LAS CRUCES, N.M. -- New Mexico State head football coach Doug Martin announced the Aggies’ 2013 recruiting class Wednesday afternoon, with 22 student-athletes signing a National Letter of Intent with NMSU.
The defensive line (four recruits), secondary (six) and receiving corps (four) were the focus of Martin’s first signing class as head coach. The Aggies also signed four linebackers, two offensive linemen and a running back.
“I thought our staff did a really great job of beating the bushes and holding on to our commitments during a stressful time in the recruiting process,” said Martin, who was promoted from interim coach only about a week prior to Signing Day. “I really like the team speed we have on both sides of the ball, and I think we really hit on some of the needs we had at the linebacker and wide receiver positions. I think the offensive linemen we got are high school kids we can really develop into outstanding players. It’s a large group and a very talented group.”
The Aggies signed six junior-college transfers and 16 high schoolers.
“We are trying to move away from the junior-college-heavy signing classes,” Martin said. “We are still going to recruit skill players at the junior-college level, but especially in the offensive and defensive lines, we want to get high school kids to give us a chance to develop them both in their skill set and strength-wise.”
NMSU's 2013 recruiting class includes the following student-athletes:
Kalei Auelua, DE, 6-2, 235, Honolulu, Hawai’i (University of Washington/St. Louis HS)
University of Washington: Auelua redshirted with the Huskies in 2012.
High School: Auelua was named a first-team all-state pick by ESPNHS and by the Honolulu Advertiser as a senior in 2011. He was credited with 70 tackles, 30 tackles for a loss, five forced fumbles and 22 sacks as a senior and played in the HUB Goodwill Senior Bowl, his state’s all-star game. Auelua earned second-team all-state honors from the Honolulu Advertiser as a junior in 2010, helping lead the Crusaders to an 11-1 overall record and the Division I state championship as a junior. Auelua tallied 67 tackles, 25 tackles for a loss and 20 sacks as a junior. Auelua ranked as the No. 4 prospect in the state of Hawai’i and the No. 89 defensive end recruit in the nation by scout.com, he was also listed as the No. 6 recruit in Hawai’i by rivals.com.
Jordan Bergstrom, WR, 5-10, 175, Portland, Ore. (Santa Rosa Community College/Clackamas HS)
Santa Rosa CC: Bergstrom played two seasons at Santa Rosa Junior College as a wide receiver. In his sophomore season, Bergstrom was named a first team All-NorCal wide receiver. He caught 44 passes for 764 yards and eight touchdowns in his sophomore season with Santa Rosa.
High School: Bergstrom played football and ran track for Clackamas High School. He played both wide receiver and defensive back in football. Bergstrom found plenty of success in track as he was the district champion in the 400-meter in his final three years in high school. He also finished second in the state competition in the 400-meter. Bergstrom won the district championship in the 200-meter in his junior season and finished second in the state competition for the 200-meter.
Jerrion Burton, CB, 5-11, 163, Rialto, Calif. (Eisenhower HS)
High School: Burton started two seasons for Eisenhower High School at both defensive back and wide receiver. As a senior, Burton was named to the first team All-CBL and was invited to the San Bernardino vs. Riverside All-Star Game as well as the Arizona vs. California All-Star Game. In his senior season, Burton intercepted two passes and returned one for a touchdown. He had 40 tackles and also recovered three fumbles. As a wide receiver, he caught 34 passes for 565 yards and seven touchdowns and helped his team become co-league champions. In his junior season, Burton led the team with three interceptions and returned one for a touchdown. He also had 70 tackles, one forced fumble and seven pass break-ups.
Rodney Butler, OLB, 6-2, 205, Palm Springs, Calif. (Palm Springs HS)
High School: Butler was a standout linebacker for Palm Springs High School. As a senior, Butler recorded 118 tackles, with eight games tallying double-digit stops. He also recorded five sacks, three pass break-ups, three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. He was named All-CIF and was the Desert Sun Defensive Player of the Year. He helped his team to an undefeated regular season. As a junior, Butler had 58 tackles and two fumble recoveries. He recovered one fumble and returned it 75 yards for a touchdown as well. He also ranked second in the league in tackles that season. He was named first team all-league and first team all-district.
Greg Clark, WR, 6-0, 172, Harbor City, Calif. (Narbonne HS)
High School: Clark attended Narbonne High School in Harbor City, Calif., where he played wide receiver for the Gauchos. In his senior season, Clark helped his team to a 14-1 record with its only loss coming in the state championship game. On the season, Clark caught 42 passes for 814 yards and five touchdowns. He had 19.38 yards per reception in his senior season and had 54.3 receiving yards per game.
Spence Faatoalia, OL, 6-2, 295, La Mirada, Calif. (La Mirada HS)
High School: Veli-Faatoalia played from La Mirada High School as an offensive lineman. In his senior season, Veli-Faatoalia helped his team earn a league championship as his team finished with a 10-2 record. He was named first team all-league as a senior and was also named an AIGA Foundation Polynesian All-American. As a junior, Veli-Faatoalia was named a second team all-league player.
Brandon Hines, LB, 6-1, 187, Dallas, Texas (Justin F. Kimball HS)
High School: Hines played linebacker for Kimball High School in Dallas, Texas. He helped his team to four straight district championships. He earned numerous awards including first team all-district, first team all-state and 11-4A most valuable player honors. He ranked as the No. 58 linebacker in the country. As a senior, Hines recorded 130 tackles, seven sacks, 12 tackles for a loss and two interceptions. During his junior season, Hines tallied 95 tackles, 10 tackles for a loss, five sacks and two interceptions.
Gregory Hogan, WR, 6-1, 175, Houston, Texas (Summer Creek High School)
High School: Hogan played football at Summer Creek High School in Houston, Texas, where he played wide receiver for the Bulldogs. In his junior season, Hogan caught 34 passes for 581 yards and four touchdowns. He helped his team get to the state playoffs with a 9-2 record and was a first team all-district selection. In his senior season, Hogan increased his numbers by catching 59 passes for 1,165 yards and 20 touchdowns. He averaged 19.7 yards per catch in his senior season and his team improved to 11-1 on the season with their only loss coming in the state playoffs. Hogan also returned nine kickoffs for 159 yards. He was selected first team all-district and all-state and was also selected as the Bulldogs’ Offensive Player of the Year.
Jay Fisher James, DE, 6-2, 270, Apple Valley, Calif. (San Bernardino Valley College/Granite Hills HS)
San Bernardino Valley: Fisher James played two seasons at San Bernardino Valley College at defensive end. He was named a second team all-conference pick each season. As a sophomore, Fisher James played in nine games helping his team to a 6-4 record and a third-place finish in conference. He recorded 52 tackles and nine sacks on the season. Fisher James also recorded 10 tackles for a loss and a fumble recovery.
High School: Fisher James played both offensive and defensive line for the Granite High School Cougars. During his senior year, Fisher James recorded 51 tackles, three sacks and a fumble recovery. He was named an All-CIF selection.
Kawe Johnson, DB, 5-9, 170, Kahuku, Hawai’i (Kahuku HS)
High School: Johnson played football for four years at Kahuku High School at both wide receiver and defensive back. He helped his team win back-to-back state championships his junior and senior seasons. As a senior, Johnson was named first team offense-utility player, first team defensive back and utility player and was also the defensive player of the year. He was named to the first team all-state as a defensive back and the all-state player of the year. During his senior season, Johnson made eight interceptions and recorded 35 tackles. Johnson was also named first team utility offense, first team defensive back and the league defensive player of the year as a junior.
Thomas McGwire, OT, 6-5, 263, Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. (Los Osos HS)
High School: McGwire played at Los Osos High School in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., as an offensive tackle. He helped his team reach the CIF Southern Section football playoffs in both his junior and senior season. In his senior season, McGwire was selected first team all-league and was selected to the Riverside vs. San Bernardino All-Star game.
Willie Mobley, DE, 6-2, 270, Eden Prairie, Minn. (Arizona/Orange Coast College/Eden Prairie HS)
University of Arizona: Mobley was to contend for top duty inside in 2011 before off-season knee surgery kept him out of action all year. He lettered in 2010 with backup play in 10 games, finishing with seven tackles, including a half-sack and 1.5 tackles for losses.
Orange Coast College: Mobley attended Orange Coast College but did not play in 2009 after transferring from Ohio State, where he redshirted in 2008. He was ranked in the SuperPrep JUCO 100.
High School: Mobley helped lead the Eagle Empire to Class 5A state titles and undefeated seasons as a junior and senior. He was an all-state honoree and finalist for Mr. Football Minnesota after recording 66 tackles, 21 tackles for a loss and 12 sacks as a senior. Mobley earned All-Lake Conference nods and garnered PrepNation Midlands Player of Year honors. He was also named an EA Sports and PrepStar All-American. Mobley was ranked in the Scout, Rivals and SuperPrep Top 250.
Prentavious Morehead, WR, 6-3, 175, Dallas, Texas (Justin F. Kimball HS)
High School: Morehead played football all four years of high school at Justin F. Kimball at wide receiver and defensive end. In his senior season, Morehead was named first team all-area and a first team all-district member. He caught 48 passes for 846 yards and scored 10 touchdowns as a senior and helped his team win its third straight district championship. In Morehead’s junior season, he caught 34 passes for 746 yards and 11 touchdowns and helped the team win a second district championship in two years.
James Ooten, ATH, 6-3, 175, Perris, Calif. (Citrus Hill HS)
High School: Ooten played two seasons on varsity for Citrus Hill High School at wide receiver and defensive back. In his senior season, Ooten was named first team all-league and most improved player. On the season, he caught 30 passes for 700 yards and scored nine touchdowns and helped his team claim the CIF League Championship. On defense, Ooten intercepted two passes, recovered three fumbles, forced one fumble and scored two defensive touchdowns. In his junior season, Ooten caught seven passes for 98 and scored one touchdown.
Dalton Rocha, LB, 5-11, 215 (St. Bonaventure HS)
High School: Rocha was a standout linebacker for St. Bonaventure High School. As a senior, Rocha recorded 75 tackles, 28 tackles for a loss and 17 sacks. He was named a first team all-league selection and well as defensive lineman of the year. He helped his team to an 11-2 record during his senior season. Rocha also earned first team All-CIF and first team all-state awards. As a junior, Rocha was named a second team all-league pick, after recording 55 tackles, 13 tackles for a loss and 11 sacks on the season and helping his team to a 10-3 record.
Winston Rose, CB, 6-0, 165, Inglewood, Calif. (Los Angeles Valley College/St. Genevieve HS)
LA Valley College: Rose played cornerback for two seasons at Los Angeles Valley College. He was named second team all-conference defensive back in 2011 and first team all-conference in 2012. In two seasons, Rose had three interceptions and returned two for touchdowns. He also had one fumble recovery.
High School: Rose played wide receiver and defensive back at St. Genevieve High School. Rose was named first team all-league in his senior season. In his junior season, Rose intercepted two passes and also recorded two sacks and was named first team all-league. As a receiver in his junior season, Rose caught 26 passes for 508 yards and four touchdowns.
Frazer Taua, DE, 6-2, 245, Honolulu, Hawai’i (Riverside CC/Leilehua High School)
Riverside CC: Taua played two seasons at Riverside Community College as a defensive end. In 2012, Taua helped his team to a 9-2 overall record and a Golden State Bowl Championship. He recorded 19 tackles on the season, including three sacks and eight tackles for a loss. Taua also had a fumble recovery and a pass break-up. He earned all-conference honors for his effort.
High School: Taua was a teammate of current NM State quarterback Andrew Manley. He helped his team to a 9-4 record as a senior and an 11-3 record during his junior year.
Andre Thompson, LB, 6-2, 205, Mesquite, Texas (West Mesquite HS)
High School: Thompson played linebacker for the West Mesquite Wranglers. As a senior, Thompson helped his team to an 8-3 overall record and a 6-1 record in league play. He recorded 55 tackles that season, including 7.5 sacks, an interception, a pass break-up, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Thompson was named an all-league selection and all-district pick. During his junior year, Thompson tallied 60 tackles, 3.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, three pass break-ups and a blocked field goal, helping the Wranglers to a 5-6 overall record and a 5-3 league mark.
Thomas Warren, DB, 5-11, 175, Phoenix, Ariz. (Mountain Pointe HS)
High School: Warren attended Mountain Pointe High School in Phoenix, Ariz., where he participated in both football and track and field. On the football team, Warren played both running back and defensive back for The Pride. He also ran the 100-meter and 400-meter for the track team. In his senior season, Warren ran for 1,000 yards, scored 15 touchdowns and recorded 25 tackles as he helped his team to a 12-2 record and a state championship appearance. Warren was named an Arizona top athlete and top running back by Scout.com.
Marquette Washington, RB, 5-11, 213, Fontana, Calif. (Kaiser HS)
High School: Washington played at Kaiser High School in Fontana, Calif. He played running back for the Cats and helped his team win the CIF Championship in his senior season. As a senior, Washington carried the ball 245 times for 1,850 yards and scored 19 touchdowns. He was selected Sunkist MVP in his senior season and was also the CIF Offensive MVP. In his junior season, Washington rushed the ball 175 times for 1,075 yards and 17 touchdowns.
Tre Wilcoxen, DB, 6-1, 190, Inglewood, Calif. (Inglewood HS)
High School: Wilcoxen played safety and running back for four seasons at Inglewood High School. As a senior, Wilcoxen was first team all-area and first team all-league in the Ocean League. He had 121 tackles, six forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries in his senior season. He also grabbed four interceptions and broke up 12 passes. Wilcoxen was named an all-league member in the Citrus Belt League and CalHi sports all-state underclassmen in his junior season in 2011. He had 79 tackles and caused three fumbles during his junior season and helped his team get to the second round of the league championship bracket.
Jaden Wright, CB, 6-0, 175, Lewisville, Texas (Lewisville HS)
High School: Wright played both cornerback and wide receiver at Lewisville High School. In his three seasons as a starter, Wright intercepted three passes and forced five fumbles. He caught three touchdowns as a wide receiver and also returned one interception for a touchdown. Wright was an all-conference selection has a junior and senior.
