A New Era of Ambition
The New Mexico Lobos made a splash at the Mountain West Conference Media Days in Las Vegas, drawing attention as the program looks to translate recent success into a breakout season. Five players earned preseason All‑Mountain West honors, underscoring the optimism surrounding the squad.
Jaxton Eck stood out by being named preseason Defensive Player of the Year. The accolade follows his co‑Defensive Player of the Year selection last year, when he finished 10th nationally in tackles, a testament to his relentless pursuit on the field.
The preseason offensive team also featured Jack Layne, Brian Booker, Malik Aliane, Troy Omeire and Cade Keith, each highlighted for their potential impact. Layne praised Eck’s intelligence and leadership, noting that the quarterback’s chemistry with his teammates could be a decisive factor.
Coach Jason Eck emphasized that the team’s focus must remain on performance rather than external expectations. He pointed to the foundation built last season and the opportunity for the current senior group to define their legacy through consistent results.
At quarterback, Jack Layne is the presumed starter, but Luke Moga and James Laubstein are also in the mix, adding depth and competition to the backfield. The breadth of talent across the roster suggests a balanced attack that could challenge rivals in the conference.