Born in Pocatello, Idaho, becoming a standout football player in his hometown of Helena, Montana, and now competing at the highest level of professional football in the world.
Former Lobo Keyshawn James-Newby has found his opportunity with the Philadelphia Eagles.
On Saturday, April 25, the former Lobos defensive end became the first Lobo drafted since safety Jerrick Reed II in 2023. James-Newby is the 67th player to be drafted from the University of New Mexico all-time, and is the first Lobo defensive lineman drafted since Larry Dibbles in 1973. The Eagles selected James-Newby with the 252nd pick in the seventh round.
After enrolling at NAIA college Montana Tech and becoming a standout pass rusher, James-Newby transferred to FCS Idaho, where he played 2023 and 2024. He became an FCS All-American and was First Team All-Big Sky in 2024 after posting 10.5 sacks, 14.5 tackles for loss and 2 forced fumbles.
James-Newby took advantage of the extra year of eligibility granted by the NCAA due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and an NAIA eligibility waiver, entering the transfer portal and following his Idaho head coach, Jason Eck to UNM.
To say James-Newby took advantage of the opportunity at UNM would be an understatement.
He went on to lead the Mountain West conference with 9 sacks in 2025. He totaled 52 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and 2 forced fumbles. James-Newby played a significant role for the Lobos last season, including helping take the program to their first bowl game since 2016.
He shone at the Shrine Bowl — a postseason all-star game for players who have declared for the NFL draft — as well. James-Newby took the opportunity to show scouts, coaches and executives his skills as a pass rusher versus high-end talent.
James-Newby’s game is built on his burst and acceleration off the line of scrimmage. He plays similar to Broncos pass rusher Nik Bonitto. James-Newby does a good job setting the edge against the run, playing with great pursuit and a knack for forcing fumbles.
At 6-foot-2, 238lbs, James-Newby would be considered slightly undersized for a prototypical edge defender, but there has been a numerous number of players in the NFL that have carved out roles for themselves with similar profiles.
The Eagles made sure to use a draft pick on him so other teams would not have the chance to sign him as an undrafted free agent — a positive sign for James-Newby, as he will compete to make the Eagles final 53-man roster once the start of the NFL season begins.
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Not only did Damon Bankston turn 23 years old on Saturday, but he signed with the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent.
Bankston graduated from Paetow High School in 2021 and led the Texas 5A division in rushing yards as a senior, totaling 1,634 yards and 17 touchdowns.
During his successful tenure at Weber State, Bankston earned honorable mention All-Big Sky Conference honors in 2022. He suffered a season-ending injury in 2023, but had a big 2024 season, totaling 1,104 yards and 6 touchdowns on 6.2 yards per carry and earning Second Team All-Big Sky honors.
Bankston transferred to the University of New Mexico and was one of the most explosive players in the Mountain West, totaling 635 rushing yards and 397 receiving yards in 2025 for the Lobos, and two kickoff returns for touchdowns.
His 4.37 40-yard dash would have been tied for the third fastest at the NFL combine. Bankston has good size at 5-foot-10 196lbs, and his 21 reps on bench press during his pro day showed his strength at the position.
Bankston’s best chance at making the Giants 53-man roster will be as a returner, where he made a huge impact for the Lobos in 2025.
The Lobos have a couple of former players heading to the NFL, with defensive back Noah Avinger — who played for UNM in 2024 — signing with the Los Angeles Chargers and wide receiver Luke Wysong — who played with UNM from 2022-2024 — signing with the Minnesota Vikings, both as undrafted free agents.
Former Lobos kicker Luke Drzewiecki, the all-time leading kick scorer at UNM, was invited to Ravens rookie minicamp as well.
Edge Garcia is a freelance reporter for the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at sports@dailylobo.com or on X @ByEdgeGarcia
