The Lobos are looking to replace David Guthrie after he exhausted his eligibility last year. UNM does have plenty of depth at the safety positions with several players who have in-game experience.
However, safeties coach Charles McMillian said it will be difficult to replace Guthrie because of the type of leader he was.
“It’s hard to replace a guy like Guthrie, who loves football, who’s compassionate about the game, who’s going to do what you ask at full speed,” McMillian said. “In my own words was a leader, but didn’t show it for the most part. I think if he had one more year right now he would be the true leader in our secondary.”
Like several other former Lobo starters during Bob Davie’s tenure, Guthrie was forced to play earlier than anticipated because of a lack of numbers. However, Guthrie, a junior college transfer, became a starter in his only two seasons at UNM and was second on the team in tackles last year.
“That certainly leaves us a hole at strong secondary,” Davie said about Guthrie. “If he had another year in a normal progression of things, then I think he would’ve been a heck of a player. He was a good player for us and made tremendous contributions.”
Free safety Daniel Henry, who is healing his left shoulder this spring, is roommates with Guthrie. Henry said he tries to get as much advice as he can from him.
“I talk to him every day about being a leader. I’m about to be a senior now and I have to step up and fill his shoes,” Henry said. “I talk to him all the time about being a leader in the secondary. It’s really not about one person, but Guthrie was a big leader last year.”
UNM has multiple safeties that are rehabbing injuries this spring, including Tayo Adewon, Kenneth Maxwell and Henry. On Friday, Ryan Santos joined that group after hyper-extending his elbow during practice.
“Anybody that is in the secondary can play strong safety,” McMillian said. “We got a whole lot of yellow shirts. Whoever is out there should know what’s going on.”
At the free safety position, the Lobos look to have that spot secured with redshirt sophomore Markel Byrd, who started several games last season.
“He is a guy I think any coach in the nation would like to have in the secondary because he’s so smart,” McMillian said. “Sometimes that can hurt you because he can overthink things. He still has a long way to go.”
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Quarterback competition
Davie said on Friday that he won’t name a starting quarterback after spring practice ends this week.
Incumbent starter Lamar Jordan has made plenty of strides since last season and he’s been up to the challenge in the quarterback competition between himself and Austin Apodaca, Davie said.
“I knew Lamar was a competitive guy and I knew he wasn’t going to back down and he’s proving it. It’s exciting,” Davie said.
However, Davie said to keep a lookout for redshirt freshman Jajuan Lawson.
“He reminds me of where Lamar Jordan was last year,” Davie said. “Everyone was talking about Cole Gautsche and everyone was talking about Clayton Mitchem. I see Lawson becoming that guy.
Gautsche update
For the first time this spring, tight end Cole Gautsche was without a walking boot on his left foot.
Davie said Gautsche won’t need surgery on his foot but won’t participate in any spring drills.
Thomas Romero-Salas is the sports editor for the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at sports@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @ThomasRomeroS.
