New Mexico LB has game

The city of Roswell, N.M., is a favorite hangout for unidentified flying objects (UFO's). Besides entertaining extra-terrestrials, Roswell is home for New Mexico Military Institute better known as one of the Southwest's better junior colleges it is also a high school and is home for one the Land of Enchantment's better football prospects.

The player in question is linebacker/running back David Pickard (6-1, 200, 4.5).

Pickard was a second-team all-district as a junior after leading his in tackles. He had 57 solos, 53 assists, 10 tackles for loss and four solo sacks.

New Mexico Military Institute goes by a defensive point system and he led the team in that with a 167 points to his credit.

"David will be the premier defensive player in our league this season," New Mexico Institute coach Dwight Burns said. "He played behind two all-state running backs as a junior but he will start both ways for us this fall."

"We will be counting on David to carry the load for us on offense," Burns said. "He runs real well and he will be our go to guy on offensive side of the ball."

"David has the work ethic that all successful players have," Burns said. "He is a weight room rat and works extremely hard on his strength."

"David participates in track only because he wants to improve his speed," Burns said. "He will do whatever it takes to reach his full potential as a football player."

"David is very team oriented," Burns said. "It doesn't matter what I ask him to do, he will do it."

"If I told him I need him to offensive guard, David would do it without blinking," Burns said. "He's a very unselfish player who only wants to help our team win."

Some in the area say that Pickard is the best linebacker in the area since New Mexico and Chicago Bear star Brian Urlacher was roaming the sidelines for Lovington all those years ago. He even has the nickname "Baby Urlacher."

Air Force, Texas A&M, Stanford, Kansas State, Nebraska, and Georgia are a sampling of schools showing interest.

Pickard also has good bloodlines his grandfather played for Georgia, and his father played for Kansas State.