Crimson Aggie Spring Football Preview

2010 NMSU Football Preview
Bill Ogden (aka Chile Duck)

(Games Played in 2009 are in parenthesis)

Defensive Line. 

Returning starters: Pierre Fils, Jr. (13); Donte Savage, Jr. (13); John Finau, Sr. (13)

Other returners: Kawika Shook, Sr. (12); Branden Warner, Sr. (4); David Niumatalolo, Jr.; Chance Roberts, RFr.; Anthony Smith Jr.; Rex Meikel, RFr.

Departed: E.J. Cannon, Sr. (13); Justin Alford, Sr. (13); Ka'ua Adolpho, Jr (11); Chris Romero, Sr. (8); JD Davis, Jr.

On the way:  fall: David Mahoney, JC; Tommy Stuart, JC; Augafa Vaaulu, Fr.

Notes: The DLine seems have good experience coming back and good help on the way. At DE, returning starters Pierre Fils and John Finau. 
Anthony Smith was injured and did not play in 2009.

Linebackers. 

Returning starters: none

Other returners: B.J. Adolpho, So. (9); Boyblue Aoelua, Jr. (9); Kenny Evora, Sr. (9); David Quiroga, So. (9); Numi Lolohea, So. (6); Bryan Bonilla, RFr.; Tony Epenesa, Sr.; Ruben Martinez, So.

Departed: Ross Conner, Sr. (13);  Jamar Cotton, Sr. (13); Sam King, Sr. (11); Jason Scott, Sr. (13)

On the way:  spring: Frank Padilla, JC; Mike Matthews JC; fall: Dylan Davis, Fr.; Anthony Joyner, Fr.

Notes: The Aggies lost all of their starters so are looking for Frank Padilla to step in right away. Kenny Evora played TE, LB and ST. in 2009. David Quiroga and Numi Lolohea primarily played on special teams. Ruben Martinez was out with a knee injury in 2009. Mike Matthews is a preferred walk-on from Victor Valley College in Victorville CA.


Defensive Backs. 

Returning starters: Jonte Green, Jr. (13);  Stephon Hatchett, Sr. (13); Davon House, Sr. (13); Alphonso Powell Sr. (13)

Other returners: Lorenzo Caldwell, Sr. (5); Donyae Coleman, Jr. (10); Michael Zant, Jr. (5); Ben Bradley, Jr.; Devin Jackson, RFr.;

Departed: Chris Buckner, Sr. (12); Junior Fasavalu, Sr. (12);

On the way: spring: Justin Smith, Fr. fall: Shamar Gaines, JC; Darien Johnson, Fr.

Notes: Ben Bradley was ineligible in 2009. Donyae Coleman moved from WR to DB mid-way through 2009.  Justin Smith signed in 2009 as a gray shirt.

Offensive Line. (Games Played in 2009 in parenthesis)

Returning starters: Dwayne Barton, Sr. (13); Mike Grady, Jr. (13); Sioeli Fakalata, Sr. (13)

Other returners: Mike Yocius, So. (13), Patrick Blount, Sr. (2); Dejuan Yates, Jr.; Ruben Escarsega, Sr.; Maveu Heimuli, So.; Matt Passwaters, Sr.; Robert Rodriguez, Sr.; Jake Swenson, RFr.; Jourdan Rodriguez, RFr.;

Departed: David Norman, Sr. (13); Joseph Palmer, Sr. (13); Joe Suder, Sr. (11);  JR Saulietis, Sr. (3); Kyle Smith, Jr. (3); Joel Buschmann, Jr.; Eric Carlson, Fr.;

On the way: fall: Aundre McGaskey, Jr.; Dylan Lusk, Fr.; Davonte Wallace, Fr.

Notes: Barton, Grady and Fakalata are well established returning starters, so the question will be, who replaces the departing starters Norman and Palmer.   It seems that Kyle Smith and Joel Buschmann would have been candidates but are no longer on the roster. 

Of the other returners, Mike Yocius has played the most as a true Freshman, but primarily on special teams. Maveu Heimuli wasn't here last year and is returning from a year long mission but he started as a redshirt Freshman two years ago. Patrick Blount also was a starter two years and is an experienced backup from last year.

Or maybe someone will step up like Dejuan Yates, a JC transfer last year who was recruited at DL and redshirted and has now been moved to the offense. Or, perhaps one of the other redshirts/grayshirts will be in the mix for a starting position, Matt Passwaters, or Jake Swenson.

Tight End. 

Returning starters: Kyle Hipp, Sr. (12); Kyle Nelson, Sr. (13)

Other returners: Ronny Torres, Sr. (13), Spencer Diaz, Sr. (12);

Departed: Ryan Franzoy, Sr.;

On the way: fall: Jackson KaKa Fr.;

Notes: Hipp and Nelson shared starting duties in 2009. Ronny Torres played in two-TE formations as a blocking TE. Spencer Diaz spent the 2009 season on the defense seeing the field mostly on special teams

Wide Recievers. 

Returning starters: Todd Lee, Jr. (12);

Other returners: Marcus Allen, Sr. (11); William Bullock, Sr (9); Julius Fleming, Jr. (9); Darrius Preston, So. (8); Joe Cordova, So.; Mark Hilgers, RFr.; Barry Huntley, Sr. Jeremy Little, So. (3);

Departed: Marcus Anderson, Sr. (11);

On the way: fall: Taveon Burke, Fr.; Adam Shapiro, Fr.; Daniel English, Fr.

Notes: Shapiro and English will bring some much need size to the WR position in the fall.

Running Backs. 

Returning starters: Seth Smith, Sr. (13); Ronald Opetaia, Jr. (12)

Other returners: Robert Clay, So (8); Donavan Roberts, Jr. (12), Victor Johnson, So (7); James Hall, RFr.;
    Fullbacks: Brandon Perez, Sr.; Teka Salicido, Sr,;

Departed: Tonny Glynn, Sr. (13); Marquell Colston Sr. (6);

On the way:  spring: Marquese Dunn Fr.  fall: Kenny Turner, JC

Notes: New comer Marquese Dunn was part of the 2009 signing class but gray shirted. JC All-American Kenny Turner will be joining the team after the spring. Victor Johnson mostly saw action on special teams. Opetaia was primarily a blocking fullback. Perez was injured and did not play in 2009. D Roberts saw plenty of action on special teams.
Colston was suspended mid-way through the 09 season for a felony battery charge that was later dropped.


Quarterbacks. 

Returning starters: Jeff Fleming, Jr. (13);

Other returners:  Trevor Walls, So. (10); Tanner Rust, RFr.; Scott Galland, Jr.; Rush Atkinson, RFr.

Departed: none

On the way: spring: Matt Christian, JC; fall: Andrew Manley, Fr.

Notes: Fleming started 9 games and Walls 4 games in 2009.

Kickers. 

Returning starters: Kyle Hughes, Jr. (13)

Other returners: Jordan Davenport, So.(1); Zach Diaz, RFr.;

Departed: none

On the way:  fall: Tyler Stampler, JC

Kyle Hughes did it all in 2009; punts, field goals, and kickoffs. Tyler Stampler should give him some competition in the fall.