Urlacher a Throwback to Two-Way Era

New Mexico’s Brian Urlacher is an intimidating and intriguing throwback, a cross between Chuck Bednarik and Deion Sanders.

Most of the time, the 6-foot-4, 245-pounder is a roving, roughneck free safety. But on a team with minimal talent and struggling for a break-even season, Urlacher is much more.

He’s the Lobos’ go-to wide receiver in goal-line situations whose four catches this season have all been for touchdowns. He’s also the team’s leading punt returner, averaging nearly 11 yards a return, and he is second in scoring (30 points).

And if it were up to Urlacher and New Mexico’s assistant coaches, he’d never leave the field.

“He wants to return kickoffs,” head coach Rocky Long said. “And some of the coaches want him to play tailback. They come up with plays for him every week.”

Urlacher, who led the nation in tackles with 178 last season, has become so valuable to the Lobos and so visible to pro scouts, that his draft-day stock is soaring. Pro football analyst Mel Kiper Jr. has listed Urlacher as the seventh best prospect overall and the second best linebacker behind Penn State’s LaVar Arrington.

“Usually during a season, you’ll get 25 or 30 scouts come by,” Long said. “We’re on our second wave.”

The only first-round draft pick New Mexico has ever had was linebacker Robin Cole in 1976, who went to the Pittsburgh Steelers as the 21st selection.

Tampa Bay scout Tim Ruskell said Urlacher has the speed of a defensive back and hitting power of a linebacker.

“I was expecting to see a guy who makes a lot of plays and he does,” Ruskell said. “He’s on the field almost the whole time. He’s unique with a great effort level and great instincts.”

Urlacher, who leads the Mountain West Conference with 107 tackles this season, is a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, which goes to the nation’s top defensive back, and he a nominee for the Bronko Nagurski Award, which recognizes the best defensive player.

He was a backup linebacker in his first two years at New Mexico under former coach Dennis Franchione. When Long came in, he moved Urlacher to safety, with the freedom to line up at virtually any position on defense.

That defensive scheme has helped Urlacher rack up the tackles. He had 20 at Utah last season and 20--14 unassisted--at San Diego State this year. Against San Diego State, the senior also returned a fumble 71 yards that was the difference in the Lobos’ 24-21 win.

In a season-opening loss to Texas-El Paso, Urlacher recovered a fumble, forced another and caught a 20-yard pass for a touchdown. Against New Mexico State, he had 11 tackles and two catches for TDs.

“I just love being on the field,” Urlacher said. “On offense, I’m always in a good situation. I score pretty much every time.”

Urlacher’s size and strength make it difficult for opponents to cover or tackle him. As a pass receiver, he is taller and stronger than most defensive backs. And whether returning punts or as a member of the Lobos’ punt coverage team, Urlacher wins most collisions.

As much as he enjoys offense, he admits his passion is defense.

“I try not to gloat, but when you get a good hit, it just feels so good,” he said. “You hear the crowd go ‘OOH.”’

That wasn’t the case during Urlacher’s freshman and sophomore years at Lovington High School in southeastern New Mexico. Back then, he was a 5-foot-9, 130-pound wide receiver with speed and nothing else.

“He was just an average freshman,” Lovington assistant coach Jaime Quinones said. “Nothing to indicate what the future would be like.”

Through football, Urlacher and Quinones developed a friendship that remains strong. It was Quinones who got Urlacher started on a weightlifting program.

By his senior year, Urlacher had grown to 6-4 and 210 pounds. Lovington went undefeated that year and in the state Class AAA championship game, Urlacher caught two touchdown passes, had two interceptions and forced two fumbles.

Still, New Mexico was the only Division I school to offer him a scholarship.

“If I hadn’t gotten an offer, I’d probably gone to a junior college or started working somewhere,” Urlacher said. “I didn’t think I was going to need college unless I was going to play football again.”

After last season, he considered leaving school early to enter the NFL draft. Long and Quinones advised him to return and work on becoming a first or second round pick. That decision could translate into a multimillion-dollar contract.

For Urlacher, it’s all a little overwhelming.

“Right now,” he said, “I think $100 is a lot of money.”