NSD 2019: New Mexico State Signs Best Recruiting Class under Doug Martin

After signing 15 players during the early signing period, Doug Martin and company followed that up with another 10 signings yesterday, making the class of 2019 the best ever under Martin.

Last year’s class ranked 126th overall on 247sports while this year the class was 118th. That’s better than 13 other FBS schools and all FCS, including three teams that were bowl eligible last year.

The ten new recruits signed Wednesday include seven high school seniors and three JUCO transfers.

Highlighting this class is CB Brandon Silvers, who is the 7th best recruit ever signed to NM State, according to 247. Of course, rankings don’t mean everything. Regardless, this looks to be a really solid class. Doug Martin continues to impress. Here’s what recruiting coordinator Cory Martin had to say about the class as a whole.

Also, if you missed the signings from December, check them out here and here.

Now, lets check out the rest of the class.

Brandon Silvers, Three Star CB, Saguaro High

Silvers comes from Scottsdale, Arizona as the top ranked recruit Doug Martin has signed. He comes to Las Cruces with an extremely impressive offers list, including: Michigan State, Arizona, Louisville, Iowa State, Missouri, Nebraska, Oregon, Syracuse, Utah, and others.

Silvers is listed as 6’1” and 175 pounds. That height will allow Silvers to cover just about anyone. I am excited to see him on campus.

Jomaious Williams, Three Star DT, Coffeyville C.C.

Next on the list is three star bruiser Jomaious Williams. Williams played for Coffeyville Community College last year but is from Wilmington, North Carolina.

His only other offer is from Arkansas Pine Bluff but he did take an official visit to Virginia Tech.

Williams is a big dude, listed at 6’2” and 285 pounds. He’ll clog up the opposition O-line for sure.

Jason Simmons Jr., Three Star S, Lancaster High

Simmons Jr. is a very interesting recruit out of Lancaster, Texas. Originally committed to Memphis, Simmons decommited in November and signed with the Aggies yesterday.

He had offers from Memphis, Syracuse, UL-Monroe, and Stephen F. Austin. He also had interest from Baylor, Iowa, Northwestern, Purdue, Houston and Yale.

The 5’11” three star player is really athletic, having also played basketball in high school. This is a great pickup and another player I’m excited to watch!

Luteru Fedler, Three Star OL, Murrieta Valley High

While Fedler doesn’t have as many offers as some other players on this list (San Jose State, Portland State, Idaho), he still comes in with a three star ranking and is 6’3” and 278 pounds.

Fedler has a chance to be really big once he gets on a DI lifting program. I expect him to redshirt this year before becoming more of a contributor in the years to come. Luteru is very physical and especially mobile for a guy his size. He will be a fun player to watch.

Ja’Marvin Hartfield, Two Star LB, Trinity Christian High

Hartfield is a two star LB out of Cedar Hill, Texas. He is listed as a linebacker on the Aggies’ official recruiting release but also played running back in high school. I don’t think he has the speed to be a running back but could improve enough to fit into an outside linebacker position eventually.

Hartfield is listed as 6’1” 220 pounds and is a tough kid. He’ll be a thumper. He had offers from Southern Miss, Howard, and Northwestern State.

Rashie Hodge Jr., Two Star OLB, Glendale C.C.

Hodge is a 6’ 195 pound linebacker from Glendale, Arizona. While he is a little on the small side, he plays like he is much bigger. I’m sure his size played into the fact that he wasn’t highly recruited (a factor is think is overrated). Hodge plays fast and is aggressive.

I think he might be the most underrated player in this class.

Josh Ferguson, Two Star LB, Taylor High

Ferguson is a two star prospect out of Katy, Texas. He is listed at 5’10” and 215 pounds but can move. Again, I think size played into the fact that his only other offer was from Incarnate Word but I think that plays to his advantage.

Ferguson is a physical player who can cover sideline to sideline. It will be interesting what they decide to do with him in terms of redshirting/playing time.

Nick Giacolone, Two Star LB, Venice High

Coming in all the way from Venice, Florida is Nick Giacolone, A.K.A. the leader in solo tackles in the state of Florida. This kid might be the biggest steal of the class. Listed at 6’3” and 220 pounds, Giacolone plays smart and strong.

What he lacks in speed he makes up in his ability to recognize plays and fight off blocks. I’m really surprised this kid made it out of Florida.

Nick had offers from Cornell and Morehead State and had interest from UCF, Tulane and USF.

Marlin Johnson, Two Star OL, Ingleside High

Ingleside, Texas is the hometown of Marlin Johnson, who you definitely don’t want on the end of your fishing rod. At 6’6” and 275 pounds, Marlin continues on the trend of massive offensive lineman recruited by Martin and Co.

With a 6’6” frame I think Marlin can hold more weight and muscle and will be redshirted to try and do that. He also played D-line so maybe he could end up on that side of the ball. Who knows?

Chase Cook, DB, Oklahoma State

Last, but not least is transfer Chase Cook from Oklahoma State. I believe Cook walked on at Oklahoma State and played as a freshman on kickoff and in the secondary as a sophomore. He was also a captain for two games. Last year Chase was redshirted and decided to transfer this year. He will have two years of eligibility remaining.