 catches for 868 yards and six touchdowns … also played on the defensive side with 13 tackles, a sack, and two interceptions with 113 return yards and a touchdown.
Jaron Liles
Safety, 6-1, 195, Fr-HS#
Mesa, Ariz. (Queen Creek HS)
Lettered at Queen Creek School … was named First Team All-Region as a defensive back … recorded 132 tackles, 59 solos as a junior, and 62 tackles as a senior … recorded eight career PBUs with an interception.
Brody Litton
Offensive Line, 6-6, 270, Fr-HS#
Beloit, Kan. (Beloit HS)
Lettered at Beloit School … played both offensive and defensive line at Beloit … was named First Team All-State on both offense and defense … named First Team All-State as a Tight End … also was a shot putter in track and field … did not allow a sack as a senior.
Joshua Mensah
Defensive Back, 6-0, 170, Fr-HS#
Fontana, Calif. (Rancho Cucamonga HS)
Lettered at Rancho Cucamonga High School … lettered for two seasons, and also played offense … broke up five passes and had a 60-yard interception return for a touchdown.
Massiah Mingo
Receiver, 5-10, 175, Fr-HS#
Las Vegas, Nev. (Bishop Gorman HS)
Lettered at Bishop Gorman High School … lettered for two seasons … caught 37 passes for 524 yards in seven games as a senior with three touchdowns … as a junior, had 36 catches over 10 games for 604 yards and eight touchdowns … also can return kickoffs and punts.
Cade Mitchell
Quarterback, 6-3, 210, Fr-HS#
Beaverton, Ore. (Mountainview HS)
Lettered at Mountainview High School … rated the No. 9 prospect in Oregon by 24/7 Sports ... was named 6A First Team All-State after becoming the first Mountainside player to account for 40 touchdowns in a season ... he threw 27 passing touchdowns. He rushed for another 13 ... threw for 2,462 while completing 67.4% of his passes ... as a junior, he threw for 2,052 yards and 23 touchdowns ... also lettered in track and field, running sprints and throwing the javelin.
Walter Moore
Tight End, 6-4, 227, Fr-HS#
Ventura, Calif. (St. Bonaventure HS)
Lettered at St. Bonaventure High School …caught 43 passes for 499 yards and three touchdowns ... also played defense and recorded 59 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and a sack.
Danzel Newell
Offensive Line, 6-5, 255, Fr-HS#
Chicago, Ill. (Marist HS)
Lettered at Marist High School … can play both the interior and exterior line positions … also lettered in rugby, bowling, and wrestling.
Dorian Patterson
Receiver, 6-3, 185, Fr-HS#
Crete, Ill. (Crete-Monee HS)
Lettered at Crete-Monee High School … recorded 45 career touchdowns … on offense, he had 119 catches for 1,976 yards and 33 touchdowns, adding 190 rushing yards with three more TDs … he threw for 827 yards and an additional 10 touchdowns … recorded 29 career tackles on defense with six interceptions … added two touchdowns on kickoff returns.
Xavier Rivera-Rogers
Safety, 6-2, 180, Fr-HS#
Chandler, Ariz. (Basha HS)
Lettered at Basha High School … also lettered in track … has helped his team to a state title game appearance after winning it all his junior season … had 37 tackles, 10 pass breakups, and an interception as a senior.
AJ Robinson
Defensive Line, 6-2, 270, Fr-HS#
Chicago, Ill. (Independence CC/Northern Illinois/Wendell Phillips HS)
Lettered at Independence Community College … in two seasons, he recorded 47 tackles, 10.5 sacks (7.5 as a sophomore), and 12.0 TFLs … recorded three career forced fumbles … also played at Northern Illinois, where he redshirted in 2023 … prepped at Wendell Phillips High School … was named team captain and team MVP as a senior … was named First Team All-Conference, All-County, and All-State as a senior … recorded 19.5 sacks as a senior after 15 as a junior and 14 as a sophomore … had 12 sacks and an interception as a freshman in 2019 … AJ is short for Ajahvea.
Trenton Rocker
Linebacker, 6-5, 205, Jr-JC
Booneville, Miss. (Copiah-Lincoln CC/Booneville HS)
Lettered at Copiah-Lincoln Community College … as a sophomore, he recorded 22 tackles, 4.5 sacks (for 36 yards), 6.5 tackles for loss (for 39 yards), and two forced fumbles … prepped at Booneville High School … recorded 100 tackles, 79 solo, as a senior … added 12.0 TFLs and 2.0 sacks with three forced fumbles.
Jerbralon Stewart
Offensive Line, 6-3, 263, Fr-HS#
DeSoto, Texas (DeSoto HS)
Lettered at DeSoto High School … a three-year starter who made the transition to center as a junior.
Albert Tuakalau
Defensive Line, 6-5, 235, Jr-JC
Redwood City, Calif. (College of San Mateo/Sequoia HS)
Lettered at the College of San Mateo, winning a national JC title … recorded 20 tackles over nine games with five tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and a pass breakup … lettered in football and basketball at Sequoia High School … recorded 47 tackles with 4.0 TFLs and 2.0 sacks … also forced a fumble. On offense as a tight end, he caught 36 passes for 433 yards and eight touchdowns.
Gabe Wilson
Running Back, 5-9, 185, Fr-HS#
Houston, Texas (Cypress Falls HS)
Lettered at Cypress Falls High School … as a senior, he has 1,113 yards rushing on 147 carries with 13 touchdowns … also caught 18 passes for 185 yards and a score … in his varsity career, he scored 19 touchdowns and ran for 2,001 yards with an 81-yard and an 82-yard touchdown.
| Name | Pos. | Ht | Wt | Cl.-Ex. | Hometown (Previous School) |
| Nick Barber | DL | 6-3 | 250 | Fr-HS# | San Antonio, Texas (Brandeis HS) |
| Hayes Baum | LB | 6-0 | 218 | Fr-HS# | Albuquerque, N.M. (Cibola HS) |
| Marco Beltran | S | 5-11 | 185 | Fr-HS# | The Woodlands, Texas (College Park HS) |
| Kalique Cheeves | CB | 6-2 | 165 | Jr-JC# | Livermore, Calif. (City College of San Francisco/Granada HS) |
| Braden Chick | OL | 6-3 | 285 | Fr-HS# | Queen Creek, Ariz. (American Leadership Academy HS) |
| Eli Cronin | LB | 6-0 | 210 | Fr-HS# | Chandler, Ariz. (Basha HS) |
| DJ Darling | WR | 6-0 | 175 | Fr-HS# | Missouri City, Texas (Ridge Point HS) |
| Sebastian Dawkins | OL | 6-2 | 280 | Fr-HS# | Spring, Texas (Westfield HS) |
| Markus Fetcho | OL | 6-6 | 290 | So-JC# | Spokane, Wash. (Laney College) |
| Ty Gates | OL | 6-6 | 280 | Fr-HS# | Peoria, Ariz. (Centennial HS) |
| Bailen George | WR | 6-0 | 155 | Fr-HS# | Missouri City, Texas (Ridge Point HS) |
| Brannon Hampton | CB | 6-3 | 170 | Fr-HS# | Tustin, Calif. (Tustin HS) |
| Ricklan Holmes II | LB | 6-0 | 220 | Fr-HS# | Oklahoma City, Okla. (Del City HS) |
| Max Leeper | TE | 6-7 | 220 | Fr-HS# | Claremont, Calif. (Claremont HS) |
| Jaron Liles | S | 6-1 | 195 | Fr-HS# | Mesa, Ariz. (Queen Creek HS) |
| Brody Litton | OL | 6-6 | 270 | Fr-HS# | Beloit, Kan. (Beloit HS) |
| Joshua Mensah | DB | 6-0 | 170 | Fr-HS# | Fontana, Calif. (Rancho Cucamonga HS) |
| Massiah Mingo | WR | 5-10 | 175 | Fr-HS# | Las Vegas, Nev. (Bishop Gorman HS) |
| Cade Mitchell | QB | 6-3 | 210 | Fr-HS# | Beaverton, Ore. (Mountainside HS) |
| Walter Moore | TE | 6-4 | 227 | Fr-HS# | Ventura, Calif. (Saint Bonaventure HS) |
| Danzel Newell | OL | 6-5 | 250 | Fr-HS# | Chicago, Ill. (Marist HS) |
| Dorian Patterson | WR | 6-3 | 185 | Fr-HS# | Crete, Ill. (Crete-Monee HS) |
| Xavier Rivera-Rogers | S | 6-2 | 180 | Fr-HS# | Chandler, Ariz. (Basha HS) |
| AJ Robinson | DL | 6-2 | 270 | Jr-JC | Chicago, Ill. (Wendell Phillips HS/Northern Illinois/Independence CC) |
| Trenton Rocker | LB | 6-5 | 205 | Jr-JC | Booneville, Miss. (Copiah-Lincoln CC/Booneville HS) |
| Jerbralon Stewart | OL | 6-3 | 263 | Fr-HS# | DeSoto, Texas (DeSoto HS) |
| Albert Tuakalau | DL | 6-5 | 235 | Jr-JC | Redwood City, Calif. (College of San Mateo/Sequoia HS) |
| Gabe Wilson | RB | 5-9 | 185 | Fr-HS# | Houston, Texas (Cypress Falls HS) |
#will have a redshirt year available.
Grid updated as of 8:55 pm 12/3/25