“The big thing is getting our scholarship numbers back where they should be. This class will get us to about 80 scholarships, which we haven’t met in about 10 years because we had previously been at about 65 in this program,” head coach Doug Martin said. “The talent upgrades are obvious at tight ends and we signed three today. Our offensive line is much bigger, taller guys than what we have had in the past and even the linebacker core is exceptional in this class.”
The new student-athletes came from various places in the country including Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. According to Coach Martin many of these players have the potential to make an immediate impact but he would also like to redshirt some of them so that they can develop into even better players for the future.
“The talent upgrade and the scholarship numbers that we brought in are definitely going to give this team the boost they need,” said Martin.
Below are the student-athletes that signed with NM State.
6-1, 220 lb. – Linebacker
Manvel, Texas – Manvel HS
Jackson tallied 134 tackles during his career at Manvel High School including 64 during the 2013 season and 50 in 2014. He also recorded 11 tackles for-a-loss, one interception, two pass breakups, one forced fumble and three fumble recoveries during his career. Jackson was named to the first team All-District defense 22-6A for his play in 2014. Other schools looking at Jackson included Memphis.
6-0, 185 lb. – Wide receiver
Aurora, Colo. – Cherokee Trail HS
Lottie, a native of Aurora, Colo., was a running back and linebacker for Cherokee Trail High School under coach Monte Thelen. Lottie rushed for 1,135 yards and 12 TD’s for the Cougars in 2014. Lottie also played basketball and ran track and field during high school.
6-5, 250 lb. – Offensive lineman
Goodyear, Ariz. – Desert Edge HS
Anderson, a native of Goodyear, Ariz., is a 6-foot-5 250-pound offensive lineman who played for Desert Edge High School. Anderson led an offensive line that helped the Scorpions rush for 4,364 yards and 64 rushing touchdowns in 2014. Anderson earned Conference 4A, Division III second team All-State honors in his final high school season.
6-5, 250 lb. – Defensive lineman
Dallas, Texas - Wilmer-Hutchins HS
Wilcots, a native of Dallas, Texas, attended Wilmer-Hutchins High School. Wilcots is a 6-foot-5 and 250 pound defensive lineman. He recorded 38 solo tackles and 101 total tackles during his high school career. Wilcots averaged 6.3 tackles per game and was named Defensive Lineman of the Year in 2014 and 1-4A Honorable Mention.
6-4, 235 lb. – Tight End
Cypress, Texas – Cypress Ranch HS
Solbeck, a native of Cypress, Texas, is a 6-foot-4-inch 235 pound Tight End from Cypress Ranch High School. In 2014, Solbeck helped the Mustangs to a 13-3 overall record and an 8-1 district record. In 2013, Solbeck caught five passes and four of them were for touchdowns.
5-11, 155 lb. – Kicker
Plano, Texas – Plano West HS
Davidson, a native of Plano, Texas, is a kicker who played at Plano West High School under coach Kelly Gauger. In 2014, Davison earned Class 6A first team All-State honors and was named the Class 6A, District 6 Special Teams Player of the Year. Davidson was the 13th nationally-ranked kicker coming out of high school. During the week of Oct. 27, 2014, Davidson was named the Kohl’s National Player of the Week after kicking a school-record 53-yard field goal against Boyd High School.
6-4, 220 lbs. – linebacker
Miami, Fla. – LaSalle HS
Hanks, a native of Miami, Fla., he played linebacker at LeSalle High School. Hanks, a 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds had 100 tackles and 2 interceptions during his high school career. He was named All-Conference and All-Dade County.
6-3, 310 lb. – Offensive lineman
Yuma, Ariz. – Arizona Western CC
McMeans, a native of Greenville, Ala., is a 6-3, 320 pound center who led the offensive charge for Arizona Western this past season and helped his team to an 11-1 overall record. Arizona Western tallied 2,895 yards rushing for an average of 241.2 yards per game while posting 30 rushing touchdowns. He finished as a second team All-WSFL and All-ACCAC center after the season (Western States Football League and Arizona Community College Athletic Conference, respectively). Before AWC, McMeans played football for Greenville High School in Greenville, Ala. under coach Ben Blackmon and graduated in 2011. In his senior campaign, McMeans helped the Tigers to 10-2 record and an Alabama High School Athletic Association Class 5A Region 3 championship.
6-3, 240 lb. – Tight end
Long Beach, Calif. – Long Beach C.C.
Granch, a native of Buena Park, Calif., he played tight end at Valley Christian High School. Granch is a two-time all-conference selection at tight end, earning second-team accolades as a freshman in 2013 and first-team honors this past 2014 season for Long Beach Community College. He caught 12 passes for 192 yards and two touchdowns his sophomore year and had 17 receptions for 365 yards and three TDs his opening season.
5-10, 170 lb – Wide Receiver
Ellsworth, Iowa – Ellsworth CC
Taylor, a native of Orlando, Fla., is a 5-8, 165 pound wide receiver with superb speed. The Aggies lost the likes of Adam Shapiro and Jerrell Brown at the wide receiver position and Taylor should compete for playing time immediately. Taylor finished the season with 61 receptions for 1,029 yards and 10 touchdowns. Two of his touchdowns came in the Graphic Edge Bowl when Ellsworth CC defeated No. 17 Dakota-Bottineau 39-7. His TD catches came from 31 yards out and 18 yards out.
6-4, 240 lb. – Defensive lineman
Wichita Falls High School – Wichita Falls, Texas
Garron Nash, a 6-4, 240 pound end, signed a National Letter of Intent to attend and play football at New Mexico State University in the fall of 2015. Nash was named a class 5A AP second-team all-state selection and was also named a UIL first-team all-district selection. He also had offers from Grambling and several FCS and Division II schools but his mentors felt it would fit him best to join his high school teammate O.J. Clark at NM State. Nash finished his senior season with a team-high 12 sacks, while 28 of his 62 tackles were behind the line of scrimmage. Those who saw Nash play mentioned that schools liked his quickness and that it made him an effective pass rusher, while he was athletic enough to be a dependable post player for his high school team.
6-0, 180 lbs. – Running back
Phoenix, Ariz. – Mountain Point HS
Leonard, a native of Phoenix, Ariz., is a 6-foot, 180-pound running back who played at Mountain Pointe High School. He rushed for 1,627 yards and 22 touchdowns in 2014. Leonard helped the Pride to a 10-3 overall record and a Class 5A, Division I semifinal appearance where they lost to eventual champions, Chandler High School. In 2014, Leonard earned Class 5A, Division I All-State first team honors and was named to the American Family Insurance All-USA Arizona football team.
5-11, 175 lb. – Wide Receiver
Las Cruces, N.M. (Las Cruces HS)
Isaiah McIntyre, a wide receiver for the Bulldawgs 2014 Class 5A championship team and last year's high point Class 5A male athlete in the New Mexico Track and Field competition. McIntyre was limited by injury to three games his senior season, highlighted by an eight-reception, 168-yard game with a touchdown against La Cueva.
6-4, 227 lb. – Defensive line/End
Tyler, Texas – John Tyler High School
Jassavia Reese, of John Tyler High School in Tyler, Texas, is a 6-4, 227 pound defensive end finished his senior season with over 50 tackles during his senior season. According to his high school coach and others he has played around, Reese is a very quick and agile player, especially at his position. He ran a 4.78 second 40-yard dash. During a combine he participated in, he recorded eight reps of 225 pounds, tying for ninth place out of 114 players invited to the combine.
6-0, 205 lb. – Linebacker
Fort Worth, Texas - North Crowley HS
Hood played under Coach Eugene Rogers at North Crowley High School and earned APSE Class 6A All-State honorable mention honors for his play in 2014. He tallied 107 tackles, 73 of those solo tackles and three sacks to lead the Panther defense. As a junior, Hood was a district 3-5A second team all-district selection on defense. During a timing session, Hood ran a 4.4 second, 40-yard dash.
5-9, 165 lb. – Wide Receiver
Wichita Falls, Texas – Wichita Falls HS
O.J. Clark, a native of Wichita, Texas, attended Wichita Falls High School. Clark was the District 5-5A Offensive Player of the Year, scoring 14 touchdowns as a receiver for the Coyotes. Clark was also a standout cornerback for the Coyotes and was the Red River 22 Defensive Player of the Year in 2013.
6-0, 185 lb. – Defensive back
Yukon, Okla. – Yukon HS
Owens was a first team defensive back Central Oklahoma all-conference selection during his senior year and ran a 4.5 40-yard dash while having great defensive instinct. Owens also had an offer to North Texas but decided to attend NM State.
6-5, 245 lb. – Tight end
San Diego, Calif. - Del Norte HS
Johns, a native of San Diego, Calif., he played tight end at Del Norte High School. Johns recorded 171 total receiving yards, 10 catches and 3 touchdowns during his high school career. He was named First-team defense in 2014. Johns was looked at by Alabama State and Weber State, but signed with New Mexico State.
6-3, 230 lb. – Defensive lineman
Denton, Texas - Denton Guyer HS
Although Watson finished the season with 20 tackles on the year, he was crucial in helping his team to an 11-2 record in class 6A, the largest class in the state of Texas.
6-3, 250 lb. – Offensive Lineman
Albuquerque, N.M. – Volcano Vista HS
Brian Trujillo, a 6-foot-3, 250 pound offensive lineman out of Albuquerque was a district 6A first team selection as well as a an all-state selection. He also earned all-metro honorable mention honors out of Albuquerque and attended the U.S. Army All-American Combine, where he made it through the first two cuts towards the All-American game. He also participated in varsity wrestling for a year and in varsity track and field for two years. Trujillo also had looks from the University of Arizona but decided to attended New Mexico State.
6-1, 195 – Defensive back
Dallas, Texas – Prime Prep Academy
Gibson is an honorable mention defensive back out of the state of Texas and runs a 4.37 40-yard dash.
6-1, 195 – Defensive back
Dallas, Texas – Prime Prep Academy
Gibson is an honorable mention defensive back out of the state of Texas and runs a 4.37 40-yard dash.
6-4, 290 lb. – Offensive Lineman
Lakewood, Colo. – Bear Creek HS
The 6-foot-4 native of Lakewood, Colo. helped Bear Creek High School to a 7-4 record in 2014. He was essential to the Bear Creek offense and show great athleticism and footwork in his recruiting films. He as a first team all-league selection during his senior season.
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