ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. --- As if it hasn’t already been readily apparent that New Mexico Head Coach Jason Eck and his staff develop talent, another bit of evidence dropped as Keyshawn James-Newby has accepted an invitation to the 2026 East-West Shrine Bowl.
The 2026 East-West Shrine Bowl will be played on January 27 at The Star in Frisco, Texas, and it will be broadcast on NFL Network. It marks the second straight year with a Lobo playing in the East-West Shrine Game, as current Washington Commanders running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt, who was named the game’s Offensive MVP after rushing for 97 yards and two touchdowns.
Also, in the Shrine Bowl last year was former Lobo running back Andrew Henry.
James-Newby is the only Mountain West player among the 117 players on the rosters for the East-West Shrine Bowl, which features seven players from the two teams in the National Championship game, Indiana and Miami, and four players from UNM’s opening 2025 opponent, Michigan.
James-Newby was a Third Team All-America selection by PFSN and a First Team All-Mountain West selection, was the conference’s leader in sacks with 9.0 for the year. Per PFF, he leads all Mountain West players, regardless of position, in total pressures (66) and hurries (48), numbers that rank fourth and second nationally. He is third in quarterback hits with nine. He leads the Mountain West and is fifth nationally in PFF pass rush grade at 92.7.