Eck, Booker named to preseason award watch lists

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Two Lobos landed on a pair of watch lists Tuesday.

New Mexico linebacker Jaxton Eck and defensive lineman Brian Booker were named to preseason watch lists for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and Outland Trophy, respectively, the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) announced Tuesday.

The Bronko Nagurski Trophy is awarded annually to the national collegiate defensive player of the year.

The Outland Trophy is given to the best interior lineman – offense or defense – in college football.

Both are selected and presented in part by the FWAA.

The 6-foot-1, 228-pound Eck was named Mountain West Preseason Defensive Player of the Year earlier this summer after making 128 total tackles (65 solo) last season with the Lobos. The incoming senior was also named to the Allstate American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Good Works team, recognizing student-athletes and coaches making an impact through “community service, academic achievement and leadership.”

Eck is the first Lobo to be named to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list since Carmen Messina in 2010.

The 6-3, 330-pound Booker was named preseason All-Mountain West in July after making 19 tackles and 1.5 sacks last season with UNM. The incoming fifth-year senior is the first Lobo to be named to the Outland Trophy watch list since Teton Saltes in 2020.

Finalists for the Outland Trophy and Bronko Nagurski Trophy will be announced on Nov. 18 and 19, respectively.

Receiving votes

UNM received four votes in Tuesday’s US LBM Coaches Poll, the first installment of the weekly college football top 25 selected by head coaches across the country.

The Lobos received the fifth-most votes of any Group of Six team, trailing Boise State (24), UNLV (17), Memphis (9) and James Madison (6). Western Michigan (3), Navy (3), San Diego State (2), Hawaii (1) and Jacksonville State (1) also received votes.

Ballots for voting coaches have not been made public. UNM head coach Jason Eck is listed as a voter in this year’s poll.

Sean Reider covers college football and other sports for the Journal. You can reach him at sreider@abqjournal.com or via X at @lenaweereider.

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