Mountain West media days: NCAA Football 25 ratings, new Lobos transfers and more

Jul. 10—LAS VEGAS — Does a second-to-last selection in the Mountain West preseason media poll mean anything?

"No," New Mexico wide receiver Luke Wysong said of the Lobos' preseason poll ranking on Wednesday at Circa Resort and Casino. "I don't care."

"Does it mean anything to us? I felt like we already knew what it was gonna be," UNM defensive end Gabriel Lopez added. "And already talked about this like, since Coach (Bronco Mendenhall) got here: We're gonna be the underdogs.

"And that's what they think of us. That doesn't have any effect on what we believe we can do, what we can't."

So, if not that, what does matter?

It's in the game

If the questions — and answers — levied during day one of Mountain West Media Days indicated anything, it was video game ratings.

Nine days ahead of release, EA Sports released its first batch of player ratings for NCAA Football 25, perhaps the most feverishly anticipated video game in years. Just two Mountain West players were rated in the top 100: Colorado State wide receiver Tory Horton (96 receptions for 1,136 yards and eight touchdowns in 2023) and Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty (220 carries for 1,330 yards and 14 touchdowns).

Both were rated at 91 overall out of 100; for comparison, Michigan running back Donovan Edwards, Oklahoma linebacker Danny Stutsman and Georgia left guard Dylan Fairchild received the same rating, while Michigan cornerback Will Johnson, Oklahoma State running back Ollie Gordon II and LSU left tackle Will Campbell all received a 96 rating, the highest in the game.

"It's nice to see," said Horton, a preseason All-Mountain West selection who admitted he thought he'd have a lower rating. "Kinda showing the world and NCAA that we have talent in the Mountain West — you can't just try to overlook the Mountain West because of the conference ... I feel like there should a (few) more Mountain West guys in those top rankings."

However, another Mountain West player — a receiver no less — was less than pleased he didn't earn a nod in the top 100.

"I feel really disrespected honestly ... But at the end of the day, it's a game," UNLV wide receiver Ricky White said on Wednesday. "I can't really complain — I will showcase that I am the best receiver in the nation this year. That's all I can say, I'm not really too focused on how a game rates me."

But would his snub be enough for the third-team All-American with 88 receptions for 1,483 yards and eight touchdowns to not play the game when it does release?

Not quite.

"I'm still gonna play the game," White said. "Of course ... at the end of the day, I did feel like that was crazy to not have me as one of the top 100 receivers in the game. But it's a game at the end."

And with at least a small sample size to work with, what did Lopez and Wysong (who both said they opted into the game) think they would be rated?

"(White's snub) is showing that they're not gonna give no respect to the Mountain West," Lopez said. "If I'm being realistic, I'll say they got me at like a 75."

"They're probably gonna put me in the 60s," Wysong joked at first. "... I gotta at least be in the 80s. Or something higher than a 75, hopefully."

Roster additions

As is custom, UNM's first media guide of the season was released at media days with an updated roster. Ten new names — seven incoming freshmen and three junior college transfers — were listed: — DL Dante Bond, Fr. (Millville, Utah) — CB Devin Costello, Fr. (Braidwood, Illinois) — TE Jackson Epes, Fr. (Dallas) — LB Colby Brewer, Fr. (Lynchburg, Virginia) — LS Hyrum Hatch, So. (Snow College/Buffalo, Wyoming) — QB James Laubstein, Jr. (Sussex County Community College/Bethany, Connecticut) — LB Hyrum McCarter, Fr. (San Antonio, Texas) — K Adrian Meelsio, Jr. (Delta Junior College/Patterson, California) — OL Nico Rivera, Fr. (San Antonio, Texas) — LB Blake Tabaracci, Fr. (Park City, Utah)

Perhaps the single most intriguing name on this list? Brewer, 29, a Brookville (Virginia) High School graduate who spent 2015-2024 with Navy Special Operations as an explosive ordnance disposal technician. His primary function in that role was disarming bombs and improvised explosive devices.

Despite just entering his first year of college, the 6-foot-4, 233-pound Brewer joins the Lobos with three years of eligibility remaining.

"(He brings) a lot of knowledge," Wysong said when asked about Brewer. "Because he's so much older, (he has more) wisdom, maturity. I think he's gonna be good for us — he's obviously strong, he's been in the forces."

Also included in the media guide: UNM is set to start fall camp on July 24, one of its earliest starts in years thanks to their Week 0 game against Montana State.