EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The Conference USA Football Kickoff for the 2024 season was held at the PGA of America Headquarters in Frisco, Texas on Tuesday.
New Mexico State head coach Tony Sanchez, offensive lineman Shiyazh Pete, and linebacker Buddha Peleti were in Frisco representing the Aggies at the league’s media day.
NMSU is entering the first season under the direction of new head coach Tony Sanchez. The former NMSU wide receivers coach was promoted to head coach after Jerry Kill stepped down from the role after he led the Aggies to two of its most memorable and successful seasons in program history.
Kill was not the only major departure NMSU saw after its 10-win season in 2023. Defensive coordinator Nate Dreiling, who is now the interim head coach at Utah State, also left NMSU after the 2023 season.
A lot of impact players on both sides of the ball also left New Mexico State. Impact players like quarterback Diego Pavia (Vanderbilt); running backs Star Thomas (Duke); and Jamoni Jones (Vanderbilt); wide receivers Jonathan Brady (Cal) and Trent Hudson (Mississippi State); defensive back Myles Rowser (Arizona State); and linebacker Keyshaun Elliiot (Arizona State) are a few names from that 2023 squad that entered the NCAA transfer portal.
Despite all the major changes and disruption in parts of the program’s continuity, the expectations the Aggies have for themselves heading into the 2024 season have not dwindled, as the team believes they still have the fire power to compete in CUSA.
“It’s been a busy off-season. Obviously, we had a really good year last year and there’s been a lot of transition since, you know, with the coaching staff and players. But we’ve got a great core of young men coming back and excited to dig back in and continue to keep it going in a positive direction and fight for that third bowl game in a row,” NMSU head football coach Tony Sanchez said. “Never done that before in school history and I think we’re all lined up to do so. So, expectations have definitely risen. Nothing’s changed. And I know our guys are steadfast in our pursuit of a conference championship and we want to get back there and continue to fight for it.”
The big question surrounding NMSU’s offense is who will come out as the starting quarterback. It looks like Deuce Hogan, Jake McNamara, Parker Awad, and Santino Marucci will be the top four individuals competing for the starting quarterback spot this fall.
New Mexico State is scheduled to begin its fall camp next Wednesday, July 31st.
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