#26

CJ McBean

S · New Mexico · Fr. · #26

Returning to New Mexico for 2026
This season's coverage starts August 26 — check back once kickoff hits.

CJ McBean

S · New Mexico · Fr · #26

Limited signal — not enough coverage for a story yet.

Career Arc

HS
Recruit
No recruit profile
CFB
College
New Mexico
2025
NFL
NFL Draft
Not drafted (yet)

2025 snapshot

Season context · Team result + system

2025New Mexico9-4HC: Jason Eck · Run-leaning

Career stats

SeasonTeam
2025New Mexico40251.50.0--1--
Career40251.50.0--1--

Signature game

SIGNATURE GAME · Week 2 · 2025

W 32–22

vs Idaho State

1 SOLO  ·  3 TOT

How he plays

Play style

Moves between deep coverage and the slot.

CFB Index positional classification

2026 Outlook

New Mexico

2026 Depth chart

Projected starter

Safety · New Mexico

Returning around him

  • 12% of 2024 offensive production back (Heavy turnover)
  • 1 New Mexico player drafted to NFL
  • Transfer portal: +1 net (15 in / 14 out)

2026 Award watch

No preseason watch lists yet (most drop June 15 – July 15)

New Mexico · Last season: 9-4 · Talent rank #131 · 2026 recruiting class #86

DNA match

Player DNA

Hybrid Nickel

Moves between deep coverage and the slot — the modern positionless DB.

S

His 2025 production profile sits closest to Brenyen Scott’s 2023 season.

Temple · 2023

#2

Rushuan Tongue

Wake Forest · 2024

83%
#3

TJ Robinson

South Florida · 2022

75%
#4

Jelani McDonald

Texas · 2024

75%
#5

Tanner Davis

Massachusetts · 2021

74%

Matches Brenyen on

TFL rate
Tackle volume
Class year

Not enough data yet for this comparison.

As a freshman, his production profile tracks closest to Damaine Wilson's freshman season at Georgia State (2024).

Georgia State · 2024

#2

Drew Kulick

Colorado State · 2022

80%
#3

Derek Williams Jr.

Texas · 2023

79%
#4

Rylon Dillard-Allen

Washington · 2025

76%
#5

Tyler Lockhart

Mississippi State · 2025

76%

Matches Damaine on

Height
Tackle volume
TFL rate

Differs from Damaine on

Class year (lower)

Heisman trajectory

Heisman Trajectory · 2025

Peak #10919

Final rank
#10919
Avg #11702.7
Finalist prob 0%

Peaked at #10919 this season.