“Ume’s preseason honors and postseason honors were very much deserved,” said head coach Doug Martin. “It was an honor to coach a guy like him, who gave it his all during each practice, workout or game. I always said, if we had 15 more guys like Ume [Ezeoke], we’d win a lot more games.”
Ume-Ezeoke was the team captain for NM State during the entire 2014 season. He did not give up any sacks during the 2014 season and was responsible for giving up only one sack throughout his entire career. Ume-Ezeoke played in and started 40 consecutive games beginning Nov. 12, 2011, versus Fresno State as a true freshman. The streak lasted through Nov. 29, 2014, versus Arkansas State, his last game of his senior year.
Ume-Ezeoke has played in a total of 44 games in his career, starting in 43 of those games. He led an Aggie offensive line that allowed only 10 sacks on the season, ranking them No. 2 in the SBC and No. 4 in the nation. He led the team in 2014 in knockdowns and pancakes with 39 and 23 respectively; He came up with a total of 62 (total) knockdowns. Ume-Ezeoke led on offensive line the helped running back Larry Rose III gain over 1,000 yards this season. Rose III is the first player to surpass the 1,000 mark since 1995. His offensive line play helped the Aggies to No. 5 in the SBC in total offense with 418.2 yards per game.
Morgan, a native of Hanover, Md., walked on with the Aggies in 2013 but was a key player for the Aggie offense in 2014. Morgan led the Aggies in all receiving categories including number of receptions (75), yards receiving (903), average yards per catch (12), receiving touchdowns (7) and average per game (82.1). He played in 11 games for NM State during the season. Morgan finished the season No. 2 in the SBC in receptions per game with 6.8 and No. 14 in the nation. He was also No. 2 in the SBC in receiving yards per game (82.1) and No. 26 in the nation.
“Teldrick [Morgan] was a great addition to the team this season,” Martin said. “His work ethic and talent combined but him on another level. I think he could have been a first team selection but at the same time, he can use this as motivation to work to get even better.”
Morgan also finished No. 6 in the Sun Belt and No. 46 in the nation in all-purpose yards (1,361) in all-purpose yards per game (123.7). He ended the year No. 5 in the league in kick return average (22.7). He finished with 903 receiving yards on the year, which ranks him No. 38 nationwide. Morgan was also named to the Biletnikoff Watch List in 2014 and was also an honorable mention selection for CollegeFootballPerformance.com for his play during week 11.
Sophomore linebacker Rodney Butler and freshman linebacker Derek Ibekwe were named to the Sun Belt Conference honorable mention team, along with defensive back Winston Rose and running back Larry Rose III. Rose III was also named to the SBC All-Newcomer team.
Rose III led NM State in rushing attempts (186), rushing yards (1102), average per carry (5.9), average rushing yards per game (110.2) and rushing touchdowns (9). He was No. 3 in the SBC in rushing and was also No. 4 in the SBC in all-purpose yards with 1,274 total yards and No. 39 in the nation in all-purpose yards 127.4, while No. 2 in the SBC in all-purpose yards per game. Although he only played in 10 games for the Aggies he was still leading team in every rushing category in 2014. Rose III tallied 23 receptions for 172 yards and one touchdown. He posted a career-high 229 yards and two touchdowns on 35 carries against UL Monroe Nov. 22. Rose III is No. 25 in the nation in rushing yards per game with 110.2 per.
Butler finished the season leading NM State in tackles with 119; 61 assisted and 58 solo. He recorded 7.5 tackles for a loss of nine yards and pulled in one interception which he returned 40 yards for a touchdown against Georgia State. Butler recorded two forced fumbles and one pass break up. He is No. 2 in the SBC in total tackles and No. 20 nationally (119 tackles).
Ibekwe finished the season second on the team in total tackles with 102; 46 solo and 56 assisted. He helped the Aggies to the No. 7 ranked pass defense in the nation, allowing only 174.5 yards through the air per game. Ibekwe posted 4.0 tackles for a loss of seven yards. He finished the year No. 5 in the SBC and No. 65 in the nation in total tackles.
The Aggies finished the season 2-10 and 1-7 in SBC play.
All-Sun Belt Conference Teams
Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year
Elijah McGuire (UL Lafayette, So., RB)
Sun Belt Conference Offensive Player of the Year
Elijah McGuire (UL Lafayette, So., RB)
Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Year
David Mayo (Texas State, Senior, LB)
Sun Belt Conference Freshman of the Year
Taylor Lamb (Appalachian State, Fr., QB)
Sun Belt Conference Coach of the Year
Willie Fritz, Georgia Southern
All-Sun Belt Conference First Team Offense
Fredi Knighten (Arkansas State, Jr., QB)
Matt Breida (Georgia Southern, So., RB)
Elijah McGuire (UL Lafayette, So., RB)
Donovan Harden (Georgia State, Jr., WR)
Joshua McCain (Idaho, Sr., WR)
Rashon Ceaser (UL Monroe, Jr., WR)
Brad Miller (Texas State, Sr., TE)
Kendall Lamm (Appalachian State, Sr., OL)
Garrett Frye (Georgia Southern, Sr., OL)
Manrey Saint-Amour (Georgia Southern, Sr., OL)
Daniel Quave (UL Lafayette, Sr., OL)
Valerian Ume-Ezeoke (New Mexico State, Sr., OL)
All-Sun Belt Conference First Team Defense
Justin Hamilton (UL Lafayette, Sr., DL)
Christian Ringo (UL Lafayette, Sr., DL)
Gerrand Johnson (UL Monroe, Jr., DL)
Michael Odiari (Texas State, Sr., DL)
Qushaun Lee (Arkansas State, Sr., LB)
Edwin Jackson (Georgia Southern, Sr., LB)
David Mayo (Texas State, Sr., LB)
Doug Middleton (Appalachian State, Jr., DB)
Artez Brown (Arkansas State, Sr., DB)
Mitch Lane (UL Monroe, Jr., DB)
Montres Kitchens (Troy, Jr., DB)
David Mims (Texas State, Jr., DB)
All-Sun Belt Conference First Team Special Teams
Justin Manton (UL Monroe, Sr., PK)
Austin Rehkow (Idaho, So., P)
Chandler Worthy (Troy, Sr., RS)
Elijah McGuire (UL Lafayette, So., All Purpose)
All-Sun Belt Conference Second Team Offense
Kevin Ellison (Georgia Southern, So., QB)
Marcus Cox (Appalachian State, So., RB)
Michael Gordon (Arkansas State, Jr. RB)
Ajalen Holley (UL Monroe, So., WR)
Teldrick Morgan (New Mexico State, So., WR)
Shavarez Smith (South Alabama, Sr., WR)
Joel Ruiz (Georgia State, Jr., TE)
Mike Marboe (Idaho, Sr., OL)
Mykhael Quave (UL Lafayette, Jr., OL)
Ucambre Williams (South Alabama, Sr., OL)
Terrence Jones (Troy, Sr., OL)
Adrian Bellard (Texas State, Jr., OL)
All-Sun Belt Conference Second Team Defense
Ronald Blair (Appalachian State, Jr., DL)
Ja’Von Rolland-Jones (Arkansas State, Fr., DL)
Jerome McClain (South Alabama, Sr., DL)
Theo Rich (South Alabama, Sr., DL)
John Law (Appalachian State, So., LB)
Joseph Peterson (Georgia State, Jr., LB)
Hunter Kissinger (UL Monroe, Jr., LB)
Maleki Harris (South Alabama, Sr., LB)
Matt Dobson (Georgia Southern, JR., DB)
Corey Trim (UL Lafayette, Sr., DB)
Terrell Brigham (South Alabama, Sr., DB)
Craig Mager (Texas State, SR., DB)
All-Sun Belt Conference Second Team Special Teams
Hunter Stover (UL Lafayette, Sr., PK)
Justin Manton (UL Monroe, Sr., P)
Blaise Taylor (Arkansas State, Fr., RS)
Chandler Worthy (Troy, Sr., All Purpose)
All-Sun Belt Conference Honorable Mention
Drew Bailey (Appalachian State, Sr., TE)
Parker Collins (Appalachian State, So., OL)
Kennan Gilchrist (Appalachian State, So., LB)
Joel Ross (Appalachian State, Sr., DB)
Tres Houston (Arkansas State, Jr., WR)
Chris Stone (Arkansas State, Jr., DL)
Andrew Tryon (Arkansas State, Sr., DB)
Xavier Woodson (Arkansas State, So., LB)
Logan Daves (Georgia Southern, Sr., OL)
Deion Stanley (Georgia Southern Sr., S)
Jay Ellison (Georgia Southern, So., DL)
Antwione Williams (Georgia Southern, Jr., LB)
Nick Arbuckle (Georgia State, Jr., QB)
Tim Wynn (Georgia State, Sr., OL)
LynQuez Blair (Georgia State, Sr., WR)
Robert Davis (Georgia State, So., WR)
Marc Millan (Idaho, Jr., LB)
Quinton Bradley (Idaho, Jr., DE)
Matt Linehan (Idaho, Fr., QB)
Elijhaa Penny (Idaho, Jr., RB)
Dominique Tovell (UL Lafayette, Jr., LB)
Larry Pettis (UL Lafayette, Sr., TE)
Terrance Broadway(UL Lafayette, Sr., QB)
Terry Johnson (UL Lafayette, Sr., OL)
Trey Caldwell (UL Monroe, Sr., DB)
Kenzee Jackson (UL Monroe, Sr., WR)
Michael Johnson (UL Monroe, Sr., LB)
Ray Stovall (UL Monroe, Sr., LB)
Rodney Butler (New Mexico State, So., LB)
Winston Rose (New Mexico State, Sr., DB)
Larry Rose III (New Mexico State, Fr., RB)
Derek Ibekwe (New Mexico State, Fr., LB)
Chris May (South Alabama, Jr., OL)
Melvin Meggs (South Alabama, Sr., OL)
Jesse Kelley (South Alabama, Sr., DL)
Montell Garner (South Alabama, Sr., DB)
Will Johnson (Texas State, Sr., P)
Tyler Jones (Texas State, So., QB)
Robert Lowe (Texas State, Jr., RB)
Ryan Melton (Texas State, So., OL )
Dalton Bennett (Troy, Jr., OL)
Brandon Burks (Troy, Jr., RB)
Tyler Roberts (Troy, Jr., DL)
Bryan Holmes (Troy, Jr., WR)
Sun Belt Conference Newcomer Team
Beau Nunn (Appalachian State, Fr., OL)
Dijon Paschal (Arkansas State, Fr., WR)
Nick Arbuckle (Georgia State, Jr., QB)
L.A. Ramsby (Georgia Southern, Fr., RB)
Jordan Rose (Idaho, Fr., OL)
Tracy Walker (UL Lafayette, Fr., DB)
Pete Thomas (UL Monroe, Grad, QB)
Larry Rose III (New Mexico State, Fr., RB)
Braedon Bowman (South Alabama, Jr., TE)
CJ Best (Texas State, Jr., WR)
Brandon Silvers (Troy, Fr., QB)