Future Lobos

UNM football reeling in recruits for 2021

Jaden Phillips, a 6-foot-2, 240-pound defensive end from Clovis High, committed to the University of New Mexico to play football for the Lobos in 2021, he announced on Twitter on Friday night.

Phillips made it 12 commitments for UNM’s 2021 class, and three are from New Mexico.

Benji Johnson, a 6-3, 195-pound wide receiver from Hooks High in Texas, committed to the Lobos on Thursday via Twitter. He is the seventh recruit from Texas in the 2021 class thus far.

Phillips announced that he had an offer from UNM on Wednesday.

“After I talked to my grandparents, I told them that I didn’t want to go too far from home

and that it was a good school,” Phillips said during a phone interview Friday night. “I will be playing D-I, at the highest level. It was a good opportunity so I had to jump on it.”

Shortly after Phillips announced his commitment, former NFL wide receiver Hank Baskett, who starred at Clovis High and UNM, retweeted Phillips’ tweet.

Baskett also posted a message with the retweet: “Hell yeah !!!!!! @UNMLoboFB is getting another animal on the D-line!”

Phillips was excited about Baskett’s message.

“That was pretty crazy,” Phillips said. “I was like ‘Wow.’”

Phillips recorded 42 tackles, 10½ for losses, to go with four sacks as a junior for Clovis.

Commitments are not binding, and coaches cannot comment on the particular recruits.

“I chose UNM because of the family-like atmosphere,” Johnson said in a text message. “I felt like it was a great fit for me. They also provide a great education and that was one of the main things I was looking for.”

The Lobos have not received a 2021 commitment from a quarterback.