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Four seniors will lead the New Mexico football team this season.
On Tuesday the Lobos announced that running back Kasey Carrier, center Dillon Farrell, defensive end Jacori Greer and inside linebacker Dallas Bollema will be the captains of the team this year.
Players and coaches voted for the captains, and the Lobos learned the results while being shown a video during a team meeting.
Head coach Bob Davie said the gap between the fourth and fifth spot was significant enough that it indicated to him who the team wanted as captains.
“I think we have four captains that exemplify everything I hope this Lobo football program becomes,” he said. “I’m going to put a lot on them. I totally trust these guys, and they have a lot of responsibility all of a sudden.”
Carrier was named second-team All-Mountain West Conference after breaking the school record for rushing yards with 1,469 yards to go along with 15 rushing touchdowns, which was second on UNM’s all-time season list.
“We have to be accountable, do the right thing on and off the field, and lead by our actions,” Carrier said.
Farrell started all 13 games in 2012 and was named honorable-mention All-MWC as center after playing right tackle in 2011. The Baton Rouge, La., native was penalized once all season and had a 99 percent assignment grade.
The 6-foot-5 Farrell’s only Division I football scholarship offer came from UNM, and he said he was surprised to learn he was one of the four captains.
“This was the place for me,” he said. “It’s been really hard at times; it’s been incredible to see this program start to turn around.”
Last season, Bollema paced the Lobos in tackles with 89 and tied for the team-high in interceptions with three. He was also named honorable-mention All-MWC and earned Academic All-MWC honors.
The Artesia, N.M. native said he’s used to the role because he was captain at Artesia High School.
“Growing up in New Mexico, I always knew about the Lobos,” Bollema said. “Playing football has always been a dream of mine and it’s just an honor to be here now, a fifth-year senior, and doing my thing.”
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Greer led the team in sacks (5.0) and tackles for a loss (eight), and was an honorable-mention All-MWC selection in 2012 after starting all 13 games. Greer’s brother Lamont Smith recently joined the UNM men’s basketball coaching staff last week as associate head coach.
“I was ecstatic, honored, humbled,” Greer said of being elected. “I think our guys had a great concept of who they wanted to be captain.”
Junior linebacker Toby Ball said each captain brings his own style of leadership to the table.
“It’s easy to listen to these guys because not only how they act on the field but off the field as well,” he said. “Like these guys said, you couldn’t ask for better captains.”
