Martin elated to land ‘4 best prep players’ in NM
Rio Rancho’s Foley could be ‘grayshirt’
LAS CRUCES — Doug Martin said what coaches will say during a signing day press conference. His class announced Wednesday at least addressed some of the needs of a New Mexico State football team that finished 3-9 a year ago.
Then he said bluntly, “We are excited to have the four best high school players in New Mexico sign with us, including the player of the year in the state.”
Bringing on Rio Rancho running back Josh Foley, Los Lunas linebacker Trevor Brohard, Mayfield receiver Gaven Swinson and Oñate linebacker Matthew Young gave NMSU a little more to crow about on the heels of its win last season over the in-state rival Lobos.
Martin said that even with a 25-player class, “we have a couple of options left … to find some guys late that maybe fall through the cracks or are late qualifying.” The Las Cruces Sun-News has reported, and Foley’s family has confirmed, that Foley is at least a candidate to be a “grayshirt,” which would delay admission until winter semester of 2018 and count toward next year’s signing group.
NMSU has three such players that it announced Wednesday.
In any case, Martin had compliments for Foley, the 5-foot-11, 200-pound state Gatorade player of the year, comparing him favorably to current Aggie running back Larry Rose III.
“One of the things that was attractive about Josh was his diverse-ability,” said Martin, perhaps inventing a word. In the Aggies’ offense, the running back has to be a receiver sometimes, and an I-back at others.
“He has some ability to make people miss in space. That’s really big for us. That’s what Larry’s so good at.”
Young, at 6-2 and 230 pounds, is the son of former Aggie great Fredd Young and brother of former New Mexico player Freddy. Martin’s point of reference on the father’s achievement is mostly word of mouth.
“The big thing with (Fredd) was the speed, the first step that he had,” Martin said. “Matt has some of that too. Matt’s only going to get bigger too.”
NMSU added nine prep signees and 13 junior-college transfers in addition to the three grayshirts. Of those, 10 players are already enrolled.
The big focus is improving the defense, Martin said.
“If we can just make some improvement defensively where we’re in the middle of the pack defensively in the Sun Belt, we really feel like we can beat anybody any Saturday,” he said. “We know we have weapons on offense.”