May 13 – New Mexico’s backfield – perhaps the Lobos’ most intriguing position group – got a little deeper over the weekend.
Former Campbell University running back Na’Quari Rogers committed to UNM on Sunday night via a social media post. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound junior from Virginia Beach, Va., is expected to join the Lobos with two years of eligibility after entering the transfer portal in April.
In two seasons with the Fighting Camels, Rogers rushed for 829 yards and 10 touchdowns with 25 receptions for 224 yards. He finished second on the team in rushing last season (478 yards) and tied for the team lead in rushing touchdowns (6) despite playing in just eight games.
After former coach Mike Minter resigned in December, Rogers decided to stay for now at Campbell, an FCS program based in Buies Creek, North Carolina. The spring under a new team didn’t go as he planned, he told the Journal, and Rogers entered the portal shortly after the spring window opened.
With former Campbell offensive line coach Famika Anae on staff, it didn’t take long for UNM to show interest.
“(They) were the ones who really showed the most love, and they were the first ones to reach out…just for them to follow up with me, that really caught my attention,” Rogers said, adding that running backs coach Kirk Garner , was his main recruiter. “They told me what I didn’t want to hear. They told me what it would be like, they told me the truth.”
Rogers said he played running back growing up and switched to quarterback at Portsmouth Christian (Virginia) High School — where he was briefly recruited by current UNM coach Bronco Mendenhall’s previous staff at Virginia. A “calm” and “patient” running back, he said he “progressed” each season and is proud above all of his versatility.
“Someone who moves the currents,” he said. “A utility player, you know. I want to be the most efficient player on the field. So wherever they feel like they need to use me — I’m primarily a running back, but if it’s slot (receiver), kick return, (punt) payback – it doesn’t matter, I’ll make it happen.”
Rogers is ready to compete with running backs Andrew Henry, Eli Sanders and Javen Jacobs at a position that broke spring practice without a clear leader on the clubhouse. He also represents the Lobos’ fourth public commitment through the transfer portal, joining former BYU running back/quarterback Sol-Jay Maiava-Peters, former West Virginia linebacker Tirek Austin-Cave and former Texas Tech quarterback Cam Watts.
While Mendenhall declined to disclose how many scholarships UNM opened over the summer — “enough to make a significant difference,” he previously said — the first-year Lobos coach noted that further additions to the roster are expected.
“We have specific needs, specific filters and exact identities that we are looking for,” Mendenhall said at the end of spring training. “So this isn’t just a random opinion from whoever, it’s a targeted approach: the specific positions, body types and skill sets we need.”
Total wins released
FanDuel Sportsbook released a batch of its 2024 college football win projections on Monday, placing the Lobos as a slight favorite (-118) to win more than 1.5 regular-season games in Mendenhall’s first season.
How the Mountain West as a whole was shaken, from highest to lowest totals:
Boise State: 8.5
Fresno State: 7.5
UNLV: 7.5
Colorado State: 6.5
Wyoming: 6.5
Air Force: 5.5
Utah State: 5.5
State of São José: 5.5
Hawaii: 4.5
San Diego State: 4.5
Nevada: 2.5
New Mexico: 1.5
