Four New Mexico State football transfers who need to make impact in 2019

Jason Groves
Las Cruces Sun-News

LAS CRUCES - Doug Martin wanted a more mature New Mexico State football team. 

The Aggies' 2019 recruiting class included junior college and graduate transfer players from Power 5 schools that not only need to play well on the field, but will also add some much needed maturity to the roster. 

"Right now we have tremendous leadership and team chemistry," said Martin, who begins his seventh year at NM State. "It reminds me of 2017 and we didn't have that last year. It's been good to see and the guys who are coming back have been good too."

There are four transfer players from the latest recruiting class that could provide both leadership and production as they are filling major needs for the Aggies. 

Baylor graduate transfer wide receiver Tony Nicholson is a candidate to provide a big play threat in the passing game the Aggies were sorely lacking last season. 

More:Three questions for New Mexico State football entering fall camp

Oklahoma State transfer safety Chance Cook has already taken a leadership role since arriving on campus and should replace Ron LaForce. 

"When I was recruited here, they talked about wanting some older guys and bringing in some leadership," Cook said. "I think I can bring that to the team. There are a lot of seniors, but after this group of seniors, we are pretty young."

Jaime Guzman for the Sun-News

NMSU Wide ReceiverTony Nicholson.  Photo taken 3/1/19.

Junior college defensive lineman Jomaious Williams took an official visit to Virginia Tech and had interest from Toledo. The Aggies need depth on the defensive line. And right tackle Blake Walker will start in his first year after transferring from Ventura College after the Aggies allowed 40 sacks last year. 

"Those guys are all playing in areas where we need some help," Martin said. 

Graduate transfers

Neither Nicholson or Cook were particularly dominant in their previous stop, which is part of the reason they wanted to close their careers at New Mexico State. 

Both players were role players who want to be on the field more. 

"I feel that my potential has not been exposed in college football," Nicholson said. "We had plenty of ups and downs at Baylor, but my talent was not really able to be exposed and those four years went really quick."

Nicholson's best season at Baylor was 2017 when he caught 41 passes for 344 yards. The Aggies need a consistent big play threat from the wide receiver position. 

"There are plenty of things that I have seen and been through and I have experience that other players can learn from," Nicholson said.

Cook will have two years of eligibility in the defensive backfield. He graduated from Oklahoma State in three years, where he was a walk-on. He was not set to receive a scholarship, so he parted ways. 

"That was a lot having the game taken away from you and coming back with the opportunity to play is huge," Cook said. "These next two years are going to be full throttle for me. Not too many people get that second opportunity to play."

Defensive back Chance Cook runs drills at New Mexico State University's first practice of the year in Aggie Memorial Stadium on Friday, Aug 2, 2019.

Junior college transfers 

Martin hopes that Williams (6-foot-4, 315 pounds) can provide some rest for nose guard Myles Vigne and three-technique Roy Lopez, after both players wore down throughout last year. 

"I see a lot of talent on the defensive line," said Williams, who played the past two years at Coffeyville Community College in Kansas. "I haven't seen anyone on the field, but judging by the work ethic, I think we have a pretty solid group."

Redshirt freshman John Graves and Marcus Buckley will also compete for snaps at the interior defensive line, but the Aggies expect Williams to contribute. 

"There are a lot of younger guys who we brought in, but I would say that I lead by example," Williams said. "Playing in the Jayhawk Conference in junior college, most of the the offensive linemen I played against went to Power 5 schools or nice Group of 5 schools."

Offensive lineman Blake Walker runs drills at New Mexico State University's first practice of the year in Aggie Memorial Stadium on Friday, Aug 2, 2019.

Walker's 6-8 frame is intriguing at right tackle for the Aggies, where he started throughout spring practice. 

"We liked his length, but also his personality and that he is tough and will work hard," Martin said. "He was hungry to play and that's what we saw in the spring."

Hard work is nothing new for Walker, whose family owns and operates a dairy farm in California, where he played for two years at Ventura College. Walker is pursuing an agriculture degree at New Mexico State.

"I feel like we have a tight unit," Walker said. "The returners have helped me get to know the offense throughout the spring."

There is an experience drop off after the starting five offensive linemen.

Transfers are a gamble at any school, but New Mexico State needs production and leadership from this year's players. 

"It's always an unknown," Martin said. "They have to be willing to come in and fit with our team. I don't think they have ever mentioned where else they have been and I think that's why the team has embraced them so much.

Sports Editor Jason Groves can be reached at 575-541-5459 or jgroves@lcsun-news.com. Follow him on Twitter @jpgroves. For more New Mexico State football coverage this season, make sure to subscribe