- Brian Urlacher recorded 178 tackles in 1998, which is a single-season Lobos record.
- Terance Mathis is the Lobos’ all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns.
- DonTrell Moore is the Lobos’ all-time leading rusher with 4,973 yards.
While the Lobos football program hasn’t had much success—they’re just 4-8-1 in bowl games through 2024—it has had some stellar players come through Albuquerque.
Now, football betting on the Lobos’ college football odds is available at the BetMGM online sportsbook.
Find my list of the top five Lobos football players below.
5 Best New Mexico Lobos Football Players, Ranked
| Rank | Player | Position | Lobos Years |
| 1 | Brian Urlacher | LB/S | 1996-1999 |
| 2 | Terance Mathis | WR | 1985-1989 |
| 3 | DonTrell Moore | RB | 2002-2005 |
| 4 | Stoney Case | QB | 1991-1994 |
| 5 | Don Perkins | HB | 1957-1959 |
New Mexico Lobos All-Time Greatest Football Players
1. Brian Urlacher
Urlacher played with the Lobos from 1996 to 1999 and played various roles, including linebacker and safety.
He finished his career with 442 tackles. His 178 tackles in 1998 are the Lobos’ single-season record. He also had 154 in 1999, which is the sixth-most in a single campaign.
He was a consensus All-American, the Mountain West Player of the Year, and first-team All-Mountain West, and the program retired his No. 44.
He’s enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame.
2. Terance Mathis
Mathis was a wide receiver with the Lobos from 1985 to 1989.
He was a consensus All-American and third-team All-American.
Over his career, he caught 263 passes (first) for 4,454 yards (first) and 36 touchdowns (first).
He’s enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame.
3. DonTrell Moore
Moore played for New Mexico from 2002 to 2005. He ran for 4,973 yards (first) and 51 touchdowns (first). His 51 rushing touchdowns also rank fourth among all touchdown scorers.
He scored 19 touchdowns in 2003, which is the most rushing touchdowns in a single season.
He was the Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year, Mountain West Freshman of the Year, and four-time first-team All-Mountain West.
4. Stoney Case
Case played quarterback for the Lobos in the early 1990s, and in 1994, he was the WAC Player of the Year.
Over his career, he threw for 9,460 yards (most in program history) and 67 touchdowns (first). He also ran for 31 touchdowns (fifth) and racked up 10,651 total yards (first) and 98 total touchdowns (first).
His 98 total touchdowns are 45 ahead of the second-place holder, Jeremy Leach.
5. Don Perkins
Perkins played for the Lobos from 1957 to 1959. Over his career, he ran 369 times for 2,001 yards and 15 touchdowns and caught 27 passes for 549 yards and six touchdowns.
He held the rushing yards record until Rocky Long broke it in 1971.
When he left the program, he held a dozen school records.
Additionally, he was a two-time third-team All-American, the Skyline Sophomore of the Year, and three-time All-Skyline.
His No. 43 was retired by the program.
