Nate Jones, UNM’s prized running back set to make his 2022 debut on Friday night against Boise State (0-1), hasn’t played for the Lobos since Dec. 12, 2020.
That was when he ended his freshman season with 22 yards and two touchdowns on eight carries in helping UNM to a 49-39 upset of Fresno State in Las Vegas, Nevada, where the Lobos stayed during the coronavirus-shortened season.
Since then, Jones experienced much more than a quirky recruitment that saw him commit to UCLA, decommit to the Bruins and nearly land with USC, only to fall into UNM coach Danny Gonzales’ lap.