Representing The Land of Enchantment: Local players who look to make an impact with UNM in 2025
UNM defensive back David Murphy participates in a drill in during the Lobos fall camp. Murphy is a Cleveland graduate and one of 12 former New Mexico high school players on UNM’s 2025 roster. Photo courtesy of UNM Athletics
New Mexico is famous for its local flavor.
So why not have it at University Stadium?
UNM head football coach Jason Eck and his coaching staff are starting to invest in local New Mexico talent on the football field.
UNM football general manager Beau Davidson said the Lobo football team’s focus on recruiting is heavy on local kids.
“It’s New Mexico, Texas, California and Arizona,” Davidson said. “Those are our four main states that we’re going to focus on.”
Since arriving in late 2024, the UNM football coaching staff has worked to build relationships with local New Mexico high school football coaches.
“We went to the New Mexico Coaches Association and a couple of our coaches spoke,” Davidson said. “We’re in constant communication with the President (of the NMHSCA) and inviting (New Mexico high school coaches) out here to practice.”
This summer, UNM received verbal commitments from Cleveland all-state wide receiver Jacob Maldonado (5-foot-11 and 170 lbs.) and Cibola all-district linebacker Hayes Baum (6-feet-0 and 215 lbs.).
UNM also announced a formal offer to Cleveland defensive end Elijah Richards. Richards is listed at 6-foot-5, 225 lbs and is currently a 2-star recruit by Rivals.com.
Cleveland H.S. to UNM Pipeline
The last three coaching staffs at UNM have targeted players from Cleveland high school.
Under Bronco Mendenhall in 2024-25, six Cleveland high graduates were on the roster. Luke Wysong received All-Conference honors with 69 catches and 840 receiving yards. Nic Trujillo played in 12 games for UNM last season and displayed spectacular playmaking ability.
From 2020-23, nine Cleveland graduates played for UNM under Danny Gonzales. Former Storm linebacker Dion Hunter started 8 games and recorded 114 tackles for UNM across three seasons, while running back Dorian Lewis averaged 5.1 yards per carry and provided a spark to the running game in 2023.
Under Bob Davie from 2012-19, seven players from Cleveland suited up for UNM. Quarterback Cole Gautsche headlined offensive production for the Lobos with 1,890 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns in the triple option.
Former UNM tight end Marcus Williams makes a catch during a game against Nevada in Reno, Nev. Photo courtesy of UNM Athletics
Tight End Marcus Williams played 34 games across three seasons for Davie and recorded 721 receiving yards and four touchdowns for his career at UNM.
“UNM has been successful in recruiting kids from Cleveland,” Storm offensive coordinator and former UNM quarterback’s coach Heath Ridenour said.
“The New Mexico high school kids who do come to UNM can succeed if they have a blue-collar approach to the game and a coach who is committed to building a roster with some New Mexico players.”
Size Matters
Cibola head football coach David Howes said a player’s physical build makes a difference in Division-I college football.
Howes was the safeties coach at UNM under Gonzales from 2020-23 and coached All-Mountain West selection Jerrick Reed and All-American A.J. Haulcy.
“People don’t realize when you get to the college level, everyone’s fast, everyone’s tall, and everyone’s big,” Howes said.
Howes believes Baum is a player who closes the gap in size and talent.
“He has a good football IQ and a desire and love for the game that is necessary at the next level.”
Baum missed most of his junior year with an injury but had 123 total tackles and six sacks in his sophomore year for the Cougars.
Speed matters, too.
In June, UNM offered St. Pius X All-State running back Hershul Olloway Jr. (5-foot-7 and 175 lbs.) a scholarship for the class of 2027.
Olloway carries the football in the Class 4A state championship game last November against Bloomfield. Photo courtesy of St. Pius X Athletics
Olloway won the Class 4A state championship in the 100-meter yard dash and has a 4.4 forty-yard dash time.
“I am a little biased, but coming in as a junior, Hershul is a solid four-star player with a chance to become a five-star player if he does what he should do,” Flakes said.
Olloway had 1,704 rushing yards and 21 rushing touchdowns his sophomore season for St. Pius while adding 70 tackles and five interceptions as a defensive back.
Current Lobos
While UNM has started to recruit some of New Mexico’s top talent, current Lobos who were New Mexico high school standouts have made plays for UNM during fall camp.
Former West Mesa all-state quarterback Elijah Brody is now playing defensive end for UNM.
“Elijah’s having a good camp,” Eck said. “I think he’s going to be a guy who is in our rotation. The nice thing about a guy like him is he’s got a lot of upside.”
Former Cleveland standout David Murphy started his career at UNM as a walk-on and earned a scholarship last year.
During fall camp, Murphy has lined up at several different positions on defense and has the opportunity to see the field next season when UNM adds extra defensive backs as part of its 4-2-5 defensive alignment.
“The 4-2-5 with the nickel and our other packages when we bring an extra DB, that’s been a lot of fun for me,” Murphy said. “Learning those two different schemes and putting them together has been awesome so far.”
Thomas Pettus intercepts a pass during the UNM football team’s first fall scrimmage on Thursday. Pettus is a product of Volcano Vista. Photo courtesy of UNM Athletics
Volcano Vista graduate Thomas Pettus recorded two interceptions for the defense in UNM’s first fall scrimmage last Thursday.
Pettus is a graduate of Volcano Vista, and during his senior year under head coach Chad Wallin, he was named First Team All-State and First Team All-District. In his last year with VVHS, he recorded 76 tackles, of which 11 were tackles for a loss and nabbed three sacks with nine quarterback hurries.
“I truly believe New Mexico players are good enough to play,” Flakes, who played in 2000-2004 under former UNM football Coach Rocky Long, said. “Back in the day, when I was there, New Mexico players such as Mike Powdrell, Eric and Ryan Cook, Josh Bazinet, Dontell Moore, Nick Speegle and others were the backbone of the program. Fans want to see local kids on the field for UNM.”
