Let's be honest for a second. If you’ve been following the Lobos over the last few years, you know the vibe in Albuquerque has been... well, let’s call it "challenging." But something shifted recently. After the 2024 season under Bronco Mendenhall, where the team actually sniffed a winning record and went 5-7, things started looking up. Then 2025 happened. Jason Eck stepped in and basically injected high-octane fuel into the program, leading them to their first bowl appearance since 2016.
Now, looking at the New Mexico football depth chart heading into the 2026 cycle, the roster looks nothing like the patchwork units we saw in the early 2020s. This isn't just a list of names; it’s a blueprint of how you rebuild a Mountain West contender through the portal and some savvy high school recruiting in the Southwest.
The Quarterback Room: Stability at Last?
For the longest time, the QB position at UNM felt like a revolving door. You've had transfers coming in, true freshmen getting thrown to the wolves, and a lot of inconsistent play. But Jack Layne really changed the math.
After leading the team to a Rate Bowl appearance against Minnesota in late 2025, Layne enters the 2026 season as the undisputed "guy." He threw for nearly 2,400 yards last season. He’s not just a pocket passer either; the kid has some wheels, picking up four rushing touchdowns when things broke down.
Behind him, it gets interesting. James Laubstein is the veteran insurance policy. He’s a senior now, and in the "next man up" world of college football, having a guy with his experience as the QB2 is a luxury New Mexico hasn't always had. Keep an eye on the young gun, Cole Welliver. He’s 6’7”. Basically a redwood tree in the pocket. He’s still raw, but the upside is huge.
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- Starter: Jack Layne (RS Jr.)
- Backup: James Laubstein (RS Sr.)
- Developing: Cole Welliver (RS Fr.) / Cade Mitchell (Incoming Fr.)
Why the Backfield is the Real Engine
Everyone loves talking about the quarterbacks, but if you watched the Lobos last year, you know the offense lives and dies with the ground game. D.J. McKinney has turned into a legitimate star. He’s a Sam Houston State transfer who just finds gaps that shouldn't exist.
Then you have Damon Bankston. He’s been around forever, it feels like. He’s that reliable senior who does the dirty work—blocking, short-yardage gains, and catching passes out of the backfield. The depth here is actually kind of terrifying for opposing defensive coordinators. Scottre Humphrey and Deshaun Buchanan would be starters at a lot of other G5 schools.
Rebuilding the Wall: The 2026 Offensive Line
This is where things usually fall apart for New Mexico, but the New Mexico football depth chart for the 2026 season shows a surprisingly beefy front. We're talking about guys like Malik Aliane at Left Tackle and Isaiah Sillemon at Guard.
One thing people get wrong about UNM is thinking they only recruit local. Look at the 2026 commits: you’ve got guys like Danzel Newell coming in from Chicago and Braden Chick from Arizona. They are building size. It's not just about being "scrappy" anymore; they want to physically move people.
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Projected Starters on the Line:
- LT: Malik Aliane (RS Jr.) - The blindside protector with great length.
- LG: Isaiah Sillemon (RS Sr.) - Total powerhouse in the run game.
- C: Kaden Robnett (RS So.) - The brain of the operation.
- RG: Jaymar Tasi (Fr.) - A young standout who might jump the line.
- RT: Tyler Lawrence (So.) - High-ceiling sophomore with quick feet.
The Defensive Identity Shift
The 4-2-5 defense is the name of the game in Albuquerque now. It’s built for speed because, frankly, you have to run to keep up with the spread offenses in the Mountain West. Keyshawn James-Newby is the name you need to know on the edge. He’s a menace. He’s one of those guys who forces a quarterback to look over his shoulder every single snap.
At linebacker, Jaxton Eck is the heart of the unit. He’s the coach’s son, sure, but he plays like his hair is on fire. He led the team in tackles for a reason. He’s paired with Mercury Swaim, which sounds like a superhero name, and honestly, the way he flies to the ball, it sort of fits.
The secondary is where the "5" in the 4-2-5 comes in. Tavian Combs and Austin Brawley are the veteran safeties who keep everyone aligned. They’ve seen every trick in the book. Abraham Williams is the lockdown corner on the outside. If you’re an opposing QB, you basically just don't throw his way.
Surprising Details in the Special Teams
Don’t sleep on the kicking game. Luke Drzewiecki is back for his senior year. In a conference where games are often decided by three points in the thin air of Laramie or Colorado Springs, having a kicker who has "been there, done that" is vital.
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Also, the return game is lethal. Abraham Williams isn't just a corner; he’s one of the most dangerous kick returners in the country. If teams are dumb enough to kick it to him, he’s going to make them pay. He has that "any touch could be a touchdown" vibe.
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Season
If you're looking at this roster and trying to figure out if the Lobos are legit, keep an eye on these three things:
- The Quarterback Health: If Jack Layne stays upright, this is a 7 or 8-win team. If he goes down, the experience drop-off to the youngsters is a question mark.
- The Transfer Integration: Jason Eck loves the portal. How quickly the new offensive linemen gel with the returning veterans will determine if the run game stays elite.
- Home Field Advantage: University Stadium finally saw some sellouts in 2025. If the fans stay engaged, the Lobos have one of the best "altitude" advantages in the country.
The 2026 New Mexico football season is shaping up to be a defining moment for the program. They’ve moved past the "rebuilding" phase and into the "contender" phase. It’s a fun time to be a Lobo fan, finally.
Next Steps for Fans:
Track the official spring camp updates starting in March to see if any true freshmen like Cade Mitchell or Massiah Mingo break into the two-deep. You should also monitor the post-spring transfer portal window, as the coaching staff typically looks for one more veteran defensive tackle to bolster the interior rotation before the August opener.