NMSU football position report: Running Backs

LAS CRUCES, New Mexico (KTSM) — Four out of the five players that led New Mexico State in rushing are no longer with the Aggies.

Quarterback Diego Pavia (925 rushing yards) RB Star Thomas (653 rushing yards), RB Jamoni Jones (343 rushing yards), and RB Makhilyn Young (191 rushing yards) all entered the NCAA transfer portal ahead of the 2024 season. The only player that had significant rushing stats in 2023 and is back with the Aggies for 2024 is RB Monte Watkins.

With all the losses in the running back room, NMSU had to bring in reinforcements, and they did.

Two big additions to the running back room were former Oklahoma RB Seth McGowan and Buffalo transfer Mike Washington.

Washington comes to NMSU after he spent the last three seasons playing at Buffalo. Washington rushed for 1,119 yards and scored a total of 10 touchdowns while at Buffalo from 2021-2023.

McGowan joins the NMSU running back room after he played at Butler Community College in El Dorado, KS last season. McGowan played in six games and recorded 125 yards on 39 carries and found the end zone a total of four times. McGowan is set to make his return to the NCAA Division I FBS level after more than a three-year absence.

McGowan, a four start recruit out of Poteet High School, started his collegiate career at Oklahoma. In his freshman year, McGowan played eight games, collected 571 total yards (370 rushing, 201 receiving), and scored four touchdowns for the Sooners.

McGowan was dismissed from the Oklahoma Sooners football team in 2021 after he was arrested for a drug-related crime. In Dec. 2023, McGowan pleaded guilty to larceny of a person at nighttime while his other charges were dismissed. He was sentenced to a year of probation in March.

McGowan is getting a second chance to play college football at the highest level at New Mexico State, which is an opportunity he his grateful for.

“I think this is just a blessing from God. It’s God showing me what I am destined to do and for me to finish out everything what I started, and at the same time, I get to help this program win a championship or two.” McGowan said.

“We sat down with him and did a huge one-on-one interview before we offered him a scholarship,” NMSU head coach Tony Sanchez said. “He understands for him to be successful in life, he’s got to lean into himself, be a better person, and lean into his faith. He’s done all those things. I am happy for him, and I think everybody deserves a second chance.”

We can’t forget about Monte Watkins. He’s arguably the speediest running back NMSU has had the last two seasons. In 2023, Watkins rushed for a career-high 572 yards and 59 carries and scored two rushing touchdowns.

So, Watkins, McGowan, and Washington headline the running back room, but the Aggies also have Larenzo McMillan and Tim Gans waiting in the wings, ready to contribute any way they can.

All-in-all, New Mexico State has a deep running back room and will be a force to be reckoned with this season.

“This is the three most talented running backs we’ve had in this program in a long time,” Sanchez said. “It’s the fastest group we’ve had, too. So, I’m really excited about it and with the veteran offensive line and with that talent in the backfield it gives us a chance.”

New Mexico State opens up its 2024 season with a non-conference game against Southeast Missouri at Aggie Memorial Stadium on Aug. 31.

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