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UNM football: Cibola senior likes idea of being hometown UNM quarterback

By Iliana Limón
Tuesday, June 12, 2007

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Growing up in Albuquerque, Jonathan Mader has seen a few in-state quarterbacks work their way into the University of New Mexico's starting lineup.

But they were different.

"All quarterbacks I've seen leading the Lobos have been from down south, places like Artesia that get all the attention for football," said Mader, a 6-foot-4, 200-pound quarterback entering his senior season at Cibola High.

"It would be really special to be the quarterback from the Albuquerque metro area who finally got a chance to play at UNM. There's just something really great about being a hometown player."

The Lobos are giving Mader a chance to live that dream.

UNM offered Mader a scholarship following the team's football camp during the weekend.

But Mader isn't about to make such a big decision with his heart.

"I am going to see what offers come in this summer, and if I'm not satisfied with my options or don't feel pulled in one direction, I'll decide after my senior (season) in December," said Mader, who was reached by phone while attending Texas Tech's team camp.

Mader has been rated the No. 2 quarterback in New Mexico by Scout Media's Web site prepnewmexico.com. He falls in behind Artesia's Landry Jones, a blue-chip recruit who already has orally committed to Oklahoma.

Mader has not been offered scholarships by any other schools, but he has visited UTEP and attended a Nike elite camp for quarterbacks in the Southwest hosted by TCU. He plans to attend BYU's camp in two weeks and another Nike regional camp hosted by UNLV. He also may visit LSU in July.

"It's all pretty exciting," Mader said. "Right now, I'm just trying to schedule all of this around basketball. I have some summer tournaments I want to go to with my basketball team. But I think it's great to be busy right now."

Mader said he enjoyed UNM's camp and was impressed by the coaches.

"I like that they did a mix of individual workouts and seven-on-seven drills," he said. "Most other camps just focus on individual work, and I think you get to show more of your skills as a quarterback and as a leader when you can work with a team."

The Lobos camp also was special because Mader got to work with his Cibola teammates, who are oozing with confidence after going 10-3 and making it to the state semifinals for the second time in school history.

"It was great to be with my teammates, and I think we would have won the seven-on-seven championship if the rain Saturday hadn't cut the competition short," Mader said. "I think we've gotten a lot stronger as a team after last season."

Mader also praised UNM's staff.

"The coaches were all really cool and made me feel really comfortable," he said. "I can't see myself going to a school where I don't feel like I have a good relationship with the coaches."

But Mader is careful not to tip his hand about his future, adding, "Of course, I haven't really visited a school where I didn't like and get along with the coaches. Right now, I think that's really good. I'm open to anything."