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Monday, June 18, 2012

Fall Previews: New Mexico State

Fall Preview for the New Mexico State Aggies:

NEW MEXICO STATE
QB
#08         Andrew Manley QB 6-3 225 R-So. Wahiawa, Hawai'i, (Leilehua HS)--3 games played. 62-109 for 892 yards and 6 TD. Injured in 3rd game of season after starting all 3.
#01         Travaughn Colwell QB 6-3 185 So. Manvel, Texas (Manvel HS)--7 games played. 39-60 for 420 yards and 2 TD.
#18         Nick Carey QB 6-3 210 Jr. Mission Viejo, Calif. (Grossmont College) (J. Serra HS)--No stats in 2011. JUCO transfer.
#12         Andrew McDonald QB 6-2 210 Jr. Newport Beach, Calif. (Santa Ana College) (Newport Harbor HS)--JUCO transfer.
#11         King Davis III QB 6-1 180 Fr. Mesquite, Texas (North Mesquite HS)--Incoming freshman.
#??         Gary Issacson, QB, 6-0, 188, San Diego, Calif. (West Hills HS)--First year with team.

The Aggies have a bit of a quarterback competition in 2012 with sophomores Andrew Manley and Travaughn Colwell battling for the starting job. Manley was on pace to be the starter all of the 2011 season before a season ending injury occurred in week 3. Coleman came in and was part of a rotation of quarterbacks that took the place of Manley for the rest of the season. Manley should win the battle as long as his knee is fully healed and ready for the 2012 season. With the two JUCO transfers and a talented incoming freshman. Look for all three to be redshirted in 2012.

RB
#02         Robert Clay RB 5-10 195 Sr. New Braunfels, Texas (Canyon HS)--8 games played. 41 carries for 132 yards and 1 TD. 3 catches for 34 yards. 4 kickoff returns for 10.5 yard average. 7 tackles.
#21         Brandon Betancourt RB 5-10 180 So. Las Cruces, N.M. (Mayfield HS)--5 games played. 6 carries for 24 yards.
#24         Devon Dozier RB 5-6 170 So. Corona, Calif. (Eleanor Roosevelt HS)--No stats in 2011.
#25         Germi Morrison RB 6-0 195 R-Jr. Panorama City, Calif. (LA Valley College) (Monroe HS)--Redshirted in 2011.
#28         LaFelton Traxler RB 5-10 235 Sr. Moreno Valley, Calif. (Valley View HS)--No stats in 2011.
#23         Akeelie Mustafa RB 5-10 180 So. Compton, Calif. (Santa Ana College) (Cypress HS)--JUCO transfer.
#20         Lavoris Powell RB 5-11 215 Jr. Lake City, Fla. (Jones County Junior College) (Columbia HS)--JUCO transfer.

The Aggies were a pass happy offense in 2011 that used the running game as more of a change of pace than a significant part of their offense. Senior Robert Clay looks to be the first in line to get carries for the Lobo offense after carrying the ball 41 times in 2011. Sophomore Brandon Bentancourt is the only other running back to see action in 2011 with 6 carries in 5 games played. The NMST coaching staff brought in two JUCO transfers that should immediately fight to get into the rotation with Clay and Bentancourt. The depth chart battles at running back should be interesting this summer and early fall.

TE
#15         Trevor Walls TE 6-5 245 Sr. Waverly, Ohio (Waverly HS)--12 games played. 2-2 passing for 34 yards. 10 catches for 120 yards. 1 kickoff return for 10 yards. Also played some quarterback.
#22         David Quiroga TE 6-1 220 Sr. Chino Hills, Calif. (Ayala HS)--12 games played. 2 carries for 21 yards and 1 TD. 3 kickoff returns for 13.7 yard average. 14 tackles.
#89         Andrew Dean TE 6-3 235 So. Camarillo, Calif. (Adolfo Camarillo HS)--12 games played. 1 tackle. Played only on special teams.
#80         Perris Scoggins TE 6-3 250 Jr. Fontana, Calif. (Mt. San Jacinto College) (Summit HS)--JUCO transfer.
#14         Matt Jaramillo TE 6-5 245 R-Fr. Albuquerque, N.M. (West Mesa HS)--Redshirted in 2011.
#84         Zach Jones TE 6-4 245 Fr. Highlands Ranch, Colo. (Thunder Ridge HS)--Incoming freshman.

Senior Trevor Walls is the only tight end to make any catches for the Aggies in 2011 and looks to be the starter again in 2012. Walls was a bit of a do it all player seeing limited action at quarterback in certain situations and passing for 34 yards on the season in addition to his 10 catches. Senior David Quiroga and sophomore Andrew Dean will also fight for playing time behind Walls but will have to fight off redshirt freshman Matt Jaramillo and JUCO transfer Perris Scoggins who should contribute on special teams at least this fall.

WR
#04         Austin Franklin WR 6-2 180 So. Dallas, Texas (Kimball HS)--12 games played. 4 carries for 22 yards. 32 catches for 508 yards and 3 TD. 2 punt returns for -4 yard average. 3 kickoff returns for 34.3 yard average. 1 tackle.
#13         Kemonte' Bateman WR 6-1 185 Sr. Los Angeles, Calif. (Pasadena JC) (Crenshaw HS)--12 games played. 1 carry for 0 yards. 26 catches for 360 yards and 3 TD. 4 punt returns for -2 yard average. 1 tackle.     
#17         Jerrel Brown WR 6-0 180 Jr. Inglewood, Calif. (St. John Bosco HS)--11 games played. 6 catches for 79 yards and 1 TD.
#09         Darrius Preston WR 6-1 170 Sr. Ft. Myers, Fla. (Dunbar HS)--9 games played. 1 catch for 6 yards.
#05         Joseph Matthews WR 6-2 190 So. Tucson, Ariz. (Rincon HS)--8 games played. No stats in 2011.
#16         Adam Shapiro WR 6-0 180 So. Rio Rancho, N.M. (Rio Rancho HS)--2 games played. No stats in 2011.
#19         Jordan Addison WR 6-2 180 R-Jr. Westbury, N.Y. (Irondequoit H)--Redshirted in 2011.
#88         Joe Cordova WR 6-8 240 Jr. Marietta, Ga. (Blessed Trinity Catholic HS)--No stats in 2011.
#07         Kevan Walker WR 6-0 195 Sr. Pasadena, Calif. (Oregon State) (Arcadia HS)--Transfer from Oregon State. Eligible in 2011.
#10         Marcus Williams WR 6-3 200 R-Sr. Riverside, Calif. (San Bernardino Valley College) (San Gargonio HS)--Redshirted in 2011.
#06         Joshua Bowen WR 5-10 170 R-Fr. Albuquerque, N.M. (Manzano HS)--Redshirted in 2011.
#83         Gary Issacson WR 6-0 180 Fr. San Diego, Calif. (West Hills HS)--Incoming freshman.

For a team like New Mexico State that is a passing oriented offense, it is somewhat odd to see so little returning experience at wide receiver. Sophomore Austin Franklin (32 catches) and senior Kemonte' Bateman (26 catches) account for nearly 90% of all receptions in 2011 that is returning this fall. Junior Jerrel Brown is the best bet to step up and take some pressure off of Franklin and Bateman. After 6 catches in 2011, Brown must make 20+ catches in 2012. Preston, Matthews, Shapire, Addison, Cordova, and Oregon State transfer Marcus Williams will all compete to be in the rotation this fall for the Aggies.

OL
#74         Davonte Wallace LT 6-4 290 Jr. El Paso, Texas (Irvin HS)--12 games played. 1 tackle. 2nd team all WAC.
#78         Andrew Kersten OG 6-5 305 Sr. Minneapolis, Minn. (El Camino JC) (Washburn HS)--11 games played.
#65         Ryan Arbelaez OL 6-1 280 So. San Diego, Calif. (Mira Mesa HS)--Did not play in 2011.
#70         Andy Cunningham OL 6-4 300 R-Fr. Frisco, Texas (Frisco HS)--Redshirted in 2011.
#71         Maveu Heimuli OL 6-4 325 Sr. Kahuku H.S, (Kahuku H.S)--10 games played. 1 tackle.
#50         Zachary Rockhold OL 6-0 270 Sr. Albuquerque, N.M. (NMMI) (La Cueva HS)--No stats in 2011.
#55         Valerian Ume-Ezeoke OL 6-2 275 So. Garland, Texas (Garland Lakeview Centennial HS)--8 games played, 6 starts.
#44         Mike Kaiser OL/DS 6-1 220 Jr. Carlsbad, Calif. (La Costa Canyon HS)--3 tackles.
#66         Dada Richards OL 6-3 315 Jr. Oakland, Calif. (Diablo Valley College) (Pittsburgh HS)--JUCO transfer.
#72         Peter Foreman OL 6-4 310 Fr. Houston, Texas (St. Thomas HS)--Incoming freshman.
#76         Alfred Sharp OL 6-5 285 Jr. Cleveland Heights, Ohio (Iowa Western CC) (Cleveland Heights HS)--JUCO transfer.
#69         Alexander Trujillo OL 6-2 280 R-Fr. Spring, Texas (Centennial HS)--Redshirted in 2011.
#77         Houston Clemente OL 6-2 285 R-Fr. Honolulu, Hawai'i (St. Louis HS)--Redshirted in 2011.
#62         Isaiah Folasa OL 6-3 335 Fr. Corona, Calif. (Santiago HS)--Incoming freshman.
#73         Faison McKinnis OL 6-6 300 R-Fr. Frisco, Texas (Centennial HS)--Redshirted in 2011.
#58         Inuka Rhaheed OL 6-2 305 Fr. Ft. Pierce, Fla. (Westwood HS)--Incoming freshman.

DL
#99         Stephen Meredith DT 6-4 240 So. Garden Grove, Calif. (Garden Grove HS)--12 games played. 21 tackles, 2 for loss.
#97         Mark Brown DT 6-0 290 So. West Palm Beach, Fla. (Palm Beach Gardens HS)--6 games played. 4 tackles.
#92         Walton Taumoepeau DT 6-3 300 Sr. Buena Park, Calif. (Cerritos College) (Buena Park HS)--11 games played. 20 tackles, 3.5 for loss. 2 sacks, 2 pbu, 2 pd, 1 forced fumble.
#51         Tommy Stuart DT 6-3 285 R-Jr. Westlake, Calif. (Ventura College) (Westlake HS)--No stats in 2011.
#60         Chance Roberts DE 6-5 245 Jr. Los Lunas, N.M. (Los Lunas HS)--No stats in 2011.
#52         Donte Savage DE 6-2 250 R-Sr. Portland, Ore. (Fork Union Prep)--No stats in 2011.
#13         Anthony Smith DE 6-1 230 Sr. Mesa, Ariz. (Red Mountain HS)--No stats in 2011.
#90         Nick Oliva DE 6-4 245 Jr. Saugus, Calif. (College of the Canyons) (Valencia HS)--JUCO transfer.
#91         Kalvin Cruz DT 6-2 275 Jr. Littleton, Colo. (Ventura College) (Columbine HS)--JUCO transfer.
#56         Kevin Laudermill DT 6-2 295 Jr. Los Angeles, Calif. (West LA CC) (Manual Arts HS)--JUCO transfer.
#82         Thomas Shepard DE 6-4 225 Fr. Denver, Colo. (Denver South HS)--Incoming freshman.
#94         Abram Holland DT 6-2 275 Fr. Rio Rancho, N.M. (V. Sue Cleveland HS)--Incoming freshman.

The Lobo defensive line is in desperate need of depth in 2012 with only 3 players returning with any game experience. Sophomores Stephen Meredith and Mark Brown saw playing time as true freshmen in 2011 combining for 25 tackles with most of the tackles coming from Meredith. Senior Walton Taumoepeau will again be in the middle after a 20 tackle, 2 sack performance in 2011. The coaching staff brought in 3 JUCO transfers and 2 freshmen that will immediately compete for playing time this fall. Expect at least 2 for significant playing time in the fall and possibly starting spots.

LB
#36         B.J. Adolpho LB 5-11 225 Sr. Kahuku, Hawai'i (Kahuku HS)--12 games played. 40 tackles, 3 for loss.
#12         Bryan Bonilla LB 6-1 220 Jr. Pomona, Calif. (Diamond Ranch HS)--12 games played. 63 tackles, 1.5 for loss. 1 interception, 2 pbu, 2 pd.
#09         Alexander LaVoy LB 6-2 230 Sr. Reno, Nev. (Butte C.C.) (McQueen HS)--8 games played. 32 tackles, 1.5 for loss. 1 pbu, 1 pd.
#32         Dylan Davis LB 6-0 230 Jr. Ventura, Calif. (St. Bonaventure HS)--11 games played. 5 tackles.
#68         Anthony Joyner LB 6-2 235 R-So. San Diego, Calif. (Point Loma HS)--No stats in 2011.
#02         Trashaun Nixon LB 6-1 225 Jr. Oxnard, Calif. (Ventura College) (Hueneme HS)--JUCO transfer.
#14         Matthew Heard LB 6-2 210 R-Fr. El Paso, Texas (Andress HS)--Redshirted in 2011.
#26         Deontae Ragas LB 5-11 200 R-Fr. Gardena, Calif. (Gardena HS)--Redshirted in 2011.
#40         Robert Wagner LB 6-2 225 Fr. Ontario, Calif. (Colony HS)--Incoming freshman.

The Aggies defense returns three solid linebackers that saw significant playing time in 2011 and contributed to the defensive effort. Senior BJ Adolpho (40 tackles) and junior Bryan Bonilla (63 tackles) combined for 103 tackles and an interception in 2011 while senior Alexander Lavoy contributed 32 tackles in only 8 games played. Davis, Joyner, NIxon, Heard, and Ragas should all compete for playing time with the true freshman Robert Wagner having an outside shot to play but will likely be redshirted.

DB
#01         Jeremy Harris DB 6-2 185 Sr. Dorsey, Calif. (East Los Angeles JC) (Dorsey HS)--12 games played. 27 tackles. 2 pbu, 2 pd.
#04         Darien Johnson DB 5-9 180 Jr. Fontana, Calif. (Bishop Amat HS)--12 games played. 38 tackles, 3 for loss. 1 sack, 2 pbu, 2 pd.
#08         Justin Smith DB 6-2 200 Jr. Safford, Ariz. (Safford HS)--11 games played. 25 tackles.
#31         Davis Cazares SS 5-11 190 Jr. La Puente, Calif. (Bishop Amat HS)--12 games played. 12 tackles.
#05         George Callender SS 6-1 195 Jr. Miami, Fla. (Dural Academy)--1 kickoff return for 2 yards. 6 games played. 5 tackles.
#34         Jesse Forte SS 5-11 195 So. Atlanta, Ga. (Parkview HS)--5 games played. 2 tackles.
#24         Josh Smith SS 6-2 195 Jr. Inglewood, Calif., (Morningside HS)--5 games played. 2 tackles.
#10         Kedeem Thomas-Davis DB 5-10 170 R-Fr. El Paso, Texas (El Dorado HS)--Redshirted in 2011.
#21         Anthony Edwards DB 6-0 190 R-Jr. Lancaster, Calif. (Antelope Valley College)--No stats in 2011.
#03         Cameron Fuller DB 5-11 175 Jr. Richmond, Calif. (Conta Costa College) (Berkeley HS)--JUCO transfer.
#06         Dele Junaid DB 6-1 200 Jr. Houston, Texas (Eastern Arizona) (Hightower HS)--JUCO transfer.
#29         Dominique Love DB 6-1 180 Fr. San Diego, Calif. (Bishop's HS)--Incoming freshman.
#20         Samuel Oyenuga DB 5-11 180 R-Fr. Rowlett, Texas (Rowlett HS)--Redshirted in 2011. 1 kickoff return for 15 yards.

The Lobo secondary returns 4 players that made 10 or more tackles in 2011 led by junior Darien Johnson (36 tackles) and supported by senior Jeremy Harris (27 tackles) and juniors Justin Smith (25 tackles) and Davis Cazares (12 tackles). Even with the experience, this group will be pushed by a group of reserves that include Callender, Forte, Smith, Thomas-Davis, and Edwards. The two JUCO transfers (Fuller and Junaid) should also compete for playing time.

LS
#44         Mike Kaiser OL/DS 6-1 220 Jr. Carlsbad, Calif. (La Costa Canyon HS)--12 games played. 5 tackles.

Junior Mike Kaiser is a solid lineman that can long snap as well and is a good player for the Aggies. He is severely undersized to actually play offensive line but his quickness gives him the ability to get down the field on punt coverage and make some tackles. He should improve on his 5 tackles in 2011 and also give another solid season of snapping the ball for punts and kicks.

P
#42         Jake Capraro P 6-1 210 Jr. Claremont, Calif. (Damien HS)--66 punts for 39.4 yard average. 15 inside the 20 yard line. 6 over 50 yards. 1 kickoff with 0 touchbacks. 1 tackle.
#07         Cayle Chapman-Brown P 6-5 210 Jr. Sydney, Australia (Snow College) (Marist Kogarah)--JUCO transfer.

Junior Jake Capraro had a solid sophomore season in 2011 with 66 punts for a 39.4 yard average. He landed 15 of his 66 punts inside the 20 yard line and boomed 6 punts over 50 yards. He must improve his average to 41 or 42 yards to take the next step and be a special teams weapon in 2012 for the New Mexico State special teams.

K
#18         Tyler Stampler K 5-10 175 Sr. Davie, Fla., (Ventura College) (Archbishop McCarthy HS)--7-12 field goals. Long of 39 yards. 31-35 extra point attempts.
#41         Brock Baca PK 5-10 215 R-Fr. Las Cruces, N.M. (Mayfield HS)--Redshirted in 2011.

Senior Typer Stampler had a decent 2011 season making 7-12 field goal attempts and 31-35 extra point attempts. Stampler does not have an incredibly strong leg with his season high coming from 39 yards. He is solid but must improve his accuracy to 75% or higher in 2012 for the Aggies to compete for more wins and the coaching staff to trust him to attempt more kicks.


2011 was a step in the right direction for the New Mexico State Aggies with a 4-9 record and a convincing win versus bitter rival New Mexico. 2012 sees the Aggies facing a tough schedule that will show whether the Aggies will continue to improve or fall back. The Aggies have road trips to Ohio, UTEP, Idaho, Utah State, Auburn and Texas State with home games versus Sacramento State, New Mexico, UTSA, Louisiana Tech, San Joe State and BYU. 6 wins is very possible for the Aggies and there is a slight possibility of seeing the Aggies in a bowl game if everything falls perfect for them in 2012.

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