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NEW MEXICO: Veteran defensive back and special teams standout who has played both safety and corner during his career...coming off a career 2008 season when he was one of the first safeties off the bench...projected to reprise that role this fall and teams with fellow seniors Ian Clark and Frankie Solomon to give UNM one of the most experience safety units in the MWC...has improved his pass coverage and is a physical, big hitter in the secondary...35 career games, almost exclusively on special teams before 2008...saw defensive action for the first time in his career in 2007, coming off the bench for spot duty at CB...redshirted the 2005 season. 2008 (JUNIOR): Appeared in all 12 games as one of the first safeties off the bench and in his usual role on all four special teams units...smashed his career-high with 37 tackles (18 solo)...also had a PBU...career-high 6 stops in the opener vs. TCU. 2007 (SOPHOMORE): Played in all 13 games...was a heat-seeking missile in kick and punt coverage, leading the team with 13 special teams tackles, including several big hits in the open field...teammates voted him co-Special Teams Player of the Year along with consensus All-America kicker John Sullivan...also saw defensive action for the first time in his career, coming off the bench to play cornerback at Arizona and Sacramento State (14 snaps)...was thrown into the fire in his first defensive appearance, playing the final 8 snaps in place of injured Jerome Jenkins in the Lobos' 29-27 upset victory at Arizona...recorded his first career interception (6-yard return) the next week vs. Sacramento State (14 snaps)...15 tackles on the year (10 solo). 2006 (REDSHIRT FRESHMAN): Appeared in all 13 games, exclusively on special teams...finished with 4 tackles. HIGH SCHOOL: A 2005 graduate of Albuquerque La Cueva HS...unanimous first team all-state running back who rushed for 2,076 yards and 32 TDs for the undefeated (13-0) state champs as a senior in 2004...averaged 10.5 yards per carry and caught 8 passes for 244 yards...was also a first team all-state cornerback as a senior...had 30 tackles and an interception...played for head coach Fred Romero...the Bears also won the 2003 state title with a perfect 13-0 mark...they were state champs in baseball in 2004 and `05, including a national prep record 70-game winning streak...Baca played in the outfield and pitched...also an accomplished wrestler, finishing third in the state as a sophomore at 152 lbs., and second during his junior year at 171 lbs...he attended Albuquerque's Cibola HS his first two years. PERSONAL: Born Feb. 27, 1987, in Las Vegas, N.M...age is 21...son of Frank and Tracy Baca...father is a police officer...has a brother, Marcus (16), and sister, Haley (18)...major is University Studies. |
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