Tarean Austin Class: Sophomore Hometown: Tampa, Fla. High School: Hillsborough HS Height / Weight: 6-2 / 205 Position: Quarterback Experience: 1L

NEW MEXICO: A dual threat quarterback with great potential...gained valuable experience in 2010 having played in seven games...has a strong arm and active feet...has the ability to make plays and is a game changer...was one of four quarterbacks used in 2010...continues to work on his ability to read defenses and run the offense...will compete for the starting job this fall...first name is pronounced TAR-ee-an.

2010 (TRUE FRESHMAN): Played in seven games and made two starts (UNLV and UTEP)as a true freshman...became the first true freshman to start a game at quarterback since Jeremy Leach in 1988...finished the year going 44-of-90 with two TDs and 398 yards...he also had four interceptions...on the ground, he racked up 101 yards and a TD on 42 carries...made his collegiate debut against nationally-ranked Oregon on Sept. 4 in Eugene...had his best game against the UNLV Rebels on the road, finishing the game 17-of-40 with a touchdown and 177 yards passing...first passing touchdown came against Utah on Sept. 18 in Albuquerque.

HIGH SCHOOL: Four-year starter from 2006-09 who was one of the top passers in the Tampa Bay area and among the country's highest rated quarterback recruits...listed as a three-star prospect by Rivals.com (No. 20 dual threat QB), ESPN.com (No. 40 QB), and Scout.com...chose New Mexico over scholarship offers from schools such as Cincinnati, Iowa State, Michigan State, Purdue and South Florida...threw for 2,132 yards and 20 touchdowns with just 6 interceptions for the class 4A Terriers as a senior...led the team into the state playoffs in 2007 and 2009...played for head coach Earl Garcia...1,578 yards, 17 TDs, and 6 INTs as a junior...attended the same high school as former Lobo WR Daryl Jones (2005-09)...Hillsborough also produced Major League standouts Dwight Gooden and Gary Sheffield, and NFL players J.R. Reed and Allen Rossum...also a four-year letterman on the basketball court.

PERSONAL: Born July 18, 1992 in Tampa, Fla...full name is Tarean Jerome Austin...son of Charles and Tammy Austin...has two older brothers, T.J. and Brian, and a younger sister, Candice...interested in Business as a major.