Lobos Name Four Proven Leaders as Captains for Season Opener against the “Chipps”
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Malik Aliane, Jaxton Eck, Brian Booker and Austin Brawley will take New Mexico onto the field to play against Central Michigan.
For Saturday night’s season opener against Central Michigan, the New Mexico Lobos have named offensive lineman Malik Aliane, linebacker Jaxton Eck, defensive tackle Brian Booker and safety Austin Brawley as captains.
Head coach Jason Eck and his coaching staff made those choices. Last season, all four of the players were experienced veterans who helped New Mexico win nine games and secure a bowl berth.
More significantly, they demonstrate the toughness, consistency, and «Championship Behavior» the coaching staff wants to see throughout the program.
Game Information
Who: Central Michigan Chippewas at New Mexico Lobos
When: Saturday, Sept. 5
Kickoff: 8 p.m. MT
Where: University Stadium, Albuquerque
TV: FS1
Four Leaders Who Set the Standard
Of the four captains, Malik Aliane is the only offensive player, yet his selection underscores the importance of leadership at the front of the line.
Head coach Jason Eck highlights the intensity and leadership that senior offensive lineman Malik Aliane brings to the Lobo football team.
Last season, the fifth-year lineman played in all the games, spending most of his time at left tackle and seeing time at left guard.
Because of his versatility, reliability, and readiness to play wherever needed, he has become one of the offense’s most trusted veterans. He was also named to the 2026 preseason All-Mountain West team.
Since Jack Layne has suffered a season-ending injury and the Lobos are about to begin with a new quarterback, Aliane’s experience becomes even more valuable.
New Mexico will need a solid offensive line to build its running game and help the new quarterback get up to speed.
Jaxton Eck was the most obvious choice. As the senior linebacker, he is the current Mountain West Co-Defensive Player of the Year and was named the conference’s preseason Defensive Player of the Year.
Last season, he recorded 129 tackles, ranking 10th in the nation, and was named a Third-Team All-American and a First-Team Academic All-American.
His leadership extends beyond football; Jaxton has participated in numerous community-service activities and serves as a role model for the kind of behavior the program expects from its players both on and off the field.
Brian Booker is providing the Lobos with another strong, experienced leader in the middle of their defense and was a great choice as team captain as well.
Last season, the 6-foot-3, 330-pound defensive tackle appeared in 11 games and earned honorable-mention All-Mountain West honors.
He totaled 19 tackles, three tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and one fumble recovery, and was involved in New Mexico’s production of one of the nation’s most improved rushing defenses.
Austin Brawley completes the defensive captain group and should therefore establish the standard for the Lobos.
Although he missed much of last season due to injury, the experienced safety led the team in interceptions and was named Mountain West Defensive Player of the Week twice.
He is currently on the Jim Thorpe Award watch list as one of the top defensive backs in the country. He is one of the Lobo players who has a knack for making big plays and is always at the right place at the right time to make them.
The offensive line, the defensive front, the linebacker unit, and the secondary are all represented by these four captains.
The Right Leaders for Opening Night
These four captains represent every level of the Lobos’ foundation: the offensive line, defensive front, linebacker corps, and secondary.
They are talented players, but captaincy is about more than statistics. It is about preparation, accountability, and earning teammates’ trust. Aliane, Eck, Booker, and Brawley have demonstrated those qualities throughout their time at New Mexico.
As the Lobos begin a season filled with championship expectations, Coach Eck and his staff have named four veterans who understand what it took to rebuild the program—and what it will take to move it forward.
When New Mexico takes the field Saturday night, these are the right four players to lead the way.
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