QB Yeager leaving New Mexico

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) -- Freshman quarterback Emmanuel Yeager, the star of coach Mike Locksley's first recruiting class at New Mexico, is leaving school because of an undisclosed family issue.

Locksley said Tuesday that Yeager, who chose New Mexico over Louisville and had been touted as a potential starter next fall, has been released from his scholarship.

"He and I have been in discussion about this over the past month and it was a tough decision for him to make, but I respect him for doing what's best for his family," Locksley said in a news release.

Yeager participated in New Mexico's spring practice last month after graduating early from Coolidge High School in Washington, D.C.

At 6-foot-2 and 190 pounds with 4.6 speed in the 40-yard dash, Yeager is a dual-threat quarterback who has been compared to West Virginia's Pat White. His commitment to New Mexico was seen as evidence of Locksley's skill as a recruiter.

Locksley, a former assistant at Illinois, Florida and Maryland who was hired in December for his first head coaching position, said Yeager "needs to be closer to home."

"While we hate to lose any player from our program, we wish him all the best in the future," Locksley said.

School officials said Locksley would have no additional comment.

Yeager's departure leaves New Mexico with five quarterbacks. Senior Donovan Porterie is returning from a knee injury sustained last season, which gave playing time to sophomore Brad Gruner and junior Tate Smith.

The Lobos also will have redshirt freshman B.R. Holbrook and incoming freshman Darren Jones.

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