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Aug. 16—NOTE — This is the fourth in a series of position previews heading into UNM’s Aug. 24 home opener against Montana State. Already completed: Running backs, specialists and defensive line. Today: Defensive line and edge.
The best ability is availability. Few know that better than Trace Bruckler.
After his 2022 season ended prematurely with double-labrum surgery, Bruckler grinded through 10 starts in 12 games played as New Mexico’s tight end room dwindled from nine to four healthy, playable tight ends last season. No other tight end logged more snaps (481) or hauled in more receptions (9) for more yards (89) than the 6-foot-3, 244-pound redshirt junior from Frisco, Texas.
In other words, no tight end was more reliable than Bruckler. The plan, maybe more than anything else, is to keep that going.
“(We’re) just trying to stay healthy,” Bruckler told the Journal after practice this week. “That’s the main thing during camp — you’re practicing every day, (you’re) up here all day, which is good because you’re in treatment all day. So (it’s) just really trying to stay healthy, (making) plays every day and just (being) reliable.”
Bruckler has continued to be a steady presence at the front of a room tight ends coach Matt Johns admitted is light on game experience, but one considers high on upside.
“(Bruckler) has been the same person every single day since I met him,” said Johns, a former quarterback at Virginia under Bronco Mendenhall. “And that’s probably the coolest part, his consistency. He doesn’t get too high, he doesn’t get too low and he’s a very reliable player.
“And that’s why he played a lot last year. We think he’ll play a lot for us this year.”
Outside of keeping a clean bill of health, Bruckler said there’s been an emphasis throughout fall camp on becoming a “complete” player: Staying strong as a run…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/unm-football-position-preview-bruckler-030100562.html
Author : Albuquerque Journal, N.M.
Publish date : 2024-08-17 03:01:00
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