DeShawn Mills Class: Senior Hometown: Lawndale, Calif. High School: Leuzinger HS Height / Weight: 5-10 / 176 Position: Defensive Back Experience: 3L

NEW MEXICO: Fifth-year cornerback who showed perseverence and earned playing time in 2011...played in 20 games over the past two seasons with 15 starts but started off 2011 in a backup role as the team brought in DBs to increase the talent level...must become a more physical player to elevate his play but has good speed and atheticism...joined the team in the summer of 2008.

2011 (JUNIOR): Not on the two-deep roster to start the season but kept working to put himself there during the final third of the season when the team suffered a few injuries...played four of the last five games, finishing with four tackles and one tackle for loss.

2010 (SOPHOMORE): Started every game at cornerback...had 43 tackles to rank eighth on the team...had at least one stop in every game...recorded three pass breakups and two TFLs...twice had a season-high seven tackles: Texas Tech and San Diego State.

2009 (REDSHIRT FRESHMAN): Saw action in 8 games and made three starts...had six tackles in his first collegiate season...had a pass breakup at Texas A&M...started the Texas A&M, Tulsa and Air Force games.

HIGH SCHOOL: A 2008 graduate of Leuzinger High School in Los Angeles area Lawndale, Calif...played defensive back and receiver...recorded six interceptions and five pass break-ups, along with 30 catches for 823 yards (27.4 avg.) and five touchdowns as a senior...all-area pick by the Daily Breeze newspaper...played for head coach Deon Toliver.