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On the third day, there were pads. 

New Mexico donned full pads for the first time this spring during Monday’s practice, the third of the Lobos’ 15 scheduled practices under second-year head coach Jason Eck. 

One standout, one takeaway and notes from Monday’s practice: 

One standout: CB Eric McClain 

In a previous story, it was noted that McClain was listed on UNM’s roster as a safety. But the 6-foot, 181-pound Ball State transfer is, in fact, playing cornerback, and making a substantial impact there through his first three practices as a Lobo. 

One notable play from Monday: During a team period, wide receiver Shawn Miller caught a deflected pass near the sideline and ran into a group of defenders — only for McClain to run out with the ball in his hands, and those same defenders celebrating wildly when they saw what happened. 

“I saw the ball and just instantly went and grabbed it. Just took it out of someone’s hands,” McClain shrugged. 

McClain has been one of UNM’s more physical defensive backs to this point — something he prides himself on — and seems to play with a pretty good edge. Consider him one of UNM’s top four corners (at least to this point) along with Frankie Edwards III, Jahmir Torres and Cincinnati transfer Ormanie Arnold. 

“McClain’s doing a really good job,” Eck said. “He’s gonna be a good player for us.” 

One update: Could Jack Layne return this spring? ‘Maybe’

After missing nearly all of last spring with an elbow injury, quarterback Jack Layne said it felt pretty good during fall camp — so when did he start having issues again? 

He said it went all the way back to warmups ahead of UNM’s 35-10 win over UCLA on Sept. 12. 

“I threw a fade (before the UCLA game) and it just started hurting again,” he said Monday. “It was really hurting there towards the end of the season.” 

During a clean-up procedure in December, surgeons found Layne had a completely torn common flexor tendon, something that surprised both the player and his doctors. The tendon has been fixed, however, and Layne said he’s “dying” to get back on the field — it just might not come during spring. 

Then again, it might. 

“Maybe,” Layne said when asked if he might be able to return for spring practice. “It’s feeling good. If I keep progressing … and if it works out, it works out.” 

����������ϼ�, notes and observations

HAMMER: The winner of Monday’s hammer, awarded to whoever Eck deems the player of the practice? Defensive tackle Jalen McIver, who was actually bumped off UNM’s first-team defensive line after spending much of the first two practices on it. 

“He didn’t go with the first group today, but I thought he responded well and competed, and had a good attitude about it,” Eck said. 

Interior defensive linemen have won the hammer after two of three practices; Brian Booker claimed the honor following UNM’s spring opener Friday. 

AT TACKLE: A one-on-one that caught my eye Monday: left tackle Cole Millward vs. defensive end Darren Agu. The 6-6, 275-pound Millward completely stood up Agu — one of the more impressive players on the roster at 6-6, 244 pounds — when the offensive and defensive lines drilled together, and Agu clearly wanted another shot. 

He’ll get it in some fashion soon: Millward is looking like he could very well be the guy at left tackle. Consider him the early frontrunner for that spot, one vacated after Malik Aliane was moved back to left guard. 

INACTIVE: The list of inactive players Monday, as observed by the Journal: safety Austin Brawley, defensive end Elijah Brody, wide receiver Troy Omeire, tight end Aldin Bilalbegovic, running back Ty Battle, defensive end John Sierra and wide receiver Kader Diop. 

A little more on Omeire: The 6-4, 215-pound UNLV transfer is expected to miss the rest of spring, but did get a little work in catching passes (no jumping or running, though) from UNM’s quarterbacks Monday. 

FIRST PITCH: With the whole team in attendance, Eck is throwing out the first pitch at the Isotopes’ opener on Tuesday night. He has not committed to a pitch grip yet. 

“I guess I shouldn’t overthink it,” said Eck, who’s already thrown out first pitches at UNM baseball and softball games. “Someone asked me about that the other day, one of the other coaches — he said, ‘how you holding the ball?’ I said I don’t wanna overthink it. 

“Just grip it and rip it.” 

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