A magical 2023 season for the New Mexico State Aggies has left them in a reloading phase for the 2024 season.
Having lost Diego Pavia to the transfer portal and head coach Jerry Kill to retirement, the Aggies face an uphill battle trying to duplicate the magic that led to a 10-win season and an appearance in the Conference USA Championship Game.
Who will be available to help the Aggies continue the momentum from 2023?
New Mexico State Aggies Top 10 Returners in 2024
Analyzing the returning players at every school is a difficult task in the transfer portal era. As such, we’ve included transfer-portal athletes that were included on each team’s roster page to open fall camp in addition to the rostered players from last year.
10) AJ Vaipulu, Offensive Line
AJ Vaipulu headlines a strong returning group that was ranked third in Conference USA in rushing yards with 2,980 total yards on the season — but it was the 5.7 yards per rush that made the unit really special.
Vaipulu was a preseason All-Conference mention by Phil Steele, and despite being a bit undersized at 6’2″ and 295 pounds, Vaipulu generates impressive movement in the middle for the Aggies. He should be a big part of a plan to establish the run in a revamped offense.
9) Jordan Smith, Wide Receiver
Jordan Smith was injured after just four games, but his potential as a returner, in addition to his skills as a wide receiver, will be a valuable piece for the Aggies as they look to replace a ton of production from the 2023 squad.
Smith put up decent numbers, with five receptions and seven punt returns in his four games, but those numbers should jump significantly as a holdover from a group that added a number of players from the junior college ranks.
8) Dakerric Hobbs, Defensive Back
One of the big pickups through the transfer portal, Hobbs joins the Aggies after a year at Sam Houston, where he tallied 38 tackles, one tackle for loss, a fumble recovery, and five pass breakups,
The 6’0″ speedster should provide New Mexico State with some blanket coverage on the outside and will help the defense improve on the 248 yards allowed through the air in 2023.
7) Sone Aupiu, Linebacker
Sone Aupiu tallied 47 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, and two forced fumbles in a strong second-year campaign following a redshirt year in 2022. Aupiu should be able to improve on those numbers as departures will open up more playing time for him.
Aupiu has good size and instincts for the position as he is 6’1″ and weighs 225 pounds. He can flex out if necessary, which could give the Aggies some extra heat off the edge as they look to improve on the 31 total sacks as a group from last year.
6) Buddha Peleti, Defensive End
Buddha Peleti was tied for first on the team with 4.5 sacks last year and should be able to duplicate that production in 2024. He also had 34 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and added four quarterback hurries.
Peleti is a strong, stocky end who uses his strength in addition to his quickness on the edge. He’s not the longest prospect at just 6’2″, but Peleti will be in his third year in the program and has already shown the ability to produce in his first season getting regular time.
5) Shiyazh Pete, Offensive Line
Shiyazh Pete is the rare diamond in the rough with legitimate size, standing at 6’8″ and weighing 320 pounds while having a long, lean frame that allows him to move well for a player his size. He helped pave the way for 22 rushing touchdowns in 2023.
He was a first-team All-Conference selection in 2023, and he’s now played consistently for two seasons and will be entering his second year as the starter at left tackle.
Scouts have started to take notice of the junior, and so should the rest of Conference USA as Pete is also on the Outland Trophy watch list to start 2024.
4) Da’Marcus Crosby, Safety
Another transfer player from Sam Houston, Da’Marcus Crosby was a first-team All-Conference selection and was named the Conference USA Player of the Week after tallying 10 tackles and a big interception against Kennesaw State.
Crosby posted 55 tackles, one tackle for loss, and four interceptions in 2023 along with three pass breakups.
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The rangy safety should be able to continue his ball-hawking ways as he moves across the conference to New Mexico State for 2024.
3) Canaan Yarro, Center
Canaan Yarro is the anchor of an experienced unit.
Yarro was selected to the Conference USA Second Team and was added to the Rimington Trophy Watch List to start the 2024 season.
Yarro is extremely smart and an excellent leader, handling the bulk of adjustments for the Aggies at the line of scrimmage. He’s not the biggest or the strongest standing at just 6’1″ and weighing 300 pounds, but he’s aggressive and provides maximum effort and will be a critical piece of New Mexico State’s offensive plans.
2) Kordell David, Wide Receiver
Kordell David is the leading returner and most experienced member of the wide receiver corps.
At 6’3″ and 205 pounds, Kordell has the kind of size that allows him to go up and get balls, which will be much needed as the Aggies introduce a new quarterback.
Kordell’s production has been consistent as he’s amassed 44 receptions and 546 yards with five touchdowns in his two seasons in Las Cruces, but this should be the year that David really establishes himself as a go-to wideout for the Aggies.
1) Monte Watkins, Running Back
Monte Watkins returns after being the third-leading rusher for New Mexico State in 2023. He’ll step into the leading role after Diego Pavia and Star Thomas left through the portal, and his astonishing 9.6 yards per rush should be a ray of hope for his potential in the fall.
Watkins only had two touchdowns, but he also carried the ball just 59 times. He’s an absolute speedster and a monster threat to break a big run every time he hits the edge.
His eight receptions for 77 yards may not look like a lot, but considering Watkins was the third running back option, the fact that he almost averaged a first down per catch will make him an integral part of the Aggies’ offense.
Watkins is a star in waiting for the Aggies, and 2024 looks to be his time to shine.
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