College football’s landscape keeps changing, and roster management just never stops. For the New Mexico State Aggies, diving into the transfer portal has become a key part of their plan to reshape the team for the next season.
The Aggies have picked up several new faces. They’re hoping these additions will help them rebound after a tough year and shake things up in Conference USA.
This post looks at the Aggies’ transfer portal moves, spotlighting the new players and what they might bring to the field.
Revamping the Offense: Key Additions
The Aggies made some bold moves to upgrade their offense. One of the biggest pickups is running back James Jones, who comes over from Delaware State.
Jones racked up more than 1,000 all-purpose yards last season and averaged a wild 9.8 yards per carry. With him in the backfield, the Aggies hope to seriously boost a rushing attack that just couldn’t get going last year.
Tight End Reinforcements
They’ve also added tight end Josiah Thomas. Thomas made the All-Southern Conference second team and All-Freshman team at Western Carolina in 2025.
He’s a versatile player who should give the Aggies a steady option in the passing game and maybe even open up some new looks for the offense.
Wide Receiver Depth
The Aggies could’ve been more aggressive in chasing wide receivers, but they still found some interesting options. Myles Libman from Stanford and Lyndon Ravare from Kennesaw State bring a mix of experience and upside to the group.
With guys like TK King and Brodie Malone-Bradford returning, the receiving corps actually looks pretty solid heading into the season.
Building a Stronger Offensive Line
Knowing they needed more muscle up front, the Aggies brought in five transfers for the offensive line. Only guard Mateo Rodriguez returns as a starter, so these new faces are going to matter a lot.
Notable Offensive Line Transfers
The new linemen are:
- Tackle Armond Owens from Grambling State
- Interior offensive linemen Luke Moise from Wofford and Mark Chapman from Columbia
- Guard Tyler Keinath, who started at Boise State in 2024
- Guard James Williams from UTEP
Williams has FBS experience, so he’s probably a starter. Chapman’s known as one of the Ivy League’s best centers, which can’t hurt.
With these additions, the Aggies hope to finally give their quarterback some breathing room and open up the run game.
Defensive Enhancements: Strengthening the Secondary
The Aggies didn’t ignore the defense, especially the secondary. Getting Tayden Barnes back from Cincinnati is a big win.
Barnes led the team in interceptions and pass breakups in 2024, picking up All-Conference USA Freshman and honorable mention honors. He’s expected to steady the secondary and bring some leadership.
Promising Defensive Back Additions
They’ve also landed a handful of defensive backs who bring a mix of experience and upside:
- Cornerback Javon Gillespie from East Texas A&M, who had 10 passes defended and two picks
- Cornerback Izzy Clark-White from Monmouth, an All-Coastal Athletic Association honorable mention
- Safety RJ Chapman from Merrimack, who posted an 88.2 PFF coverage grade
- De’Marcus Peters from Texas A&M-Kingsville, a first-team All-Lone Star Conference player
With three starters coming back, the secondary feels like it could be a real strength for the Aggies this year.
Defensive Line: Addressing Key Departures
The defensive line lost some big names: Ezra Christensen, Jamall Thompson Jr., Cole Schnettgoecke, and Ta’Avili Tuitama are all gone. To fill the holes, the Aggies brought in three new linemen.
New Defensive Line Talent
The new faces up front include:
- Kaian Roberts-Day from UTSA, who’s already familiar with defensive line coach Siddiq Haynes
- Jeremiah Sandiford from Tennessee Tech, who started six games and earned the highest Pro Football Focus run-defense grade among OVC-Big South linemen
With returning players like Gabe Peterson, Brad Vislisel, and Henry Davis III, the Aggies hope to build a defensive line that can actually hold its own this season.
Conclusion: A Comprehensive Roster Overhaul
The New Mexico State Aggies have really gone after new players in the transfer portal. They’ve tackled some obvious weaknesses and brought in extra depth almost everywhere.
Mixing in these fresh faces with veterans gives the Aggies a real shot to stand out in Conference USA this season. Will these transfers actually make the difference? Honestly, that’s the big question, but it feels like they’ve set themselves up for a solid run.
Want to dive deeper into the Aggies’ transfer moves? Check out the full article here.
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