New Mexico State has now signed 14 members in its 2025 recruiting class, featuring seven high school players and seven junior college pickups after the addition of Kilgore College OL Queni Ropati.
Five Aggie signees are rated as three-star recruits and one as a two-star recruit by 247Sports. However, it ranks NM State’s class as the worst in CUSA with it failing to crack its top 100 nationally.
There are a few players that have the potential to make an instant impact next season, though. The Aggies had one this past season in freshman wide receiver TJ Pride who stepped in to become their leading pass-catcher, notching 374 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Defensively, freshman defensive tackle Malaki Ta’ase recorded 33 tackles and one sack, and earned a moment when he blocked a potential game-winning field goal against Louisiana Tech on Oct. 15. The Aggies would later defeat the Bulldogs 33-30 in double overtime.
Which recruits can make an instant impact in 2025? Take a look at three high school recruits and three junior college transfers that can.
High school players
WR Brodrick Malone
Malone is arguably the best recruit in NM State’s 2025 class, and it comes at a position of need for the Aggies. NM State coach Tony Sanchez voiced his displeasure with the Aggies’ wideouts after a 42-35 season-ending loss to UTEP last Saturday, and Malone can help make it better.
A three-star recruit from 247Sports, Malone has helped Atascocita High School in Houston, Tex. earn a 12-1 overall record ahead of a state semifinal clash this Saturday. He’s caught 28 catches for 523 yards, with both ranking third on his team.
Malone also ran track for Atascocita and should bring speed to an NM State wide receiver room that needs it.
More: Where New Mexico State football’s 2025 recruiting class ranks after national signing day
QB Jaylen Patterson
The Aggies had many problems at quarterback this season, with four players receiving snaps and none becoming the full-time starter. Could Patterson be the answer?
A three-star by 247Sports from San Jacinto, Calif., Patterson registered 1,545 passing yards and 14 touchdown passes for San Jacinto High School. He also has a dual-threat ability, as he rushed for nearly 650 yards and 12 touchdowns while averaging 7.9 yards per carry.
Nicknamed “Showtime”, Patterson will attempt to bring flair to NM State when he arrives in the spring.
IOL Samuel Garcia
Garcia was ranked as the No. 26 player in Arizona by 247Sports and is the highest-rated offensive line recruit for the Aggies in their 2025 class.
Garcia is listed as an interior offensive lineman, but played offensive tackle for Basha High School in Chandler, Ariz. this season in an 11-1 campaign and a state title game appearance on Saturday. His versatility could be key for an NM State offensive line that’s losing its stalwart in center Canaan Yarro to graduation.
As one of the highest-rated players in the Aggies’ recruiting class, he’s a candidate to make an impact at some point in his collegiate career.
More: National Signing Day 2024: Meet New Mexico State football’s recruiting class
Junior college players
CB Anthony Rose
Rose was a sought-after junior college transfer from Kilgore College in Kilgore, Tex. He’s ranked as the No. 4 junior college recruit nationally by Rivals and received dozens of offers, including from LSU and Texas A&M.
He spent the 2022 season at South Carolina before being suspended for a weapons-related charge and arrest in 2023. But the Aggies are no stranger to giving players second-chances, doing so with junior running back Seth McGowan after he was dismissed from Oklahoma in 2021 due to a drug-related crime.
The Aggies will need help at cornerback next season. Their two starting outside cornerbacks, Dakerric Hobbs and Keonte Glinton, are both out of eligibility and NM State allowed the most passing yards per game among Conference USA teams. Rose could help the Aggies improve.
WR Shawn Brown
Sanchez said he wanted “dogs” at wide receiver after falling to UTEP on Nov. 30. Brown could be what he’s looking for.
Brown, who once played at Texas A&M-Commerce (now East Texas A&M), currently ranks second on Navarro College in Corsicana, Tex. with 17 catches for 336 yards and seven touchdowns this season. Last season, he recorded 16 catches for 208 yards and two touchdowns.
Brown has helped the Bulldogs go 8-2 this season, and he’ll arrive in the spring ready to carve out a role in Las Cruces.
LB Chance Barron
Barron earned All-Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference second-team honors this season for Jones College in Ellisville, Miss., and will look to carry his momentum into Las Cruces.
Jones tallied three pass breakups this season and helped Jones College allow the fifth-fewest points in the MACCC. He can also play strong safety, doing so at Mendenhall High School in Mississippi.
The D’Lo, Miss. native also tallied 2.5 tackles for loss and 44 tackles this season.
This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: Top New Mexico State football recruits who could have instant impact
