Art Haynes had been a basketball player most of his life. Basketball is what lead him to Ellsworth Community College in Iowa. Then he walked onto the football team.
Two years later, Haynes has a scholarship at UNM.
Haynes has proved to be a natural athlete, as he had only one year of experience in each sport prior to college. He played football his freshman year of high school, and basketball his senior year.
"I played pee-wee league," Haynes remembers. "Then I got taller than everyone and skinnier than everyone. That pushed me over to the basketball court instead of the football field."
Haynes didn't return to the turf until 2001. Shortly after football practice started he broke his hand, disabling him for the season. By 2002, it had been nearly five years since he was last at the line of scrimmage. However Haynes showed no signs of inexperience or rust. Playing at safety for the first time ever, Haynes chalked up 40 tackles, 15 pass break-ups and two interceptions on the season.
Still, when he wasn't wearing pads and a helmet, Haynes was in basketball shorts and sweatbands. In fact, shortly after returning an interception to win a football game for the Panthers, Haynes scored 11 points, six rebounds and two blocks for the basketball team.
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He wanted more, though. Haynes wanted to go to a Division-1 school, so he did his own research and recruiting.
"I sent tapes around to a lot of different colleges," he said. "A lot of D-1 schools said they wanted me to go back to a junior college to get more experience. New Mexico gave me an opportunity, so I'm here and I'm loving it."
Haynes came to Albuquerque - by himself for the first time this summer. He got right to work spending a lot of time in the weight room and on the field. However, his work on the field was not intended to improve his football skills. He was mowing and working on the grounds.
"I was cutting grass out here in the hot sun and then going to practice," he said. "I had to stop that."
Haynes said he could have played basketball and football at UNM, but he was offered a scholarship by head football coach Rocky Long. Long's offer only stood if Haynes chose to exclusively play football.
"I have no problem with that cause I need to learn more football," Haynes said. "If I put my mind to it I think I can be a good player."
In the short time he has been a Lobo, Haynes has earned a second-string spot at free safety, backing up starter Sidney Wiley.
Defensive coordinator Osia Lewis said it was his work ethic that earned Haynes his position.
"He learned what to do real quick," Lewis said. "For his size he has great athletic ability, which helped him out a lot."
Lewis also says that Haynes is adjusting from the junior college level to a university level.
"He realizes he needs to step it up here at a D-1 university," Lewis said. "It's good that he realizes that."
Haynes' goal for the season is to get more Division 1 exposure. He says playing at UNM is a big change for him coming from a community college in Iowa.
"It's more hard work," he said. "It's way more intense. I'm just ready to go out there and play hard. I just have to get used to the speed and intensity."
