Junior college transfer Anthony Kilby knows there's no place like home.
That's why he's coming back to UNM to play for the Lobo football team, two years after originally anticipated and despite interest from high-profile schools like the Universities of Southern California and Oklahoma.
"They were mostly showing interest but they weren't really talking," Kilby said. "Plus, this is my hometown and I like the program and the coaches. It's just a home thing."
Kilby agreed to play for the Lobos in 2003 after a standout career as an offensive lineman at Manzano High School. He averaged 25 knockdowns per game as an offensive lineman his senior season and was successful in wrestling and track and field as well.
Kilby said he liked the UNM football program and coaches when he was recruited out of high school, but one thing stood in the way of him and Division I football.
"It was just grades," Kibly said. "I missed NCAA grades by a few points so they sent me out to juco."
Kilby attended Garden City Community College in Garden City, Kan., where he developed further as a lineman. Last fall, Kilby earned a spot on the Junior College All-American team and was named the top offensive lineman in the league.
Kilby said he thinks his junior college experience helped him as he looks ahead to his first Division I season.
"A lot of plays they did are similar to the ones we are doing here," Kilby said. "The speed is similar to D-1. Division I is a little quicker, but junior college got me used to college game speed."
The offensive line lost its best lineman, Claude Terrell, this past season because he graduated.
After signing the recruiting class in February, head coach Rocky Long said there is a chance one of the junior college linemen could be starting on the offensive line this season.
"Our weakest position, in terms of depth, is the offensive line," Long said. "We only have nine offensive linemen going into spring practice. Now we have some real quality in the offensive line, but we needed more depth."
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Kilby said he hopes to offer more depth if he is not a starter this season.
"I just want to dress with the team and make that roster," Kilby said. "It doesn't matter if I start or not just as long as I am part of the team. If I get playing time I will do the best that I can."
Kilby said his biggest challenge right now is nursing his knee back to health.
"I had arthroscopic surgery a few months ago and I am still doing a little bit of rehab," Kilby said. "It's getting better week by week."
Kilby enrolled at UNM in January and said he should settle in perfectly with the football program.
"I feel like I fit right in," Kilby said. "I feel like we will be strong this season. We have good players and a good program."
