Lobos secure an Australian punter via the transfer portal in their UNM football roster update.
New Mexico Lobos Welcome Australian Rules Football Convert Daniel Hughes
Daniel Hughes, a 27-year-old former Australian rules football player, has committed to the New Mexico Lobos football team. The sophomore will join the Lobos during fall camp, providing depth at the punter position.
Hughes transitioned from Australian Rules Football to American football by specifically preparing for the punter position with the Lobos. His adaptation involved training to align his kicking skills to the demands of American football punts, as evidenced by his social media posts showing his physical preparation for college football in the U.S.
Australian players often transition to American football punter roles due to the similarities in kicking techniques between the two sports. Hughes' Instagram activity from June 2025 highlights a deliberate training and transition phase to American football while joining the Lobos.
Before joining the Lobos, Hughes played two seasons for the Northern Bullants in the Victorian Football League. He also spent time at City College of San Francisco, where as a freshman, he averaged 37.3 yards over 49 attempts with a career-best 62-yard punt.
Meanwhile, UNM running back Scottre Humphrey and defensive end Keyshawn James-Newby were named to the East-West Shrine Bowl 1,000. Humphrey joined the Lobos in January after rushing for 1,386 yards and 16 touchdowns with Montana State. James-Newby recorded 65 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, and 10.5 sacks with Idaho before joining the Lobos.
UNM's fall camp starts on Wednesday, and it remains unclear if there are any updates regarding D.J. Wingfield's eligibility appeal with the NCAA. Wingfield, a former Lobo, has filed a lawsuit against the NCAA seeking a temporary injunction to play a sixth season of college football. If he does not play this year at USC, he could potentially lose $210,000 in possible compensation.
Wingfield previously played two seasons at UNM, making nine starts in 2023. However, USC head coach Lincoln Riley has stated that Wingfield's eligibility situation is ongoing.
The New Mexico Lobos football team is gearing up for a promising season with the addition of Daniel Hughes and the return of other key players like Scottre Humphrey and Keyshawn James-Newby.
The New Mexico Lobos football team has added a new member, Daniel Hughes, a former Australian rules football player, who will join the team as a punter during the fall camp. Hughes' transition from Australian Rules Football to American football was intentional, with his Instagram activity in June 2025 indicating a dedicated preparation phase for the punter role in college football. Jones is not the only Australian player to transition to American football, as many do so due to similarities in kicking techniques between the two sports.
