EDITORIAL: Lobo football needs The Duke City’s help
UNM head football coach Jason Eck takes questions from the media after a Spring practice. Photo Courtesy of UNM Athletics
The transfer portal giveth, but more often it taketh—especially if you’re a Group of Five program like The University of New Mexico’s Athletic Department. While Power Four schools reload through NIL-powered transfers, teams like New Mexico are stuck in a loop: develop talent, showcase it, then lose it to bigger brands. In today’s college football landscape, success at a G5 level feels more like an audition than a destination.
That reality has been felt hard in Albuquerque this offseason. The Lobos didn’t just lose depth, they lost program-defining talent:
Devon Dampier, QB → Utah
Eli Sanders, RB → USC
Luke Wysong, WR → Arizona
Caleb Medford, WR → Kansas State
Wallace Unamba, OL → Kentucky
Christian Ellis, S → Virginia Tech
These aren’t backups—they’re starters, leaders and playmakers. And while it’s easy to get frustrated, it’s important to acknowledge that leaving for a better opportunity isn’t wrong.
Coach Eck Gets It — And So Should We
UNM head football coach Jason Eck addressed the topic head-on following a spring practice session. In a video shared by Robert Portnoy (RobTalksLobos), Eck offered a perspective that many need to hear:
Eck’s honesty speaks volumes. This isn’t about blaming players for not understanding the environment. The NIL era is here, and G5 programs must evolve or get left behind.
The Lobos Are Fighting Back
New Mexico isn’t rolling over. Eck’s new staff — many of whom followed him from Idaho — have reloaded the roster with promising, tough-minded players:
Jack Layne, QB (Idaho)
Keagan Johnson, WR (Kansas State)
Damon Bankston, RB (Weber State)
Darren Agu, DE (Vanderbilt)
Clint Stephens, S (UCLA)
The message is clear: we’re not here to be a farm system but to compete. However, to build something sustainable, the Lobos need more than just transfer wins and locker room culture. They need fan investment.
Albuquerque: It’s Time to Show Up
I say this not as a casual observer, but as a die-hard out-of-state fan. I’ve attended every Lobo game that made logistical sense. I was in Cleveland for March Madness, proudly wearing my New Mexico jersey while sitting next to Michigan State royalty.
I’ll be in the stands when the Lobos take on Michigan this season. I stream every football and basketball game I can. And truthfully? I wish I could be there every Saturday to support this program the way it deserves.
But if the community in Albuquerque doesn't buy in, fans will always feel the sting of the transfer portal, in football and basketball. NIL and transfer rules are built for the big brands, but fan passion can tip the balance. Energy in the stands, support for players and local businesses investing in the program matter.
New Mexico is one of the few states with no major pro sports teams. The Lobos should be the show. Recently, the state began exploring additional funding for college athletics—that’s a huge step in the right direction. But money alone won’t fix this. Support is the fuel and must come from the people who live and breathe Lobo sports daily.
The Fight Is Real, But Not Hopeless
There’s no denying the deck is stacked. But the Lobos are showing grit, identity and ambition under Eck. This program has the bones to build something special — but it can’t do it alone.
Albuquerque, it’s your move now. Buy in, show up and support. The era of NIL might be wild, but Group of Five schools don’t have to be victims. The Lobos need a united front.
- Joshua Abate (@abate_josh on X)
