Spoke to Solano Community College wide receiver Kenonte Howard, who said he is coming to NMSU next Friday and will suit up for the Aggies in the fall.
“I've been talking to coach (R. Todd) Littlejohn since the middle of spring,” Hoawrd said. “My focus right now is my summer classes.
“I'll be there this fall.”
As of now, Howard is not a scholarship player, as he's expected to walk on at NMSU.
He had a big sophomore season at Solano — 72 catches, close to 1,000 yards and 13 touchdowns. He's also a big target — 6-foot-3, 205 pounds.
Expect the Aggies to add a few more pieces to the roster before camp as well, most likely on the offensive and defensive lines.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Another commit?
Just got word NMSU received a verbal from Gary Isaacson. Here's a link.....
I'll track him down and see what I can find out.....
I'll track him down and see what I can find out.....
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Aggie eighth-place prediction in WAC poll feels appropriate
The New Mexico State Aggie football team was picked to finish eighth in the nine-team Western Athletic Conference by league coaches and media members at the WAC football media conference.
Of course, preseason polls mean little. Did voters select Idaho to finish top-four in the WAC last year? No, more like bottom-two, only to see the Vandals surprise just about everyone by going 8-5 overall, 4-4 in WAC play and qualifying for the Humanitarian Bowl.
The polls simply gauge how fellow WAC competitors view the opposition with the season just a month away. Much of it is based off how the team fared the previous year.
Case in point: San Jose State is coming off a dreadful season — 1-7 in WAC play — and hired a new coach in the offseason, former Duke defensive coordinator Mike MacIntyre. Naturally, they were picked to finish last in both polls, simply by default.
Utah State was chosen to finish seventh in both coaches and media polls last year. After going 3-5 in conference play in 2009 and winning two of their final three games on the schedule, coaches selected them to finish fourth in the standings this year.
Really, who knows where any of these teams end up, after the pads are strapped on and the reality of the season sets in?
The one constant for the Aggies is annually residing near the bottom of the preseason polls. The highest NMSU has been ranked since joining the WAC six years ago was No. 6, entering the 2007 season. There was optimism and excitement as Hal Mumme was going into his third year as head coach. The Aggies were coming off a promising finish to close out the previous year, pulverizing Utah State and Louisiana Tech in consecutive weeks. Offensively, NMSU had young talent across the board and there was legitimate talk of a breakthrough bowl berth possibly on the horizon.
“They’re on the verge,” said former San Jose State head coach Dick Tomey when the 2007 poll was released. “They’re a scary outfit, they’re a veteran team and obviously (quarterback Chase) Holbrook’s a terrific player....I won’t be surprised if they’re a team that really makes a move this year.”
Of course, NMSU went 4-9 overall that year, 1-7 in conference and finished in eighth place.
Three years later, new head coach DeWayne Walker enters his second season at New Mexico State, and he continues to build the Aggies from the ground-up.
Despite ranking No. 103 in the country last year in total defense, the Aggies showed flashes of being a tough-minded unit on that side of the ball.
Offensively, the team figures to be improved, simply with the addition of Mike Dunbar at offensive coordinator. Last season, the Aggies couldn’t move the ball — literally. NMSU was last in the NCAA, averaging 229.31 yards per game, recording just over 12 first downs per contest. Dunbar, who has been coaching college football for over 20 years, will bring veteran savvy to the coaching position and there’s really nowhere to go but up.
But there’s no denying that plenty of holes remain.
Injuries to any of the three starting linebackers — Frank Padilla (strongside), Boyblue Aoelua (middle) and B.J. Adolpho (weakside) — will spell trouble for the entire group. Same at defensive end, where Pierre Fils and Donte Savage somehow managed to play virtually every snap last season and put up productive numbers. There just isn’t a whole lot behind these guys.
Offensively, the team has some depth at running back. But what quarterback will emerge? Jeff Fleming, Matt Christian, Tanner Rust, Andrew Manley? Whoever does will need to step up and deliver once the bullets start flying. And, in the game of football, without a quality quarterback, it’s tough to field a quality team.
Who will catch passes? Last year’s top receiver was Todd Lee, with an uninspiring 28 grabs, while Marcus Allen had 308 receiving yards. Good quarterback play and production from wide receivers go hand-in-hand.
The Aggies are in the middle of a big rebuilding effort, and much of the same expectations that were in place last year — playing hard for all four quarters, stealing a game or two that they shouldn’t and remaining competitive for all 12 contests on their schedule — will remain as the barometer.
The point is that eighth place in the WAC is a fair prediction for NMSU. They still have a lot to prove and will need to earn their respect on the field.
And you never know how things will ultimately shake out as the season moves along. Just ask Idaho.
That’s why they play the games.
Of course, preseason polls mean little. Did voters select Idaho to finish top-four in the WAC last year? No, more like bottom-two, only to see the Vandals surprise just about everyone by going 8-5 overall, 4-4 in WAC play and qualifying for the Humanitarian Bowl.
The polls simply gauge how fellow WAC competitors view the opposition with the season just a month away. Much of it is based off how the team fared the previous year.
Case in point: San Jose State is coming off a dreadful season — 1-7 in WAC play — and hired a new coach in the offseason, former Duke defensive coordinator Mike MacIntyre. Naturally, they were picked to finish last in both polls, simply by default.
Utah State was chosen to finish seventh in both coaches and media polls last year. After going 3-5 in conference play in 2009 and winning two of their final three games on the schedule, coaches selected them to finish fourth in the standings this year.
Really, who knows where any of these teams end up, after the pads are strapped on and the reality of the season sets in?
The one constant for the Aggies is annually residing near the bottom of the preseason polls. The highest NMSU has been ranked since joining the WAC six years ago was No. 6, entering the 2007 season. There was optimism and excitement as Hal Mumme was going into his third year as head coach. The Aggies were coming off a promising finish to close out the previous year, pulverizing Utah State and Louisiana Tech in consecutive weeks. Offensively, NMSU had young talent across the board and there was legitimate talk of a breakthrough bowl berth possibly on the horizon.
“They’re on the verge,” said former San Jose State head coach Dick Tomey when the 2007 poll was released. “They’re a scary outfit, they’re a veteran team and obviously (quarterback Chase) Holbrook’s a terrific player....I won’t be surprised if they’re a team that really makes a move this year.”
Of course, NMSU went 4-9 overall that year, 1-7 in conference and finished in eighth place.
Three years later, new head coach DeWayne Walker enters his second season at New Mexico State, and he continues to build the Aggies from the ground-up.
Despite ranking No. 103 in the country last year in total defense, the Aggies showed flashes of being a tough-minded unit on that side of the ball.
Offensively, the team figures to be improved, simply with the addition of Mike Dunbar at offensive coordinator. Last season, the Aggies couldn’t move the ball — literally. NMSU was last in the NCAA, averaging 229.31 yards per game, recording just over 12 first downs per contest. Dunbar, who has been coaching college football for over 20 years, will bring veteran savvy to the coaching position and there’s really nowhere to go but up.
But there’s no denying that plenty of holes remain.
Injuries to any of the three starting linebackers — Frank Padilla (strongside), Boyblue Aoelua (middle) and B.J. Adolpho (weakside) — will spell trouble for the entire group. Same at defensive end, where Pierre Fils and Donte Savage somehow managed to play virtually every snap last season and put up productive numbers. There just isn’t a whole lot behind these guys.
Offensively, the team has some depth at running back. But what quarterback will emerge? Jeff Fleming, Matt Christian, Tanner Rust, Andrew Manley? Whoever does will need to step up and deliver once the bullets start flying. And, in the game of football, without a quality quarterback, it’s tough to field a quality team.
Who will catch passes? Last year’s top receiver was Todd Lee, with an uninspiring 28 grabs, while Marcus Allen had 308 receiving yards. Good quarterback play and production from wide receivers go hand-in-hand.
The Aggies are in the middle of a big rebuilding effort, and much of the same expectations that were in place last year — playing hard for all four quarters, stealing a game or two that they shouldn’t and remaining competitive for all 12 contests on their schedule — will remain as the barometer.
The point is that eighth place in the WAC is a fair prediction for NMSU. They still have a lot to prove and will need to earn their respect on the field.
And you never know how things will ultimately shake out as the season moves along. Just ask Idaho.
That’s why they play the games.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Joseph Matthews
The Aggies received a commitment from wide receiver/safety Joseph Matthews, from Rincon High School in Tucson.
Matthers is listed at 6-foot-1, 175 pounds. He was a second-team all-region player as a defensive back in 2009 but the Aggies are recruiting him as a wide receiver, according to Scout.com.
Rivals.com had Matthews also being looked at by Arizona, Arizona State and Northern Arizona.
He's part of the 2011 signing class.
Matthers is listed at 6-foot-1, 175 pounds. He was a second-team all-region player as a defensive back in 2009 but the Aggies are recruiting him as a wide receiver, according to Scout.com.
Rivals.com had Matthews also being looked at by Arizona, Arizona State and Northern Arizona.
He's part of the 2011 signing class.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Betancourt lands scholarship offers
Mayfield Trojans running back Brandon Betancourt has been offered a scholarship by New Mexico State University.
Betancourt has also been offered by the University of New Mexico.
Betancourt has also been offered by the University of New Mexico.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Locals getting looks
Went to Aggie football camp today where Mayfield High School was in attendance and receiving interest.
The first is obviously defensive tackle Matt Ramondo, who said he got an offer recently from the University of Arizona. That makes four offers for the lineman — New Mexico State, New Mexico, Michigan State and Arizona. All four offers have been along the defensive line, which is where Ramondo would prefer to play in college. Some believe Ramondo can play on the offensive lineman on the next level.
Another local player the Aggies are showing interest in is Mayfield running back Brandon Betancourt. Betancourt said a scholarship from NMSU is a possibility. He has also received some attention from UTEP and will go to the University of New Mexico camp next week.
Another New Mexico player the Aggies are interested in is Raton quarterback Dustin Walton.
Two El Paso players who could be on NMSU's radar are Chapin wide receivers Caleb Moore and Milton Roberts.
The first is obviously defensive tackle Matt Ramondo, who said he got an offer recently from the University of Arizona. That makes four offers for the lineman — New Mexico State, New Mexico, Michigan State and Arizona. All four offers have been along the defensive line, which is where Ramondo would prefer to play in college. Some believe Ramondo can play on the offensive lineman on the next level.
Another local player the Aggies are showing interest in is Mayfield running back Brandon Betancourt. Betancourt said a scholarship from NMSU is a possibility. He has also received some attention from UTEP and will go to the University of New Mexico camp next week.
Another New Mexico player the Aggies are interested in is Raton quarterback Dustin Walton.
Two El Paso players who could be on NMSU's radar are Chapin wide receivers Caleb Moore and Milton Roberts.
Friday, June 18, 2010
How does Boise State leaving the WAC effect NMSU?
In 2011, Boise State will be leaving the Western Athletic Conference.
Is that a good thing for New Mexico State?
I don’t so.
In the conference realignment madness that has taken place in college athletics this offseason, football is the engine that drives the car. It’s the money maker, and BSU believes it had a better chance of achieving its BCS Bowl Championship dreams – as well as making a better profit – in a more prestigious mid-major conference, the Mountain West.
Do I agree with the move? From Boise State’s perspective, I can’t find fault. The Broncos’ football program did great things in the WAC and, in turn, for the league. Case in point: Conference championships in seven of the last eight years and Fiesta Bowl titles in 2007 and 201; Since the Broncos joined the WAC in 2002, the team is an astounding 62-2 in conference play.
Really, with numbers like that, what else is there to prove if you’re BSU? They’re a cut above the rest of the conference, and a new challenge would seem to be in their best interest at this point.
But it does hurt the other teams in the conference – from Fresno State to Nevada, to New Mexico State to San Jose State.
Lets take a look at how Boise State’s defection will effect the landscape of the WAC.
The Broncos brought money to everyone: From Boise State’s Fiesta Bowl bid last year, NMSU received $430,000 from the NCAA. That’s what happens when a conference member makes it to a BCS bowl game. Every school gets a piece of the pie and, during a recession where mid-major programs are trying to scratch together dollars and cents, that money goes a long way.
ESPN just signed a new television deal with the WAC for the upcoming 2010 season. The sports network didn’t do it for the Dec. 4 showdown between Utah State and Idaho. No, they inked the deal because of Boise State.
Six of ESPN/ABC’s WAC telecasts this year feature the Broncos, giving not just Boise State, but all of their WAC counterparts, the exposure mid-major programs so desperately crave. Louisiana Tech, Idaho, Fresno State and Nevada all face the Broncos on ESPN2 this year, televised games that likely wouldn’t be there for those programs if the BSU wasn’t a national powerhouse.
The notoriety helps on a recruiting front: Simply by joining the WAC over five years ago, the Aggies have been able to market and brand the league to prospective student athletes. Playing in the WAC is more appealing for a football player than, say, the Sun Belt or the Big West.
Why? A big reason is because such athletes have seen the Broncos slay goliath in the Fiesta Bowl two of the last four years – beating Oklahoma in 2007 and TCU last year. They’ve seen BSU playing for undefeated seasons on the national stage, seen them battle conference foes on the famed Blue Turf at Bronco Stadium.
Speaking of Bronco Stadium, the league will now lose one of its top football venues. The Broncos were one of three WAC teams to average over 30,000 fans per game last year – coming in at 32,782. Hawaii (36,376) and Fresno State (33,578) were the other schools to hit the mark, but Boise State’s full house every game – even with the high attendance marks, Hawaii and Fresno were below a 90 percent capacity average - made it the best college football atmosphere in the conference.
The Broncos set the standard at the top: Since the Aggies joined the WAC in 2005, the conference has traditionally been four-to-five teams deep.
Programs such as Fresno State and Nevada have been solid second fiddles to BSU’s dominance and San Jose State, Hawaii, Louisiana Tech and even Idaho last year have put together respectable campaigns to give the conference a nice mix at the top of the league standings.
Through it all, the Broncos have been the premier team for close to a decade. It gave the WAC depth and a strong tier of teams on different levels of college football’s totem pole.
It would seem that Fresno State will take over as the team to beat in the conference, simply because the Bulldogs have tradition and winning expectations in place. Nevada will be a contender as well and NMSU, like every team in the conference, will have a better shot at a league title with the block’s biggest bully now moving away.
But still, Boise State was the unquestioned leader, one that every team lined up behind and strived to be.
What can be done?: The WAC still has a nice one-two punch at the top of the standings with Fresno State and Nevada as legitimate conference contenders.
Other teams will need to step up behind those programs and give the league a solid core from top to bottom.
There’s been talk of Louisiana Tech leaving as well, which would be a blow. The Bulldogs have been a solid team in the conference the past three years and have a nice supply of talent. They can be a top-five team consistently if they stick around for the long haul.
Hawaii has gotten progressively worse with the loss of head coach June Jones. It would be nice if the Warriors got back into the league’s upper echelon, something the program is capable of – three years ago Hawaii made an appearance in the Sugar Bowl, which resulted in another nice payday for the league’s member schools.
Idaho was a surprise team in the WAC in 2009, winning the Humanitarian Bowl and finishing with an 8-5 overall record. It would be nice if the Vandals proved that wasn’t a fluke and had a strong 2010 to back it up. That would give them a true foundation when BSU departs the following season.
Utah State and NMSU are hopeful that improvements are in order in their second seasons under new head coaches. San Jose State was abysmal last year, but added a new head coach this offseason in Mike MacIntyre.
If two of these three teams approach the .500 mark in conference play in the next 2-3 years, if Idaho continues to move forward and if Hawaii can regain its prestige, the conference will remain a solid mid-major league with rising programs.
A lot of ifs.
Is that a good thing for New Mexico State?
I don’t so.
In the conference realignment madness that has taken place in college athletics this offseason, football is the engine that drives the car. It’s the money maker, and BSU believes it had a better chance of achieving its BCS Bowl Championship dreams – as well as making a better profit – in a more prestigious mid-major conference, the Mountain West.
Do I agree with the move? From Boise State’s perspective, I can’t find fault. The Broncos’ football program did great things in the WAC and, in turn, for the league. Case in point: Conference championships in seven of the last eight years and Fiesta Bowl titles in 2007 and 201; Since the Broncos joined the WAC in 2002, the team is an astounding 62-2 in conference play.
Really, with numbers like that, what else is there to prove if you’re BSU? They’re a cut above the rest of the conference, and a new challenge would seem to be in their best interest at this point.
But it does hurt the other teams in the conference – from Fresno State to Nevada, to New Mexico State to San Jose State.
Lets take a look at how Boise State’s defection will effect the landscape of the WAC.
The Broncos brought money to everyone: From Boise State’s Fiesta Bowl bid last year, NMSU received $430,000 from the NCAA. That’s what happens when a conference member makes it to a BCS bowl game. Every school gets a piece of the pie and, during a recession where mid-major programs are trying to scratch together dollars and cents, that money goes a long way.
ESPN just signed a new television deal with the WAC for the upcoming 2010 season. The sports network didn’t do it for the Dec. 4 showdown between Utah State and Idaho. No, they inked the deal because of Boise State.
Six of ESPN/ABC’s WAC telecasts this year feature the Broncos, giving not just Boise State, but all of their WAC counterparts, the exposure mid-major programs so desperately crave. Louisiana Tech, Idaho, Fresno State and Nevada all face the Broncos on ESPN2 this year, televised games that likely wouldn’t be there for those programs if the BSU wasn’t a national powerhouse.
The notoriety helps on a recruiting front: Simply by joining the WAC over five years ago, the Aggies have been able to market and brand the league to prospective student athletes. Playing in the WAC is more appealing for a football player than, say, the Sun Belt or the Big West.
Why? A big reason is because such athletes have seen the Broncos slay goliath in the Fiesta Bowl two of the last four years – beating Oklahoma in 2007 and TCU last year. They’ve seen BSU playing for undefeated seasons on the national stage, seen them battle conference foes on the famed Blue Turf at Bronco Stadium.
Speaking of Bronco Stadium, the league will now lose one of its top football venues. The Broncos were one of three WAC teams to average over 30,000 fans per game last year – coming in at 32,782. Hawaii (36,376) and Fresno State (33,578) were the other schools to hit the mark, but Boise State’s full house every game – even with the high attendance marks, Hawaii and Fresno were below a 90 percent capacity average - made it the best college football atmosphere in the conference.
The Broncos set the standard at the top: Since the Aggies joined the WAC in 2005, the conference has traditionally been four-to-five teams deep.
Programs such as Fresno State and Nevada have been solid second fiddles to BSU’s dominance and San Jose State, Hawaii, Louisiana Tech and even Idaho last year have put together respectable campaigns to give the conference a nice mix at the top of the league standings.
Through it all, the Broncos have been the premier team for close to a decade. It gave the WAC depth and a strong tier of teams on different levels of college football’s totem pole.
It would seem that Fresno State will take over as the team to beat in the conference, simply because the Bulldogs have tradition and winning expectations in place. Nevada will be a contender as well and NMSU, like every team in the conference, will have a better shot at a league title with the block’s biggest bully now moving away.
But still, Boise State was the unquestioned leader, one that every team lined up behind and strived to be.
What can be done?: The WAC still has a nice one-two punch at the top of the standings with Fresno State and Nevada as legitimate conference contenders.
Other teams will need to step up behind those programs and give the league a solid core from top to bottom.
There’s been talk of Louisiana Tech leaving as well, which would be a blow. The Bulldogs have been a solid team in the conference the past three years and have a nice supply of talent. They can be a top-five team consistently if they stick around for the long haul.
Hawaii has gotten progressively worse with the loss of head coach June Jones. It would be nice if the Warriors got back into the league’s upper echelon, something the program is capable of – three years ago Hawaii made an appearance in the Sugar Bowl, which resulted in another nice payday for the league’s member schools.
Idaho was a surprise team in the WAC in 2009, winning the Humanitarian Bowl and finishing with an 8-5 overall record. It would be nice if the Vandals proved that wasn’t a fluke and had a strong 2010 to back it up. That would give them a true foundation when BSU departs the following season.
Utah State and NMSU are hopeful that improvements are in order in their second seasons under new head coaches. San Jose State was abysmal last year, but added a new head coach this offseason in Mike MacIntyre.
If two of these three teams approach the .500 mark in conference play in the next 2-3 years, if Idaho continues to move forward and if Hawaii can regain its prestige, the conference will remain a solid mid-major league with rising programs.
A lot of ifs.
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