New Mexico Lobos · All-time career leaders
New Mexico Football Career Tackles Leaders
Johnny Jackson holds New Mexico's career tackles record with 483 tackles (1981–1984). Blake Irwin (474) and Carmen Messina (454) round out the top three. 3 of the top 20 played since 2000; the most recent is Dakota Cox (2013–2016), No. 6 on the list.
New Mexico LobosUpdated Oct 6, 2026
| Rank | Player | Years | Tackles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Johnny Jackson | 1981–1984 | 483 |
| 2 | Blake Irwin | 1994–1997 | 474 |
| 3 | Carmen Messina | 2008–2011 | 454 |
| 4 | Brian Urlacher | 1996–1999 | 442 |
| 5 | Robin Cole | 1973–1976 | 406 |
| 6 | Dakota Cox | 2013–2016 | 403 |
| 7 | Dave Thompson | 1974–1976 | 394 |
| 8 | Jimmie Carter | 1980–1983 | 389 |
| 9 | Houston Ross | 1969–1971 | 371 |
| 10 | Mike Forrest | 1976–1979 | 362 |
| 11 | Charlie Baker | 1976–1979 | 353 |
| 12 | Daniel Johnson | 1993–1996 | 342 |
| 13 | Ray Hornfeck | 1981–1984 | 335 |
| 14 | Herm Fredenburg | 1969–1971 | 328 |
| 15 | Randy Rich | 1972–1975 | 319 |
| 16 | Nick Speegle | 2001–2004 | 317 |
| 17 | Scott McGarrahan | 1994–1997 | 316 |
| 17 | Billy Austin | 1994–1997 | 316 |
| 19 | John Bell | 1987–1990 | 302 |
| 20 | Robert Rumbaugh | 1974–1976 | 301 |
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Sources & notes
- CFB Clipboard — Career leaderboards researched and compiled by CFB Clipboard.
- Career totals cover a player’s games at New Mexico only.
Last updated Oct 6, 2026.