Roberts first LB in UNM ’21 class
Clovis’ Phillips confirms choice
JD Roberts loves football, and most of all, playing linebacker.
Roberts, who announced via Twitter Tuesday morning that he has committed to play at the University of New Mexico in 2021, wants to play for the Lobos because he said they want him to play linebacker.
Roberts, 6-foot-2, 230 pounds, from Notre Dame Prep in Scottsdale, Arizona, is the 18th player to commit to the Lobos for 2021 and the first linebacker in the class.
“Honestly, I just like the physicality of playing linebacker,” said Roberts, whose initials stand for James David. “I love running downhill, filling the hole, making someone hurt.”
Roberts also played fullback and defensive end for NDP, where he recorded 73 total tackles.
Northern Arizona also offered a scholarship. Arizona State and Stanford showed interest, but not as much for him to play linebacker, Roberts said.
“Overall I thought New Mexico for me was a package deal,” Roberts said. “I really like the coaching staff and coach (Danny) Gonzales. I love how they are committed to building a winning program, turning everything around and building a new culture.”
Roberts is the third UNM commit from Arizona, joining quarterback Bear Milacek (6-3, 210 pounds) from Boulder Creek High in Anthem, and Andrell Barney Jr. (5-11, 185) a cornerback from Basha High in Chandler.
The Arizona connection
comes from Gonzales, who last worked at Arizona State as the defensive coordinator and assistant head coach and at UNM hired Jordan Somerville, the Lobos’ recruiting director and running backs coach who also had worked at ASU.
ON SECOND THOUGHT: Jaden Phillips, the 6-2, 240-pound standout defensive end from Clovis High, reopened his recruitment on July 25, announcing via Twitter, after he had committed to the Lobos in May.
But on Monday night, Phillips got back on board with the Lobos and re-committed to UNM to rejoin the 2021 class.
“Basically what it came down to was me just being real to myself,” Phillips said on Tuesday. “I tried to picture myself at another school and I couldn’t. That’s when I knew I messed up. UNM is where I want to be. I had a talk with coach Gonzales and re-committed.”
Phillips said he learned a great deal about himself through the recruiting process, and the lesson reaffirmed his love for the Lobos.
“De-committing and not being committed to UNM made me realize that I wanted to be at
UNM,” he said. “It’s weird that it happened that way. I’m happy that I’m going to be playing for UNM.”
Phillips is among four from New Mexico who have committed to UNM for 2021, joining wide receiver Luke Wysong (5-10, 170, Cleveland High, Rio Rancho), defensive end Ja’Shon Lowery (6-5, 230, La Cueva High) and offensive lineman Larry Luna (6-5, 260, Goddard, Roswell).