Lomax commits to New Mexico State
Lomax commits to New Mexico State
By TJ MAXWELL
Cove Leader-Press
Copperas Cove senior defensive back, Shamad Lomax, knows what he’s going to do and where he plans on doing it after he completes his senior year of high school.
Lomax, who recently concluded play in 7 on 7 football, committed Monday to play football for the Division I New Mexico State Aggies in the Sun Belt Conference.
“It feels great,” said Lomax about making the decision to play for the Aggies. “It’s a relief. I’m glad and I feel very comfortable with my decision and I’m just ready for the season now.”
Lomax’s junior season was enough to garner the attention of the Air Force Academy and Tulsa, along with New Mexico State, but in the end it was the Aggies for Lomax.
“I went down there for a visit to see how the campus was,” he said. “I fell in love with it. I came home and talked to my parents and uncles. We all decided this was a good choice for me.”
Lomax made that decision via a phone call to the coaching staff around noon on Monday.
“I called up the coach and, after talking back-and-forth, I told him I came to the conclusion that I want to commit to you guys,” he said.
Lomax received offers from Air Force and New Mexico State and interest from Tulsa before ultimately decided on NMSU.
Lomax, a DECA member, claimed academics as one of his deciding factors on choosing the Aggies.
“Definitely,” he said. “I want to major in Kinesiology and they have a good program there. They also have tutoring and academic sessions, so it was a good fit.”
Lomax led the 2014 Bulldawgs’ defense in interceptions with four and pass break ups with 31. He also had 31 tackles from the cornerback position. Lomax also had 16 kick returns for 448 yards to lead the squad. He averaged 28 yards per return.
Those skills are what the NMSU coaching staff liked about Lomax.
“They like that I can play at safety and corner so anywhere in the secondary they need me, I can play it,” he said. “They said they like my aggressiveness. I’m a ball hawk and they like that about me. They also liked my hustle points on my highlight film where I crossed the field to break up plays.”
Lomax admits, although this is a personal accomplishment, it took a team to get him to this point.
“My parents were on my case every day about the recruiting process and about my grades,” he said. “It pushed me to the limit. Without them I don’t know where I would be. My teammates - I just thank them and the coaching staff, they’ve really helped me a lot and developed me into a man. They pushed me during practice and during weights and it really made me the person I am today.”
Now that Lomax knows what his future holds, he wants to focus on the present.
“I already know where I’m going so coming into my senior season, the only thing I have to focus on is the season,” he said. “I’m just trying to work on my game, help us to a district title and hopefully to state because that’s what I’m working for.”
Lomax is the fourth Bulldawg football player to commit to a Division I school this year. Graduates Manny Harris (UTSA), Jaylen Waters (Minnesota) and Tyrell Thompson (Houston) committed in the summer last year before signing National Letters of Intent in February.