Photo by Erin FredrichsTribune

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University of New Mexico's Quincy Black, who plays the Lobo position made famous by NFL star Brian Urlacher, has carved out his own reputation with a stellar senior season. Black is rated as high as the fifth-best linebacker in the country in one NFL mock draft.

Photo by Erin FredrichsTribune

Tribune

Quincy Black (center) rushes the quarterback in a game against Utah. Black has dealt with off-the-field adversity during his senior year of high school, including the death of his mother.

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Quincy Black is a rock.

Tracking the University of New Mexico football team has been a high-speed roller coaster ride this season, featuring some jaw-dropping highs and stomach-tickling lows.

But Black, a senior who plays the Lobo position and anchors the UNM defense, has been a steadying force.

He carries enough emotional baggage to derail anyone's life, but instead Black has used the pain as motivation to be successful.

"The only thing I can control is how I play," Black said. "I work hard every day, and do everything I can to make the team better."

Black has helped the Lobos turn a 2-4 start into a 5-4 overall record and 3-2 Mountain West Conference mark.

UNM went from the cellar to a tie for third place in the conference standings this week. The Lobos are legitimate contenders for a bowl berth as they prepare to take on TCU (6-2, 2-2) Saturday afternoon at University Stadium.

Black said he's not satisfied with his contributions in keeping the Lobos in the bowl hunt despite his 88 tackles this season, which surpassed the 81 he totaled in 11 games last year. He ranks 14th nationally in tackles.

When Black switched from linebacker to Lobo during the summer, he embraced much bigger expectations.

"Coach (Rocky) Long told me he would be disappointed if I didn't lead the nation in tackles, so that's my goal," he said. "And right now, I'm not living up to my goal."

Black may be falling short of those lofty expectations, but Long said he is still pleased with the senior captain's performance.

"I think he's done a good job, especially considering he is at a new position," Long said. "I did expect him to be pretty steady this year. Defensive guys don't fluctuate as much as offensive guys. On defense, they learn their responsibilities and how to react each week to different things. On offense, they have new assignments each week and can go up and down a lot more."

Black also is steadily improving his NFL draft stock, making him the Lobos' top pro prospect.

He stands out as a 6-foot-3, 227-pound athlete with a 42-inch vertical leap.

Black is the lone Lobo to crack most early mock drafts, ranking anywhere from fifth to 17th among linebackers.

"We've had a lot of scouts coming around looking at guys, and they're all looking at Quincy," Long said. "It's pretty early right now, so they're not telling us what they're thinking. We'll know they're serious around February when they come back and start asking questions about guys' character."

Long expects Black to be drafted because he has aced every physical and character test thrown his way.

Black grew up in an inner-city Chicago neighborhood where he wasn't dodging bullets daily but drugs were easy to find.

His father died of a drug overdose while Black was a sophomore in high school.

His mother, who Black said was his biggest fan, died his high school senior year of heart complications.

Black's grandfather, whose house Quincy grew up in, died last season.

"He's had a lot of excuses not to be successful, but he always has been a very strong, self-motivated person," Black's uncle Mack Smith said. "We've all been following him this season and are very proud of what he's accomplished, but it's also what we expected. We knew he would have a good year."

The heartache has molded Black into a quiet but focused and independent young man.

"I've had some challenges that have definitely made me stronger, but we all have something we have to overcome," Black said.

Along with the personal losses, Black also had to prove himself as an athlete.

He earned all-Public League honors at Kenwood High in Chicago, but Black didn't receive any Division I scholarship offers. He was determined to play football in college and earn a degree.

"Quincy never lost sight of his goals and knew he could excel at the next level," Smith said. "It was just a matter of someone giving him a chance to show what he was capable of doing."

Black landed at Harper College near Chicago, where he was named a second-team All-American at defensive end after helping the Hawks win a national championship as a freshman.

UNM defensive coordinator Osia Lewis recruited Black, giving him the biggest break of his career.

Black worked his way up from role player his sophomore year to defensive starter last season. It was clear he would be stepping into the spotlight this year.

Along with leading the team in tackles, Black has made many big plays, including a pair of interceptions.

"It took me a little bit of time to get adjusted to my new position, but I'm happy with it," he said. "There were a few games early when I had a lot of tackles but actually didn't play very well. I think I'm more consistent now."

Black has lost his parents, but he still has a lot of family support and remains close to his high school football coaches.

"They're happy when I have good games and tease me when I don't do as well," Black said. "They keep me humble."

Kevin Murphy, Black's high school coach, said he always knew Black had the talent and work ethic to make it to the NFL.

The only question was whether Black could clear a massive obstacle course to make his dreams come true.

"I told him when he makes it in the NFL, he should write a book," Murphy said. "Inner-city kids would get a lot out of reading his story. He's an amazing example of what you can do if you work hard and never give up."