Starting QB Kole McKamey is set, but backup Chris Nelson's arrest may put kink on plans as opener nears.
August 29, 2005
One of the worst days of Chris Nelson's life could turn out to be the luckiest for University of New Mexico teammate Bryan Clampitt.
Nelson, the Lobos' backup quarterback, was charged with misdemeanor drunken driving early Sunday morning. Albuquerque police described him as combative, argumentative and disruptive, prompting officers to pull stun guns on him at one point during the confrontation.
He failed a field sobriety test and refused to take a breath test, so Nelson was arrested and taken to the Metropolitan Detention Center, said Trish Hoffman, an Albuquerque police spokeswoman.
Nelson's license will be revoked because he refused the breath test. If found guilty, he could have to use an ignition interlock device in his car once he begins driving again.
And his status with the UNM football team remains unresolved.
Head coach Rocky Long said he will wait until talking with Nelson before making decisions about the junior college transfer's status with the team.
However, if Long's history of team discipline holds, Nelson won't play against UNLV.
That means Clampitt, whom teammates affectionately nicknamed "Jed," could move up to second-string quarterback.
It's a serious development, because New Mexico coaches likely will look to protect starter Kole McKamey after his string of concussion problems that crippled the offense last season. The Rebels are rebuilding, opening the door to a potential blowout and playing time for the backup quarterback.
Clampitt might get the call. If he does, it would be the culmination of plenty of hard work.
As a redshirt freshman walk-on last season, Clampitt ran the scout team and was a target for the Lobos defense. He devoted his time to learning the opponents' offense and quietly helping his teammates improve by taking plenty of lumps.
Clampitt did the job so well and without complaining that Long and other coaches took a shine to the sophomore from Dallas.
Offensive coordinator Dan Dodd said during camp that Clampitt was one of the most improved and impressive players on offense.
Clampitt has added to his once-lean frame and fits in among the Lobos' quarterbacks at 6-foot-4 and 223 pounds.
His progress on the field combined with good grades earned Clampitt a scholarship going into the fall semester.
The final, and perhaps biggest bonus, for this walk-on-turned-scholarship player may come this week, when he likely will move up the depth chart and finally have a chance to run the Lobos' offense.
***
QB DEPTH CHART
The Lobos have the following six quarterbacks on the roster. Backup Chris Nelson's status with the team could change this week after he was arrested for drunken driving early Sunday morning.
Starter: Kole McKamey
Class: Junior
Size: 6-2, 205 pounds
Last school: Artesia High
Trib's take: McKamey is an unquestioned leader poised to post a breakout season after struggling through a bumpy sophomore campaign.
Second team: Chris Nelson
Class: Junior
Size: 6-4, 218 pounds
Last school: Garden City (Kan.) Community College
Trib's take: Coaches were impressed with Nelson's progress and seemed confident enough to hand him the reins during blowouts to protect their starter. His value to to the team might change after his weekend confrontation with police.
Third team: Bryan Clampitt
Class: Sophomore
Size: 6-4, 223 pounds
Last school: Hillcrest High in Dallas
Trib's take: Clampitt is among the coaches' favorite players. He has worked his way from walk-on, scout-team status to a scholarship player and legitimate contender for the backup job. He isn't as seasoned as Nelson, so he may not see playing time unless the Lobos are involved in a major blowout.
Fourth team: Steve Harris
Class: Redshirt freshman
Size: 6-3, 204 pounds
Last school: Bishop Gorman High in Las Vegas, Nev.
Trib's take: Harris is still learning the offense but has pulled off a handful of good plays during spring and fall camps.
Fifth team: Donovan Porterie
Class: Freshman
Size: 6-4, 200 pounds
Last school: Memorial High in Port Arthur, Texas
Trib's take: He has future star potential and was a decorated high school recruit, but coaches will likely redshirt him this season.
Sixth team: Victor James
Class: Freshman
Vitals: 6-0, 185
Last school: Montbello High in Denver
Trib's take: This athletic but raw walk-on could contribute to the program if he works hard during the next few years.
August 29, 2005
One of the worst days of Chris Nelson's life could turn out to be the luckiest for University of New Mexico teammate Bryan Clampitt.
Nelson, the Lobos' backup quarterback, was charged with misdemeanor drunken driving early Sunday morning. Albuquerque police described him as combative, argumentative and disruptive, prompting officers to pull stun guns on him at one point during the confrontation.
He failed a field sobriety test and refused to take a breath test, so Nelson was arrested and taken to the Metropolitan Detention Center, said Trish Hoffman, an Albuquerque police spokeswoman.
Nelson's license will be revoked because he refused the breath test. If found guilty, he could have to use an ignition interlock device in his car once he begins driving again.
And his status with the UNM football team remains unresolved.
Head coach Rocky Long said he will wait until talking with Nelson before making decisions about the junior college transfer's status with the team.
However, if Long's history of team discipline holds, Nelson won't play against UNLV.
That means Clampitt, whom teammates affectionately nicknamed "Jed," could move up to second-string quarterback.
It's a serious development, because New Mexico coaches likely will look to protect starter Kole McKamey after his string of concussion problems that crippled the offense last season. The Rebels are rebuilding, opening the door to a potential blowout and playing time for the backup quarterback.
Clampitt might get the call. If he does, it would be the culmination of plenty of hard work.
As a redshirt freshman walk-on last season, Clampitt ran the scout team and was a target for the Lobos defense. He devoted his time to learning the opponents' offense and quietly helping his teammates improve by taking plenty of lumps.
Clampitt did the job so well and without complaining that Long and other coaches took a shine to the sophomore from Dallas.
Offensive coordinator Dan Dodd said during camp that Clampitt was one of the most improved and impressive players on offense.
Clampitt has added to his once-lean frame and fits in among the Lobos' quarterbacks at 6-foot-4 and 223 pounds.
His progress on the field combined with good grades earned Clampitt a scholarship going into the fall semester.
The final, and perhaps biggest bonus, for this walk-on-turned-scholarship player may come this week, when he likely will move up the depth chart and finally have a chance to run the Lobos' offense.
***
QB DEPTH CHART
The Lobos have the following six quarterbacks on the roster. Backup Chris Nelson's status with the team could change this week after he was arrested for drunken driving early Sunday morning.
Starter: Kole McKamey
Class: Junior
Size: 6-2, 205 pounds
Last school: Artesia High
Trib's take: McKamey is an unquestioned leader poised to post a breakout season after struggling through a bumpy sophomore campaign.
Second team: Chris Nelson
Class: Junior
Size: 6-4, 218 pounds
Last school: Garden City (Kan.) Community College
Trib's take: Coaches were impressed with Nelson's progress and seemed confident enough to hand him the reins during blowouts to protect their starter. His value to to the team might change after his weekend confrontation with police.
Third team: Bryan Clampitt
Class: Sophomore
Size: 6-4, 223 pounds
Last school: Hillcrest High in Dallas
Trib's take: Clampitt is among the coaches' favorite players. He has worked his way from walk-on, scout-team status to a scholarship player and legitimate contender for the backup job. He isn't as seasoned as Nelson, so he may not see playing time unless the Lobos are involved in a major blowout.
Fourth team: Steve Harris
Class: Redshirt freshman
Size: 6-3, 204 pounds
Last school: Bishop Gorman High in Las Vegas, Nev.
Trib's take: Harris is still learning the offense but has pulled off a handful of good plays during spring and fall camps.
Fifth team: Donovan Porterie
Class: Freshman
Size: 6-4, 200 pounds
Last school: Memorial High in Port Arthur, Texas
Trib's take: He has future star potential and was a decorated high school recruit, but coaches will likely redshirt him this season.
Sixth team: Victor James
Class: Freshman
Vitals: 6-0, 185
Last school: Montbello High in Denver
Trib's take: This athletic but raw walk-on could contribute to the program if he works hard during the next few years.
