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UNM Football: Lobos sign junior college tackle

Chance to win starting position, Albuquerque visit lured transfer

By Iliana Limón
Wednesday, June 13, 2007

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He could be the ultimate sleeper for the Lobos.

Ivan Hernandez, a 6-foot-6, 295-pound left tackle, wasn't supposed to be shopping for Division I schools this summer.

Hernandez started every game of his freshman year at College of Siskiyous in Weed, Calif., then suffered a knee injury and redshirted last year. He earned his associate's degree, giving him the option of returning for another season with the Eagles or testing the Division I football waters.

He decided to shop around, weighing offers from Kansas State, Colorado, Sacramento State and Hawaii. Hernandez visited the University of New Mexico during the weekend and committed to the Lobos.

"I think he's really a great catch," Siskiyous head coach Eric Young said. "He started every game of his freshman year and has done a tremendous job for us. He moves really well for his size and he's a really hard worker. I don't think a lot of teams knew about him because he took last year off."

Hernandez, whose primary contact before his official visit was with offensive coordinator Dave Baldwin, said the coaches told him he would start fall camp as the Lobos' No. 2 left tackle with a chance to fight for the starting job.

He said the opportunity to play and a positive visit to Albuquerque sold him on the Lobos. The picturesque view from the Sandia Tram didn't hurt either.

"I really liked the coaches and everyone I met there," Hernandez said. "I also really liked the city. It's really nice and so different from anywhere else I lived. I also got a chance to talk to some people around city who weren't part of the team, and they were all really nice. I loved New Mexico and knew it was the right place for me."

Hernandez will take summer finals at Siskiyous early so he can enroll in UNM's second summer session in July. He said he is excited about learning UNM's offense before fall camp begins.

"I take my job as a left tackle very seriously and know that I have to protect the quarterback and cover his blind side," Hernandez said. "I don't like to brag, but I do think I have the most important job on the field."

It's a job Hernandez has picked up relatively quickly.

He grew up in Salem, Ore., but didn't start playing football until his sophomore year in high school.

"My family didn't have money for camps or stuff like that, but I grew a lot in high school and figured I should try football," Hernandez said. "Football was fun and it helped keep me focus on school. It opened a lot of doors for me."

Hernandez didn't get recruited out of high school, but he sent his highlight tape to Siskiyous coaches and they saw potential.

"Tim Frisbie was my offensive line coach and he taught me so many great things," he said. "I learned to bend at the knees instead of the waist, which is so important for a lineman. I think a lot of things came together for me at Siskiyous, and I can't thank the coaches enough for making me a better player."

Young, the Siskiyous head coach, said Hernandez's quick progress shows how valuable he could be for the Lobos.

"He's a strong, good athlete, but he's also really dedicated to learning and getting better," Young said. "He's going to be great for New Mexico."