PITTSBURGH, Pa. — Keyshawn James-Newby became New Mexico’s 67th NFL Draft choice when he was selected in the seventh round by the Philadelphia Eagles. The pick was the 36th in the seventh round, and the 252nd overall selection.

He is UNM’s second defensive draft choice in four years, following Jerrick Reed II in 2023, to the Seattle Seahawks in the sixth round.

James-Newby is also the first defensive lineman drafted out of New Mexico since 1973, when the Minnesota Vikings selected Larry Dibbles with the 221st overall pick, which came in the ninth round.

James-Newby, in his only season with UNM, led the Mountain West in sacks with nine, and he was second with 15.0 TFLs. Overall, he recorded 52 tackles, and he added five pass breakups to his 15.0 TFLs. He was named First Team All-Mountain West and Third Team PSFN All-America.

While James-Newby was the only Lobo drafted, two others will be pursuing NFL careers, as Damon Bankston was signed as an undrafted free agent by the New York Giants. Luke Drzewiecki will head to the Baltimore Ravens to take part in their rookie minicamp.

Bankston, in heading to the Giants, will be united with former Lobo kicker Jason Sanders, who was signed as a free agent by New York.

Several former Lobos were selected in the draft or signed. AJ Haulcy, who played one season at UNM and was a Freshman All-America before transferring to Houston and eventually LSU, was selected in the third round (78th overall) by Indianapolis. JC Davis, who played at UNM in 2022 and 2023 before moving on to Illinois for the last two seasons, was selected as an offensive lineman in the sixth round) 192nd overall) by the Giants.

Additionally, former Lobo Luke Wysong was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Minnesota Vikings.

Overall, it gives UNM 13 former players who will be in NFL camps.

Jason Sanders, K, New York Giants
Corey Bojorquez, P, Cleveland Browns
D.Angelo Ross, CB, Cleveland Browns
Jerrick Reed II, S, Tennessee Titans
Byron Matos, OL, Indianapolis Colts**
Dylan Horton, LB, Houston Texans*
Jacory Croskey-Merritt, RB, Washington Commanders*
Keyshawn James-Newby, DE, Philadelphia Eagles
Damon Bankston, RB/KR, New York Giants
Luke Drzewiecki, Baltimore Ravens
JC Davis, OL, New York Giants*
AJ Haulcy, S, Indianapolis Colts*
Luke Wysong, WR, Minnesota Vikings*

*did not finish career at New Mexico
**played basketball at New Mexico, not football