ALBUQUERQUE – A trio of University of New Mexico football players earned spots on major national award watch lists Thursday, topping the program’s entire preseason honor tally from just a few years ago on the first day of fall camp announcements.
Linebacker Jaxton Eck was named to the Bronco Nagurski Preseason Watch List for national defensive player of the year.
Defensive lineman Brian Booker earned a spot on the Outland Trophy Preseason Watch List for top interior lineman, and tight end Cade Keith was selected to the John Mackey Award Preseason Watch List for the nation’s best tight end.
Eck, a senior, is the first Lobo named to the preseason Nagurski list since Carmen Messina in 2010.
The Mountain West Preseason Defensive Player of the Year coming off a co-defensive player of the year campaign last fall, Eck recorded 129 total tackles (65 solo) last season. His 9.9 tackles per game ranked 10th nationally, alongside 6.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble and two pass breakups.
Eck was also nominated for the Wuerffel Trophy, which honors community service and athletic achievement.
Booker, a fifth-year senior and preseason All-Mountain West selection, becomes UNM’s first Outland candidate since offensive lineman Teton Saltes in 2020.
Booker anchored a defensive line that allowed 112.8 rushing yards per game and held opponents to 3.4 yards per carry, helping New Mexico post a 9-4 record and earn its first bowl appearance since 2016.
Keith, a junior who also earned preseason All-Mountain West honors, is UNM’s first Mackey Award candidate since two-time All-American Lucas Reed in 2012.
Keith enters the 2026 season with the most receptions and yards of any returning tight end in the conference after catching 20 passes for 253 yards (12.7 yards per catch) and three touchdowns last fall. His three receiving touchdowns tie for the team lead among returning pass catchers.
The Lobos opened fall camp practice last week and will kick off the season with consecutive home games against Central Michigan at 8 p.m. Sept. 5 and Mercyhurst at 2 p.m. Sept. 12.