Maybe that makes the most sense NIL wise. Getting the best transfers is typically more expensive than a highly ranked high schooler. Keeping them is still difficult but having them here for a year or two is better than not at all if you can’t afford the transfer market.
He’s big for a DE in a 4-3 but exactly the right size for one in a 3-4 which multiple NFL teams run now. Being able to line up inside is even better for him.
He’s dead to me now. I doubt he starts anywhere that would be considered an upgrade from here unless they have nobody but freshmen coming back. Even then he might get passed up.
While NM has a decent resume they definitely are not a marquee matchup and there’ll be few outside of gopher or NM fans watching this game. Vegas would have been much better but can’t complain about the warm location.