Player Bio: Byron Bell - University of New Mexico Official Athletic Site

Byron Bell

	Hometown: Greenville, Texas
	High School: Greenville HS
	Height / Weight: 6-5 / 325

	Position: Offensive Tackle
	Experience: 4L
	Honors: Freshman All-America ('08 - Hon. Men.)

All-MWC Candidate

NEW MEXICO: Two-year starter who has the potential to be one of the best linemen ever to come through the program...officially ruled a senior after his medical hardship for the 2007 season was declined...flipped over to the left side in 2009 where he protected the blindside for the Lobo quarterbacks...improved throughout the year as he got more comfortable with the new offensive scheme and is poised for a breakthrough 2010 campaign...leads all active UNM linemen with 24 career starts and will be counted on to be one of the leaders of the group known as "The Hitmen"...has ideal size with a great wingspan and good feet on the edge...solid power in the weight room, led all UNM linemen last year with a 34-inch vertical and is surprisingly quick for his size...unassuming off the field, but a physical, emotional player between the lines...CollegeFootballNews.com called him one the Lobos' best pro prospects...won the starting job at right tackle - a spot formerly occupied by first team all-MWC honoree and former Washington Redskin Devin Clark - in the spring of 2008.

2009 (SOPHOMORE): 82 knockdown blocks, playing almost every snap in 12 starts at left tackle...frequently responsible for 1-on-1 pass protection against the opposing team's top pass rusher in the Lobos' more pass-friendly offensive scheme...helped 3 different Lobo RBs rush for 100 yards or more in a game.

`09 HIGHLIGHTS: vs. Colorado State...Another outstanding effort with a team-high 10 knockdowns to help UNM pile up a season-high 270 rushing yards and 467 total yards...did not allow a sack and had no penalties...vs. No. 22 BYU...10 KD blocks in all 84 snaps and did a fine job in pass protection, allowing Donovan Porterie to throw for 272 yards and 2 TDs (44 attempts)...UNM also had 88 yards rushing in the near-upset...at Texas Tech...Fine game against an active Big 12 front four...team-high 10 knockdown blocks in 98 plays...gave QB Donovan Porterie time to throw for 316 yards on 56 passing plays...also helped clear the way for freshman A.J. Butler's 102 yards rushing...vs. New Mexico State...Led the team with a season-high 8 kockdowns (50 snaps) and had key blocks on Demond Dennis' 62-yard run in the 1st quarter and James Wright's 39-yard burst in the 2nd...both plays set-up Lobo TDs...vs. Air Force...Led the team with 5 KD blocks in all 52 snaps to help the Lobos churn out a season high 188 rushing yards...vs. Texas A&M...team-high 6 knockdowns.

2008 (REDSHIRT FRESHMAN): Honorable Mention Freshman All-America selection by CollegeFootballNews.com and the Lobos' MWC Freshman of the Year nominee...93 knockdown blocks (7.8 avg.) in his first 12 collegiate games (all starts), helping to power the nation's 16th-ranked rushing offense...double-digit knockdowns in 3 games...played his most polished sound football over the final 6 weeks with 78% and above performance grades in each game, including 80% or above 4 times...10 penalties (816 plays) and just 3 sacks allowed (289 pass attempts), including 1 in the final month.

`08 HIGHLIGHTS: at Colorado State...Continued his late season surge with 7 KD blocks and career-highs in every graded category...led the team for the 2nd straight week with an 88% performance grade, including a 99% assignment mark, 72% technique grade, and 93% effort grade...no sacks allowed in a season-high 39 passing attempts and no penalties, helping UNM average 5.2 yards on 30 rushing attempts (155 total)...at UNLV...Quietly enjoyed one of his best games of the year, leading the team with a season-high 85% performance grade...executed his block with flawless technique on 72% of his 75 snaps and had full effort on 86% of his plays...got downfield to clear the way for WR Bryant Williams' 40-yard TD run...6 KD blocks and didn't allow any pressure on the QB as the Lobos' put up 370 yards of total offense, including 222 rushing...at Air Force...Posted a solid 79% performance grade, including a career-best 98% assignment mark and 60% technique grade in 65 snaps...also added 7 KD blocks and had 0 penalites as UNM racked up 212 rushing yards...vs. San Diego State...Continued his strong play with 7 KD blocks and an 84% performance grade in just 3 quarters of work...posted excellent marks in every graded category, including a 97% assignment mark, 68% technique grade and 88% effort mark...helped the Lobo offense amass 320 rushing yards and 466 total yards with 0 sacks allowed in the 1st 3 quarters...at No. 8 BYU...Turned in on of the best games of his young career against an elite front-7...80% performance grade and matched his best with 12 KD blocks...gave all out effort on 83% of his 75 snaps...96% assignment grade and perfect technique on 61% of his snaps...flagged for a controversial block in the back - which replays showed to be incorrect - on a 4th quarter TD that would have cut the Cougar lead to 14-10 with 7 min. to play...vs. Wyoming...Big part of another dominant performance in the trenches...tallied 10 KD blocks and a 76% performance grade...perfect technique on 63% of his 73 snaps...no sacks allowed...at New Mexico State...Part of a dominant physical performance by The Hitmen, who paved the way for the Lobos' 297 rushing yards (63 attempts)...season-high of 12 KD blocks along with a 76% overall performance grade and a 97% assignment grade...perfect technique on 59% of his 86 snaps...didn't allow any pressure on the QB...vs. Arizona...6 KD blocks, 73% performance grade and perfect technique on 54% of his 69 snaps and no sacks allowed.

2007 (FRESHMAN): Played in one game and missed most of the season with an injury...saw action against Sacramento State in a 58-0 blowout.

HIGH SCHOOL: A 2007 graduate of Greenville (Texas) High School...Associated Press first team all-state offensive tackle as a senior for coach Jeff Cordell...also second team all-state by the Texas Sportswriters...unanimous choice for all-district in 10-4A...started two years for the Lions...was also the starting center on the basketball team and competed in the shot put.

PERSONAL: Born Jan. 17, 1989...full name is Byron Michael Bell...son of Sandra Bell, who works in the sheriff's department...major is University Studies.