UNM FOOTBALL
Lobos in limbo as players wait to hear about extra eligibility
At least four players are trying to secure another year of eligibility through waivers, litigation
Published
With the sun streaking across University Stadium鈥檚 turf, James Laubstein went through the workout as if it was any other.
Sporting sunglasses and a white hoodie, New Mexico鈥檚 6-foot-3, 211-pound backup quarterback dropped back and ripped passes to receivers as part of the program鈥檚 annual pro day Monday morning. Scouts from 15 NFL teams watched him from the sidelines of his home stadium, took notes and evaluated him as a professional prospect, a rite of passage for hundreds of players who have run out of eligibility.
Despite that, Laubstein made one thing clear when he walked off the field: He wouldn鈥檛 mind throwing a few more passes in University Stadium this fall.
Laubstein is one of a handful of Lobos trying to secure an extra year of eligibility, albeit through slightly different methods and arguments. Some have looked to secure a waiver directly from the NCAA. Others are involved in active litigation, attached to suits .
All, however, are still waiting to hear what might happen next. And few events have made that state of limbo 鈥� preparing for the pros while still holding out for another year 鈥� clearer than Monday鈥檚 proceedings.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 try to worry about it too much. Obviously, it鈥檚 in the back of my head at all times,鈥� Laubstein admitted. 鈥淏ut this (pro day) was a definite thing that was gonna happen.鈥�
A hard-nosed, run-first quarterback who blossomed into a fan favorite, Laubstein appeared in nine games his redshirt senior season last year, seemingly exhausting his remaining eligibility. But after spending two seasons at Sussex County Community College 鈥� a two-year junior college in Newton, New Jersey 鈥� Laubstein contends at least one of those JUCO years shouldn鈥檛 count towards his eligibility.
The argument, of course, has precedent: Vanderbilt quarterback and Albuquerque native Diego Pavia , requesting an injunction that would grant him two more years of eligibility over the organization鈥檚 bylaws regarding junior college player limits.
Pavia was granted the injunction a month later, allowing him to play another year. Hundreds of other former ex-JUCO players who had exhausted their eligibility in 2024 (like UNM defensive end Keyshawn James-Newby) were also granted another season, thanks to a blanket waiver issued by the NCAA.
There are no more blanket waivers, however, as the NCAA tries (and often fails) to get a handle on its player eligibility crisis. Laubstein said the organization has asked him for a clarification on his eligibility situation. He has retained Christian Dennie, a Texas-based attorney specializing in sports law, to meet the NCAA鈥檚 request.
Defensive end Brett Karhu is another player who participated in Monday鈥檚 pro day while trying to notch an extra year of eligibility. The 6-1, 226-pound senior is currently appealing the NCAA鈥檚 dismissal of his waiver request arguing his two years at Division II Oklahoma Baptist shouldn鈥檛 count towards his NCAA eligibility.
If that doesn鈥檛 work, Karhu said he鈥檒l possibly pursue litigation. And like Laubstein, his claim wouldn鈥檛 be a new one 鈥� despite being out of eligibility in the NCAA鈥檚 eyes, Nevada baseball player Noah Blythe was play this season after spending his career at NAIA and Division II institutions.
鈥淚t鈥檚 already been proven a couple things the NCAA does is illegal,鈥� Karhu said.
Two other Lobos are also involved in litigation to try and get another season: safeties Azariah Levells and David Murphy. The two were added to an extension of Pavia鈥檚 original lawsuit in December; the case has since been scheduled to go to trial in February of next year.
Murphy did not participate in Monday鈥檚 pro day. But Levells did, admitting the uncertain circumstances have been frustrating at times.
鈥淚鈥檓 just trying to stay rooted, stay grounded and just understand God鈥檚 gonna have his way,鈥� he said. 鈥淛ust be at peace with the Lord, knowing it's on his time.鈥�
Until then, they鈥檒l have to wait.
鈥淚鈥檓 ready for whatever opportunity is next,鈥� Laubstein said. 鈥淲hatever that may be, it鈥檚 gonna be football. Where, when, how 鈥� I don鈥檛 know. But I鈥檓 gonna be ready for it.鈥�
Sean Reider covers college football and other sports for the Journal. You can reach him at sreider@abqjournal.com or via X at .
