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His last name is a blessing and a curse.

Freshman kicker Reece Zunker is looking to find a home on the University of New Mexico football team.

The problem is Zunker is no ordinary freshman kicker. Those guys are the lowest on the football food chain, while Zunker has a much bigger reputation.

He is the younger brother of Wes Zunker, one of the most successful kickers in Lobos history.

"It's a good and bad situation," Reece Zunker said. "On one hand, I wouldn't be here without my brother. On the other hand, people expect a lot from you. They assume you can do all the same things. They don't always know the difference between you and your brother."

Reece Zunker has a long way to go before assuming the same responsibilities his big brother shouldered. But he can take comfort in other Lobos who have made the same journey.

Sophomore offensive lineman Erik Cook is hoping to fill the shoes of Ryan Cook, who is a millionaire offensive lineman for the Minnesota Vikings.

Redshirt freshman cornerback Abdullah Konte has a family name to honor as well. He follows in the footsteps of former Lobos Mohammed and Sulayman Konte. Mohammed earned honorable mention All-Mountain West Conference honors and played in the Arena 2 Football League.

"I'm glad there are players who had a good enough experience in our program that they encouraged their younger brothers to come here, too," UNM coach Rocky Long said. "I think it says good things about our program when these guys know all about us and want to be here. They want to be a part of this."

Reece Zunker said he was grateful to always have his big brother blazing a trail for him.

Like most kickers, both Zunker boys grew up playing soccer.

"One day when I was in middle school, Wes asked me to go out with him and kick a field goal," Reece Zunker said. "It turns out I was pretty good at it. That's how I got started kicking."

The younger Zunker turned out to be more than a one-dimensional football player. Along with soccer, he also played both linebacker and kicker at Canyon High in New Braunfels, Texas.

"The hardest choice I had to make was whether I wanted to try to be a linebacker or kicker in college," said Reece Zunker, who is 5-foot-8 and weighs 209 pounds. "I went with kicking because I thought I'd have a better shot at being successful."

Once he had picked his position, heading west to New Mexico was a no-brainer.

"I came here because Wes had a lot of success here and always talked about what a great experience he had here," Reece Zunker said. "I thought it'd be a great place for me, too."

He is gaining more confidence every day he works out with the Lobos. Still, Reece Zunker said he is working at getting out of his big brother's shadow.

"There is that downside," he said. "People expect me to be just as good as he was when he was here. I'm a different guy, and I want them to know me.

"At the same time, I don't mind being pushed to be the best. If I can do a good job and be trusted like he was, then I'll be very happy."