ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Redshirt Junior Linebacker Kimmie Carson has proven to be one of the key components in this Lobo Defense. Last season Carson led Lobo football with 53 solo tackles, and the combination of him and senior Dakota Cox at Linebacker in 2016 is sure to make some noise.

He’s a leader on this football team and does it all with more on his plate than most college athletes.

“It’s my family man, I have two kids at home and you know I look at them, in their face and they believe in me. I just have to keep pushing, whether it’s out on the field or in the classroom so I just do it for my family really,” said UNM Linebacker Kimmie Carson.

“He is one of the most explosive players I have coached. He is probably 210-215 pounds, but I mean he brings it all, every time the ball is snapped. Great instincts loves football and has really matured. It hasn’t been an easy road for Kimmie Carson,” said UNM Head Coach Bob Davie.

Carson’s ability is shown on the field, and while it may be hard at times as he just had his second son just three months ago, Kimmie finds a way to succeed.

“It’s tiring you know to come home at night and feed the baby late at night and then get up early in the morning routine. I just keep on pushing and I just keep trying to stay positive,” said Carson.

The Lobos open up their 2016 season next Thursday against South Dakota at 7 p.m. Carson is excited about his team coming into 2016, with a very deep defense coming back. It’s hard for him at times having a family and being a D-1 athlete, but at the same time he wouldn’t have it any other way, as playing football has shaped him into the man he is today.

“I came in here kind of off steady a little bit, but my coaches have kind of guided me in the right direction. With all this responsibility it’s just guidance and it comes back to me. I am just trying to do this to make a better life for me and my family”, said Carson.