New Mexico State football hoping to escape bottom of FBS in 2020
Offense looking for consistency
There is some concern within the program on the offensive side of the ball with only four starters returning from last season. The Aggies lost their top two rushers and top four receivers from this past season. It did not help that their two-year starting quarterback in Josh Adkins decided to transfer out during the offseason to play for UTSA.
The offense will rely on its edge protectors in three-year starting left tackle in redshirt senior Sage Doxtater and senior right Jalen Guerrero. At 6-7, 330 pounds, Doxtater has the potential to play in the NFL due to his solid size and consistent blocking. Redshirt sophomore Max Wilhite returns after starting all 12 games in his redshirt freshman season.
The main skilled position player returning for the Aggies is senior wide receiver Robert Downs III. Last season, Downs caught 22 passes for 265 yards (both fifth on the team) and two touchdowns. He and incoming transfer in sophomore wide receiver Isaiah Garcia-Castaneda will be leaders of the receiver corps.
Expect a heavy quarterback competition with no player on the team having starting or playing experience for the Aggies. Last season, the Aggies ranked 79th in passing yards per game (217.6) as they passed the ball 446 times. Redshirt junior Weston Eget and redshirt freshman Cameron Matthews are both familiar with the system that Doug Martin has installed.
The Aggies, although, are projected to start incoming Fresno City College transfer Jonah Jackson at the quarterback position. In the previous two seasons at the JUCO level, Jackson threw for 3,453 yards and 28 touchdowns while accounting for 435 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns.
If Johnson is the starting quarterback, Martin would utilize a more dynamic offense with an RPO-style system. This would take less pressure on the rushing offense with redshirt sophomore Naveon Mitchell likely being the new full-time starter as well as two new interior offensive linemen starting.
Martin will need to create some momentum on the offensive side of the ball after the Aggies were ranked 108th in points per game (21.7) last season.