If you’ve spent any time at Aggie Memorial Stadium lately, you know that New Mexico State football is basically in a permanent state of "wait, who's that guy?" It is the nature of the beast in Las Cruces. Since Tony Sanchez took the reigns, the NMSU football depth chart has become a living, breathing document that changes faster than the desert weather in January.
Honestly, trying to pin down the exact starters in the middle of the winter transfer window is a bit like trying to catch a roadrunner. You think you’ve got it, and then—beep beep—your leading receiver enters the portal. But if you're an Aggie fan, you aren't looking for a corporate PR sheet. You want to know who is actually going to be under center when they travel to Tallahassee to face Florida State in August.
We need to talk about the roster churn. It's real. It's messy. And it's exactly why the projected depth chart for the 2026 season looks like a high-stakes game of musical chairs.
The Quarterback Room: Fife or Famine?
Logan Fife is the name you’ll see at the top of most sheets right now. The Fresno State transfer came in with a lot of expectations, and for the most part, he’s the "incumbent" even if that word feels a bit heavy for modern college ball. He’s got the experience. He’s a dual-threat guy who can actually move when the pocket collapses, which, let's be honest, happens more than we'd like.
But don't sleep on Adam Damante. He’s the redshirt sophomore who has shown flashes of being "the guy." The coaching staff loves his arm talent, but consistency has been the ghost in the machine. Then you have Jaylen Patterson, the true freshman out of San Jacinto. He’s 6'3", skinny as a rail, but has an absolute cannon. Most experts think he’s a redshirt candidate, but in this offense? One injury to Fife and the depth chart gets thrown into a blender.
The Skill Positions: A New Look
The wide receiver room took a massive hit recently. Donovan Faupel, who was basically the heart of the passing game, is in the portal. That’s 60+ catches and 7 touchdowns just... gone. It hurts.
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So, who steps up?
- TJ Pride: He’s a sophomore now. He had a quiet 2025 because he was buried, but the talent is there.
- PJ Johnson III: The "old man" of the group. He’s a redshirt senior. He needs to be the alpha.
- Kaden Robnett: A name to watch if they move some pieces around.
At running back, Kadarius Calloway is the heavy hitter. He’s a "graduate transfer" type who runs like he’s trying to break through a brick wall. Behind him, Dijon Stanley offers that lightning-to-Calloway’s-thunder vibe. It’s a solid 1-2 punch, maybe the most stable part of the entire NMSU football depth chart right now.
Defense: The 3-3-5 Puzzle
Tony Sanchez and Joe Morris are sticking with that 3-3-5 look. It’s built for speed, which you need when you're playing Conference USA schedules. But the linebacker core is currently a bit of a construction zone.
Quincy Davis, who was a cornerstone for the Aggies, just signed with Kansas. That is a massive void in the middle of the field. You can't just "replace" 80 tackles and a high football IQ overnight. The staff is looking at Tyler Martinez, a New Mexico native from Volcano Vista, to step into a much larger role. He’s got the size (6'2", 225 lbs), but can he command the huddle?
The Secondary: "No-Fly Zone" Hopes
This is where things get interesting. Stilton McKelvey and Naeten Mitchell are the projected starters at corner. McKelvey is a junior with good length, while Mitchell is a redshirt sophomore who plays much bigger than his 5'9" frame. They’re aggressive. Sometimes too aggressive. They’ll give up the occasional deep ball, but they’re also the type to jump a route and take it 60 yards the other way.
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- Nick Session (Safety): He’s the veteran. If the secondary is going to hold up against Florida State or Hawaii, Session has to be the eraser.
- Bernock Iya (Nickel): The hybrid spot in the 3-3-5. He’s basically a small linebacker who can cover. It’s a tough job.
What Most People Get Wrong About NMSU's Lineup
The biggest misconception is that the "signing day" roster is the final roster. It’s not. Not even close. Between now and the spring game, and then again between spring and August, this depth chart will undergo at least two more major facelifts.
People also underestimate the "Portaling" effect. NMSU isn't just losing players; they are hunting for guys who were buried at Power 5 schools. Take Gavin Harris at Tight End. He’s a 6'3" beast who came from Central Michigan. He’s probably the best receiving threat on the team right now, even if he hasn't been in Las Cruces for long. He’s a mismatch nightmare for most C-USA linebackers.
The 2026 Schedule: Why Depth Matters
Look at the start of the 2026 season:
- Aug 29: at Florida State
- Sep 5: Mercyhurst
- Sep 12: at Hawaii
- Sep 26: New Mexico (The Rivalry)
That is a brutal travel schedule. Las Cruces to Tallahassee to Honolulu. If the depth chart is thin, these guys will be gassed by the time the Lobos come to town for the Rio Grande Rivalry.
The offensive line is the biggest concern here. Malik Williams at Left Tackle is a "Grown Man." He’s a grad transfer who needs to protect Fife’s blindside. But behind the starters? It’s a lot of freshmen and sophomores like Mateo Rodriguez and Armando Nieves. If those big guys don't develop fast, the mid-season "maction-style" Tuesday night games are going to be a struggle.
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Special Teams: The Hidden Heroes
Don't overlook Ryan Hawk. He’s the kicker who basically carries the scoring when the offense stalls in the red zone. Max Dean is handling the punting duties. In close games—which NMSU plays a lot of—these are the guys who actually determine the "W" or "L."
Actionable Insights for Aggie Fans
If you're trying to stay ahead of the curve, stop looking at the official university website for the "latest" depth chart. It’s usually out of date the second it’s posted.
Instead, watch the transfer portal entry dates. When a guy like Donovan Faupel leaves, look at who was 2nd string behind him in the spring. That’s your new starter. Also, keep an eye on the "Grey Shirt" players and early enrollees. Guys like Luke Moise (OL) are coming in early specifically to compete for those vacant spots on the two-deep.
The real NMSU football depth chart is won in the weight room in February and the film room in March. By the time they hit the field in Tallahassee, the names might be different, but the goal remains: survive the transition and prove that Las Cruces is still a tough place to play.
Keep a close eye on the spring "Crimson vs. White" game. That is usually the first time the coaching staff tips their hand on who has actually earned the "1" next to their name. Until then, everything is written in pencil.
Next Steps for Following the Aggies:
Check the 247Sports Transfer Portal tracker daily during the spring window to see which Power 5 offensive linemen Sanchez is targeting to beef up that front wall before the FSU opener.