soccerNM.com

Albuquerque; St. Pius
D/MF
Classic FC Gladiators
6-foot, 4-inches, 190 pounds

"Nick was able to control the middle of the field for us. I was impressed with what he was able to do against the backline of Fort Lewis, a quality team. He carries himself with confidence and he should be ready to step on the field right away." St. Pius coach Ron Allen

Albuquerque; La Cueva
MF
Classic FC Gladiators
6-foot, 2-inches, 180 pounds

"Josh has good feet. He has good instincts and he plays like a smaller guy. He's just the nicest kid in the world. He's going to turn into a great one for us." UNM coach Jeremy Fishbein

Fort Collins, Colo.; Poudre
F
Colorado Rapids USSF Development Academy Program
5-foot, 8-inches, 150 pounds

"James is a real dynamic player. He's got tremendous speed. He's a scoring threat. He can get behind the defense. He can combine. He's the full package." UNM coach Jeremy Fishbein

Adelaide, Australia; Hallett Cove
MF/D
Cumberland United FC
6-foot, 175 pounds

"He's already played with and against men so he will quickly adjust to the physical aspect and the speed of play. He's a great student and he's a leader." UNM coach Jeremy Fishbein

Castle Rock, Colo.; Douglas County
MF/D
Cumberland United FC
Real Colorado USSF Development Academy
5-foot, 9-inches, 160 pounds

"He can play either on the left or the right. He can play at fullback or in the midfield. I think Dustin can be a very special player. In the last year, he's really blown up. He's added elements to his game. He's an exciting player." UNM coach Jeremy Fishbein

Boras, Sweden; Sven Eriksonsgymasiet
MF/D
Byttorp FC
6-foot, 2-inches, 185 pounds

"He brings an element to our team that we need to have. He has intensity, toughness and the ability to compete against anyone. He's a big kid. He moves well. We see him playing in the center as a central midfielder or central defender." UNM coach Jeremy Fishbein.

Tempe, Ariz.; Corona
D
Real Salt Lake USSF Development Academy
6-foot, 2-inches, 185 pounds

"He's an interesting guy. He has a special left foot and he's quick. He came to our camp last summer and really lit it up. The kid has some tools and in the last year he's really blossomed. He's gotten stronger." UNM coach Jeremy Fishbein

By Glen Rosales
soccerNM.com Editor

ALBUQUERQUE -- When New Mexico coach Jeremy Fishbein and his staff start weeding through the list of players the Lobos want to attract, he wants to see more than special traits on the field.

He's also looking for some specific traits off of it.

"We want a great student," Fishbein said. "We want somebody who's looking forward to getting a degree and excelling."

In addition, the coach wants to see how the prospective recruit interacts with his teammates, his coaches and his family.

"We want to know what kind of family values he has," Fishbein said. "That's important. Are they thinking about the team or themselves. We want guys who are going to be looking at the team goals as number one."

Since New Mexico is the only D-I men's program in the state, playing for UNM takes on added responsibility, he noted.

"We want guys who are excited to represent the university," Fishbein said. "When you play here, you represent the entire state."

So building the process is not as simple as pulling the best talent willing to play at New Mexico.

"I think we have those kinds of players on the team right now," the coach said. "And I think the seven guys joining us show the same value. They're going to be a pleasure to work with on a daily basis."