Ahead of year two, Jason Eck and Lobos ready for youth movement with ‘26 recruits

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 26: Head coach Jason Eck of the New Mexico Lobos looks on before the 2025 Rate Bowl against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Chase Field on December 26, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Golden Gophers defeated the Lobos 20-17 in overtime. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images

ALBUQUERQUE – “You thought you were going to Prom and now you’re in these workouts with Coach Heim, and he’s getting after you pretty good.”

Trading in tuxedos for workout gear was a reality for some Lobos during this spring practice session, as they graduated early from high school to join Jason Eck’s football team ahead of schedule.

Spring scrimmages may not be as glamorous as the dance floor, but it follows along with Eck’s philosophy, which he brought into the building since day one: prioritizing high school talent, especially in-state.

“I believe in high school young men, and I think there’s going to be some rule changes that give you more flexibility with scholarships that I think is gonna give us an opportunity to recruit more New Mexico guys,” Eck said in his 2024 introductory press conference. “Maybe they’re not as polished as some guys from the Phoenix metro area or the Dallas metro area. But they have pride and passion for being from New Mexico, they can add to the culture.”

16 months later, those additions were felt at the spring Cherry and Silver scrimmage, with incoming freshman linebacker Hayes Baum sniffing out a run to the right at the one-yard line for a safety.

“I couldn’t ask for a better spring,” Baum said. “Being able to get in there and learn from all the veterans and all the coaching staff has been really huge for me. Getting in there early, taking the time to really soak it all in, and just learning as much as I can from everybody.”

Baum is one of several spring participants who were playing high school football just months ago, as the former Cibola High School standout was making the same type of tackles just 10 minutes up the road for the Cougars last fall.