New Mexico State’s defense needs a lot of work in 2025.
Last season, defensive coordinator Joe Morris’s debut with the Aggies fell short of expectations. NM State gave up too many big plays, failed to earn enough takeaways and struggled to stop both the run and the pass. It led to the Aggies having one of Conference USA’s worst defenses last season, finishing second-to-last and last in yards allowed per game (446.8) and points allowed per game (36.3), respectively, contributing to their 3-9 (2-6 CUSA) campaign.
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NM State gave up 21 touchdowns of 20 or more yards last season, nearly half of the 50 it gave up (counting offensive touchdowns only). The Aggies also recorded just one fumble and finished with 10 takeaways, tied with Middle Tennessee for the fewest in CUSA. This gave NM State a -13 turnover margin.
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Morris had to rebuild his defense largely due to circumstance, thanks to many departing transfers and graduations. But it might’ve been necessary, considering the Aggies need to make several defensive improvements.
Who will be tasked with giving NM State’s defense a boost? Take a look at a preview of the unit here:
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First, see a preview of NMSU’s offense: Reloaded Aggies aim for more balance and firepower in 2025
Defensive Line
Aggie Cole Schnettgoecke (white) attempts to block a passing attempt in NMSU’s game against Liberty in 2024.
The Aggies struggled to generate pressure on quarterbacks last season and finished with the fewest sacks in CUSA with 14. NM State will have to rely on new players to improve its pass rush, with Buddha Peleti, Kale Edwards and Noah Arinze all gone.
Utah State transfer Gabe Peterson, who tallied 5.5 sacks with NM State from 2022-23, is back as a marquee defensive arrival. Samford transfer Jamall Thompson brings a wealth of experience and pass-rushing prowess, having recorded 10.5 sacks in 34 games for his former team from 2022-24. His six sacks last season would’ve led the Aggies.
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Fellow transfers Obinna Okeke (Louisiana Tech) and Demanuel Brown (Boise State) lack experience but should contribute to the Aggies’ rotation. Liberty transfer Larry Jones III also has potential and recorded a half-sack in the Flames’ victory over NM State last year.
Cole Schnettgoecke is a returning starter at nose tackle. He played two games last season before suffering a season-ending ankle injury and was a 2025 preseason All-CUSA second-team selection by Phil Steele. Davidson transfer Josiah Jackson will likely start alongside Schnettgoecke at defensive tackle. He recorded four total sacks from the inside across the 2023 and 2024 seasons.
Schnettgoecke and Jackson are both critical to NM State’s chances of improving off its CUSA third-worst 195.3 rushing yards allowed per game mark from last season.
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Linebackers
Aggie linebacker Tyler Martinez drops back as a pass defender in NMSU’s game against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs at Aggie Memorial Stadium on October 15, 2024.
The Aggies bring back both of their starting linebackers, which should make this position a strength.
Tyler Martinez and Sone Aupiu both return after being two of NM State’s best defensive players last season. Martinez led the Aggies with 96 total tackles, while Aupiu’s five pass breakups led all non-secondary players. Martinez also led all NM State players who played 20% or more snaps with a 70.4 defense grade from Pro Football Focus, earning a 2024 All-CUSA second team honor.
Read more about Martinez and Aupiu: 5 key returners for New Mexico State football this season
Behind Martinez and Aupiu is an intriguing junior college transfer. Chance Barron finished second among Jones College (Mississippi) players last season with 44 tackles, and added three pass breakups and a forced fumble to earn an All-Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference second-team selection.
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Secondary
Cornerback Dakerric Hobbs lines up before a play against Fresno State on Sept. 14, 2024.
Defending the pass was another weakness for NM State last season, as it had CUSA’s second-worst passing defense at 251.6 passing yards per game. It was a particular problem toward the end of 2024, as the Aggies gave up seven passing touchdowns of 20 or more yards in their final five games.
NM State attacked the secondary hard in the offseason and brought in six combined junior college recruits at cornerback and safety. Safety DJ Hill-Smith was a three-star JUCO prospect from Copiah-Lincoln Community College (Mississippi) and fellow safety Bernock Iya brings versatility as a potential starting nickelback. DJ Cloyd and Walter Owens are also players to watch at safety.
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Cornerback Dakerric Hobbs is the key returner here for the Aggies. He led NM State with seven pass breakups last season and was one of just two eligible Aggies to record a PFF defense grade above 70, alongside Martinez. Having been named a preseason All-CUSA second-team selection by both Steele and Athlon Sports, Hobbs is being tabbed as one of the conference’s best defensive players heading into the season.
Josiah Charles also returns at cornerback in what will likely be his first season as a starter. Safety Nick Session also returns after starting six of his nine games played last season.
This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: 2025 NMSU Defense Preview: Can the Aggies limit the big plays?
