UNM FOOTBALL
Lobos land commitment from JUCO defensive end
Ellis is second College of San Mateo DL to join UNM this year
The Lobos have a little more help on the way.
Transfer defensive end Brayden Ellis committed to New Mexico on Friday via social media, representing the first transfer to commit to the Lobos since winter.
The 6-foot-3, 240-pound sophomore chose UNM over UTSA after making eight total tackles last season at College of San Mateo. Before that, he played one year at City College of San Francisco, where he made 33 total tackles and four sacks in 2024.
Ellis has two years of eligibility remaining.
鈥淏lessed to announce I鈥檝e committed to (UNM)!鈥 he posted Friday on X. 鈥淭hank you to (head coach Jason Eck) and (defensive line coach Hebron Fangupo) for the opportunity! Thankful for my coaches and teammates (at College of San Mateo)!鈥
Blessed to announce I鈥檝e committed to the ! Thank you to and for the opportunity! Thankful for my coach鈥檚 and teammates !
鈥 Brayden Ellis (@Ellis_Brayden13)
A Union City, Calif. native, Ellis prepped at Saint Francis (Calif.) High School. He made 17 total tackles and 1.5 sacks as a senior with the Lancers in 2022.
Ellis joins defensive end Albert Tuakalau as the second College of San Mateo transfer to join the Lobos this year. The 6-5, 235-pound Tuakalau is firmly in the mix to start for UNM after joining the program over the winter.
Ellis also played with former UNM punter Daniel Hughes at City College of San Francisco. Hughes started every game for the Lobos last season before transferring to Florida State.
The Lobos completed spring practice in April and were recently listed by three national sportsbooks as the odds-on favorite to win the Mountain West under Eck, UNM鈥檚 second-year head coach.
UNM has not been favored to win the league since joining in 1999. The program has not won a conference title since winning the WAC in 1964.
Sean Reider covers college football and other sports for the Journal. You can reach him at sreider@abqjournal.com or via X at .