The New Mexico Lobos are facing uncertainty regarding the return of their fifth-year quarterback, Jack Layne, as head coach Jason Eck confirmed on Monday that a timeline for his recovery from an elbow injury remains unclear.
Layne, who missed all of spring practice due to offseason surgery to repair a torn tendon in his elbow, has been present at all five of the Lobos' training sessions this summer. However, he has not been seen throwing with his right arm, a concerning sign as the team prepares for the upcoming season. Earlier this summer, Layne had shown signs of progress, but his current status has left both the coaching staff and fans in a state of uncertainty.
"He’s frustrated with it. Just trying to keep his head up," Eck stated, emphasizing the mental toll the injury has taken on Layne. The coach previously indicated that Layne would be out for the "near future," and he is now preparing for the possibility that Layne may not be available for the Lobos' season opener against Central Michigan on September 5.
In Layne's absence, New Mexico is conducting a competitive battle for the starting quarterback position. The contenders include Oregon transfer Luke Moga, sixth-year senior James Laubstein, and sophomore Toa Fa’avae. Eck described the competition as a "pretty even battle," indicating that no single player has emerged as a clear frontrunner.
With the season opener approaching, Eck plans to name a starting quarterback within two weeks to ensure that the chosen player can gain valuable repetitions with the first-team offense. The coach has been vocal about the need for Moga to rely less on his athleticism and more on his passing skills, while also encouraging Fa’avae to minimize mistakes after a turnover-prone spring.
As fall camp progresses, Eck has noted improvements in both quarterbacks. "Luke’s getting better with that … I certainly don’t want him to not use his legs, it’s just that we want to use that as, you know, a plan B and use your arm as plan A," he explained. He also mentioned that Fa’avae has shown progress in protecting the football, although he still needs to work on his decision-making.
In addition to Layne's injury concerns, the Lobos are also dealing with other injury issues. Wide receiver Troy Omeire is unlikely to return from a hamstring injury this week, which Eck had initially hoped would be a short-term setback. The coach stated, "I don’t know if he’s gonna get back this week – it might be a little bit," indicating that they are being cautious with Omeire's recovery.
Freshman wide receiver D.J. Darling also missed practice due to a hamstring issue, further complicating the Lobos' depth at the position. As the team navigates these challenges, Eck is focused on ensuring that the players are healthy and ready for the season.
In other news, the NCAA has filed an unopposed motion for an extension to respond to defensive end Brett Karhu’s request for a temporary injunction to play this season, with a new deadline set for August 24. Additionally, Eck mentioned that Southern Cal transfer tight end Joey Olsen is making progress in his recovery from an ACL injury and could potentially return this season.
As the Lobos prepare for the upcoming season, the focus remains on the health and readiness of their key players, particularly Layne, as they aim to make a strong start to their campaign.
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