Saltes, Dyer hoping for opportunity

OL, punter say they are ready for NFL

If the NFL draft ends on Saturday without former University of New Mexico players Teton Saltes and Tyson Dyer hearing their names as selections they remain confident they can gain an opportunity to earn a spot on an NFL team.

Saltes, an offensive lineman from Valley High, improved his stock with a stellar pro day on March 11. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.94 seconds, recorded a vertical jump of 30½ inches and a broad jump of 8 feet, 9 inches.

“I believe in myself 100 percent,” said Saltes, who played right tackle for the Lobos. “I know whether I’m drafted or not, whoever picks me up they’re going to be getting a steal. I think I can be a really special player in this league. It might not be the first year, but as long as I get in there and show them what I’m capable of doing I think I’m going to be a really good player for whoever picks me up.”

Saltes is also special off the field. In January, he gained national attention for winning the Danny Wuerffel Trophy, the award presented to the Football Bowl Subdivision player who best combines exemplary community service with leadership achievement on and off the field.

Saltes, who is now in South Dakota, helped distribute food and medicine for his native Oglala Lakota tribe last summer when the tribe was dealing with the coronavirus pandemic. He has also been highly involved in community service that includes suicide prevention, children literacy and bullying.

At the pro day, Saltes raised just over $3,500 after completing 22 repetitions of 225 pounds on the bench press. The money went to Uplifting Athletes. Its mission is to inspire the Rare Disease Community with hope through sport.

Dyer, a 28-year-old Australian punter, didn’t have the greatest of performances at the UNM Pro Day. But he believes he can play on the pro level. He punts at least three times a week and lifts weights six times a week in Albuquerque. He also continues to train and gain advice from his personal coach, former NFL punter Darren Bennett.

“I’ve been talking with my agent and a realistic approach would be anticipating an undrafted free agent contract or a mini-camp invite, which to me is all I really need,” Dyer said. “I just want to find a way to get an opportunity to compete for a starting job.”