Sport: Football Country: United States Category: Scores & Results

QB James Laubstein competes for starting job with UNM in sixth season

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 7, 2026, 3:06 AM

Last updated Aug 7, 2026

Football

Summary

James Laubstein returns for a sixth year at the University of New Mexico after securing a waiver from the NCAA. Previously a backup quarterback, Laubstein rushed for 360 yards during his fifth season. Current head coach Jason Eck confirmed Laubstein is among the frontrunners in a quarterback competition following Jack Layne's elbow injury. UNM's practices involve Laubstein sharing first-team reps with Luke Moga and Toa Fa’avae as they prepare for the upcoming season.

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Status Watch

•Laubstein announced his return after a May waiver approval.
•He previously competed with Layne for the starting role last year.
•Eck emphasizes leadership and decision-making as key for quarterbacks.
•Laubstein is sharing first-team reps in practice sessions.

Latest Updates

3:06 AMYahoo Sports — Now entering his 6th season, QB James Laubstein set to compete for starting job

What they're saying

"
When the news first came in, James Laubstein was a little busy. Working as a performance coach at NES Sports Performance in Hamden, Connecticut, New Mexico’s sixth-year quarterback was taking a video to post on the company’s Instagram page when his phone started buzzing with an incoming call. The name on the screen? Jason Eck. “I was like, alright, lemme finish taking the video,” Laubstein ...
— Yahoo Sports

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