Do New Mexico Lobos Have Enough Depth for Bowl Game?
Defense
Where was the defense not bad? Giving up more than 60 points in back to back games and more than 40 points in six games on the year, this is a very embarrassing unit. At least it was last year. However, there are lots of returners, some newcomers, and lots of potential for the defense to be better this year.
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With the First Pick
Starting on the line, senior end Brett Bowers is one shining spot there, and luckily he’s back after recording 9 tackles for a loss, 6 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles last year. Junior Randy Williams will line up on the other side after recording 11 tackles in very limited action last year. Davie’s recruiting was all about adding more depth in the middle this past year. He brought in three junior college tackles in junior Taylor Timmons and sophomores Jack Ziltz and Cole Juarez. That should replace the loss of tackle Jacori Greer and provide lots more depth and talent overall. Timmons is a bit undersized at 6’0″ 295 pounds, but Ziltz and Juarez both stand at 6’2″ and at least 310 pounds. Sophomore Nik D’Avanzo, however, has the most potential at the position after playing for the line as a freshman. Last year, standing at 6’2″ 307 pounds, he recorded 23 tackles, 3 tackles for a loss, and a sack in limited action. Look for sophomores William Udeh and Dominic Twitty to provide more depth as well. The rest of the line is young and unproven, but there are six other guys that can strengthen the rotation. Despite the losses, there is no reason to believe that Davie hasn’t recruited well enough for the line to show dramatic improvement this year. There’s much more size and depth, and the only returning talent is valuable returning talent.
Linebackers Dallas Bollema and Rashad Rainey are gone, but Dakota Cox is back after recording 74.5 tackles last year. He was probably the best player on the unit anyway. Senior Javarie Johnson is also back and has the most talent on the unit after 31 tackles, 3.5 tackles for a loss, a sack, and 2 forced fumbles. Seniors Toby Ball and Tevin Newman will have more prominent roles this year as well after combining for 26 tackles last year, and sophomore Donnie White saw action as a freshman last year and should provide some depth. Trajuan Briggs, Richard Winston, Michael Arrendondo, and Ryan Langford also all have enough experience to provide depth and should be better this year. Junior college transfer Chris Lee could step in and make an immediate impact, and there are also three freshmen who should provide more depth. The linebacker corp. as a whole should also be deeper this year, allowing for more production.
The secondary is the strength, or least pathetic, of the unit and luckily returns lots of talent. Junior cornerback Cranston Jones and senior
Nov 30, 2013; Boise, ID, USA; Boise State Broncos wide receiver Geraldo Boldewijn (17) cannot catch a pass while defended by New Mexico Lobos defensive back Cranston Jones (3) defends on the play during the first half at Bronco Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Losness-USA TODAY Sports
cornerback SaQwan Edwards are back as the starters after breaking up a combined 9 passes last year. Both are competent enough to remain the starters, and senior strong safety David Guthrie, who was by far the biggest impact player, is also back this year. Safety Dante Caro will have to be replaced, but junior Brandon Branch and senior Devonta Tabannah both have more potential than Caro anyway. Sophomore Ryan Santos also saw plenty of action as a freshman last year, and junior Jamal Merritt saw lots of playing time in 2012. Junior Donnie Duncan and sophomores Jadon Boatright and Isaiah Brown will provide depth, and there are four other backs who will help with that as well. Just like the rest of the defense, this unit should be improved this year.
The defense as a whole has lots more depth and talent, albeit unproven, than last year. There are also lots of returning key players that the unit should also be more experienced. This won’t be a great group by any stretch, but with a defensive minded coach, there’s no excuse for it to be absolutely awful again. If some of the newcomers can make an immediate impact and the returning starters can improve, at least giving up less than 40 points per game will be a good starting point, as bad as that sounds.