Feb. 1, 2006

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (Feb. 1) -- University of New Mexico head football coach Rocky Long has announced the signing of 26 student-athletes to National Letters of Intent.

2006 NEW MEXICO FOOTBALL NATIONAL LETTER OF INTENT SIGNEES

Pronunciation Guide

RECRUITING CLASS BREAKDOWN

By State
Arizona: 3
California: 3
Colorado: 1
Florida: 2
Maryland: 1
Mississippi: 1
New Mexico: 7
North Carolina: 1
Texas: 6
Utah: 1

By Position
Defensive Back: 6
Offensive Line: 5
Defensive Line: 3
Linebacker: 3
Receiver: 3
Running Back: 2
Tight End: 2
Punter: 1
Quarterback: 1

COMMENTS FROM UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO HEAD COACH Rocky Long

(overall thoughts) -- "I thought the recruiting went well. We wanted to take seven to nine from junior college. The only drawback is that we wanted them all here at mid-term. A couple won't be here until after the spring semester.

We always want to develop the program with a strong base of high school players. The most interesting part of this high school class is the number that are from New Mexico (seven). I think all of the New Mexico kids have a chance to be really good Division one players.

No doubt the success we've had with previous New Mexico players like Nick Speegle, Josh Bazinet, DonTrell Moore, Hank Baskett, Ryan Cook, Mike Mohoric and others, has made a big impact in our ability to keep a lot of in-state players at home. That is a legacy they (the new New Mexico signees) will hopefully want to continue. That's why we went after so many in-state kids this year.

The high school kids from other states really fit our mold, too. They're not highly-recruited guys, but they are hard workers with good attitudes. Most of them are really, really good students. This is probably the best class we have recruited from an academic standpoint, at least when you consider their grade point averages and test scores.

(by position) -- "We got everything we wanted except we were looking for a junior college defensive lineman. That didn't happen, so we took an additional high school defensive lineman.

Also, it wasn't a necessity, but we recruited one high school quarterback and didn't get him. We moved that opening to the offensive line and took five instead of four. Otherwise, the position breakdown is exactly what we wanted according to our formula going into recruiting."

Terel Anyaibe.....DL.....6-1.....230.....Fr-HS
DeSoto, Texas (DeSoto HS)
Name is pronounced ta-RELL AWN-ya-E-bay...the family is originally from Nigeria and the Igbo (e-bow) tribe, which also has its own language...the last name means "guardian eye"...Terel was a two-year starter on the defensive line and he played both ways as a senior...first team all-district center last year, plus19 tackles and 3 sacks on defense...first team all-district defensive end as a junior...played for head coach Dave Meadows...threw the shot put and discus for the track team...serves as the community service chairman on the Eagles' student council...PERSONAL ...born Aug. 25, 1988, in Silver Springs, Md...age is 17...son of Chris and Mary...parents were both born in Nigeria...father is a production manager in the banking industry...mother is a nurse...oldest brother Mac is in the Army and spent 12 months in Iraq and five months in South Korea...other brother Elris plays defensive tackle at Georgia Tech, where he will be a sophomore in 2006...older sister Marline played basketball at the University of Oklahoma for one year before suffering an injury that ended her career...Terel is interested in Business or Engineering as a major.

Matt Barnard.....P.....6-2.....205.....Jr-Tr
Phoenix, Ariz. (Mesa Community College)
Transfer who enrolled at UNM in January...spent the past two years at Mesa (Ariz.) Community College...second team All-America punter last fall, averaging 43.2 yards...a two-time pick for all-conference honors...played for head coach Dan Dunn...has a redshirt year available...HIGH SCHOOL...a 2004 graduate of Desert Vista HS in Phoenix...lettered in football and track...special teams player of the year as a senior...played for head coach Dan Hinz...PERSONAL...born March 26, 1986, in Mesa...age is 19...full name is Matthew James Barnard...son of Jim and Donna...no relation to former Lobo LB Bart Barnard (1994-97)...interested in Business as a major.

Zayn Bin-Bilal.....OL.....6-5.....290.....Fr-HS
Taos, N.M. (Taos HS)
Name is pronounced zane BIN-ba-lal...Bin means "son" in Arabic, thus the "son of Bilal"...first team all-district offensive tackle last year...participated in Max Emfinger's All-American Bowl Game Classic Jan. 5 in Shreveport, La...two-year starter for the Tigers on offense and defense...played for head coach Benny Mitchell... PERSONAL...born Sept. 1, 1987, in San Antonio, Texas...age is 18...full name is Zayn Muhammad Bin-Bilal...son of Hassan and Amina Bilal...interested in English or Archaeology as a major.

Kendall Briscoe.....DL.....6-2.....275.....Fr-HS
Dallas, Texas (Lincoln HS)
A three-year starter at defensive tackle who was first team all-district and second team all-state last year...played at the same high school that sent Gabriel Fulbright to UNM...11 sacks his senior season...played for head coach Jerry Sands...25 tackles for loss as a junior...the Tigers lost to Kilgore in the 2004 Class 4A state championship game...Briscoe also started at tight end his sophomore season...PERSONAL...born June 2, 1988, in Dallas...age is 17...full name is Kendall Bernard Briscoe...son of Kimberly Grant...sister, Kimesha, is a student manager for the Texas A&M-Commerce football team...interested in Physical Education as a major.

Terence Brown.....S.....6-0.....190.....Fr-HS
Phoenix, Ariz. (Cesar Chavez HS)
Versatile player and excellent student who saw time at linebacker, safety, cornerback and running back in his prep career...first team all-league last year, gaining 1,212 yards on just 174 carries (7.0 ypc) and 15 TDs for head coach Dan Widmaier...set school records for season and career rushing...also 47 tackles on defense and he was the Homecoming king as a senior...team captain in football and track...runs the 200 and 400 meters in track...took 7th in the state 400 as a junior...because of honors classes taken, he has a 4.4 grade-point-average on a 4.0 scale...also scored an impressive 1420 on his SAT and serves as student-body president...additional activities include the National Honor Society, City of Phoenix Youth and Education Commission and City of Phoenix Wake Up Club...also performed a lot of community service: master of ceremonies for freshmen orientation, cooking for the needy and the homeless and serving as a counselor and speaker to kids...PERSONAL...born Dec. 5, 1987, in Phoenix...age is 18...full name is Terence Arthur Brown II...son of Terry and Sharon...interests include learning, reading and volunteering...plans to major in Business Administration.

Mike Cannon.....OL.....6-5.....290.....Fr-HS
Valrico, Fla. (Durant HS)
Offensive guard who was a team captain and first team All-Hillsborough County last fall...limited to seven games after suffering a broken leg...Valrico is a Tampa suburb...prep teammate Josh Fussell also signed with UNM...started at offensive tackle his first two years...also played defensive tackle for head coach Mike Gottman...a four-year letterman for the Cougars baseball team as a right-handed pitcher...a 3.9 GPA and all-academic honors all four years at Durant...also a member of the student council, serving two years as vice-president...PERSONAL...born Dec. 8, 1987, in Chamblee, Ga...age is 18...full name is Michael Andrew Cannon...son of Marshall and Mary...would like to major in Pharmacy.

Clayton Cardenas.....TE.....6-3.....250.....Jr-Tr
San Diego, Calif. (Palomar College)
Last name is pronounced car-DEE-nus...junior college tight end who will attend UNM next fall...hauled in 29 passes for 319 yards and 3 TDs in two years at Palomar, which is located in San Marcos, Calif...16 receptions for 155 yards and 2 TDs as Palomar went 8-3 and won the Mission Conference American Division championship in 2003...he missed the 2004 season and the first three games of 2005 with a knee injury...played for head coach Joe Early...Comets teammate Jermaine McQueen also signed with UNM...current Lobo tight end John Mulchrone played at Palomar in 2003-04...HIGH SCHOOL...due to personal and family reasons, Cardenas attended five different high schools in Arizona and California...never graduated but received his GED...attended The Orme (rhymes with form) School in Mayer, Ariz., in 2001-02...was a second-team all-state receiver his junior year for head coach Bob Miller...had 63 receptions for 780 yards as a senior and also recorded 115 tackles from his linebacker spot...played in the Arizona All-Star Game...also first team All-North division in basketball...PERSONAL...born Nov. 24, 1984, in West Covina, Calif...age is 21...full name is Jonathan Clayton Cardenas...son of Marcus and Jennifer...father played baseball - third base - in the Cincinnati Reds organization...interested in Communications as a major.

Devin Clark.....OL.....6-4.....320.....Jr-Tr
Mesa, Ariz. (Scottsdale CC)
Junior college transfer who will enroll at UNM in the summer...has a redshirt year available...a two-year starter on the offensive line at Scottsdale CC...first team all-conference and honorable mention All-America last year for head coach Ken Giovando...the Artichokes were 9-2 Clark's freshman season...he is currently involved nationally in Olympic-style weightlifting competition...HIGH SCHOOL...a 2004 graduate of Mesa (Ariz.) Mountain View...first team all-state offensive tackle as a senior for head coach Tom Joseph...PERSONAL...born May 22, 1986, in Austin, Texas...age is 18...full name is Devin Lane Clark...son of Herbert and Janet...interested in Education as a major.

Vincent Federico.....DL.....6-4.....280.....Fr-HS
West Covina, Calif. (Bishop Amat HS)
A three-year starter on the defensive line...first team All-Serra League, All-San Gabriel Valley and all-CIF defensive tackle his senior season...the Lancers' defensive player of the year with 51 tackles and 5 sacks...elected to the Bishop Amat Hall of Fame...also played offensive tackle for head coach Mike DiFiori last fall...all-Serra League in wrestling in 2005 in the heavyweight class...PERSONAL...born Aug. 31, 1988, in Bellflower, Calif...age is 17...full name is Vincent Joel Federico...son of Diego and Marlene...has two brothers...enjoys writing stories and poetry...interested in Business on a major.

Josh Fussell.....TE.....6-4.....220.....Fr-HS
Plant City, Fla. (Durant HS)
Last name is pronounced FUSS-ul...prep teammate Mike Cannon also signed with UNM...a three-year starter at tight end and two years at linebacker...first team all-Western Conference selection and honorable mention all-county last year with 30 catches for 420 yards and 2 TDs...led the team in tackles (60) his junior season...played for head coach Mike Gottman...also a first baseman and outfielder on the Cougars baseball team, earning second team all-county honors as a junior...led the basketball team in scoring (11.5 ppg) as a sophomore and was named all-county...won the Coach's Award for best all-around player after his junior season...all-academic team in football since his freshman year...a 3.9 cumulative GPA, including honors classes...High Honor Roll last three years and member of the Senior Council...PERSONAL...born Sept. 3, 1987, in San Antonio, Texas...age is 18...full name is Joshua Rahn Fussell...son of Ronald and Estella...has a brother and a sister...uncle Denny Fussell was a pitcher in the Cincinnati Reds organization...interested in Criminal Justice or Computer Science as a major.

Roy Hackey.....DB/WR.....6-1.....186.....Fr-HS
Hatch, N.M. (Hatch Valley HS)
Receiver and strong safety who helped lead Hatch Valley to three straight Class 2A state titles...the Bears compiled an overall record of 35-4 in his three years, including 13-0 in 2004...three-time first team all-state receiver and he added first team all-state honors as a defensive back following his senior season...career numbers were 189 receptions for 3,394 yards, or nearly 18 yards per catch...had 25 TDs his final two seasons...two-year defensive numbers were 131 tackles, 18 interceptions, including 2 run back for scores, 34 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 4 fumble recoveries and a blocked punt...suffered a severely sprained left ankle on the first play of the second quarter in 2005 title game against Tucumcari...played for head coach Charles Gleghorn...PERSONAL...born Jan. 21, 1988, in Las Cruces...age is 18...full name is William Roy Hackey...son of Lynne Jacquez and Don and Ellie Hackey...older sister Erin Hackey Hurguy played basketball at New Mexico State in the mid 1990s...undecided on a major, but is interested in being a firefighter or an emergency medical technician.

Chris Hernandez.....WR.....6-3.....185.....Fr-HS
Las Cruces, N.M. (Mayfield HS)
First team all-state wide receiver who helped Las Cruces Mayfield to the Class 5A state title in 2005...the Trojans were undefeated, finishing 14-0...Hernandez caught 70 passes for 1,084 yards and 10 TDs for an offense that generated more than 4,700 yards and 30 points a game...played for head coach Jim Bradley...second team all-state at free safety as well...also participates in basketball and track... PERSONAL...born Dec. 22, 1987, in Denver, Colo...age is 18...full name is Christopher Guillermo Hernandez...son of Willie Atencio and Connie Hernandez...older sisters, Lilly Hernandez and Rachel Atencio, played basketball in junior college...undecided on a major.

Victor James.....QB.....6-0.....188.....Fr-HS
Denver, Colo. (Montbello HS)
True freshman quarterback who came to UNM as walk-on before the 2005 fall semester, but was placed on scholarship prior to the current term so he is a counter in the 2006 recruiting class...HIGH SCHOOL...a 2005 graduate of Denver Montbello where he was honorable mention all-league as a senior...threw for more than 1,600 yards...played for head coach Oliver Lucas...a member of the school's 4 x 200-meter relay team that took first in state in 2005...also on the Honor Roll...PERSONAL...born May 23, 1987, in Aurora, Colo...age is 18...full name is Victor C. James...son of Victor and Valerie...parents are both teachers...father was a wingback at the University of Colorado, lettering in 1980-81, and was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the 10th round in 1982...older cousin Vernon Wells plays centerfield for the Toronto Blue Jays...will probably major in Education.

Jerome Jenkins.....S.....5-11.....195.....Fr-HS
Houston, Texas (Kempner HS)
Jenkins is getting a jump on college life after graduating from high school a semester early...he's currently enrolled at UNM and participating in drills...comes from the same high school as former Lobo TB Winslow Oliver...HIGH SCHOOL...three-year defensive letterman for head coach Mike Ferrell...first team all-district outside linebacker as a senior when he had 112 tackles and 10 sacks...also played running back and defensive back during his prep career and he spent two years on the basketball team...PERSONAL...born Aug. 10, 1987, in Houston...age is 18...full name is Jerome Anthony Jenkins...son of Jason and Cathy Jones...undecided on a major.

Nicky Lawson.....WR.....6-2.....175.....Fr-HS
Albuquerque, N.M. (Manzano HS)
First team all-state defensive back and honorable mention all-state receiver as a senior at Manzano...49 total tackles and 4 interceptions on defense...caught 39 passes for 579 yards and 8 TDs on offense...a two-year starter at receiver for head coach and former Lobo Aaron Ocampo...the Monarchs were 6-6 and district champs last year...Lawson will run sprints for the track team in the spring...PERSONAL...born Apr. 28, 1988, in Albuquerque...age is 17...full name is Nicholas Ryan Lawson...son of Robert and Elva...undecided on a major.

Michael Love.....RB.....5-10.....205.....Fr-HS
Rio Rancho, N.M. (Rio Rancho HS)
Gatorade Player of the Year for the state of New Mexico...first team all-state running back who gained 1,954 yards on 257 carries and scored 25 TDs last fall...the Rams were 8-3 and advanced to the playoffs before losing to Alamogordo...also honorable mention all-state as a junior...a starter at free safety his first two years...played for head coach Phil Lopez...wrestles in the 215-lb. class and is a sprinter for the track team...a 3.3 GPA, Love reads to elementary students and has been a speaker for Red Ribbon Week, a drug-prevention program...PERSONAL...born Nov. 13, 1987, at Centralia, Ill...age is 18...full name is Michael Allan Love...son of Norman and Theresa Hood...probably major in Education...would like to coach.

Brett Madsen.....LB.....6-2.....221.....Jr-Tr
Mt. Pleasant, Utah (Snow College)
Second team all-Western States linebacker last year at Snow College in Ephraim, Utah...had 100 tackles, 10 sacks and 20 tackles for loss...Defensive MVP of the Top of the Mountains Bowl in the 17-14 win over Butler...the Badgers finished 10-2 and No. 8 in the final national poll...played two years for head coach Titan Trimble...HIGH SCHOOL...a 2004 graduate of North Sanpete HS in Mt. Pleasant...decorated running back and linebacker...all-state on offense, gaining more than 2,300 yards rushing in three years on the varsity...180 tackles his last two years...played for head coach Mark Wootton...also lettered in basketball, baseball and track...PERSONAL...born Jan. 17, 1986, in Mt. Pleasant...age is 19...full name is Brett Tyrell Madsen...son of Paul and Renee...has four brothers and one sister...undecided about a major.

Jermaine McQueen.....WR.....6-2.....180.....Jr-Tr
Raleigh, N.C. (Palomar College)
Transfer who will enroll at UNM in the fall...second team All-Mission Conference American Division pick last year when he caught 28 passes for 535 yards and 6 TDs...Palomar teammate and tight end Clayton Cardenas also signed with UNM while current Lobo tight end John Mulchrone played for the Comets in 2003-04...played for head coach Joe Early...did not attend school the first year out of high school so he has a redshirt year available...HIGH SCHOOL...a 2003 graduate of Raleigh Cardinal Gibbons...three-year starter at wide receiver and defensive back...all-state in the defensive secondary as a sophomore and all-state receiver as a senior...played for head coach Wayne Stewart...also North Carolina state champion in the 100 and 200 meters his junior and senior seasons (2002-03)...PERSONAL...born July 13, 1984, in Reiten, Germany...age is 21...full name is Erwin Jermaine McQueen...son of Ervin and Pearlie...father is retired Air Force...has one brother and sister...interested in Anthropology as a major.

Jerrell Miller.....CB.....5-9.....165.....Fr-HS
Albuquerque, N.M. (Highland HS)
First name is pronounced ja-rell...a three-year starter in the secondary for the Hornets, a safety in 2003 and cornerback in 2004-05...also started at running back his final two seasons...first team all-district and honorable mention cornerback for head coach Judge Chavez last fall...made 80 tackles and scored 7 TDs on offense as a junior...highly-acclaimed sprinter, winning state titles in the 100, long jump and 4 x 200-meter relay his junior season...best times are 10.3 in the 100 and 21.3 in the 200...best long jump is 23-4...currently ranks in the national prep top-10 in the indoor 60 meters at 6.89...PERSONAL...born Sept. 3, 1987, in Albuquerque...age is 18...full name is Jerrell LaMar Miller...son of Gregory and Caroline...dad played football at Texas Tech...older sister, Chevronne, is a sprinter at New Mexico State...Jerrell collects coins and Super Bowl patches, and he has all but two...interested in Pre-Med and possibly a career in athletic training.

Glover Quin.....CB.....5-10.....200.....Soph-Tr
Summit, Miss. (Southwest Mississippi CC)
Transfer who enrolled at UNM in January after spending two seasons at Southwest Mississippi CC in Summit, Miss...40 tackles, 8 deflections, 2 interceptions and a TD last year for head coach Dom Green...has three years of eligibility...broke his right arm the second game of the 2004 season and missed the remainder of the year...HIGH SCHOOL...a 2004 graduate of North Pike HS in Summit...four-year letterman in football and basketball, and he was the Jaguars' team MVP in both sports as a senior...totaled 2,552 rushing yards, 224 tackles and 13 interceptions in his prep career...played for head coach Adam Barron...received the U.S. Army Scholar-Athlete Award...PERSONAL...born Jan. 15, 1986, in McComb, Miss...age is 20...full name is Glover Freeman Quin Jr...son of Glover and Annie...has three sisters...interested in Business Administration as a major.

T.J . Radzilowski.....LB.....6-0.....228.....Fr-HS
Germantown, Md. (Seneca Valley HS)
Last name is pronounced RAZ-uh-lau-ski...three-year starter who was first team all-county, second team all-metro, district MVP and second team all-state defender following his senior year...70 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 3 forced fumbles and a sack...spent most of his time as a stand-up defensive end, but also played linebacker, strong safety, fullback, tailback, quarterback and was the Screaming Eagles punter...played for head coach Fred Kim...also lettered three years in basketball...runs the indoor 55 meters, plus a member of the 4 x 200 relay team and throws the shot put for the track team...Germantown is a Baltimore suburb... PERSONAL...born March 7, 1988, in Washington, D.C...age is 17...full name is Tarome Radzilowski...son of Denise Radzilowski...undecided on a major.

Frankie Solomon.....DB.....5-9.....166.....Fr-HS
Dallas, Texas (South Oak Cliff HS)
First team all-district safety last fall at South Oak Cliff...had 3 interceptions for head coach J.B. Wallace...plays basketball, too...an "A" student since his freshman year and he has a 3.77 cumulative grade-point-average...spent his first three years at Wilmer-Hutchins High School...first team all-district safety as a junior with 66 tackles and 3 picks...also a three-year starter and all-district centerfielder in baseball, a two-year starter on the basketball team and district champion in the triple jump...PERSONAL...born Nov. 24, 1987, in Philadelphia, Pa...age is 18...full name is Frankie Solomon Jr...son of Melissa Neugent...stepfather is David Smith...has a younger brother, Quintell, who is a sophomore in high school...stepbrother David Smith Jr., played football at Arkansas-Pine Bluff...interested in Architecture or Civil Engineering as a major.

Matt Streid.....OL....6-3.....320.....Jr-Tr
Northridge, Calif. (Moorpark College)
Last name is pronounced "stride"...offensive lineman who enrolled at UNM in January...60 pancake blocks last season when he was the offensive team captain of the year at Moorpark...played for head coach Jim Bittner...spent the 2004 season at the College of the Canyons in Santa Clarita, Calif...the Cougars were 14-0 and state champs...has a redshirt year available...HIGH SCHOOL...a 2004 graduate of Granada Hills (Calif.) HS, the same school that produced John Elway and former Lobo QB Jeremy Leach...Streid was a two-time first team all-city and all-league offensive lineman...111 pancakes in 2002-03, plus 142 tackles and 14 sacks from his defensive line position...also a member of the Honor Roll with a 3.5 GPA...PERSONAL...born May 30, 1986, in Granada Hills...age is 19...full name is Matthew Byron Streid...son of Mark and Angie...father is a personal trainer...has one brother and two sisters...interested in Physical Science as a major.

Derek Tallent.....OL.....6-4.....320.....Fr-HS
North Richland Hills, Texas (Richland HS)
Two-year starter at offensive guard...had his senior year cut to just four games after suffering a season-ending knee injury...still made honorable mention all-district...played for head coach Gene Weir...also tosses the shot put and discus for the Rebels' track team...PERSONAL...born Apr. 30, 1988, in North Richland Hills...age is 17...full name is Derek Glenn Tallent...son of Ron and Gina...older sister Tiffany is a senior at the University of Houston where she plays the flute in the school band...Derek is interested in Business or Exercise Science as a major...would like to be a personal trainer or own his own gym.

Amadeus Waters.....RB.....5-10.....220.....Fr-HS
Kyle, Texas (Hays HS)
Rated the 54th-best running back in the nation by ESPN.com...converted fullback who carried the ball for the first time as a senior...198 carries for 1,600 yards and 31 TDs plus 230 receiving yards and 2 TDs for the Class 5A school located between Austin and San Antonio...first team All-District 16-5A, 5A Texas Football.com CenTex MVP and Texas Football.com third team All-Texas...led the Rebels to a 10-2 record in 2005...played for head coach Bob Shelton...spent his freshman year at Hays then sophomore and junior seasons at San Antonio Madison before going back to Hays before his senior year...played fullback and running back when he was at Madison...PERSONAL...born Oct. 30, 1987, in Austin, Texas...age is 18...full name is Amadeus Flores Waters...son of Christine Flores and Johnny Waters...interested in Child Development as a major because he enjoys working with kids.

<Greyson Wieczorek.....LB.....6-3.....210.....Fr-HS
Albuquerque, N.M. (La Cueva HS)
Last name is pronounced wa-ZORE-ik...a three-year defensive starter, Greyson was an all-metro, all-district and second team all-state linebacker as a senior despite missing three and a half games with a sprained ankle...had 29 tackles for the Bears...also second team all-metro tight end with 10 receptions...La Cueva was undefeated state champs in 2003 and '04...went 10-3 last year before falling in the state semifinals to Las Cruces Mayfield...played for head coach Fred Romero...also plays basketball...PERSONAL...born June 29, 1988, in Dallas, Texas...age is 17...full name is Greyson Jordan Wieczorek...son of Andy and Melinda (step-mother), and Barbara...father is an Albuquerque Del Norte HS graduate and a Lobo letterman (LB) from 1976-78...a 1980 UNM graduate in Business, Andy is part-owner of a fabrication shop that specializes in ornamental irons...Greyson is interested in Business as a major.

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