Clint McPeek Class: Junior Hometown: Albuquerque, N.M. High School: La Cueva HS Height / Weight: 6-1 / 227 Position: Lobo Birthdate: 12/22/1986 Experience: 2L

All-MWC Candidate

NEW MEXICO:

Up-and-coming defensive back who is poised to make a name for himself as one of the top safeties in the Mountain West Conference this fall...has made huge strides since coming to UNM as a walk-on in the fall of 2005, getting bigger, stronger and developing into a high-motor, assignment sound player...has added over 50 pounds to his frame since joining the program, bulking up to 227 pounds without sacrificing any speed or coverage skills...before being sidelined late in the year by a neck injury, he was one of the biggest surprises for the Lobo defense in a breakthrough 2007 season...coaches say he turned in perhaps the best spring of any player on defense...got the majority of first team reps at the lobo (free) safety position during the spring with fellow junior and former prep rival Ian Clark (Albuquerque Highland HS) recovering from shoulder surgery...the two will likely split time to open training camp, but coaches want to find a way to get both standouts on the field at the same time...has asserted himself as a leader and developed into one of the best cover men among the safeties...not the most fluid player in the secondary, but is almost always in the right place at the right time...has also gained a reputation for his big hits in the secondary, including the growing legend of his hit on New Mexico State TE Nick Cleaver that led to a game-changing INT in last year's Lobo victory...has continued to make big gains in the weight room...set a defensive back record during the offseason with a power clean of 374 pounds...took over the starting job during `07 training camp when Clark suffered a dislocated shoulder...had entrenched himself in the starting lineup with his outstanding play before being sidelined with an injury of his own (neck) and was replaced by Clark for the final 5 games of the year...five former high school teammates (Sr. LB Zach Arnett, Jr. DB Frankie Baca, Sr. DB Jake Bowe, Sr. FB Matt Quillen and So. LB Greyson Wieczorek) also play for UNM...two-time Academic All-MWC honoree (Business Administration major).

2007 (SOPHOMORE):
Was enjoying a breakthrough season at Lobo (free) safety, leading the team in tackles through 8 games before suffering a neck injury late vs. Air Force...was forced him to miss the final 4 regular season games (TCU, CSU, Utah, UNLV) before returning in the New Mexico Bowl...tallied 46 tackles (14 solo) in the first 8 starts of his career and finished with 50 stops in 9 games...31 of his tackles came against running plays...showed the ability to be an intimidating force in the secondary with several jarring hits to break up passes and did a great job of ball pursuit...finished with 4 PBUs and 1.5 TFLs.

`07 HIGHLIGHTS: vs. Nevada (New Mexico Bowl)...Solid performance in his return to gameday action after a 2-month absence...4 tackles (2 solo), a PBU and a QB hurry off the bench...played most of the second half after starter Ian Clark left with a shoulder injury...helped the Lobo defense end the nation's longest scoring streak and hold the country's No. 7 offense to 210 yards - 239 under its average...ranked fifth nationally in pass efficiency during the regular season, Nevada completed just 13-31 (42%) passes for 137 yards...vs. Air Force...Got in on 6 stops, most of them in run support...helped UNM hold the nation's No. 6 rushing offense 48 yards under its average, including just 73 yards on 24 2nd half attempts (3.0 avg.)...at San Diego State...Excellent performance, recording 4 more tackles and helping the Lobo secondary limit the MWC's No. 2 passing team to just 133 yards - 139 below its season average...at Wyoming...Notched 7 more tackles and broke up a 4th down pass in Lobo territory in the 4th quarter to help the defense shut down Wyoming...came up quickly in run support to help shut down the vaunted Cowboy rushing attack...UW finished with season-lows of 3 points and 248 yards, including just 48 rushing yards - 134 under its season average...vs. BYU...Got in on 6 tackles, including one for loss, and did a solid job in coverage as well, helping the Lobo secondary limit QB Max Hall to 251 yards on 18-40 passing (45%)...Hall entered the game ranked 4th in the nation averaging 377.3 yards/game...gave Hall few passing options downfield...vs. Sacramento State...Strong all-around game, notching 6 tackles (4 solo), a 3-yard TFL and a QB hurry...helped the defense record its first shutout in 5 years, while allowing just 104 yards of total offense - the fewest since 1983 - including a mere 27 yards passing...at Arizona...Made 6 stops and broke up a pass after causing the Wildcat receiver to short arm a ball down the sideline...vs. New Mexico State...Got in on 9 tackles and made the momentum changing play of the game deep in UNM territory midway through the fourth quarter to help secure the victory...blasted the Aggies' standout TE Nick Cleaver on a deep ball down the middle that ricocheted to teammate Frankie Solomon for an INT...UNM kicked a FG 7 plays later to make it a 2 possession game with 5 minutes to play...at UTEP...Just 2 tackles, but made his presence felt in his first career start...set the defensive tone early in the game with a punishing hit on WR Joe West to force an incompletion and delivered another big pop on RB Terrell Jackson later in the game...provided tight coverage throughout the night to help the Lobo secondary limit UTEP to 81 passing yards and a 32% completion rate.

2006 (REDSHIRT FRESHMAN):
Played in 12 games, primarily on special teams...finished with a pair of tackles.

HIGH SCHOOL:

A 2005 graduate of Albuquerque La Cueva HS...all-state and all-metro safety as a senior for the back-to-back 5A champions...helped the Bears go 26-0 during the 2003 and `04 seasons...played for head coach Fred Romero...also an all-district pick at wide receiver...graduated with a 3.4 GPA...also lettered in wrestling and track and field.

PERSONAL:

Born Dec. 22, 1986, in Albuquerque...age is 21...full name is Clint John McPeek...son of Eugene and Laurie...has an older brother, Luke (22) and younger sister, Maddie (19)...majoring in Business Administration.