NMSU’s quarterback competition rolls on as the spring game approaches. The other day, I had a chance to meet and talk with Tyler Rogers, one of the six QBs that NMSU signed back in February. Rogers, a Phoenix area native who transferred from Arizona Western College, has three years of eligibility left and is excited to get to work for the Aggies. As he’s the only currently listed scholarship QB on the roster, it’ll be interesting to see how he performs in the spring game.
I came away from our conversation excited; Rogers is a competitor who isn’t taking things lightly when it comes to being named the starter. I know he’ll be ready to take the reins when his competition arrives in the summer.
Rogers’ fellow QBs will all be true freshmen who will be on campus in July and work out in the strength program with Coach Don Decker. Here’s the skinny on the other guys:
Cassius Corley
- 6’1″
- 185
- Grants HS Pirates (Grants, New Mexico)
- Committed June 20, 2013
- Recruited by tight ends coach Kevin McKeethan
- Son of Stacy Corley, a former BYU running back (1986-1989) who is now a successful car dealership owner
A two-year starter, Corley first got the Aggies’ attention last summer, when he was the fastest quarterback at a prep football camp hosted by NMSU. After evaluating Corley’s film, Doug Martin got on the line and offered him a scholarship. Corley attended the 2012 U.S. Army All-American Combine, the National Underclassman Combine, and the NM Preps Elite Combine. Corley was a four-sport athlete at GHS and an all-state honoree in track and field.
Corley chose NMSU based on the proximity to family and friends, the campus, the staff, and the facilities. An honor roll student, he wants to major in either business or aeronautics. Off the field, Corley received the Lamp of Knowledge Award, the Academic Bar Award, and was named senior class president. He also coached youth basketball and was active in Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
HONORS/STATS:
- 2012 (junior year): 1,246 passing yards, 14 TDs; 306 rushing yards, 9 TDs
- 2013 (senior year): 1,358 passing yards, 11 TDs; 829 rushing yards, 11 TDs
- Named the preseason New Mexico Mr. Football by MaxPreps.com
- Named a 2012 honorable mention all-conference pick
Nate Grimm
- 6’4″
- 200
- Cedar Park HS Timberwolves (Cedar Park, Texas)
- Committed February 5, 2014
- Rejected an offer from Sam Houston State
Grimm is a lanky, gifted prospect that went 25-4 in two years as a starter at Cedar Park. He boasts an accurate arm and a quick release, and is a tough, hard-nosed scrambler (7.4 yards per carry). He completed 58% of his passes in 2013 en route to helping the Timberwolves go undefeated in conference play.
HONORS/STATS:
- 2013 (senior year): 2,367 passing yards, 22 TDs; 1,314 rushing yards, 18 TDs
- 2013 District MVP
- 2013 first team all-Central Texas
- 2012 Central Texas Newcomer of the Year
Nick Jeanty
- 6’3″
- 185
- Miramar HS Patriots (Miramar, Florida)
- Committed February 5, 2014
- Rejected offers from UCF, Ohio, Western Kentucky, Utah State, Eastern Michigan, and Florida A&M
Already considered one of the best QBs in the region, Jeanty boosted his stock with an outstanding senior season in which he led Miramar to a 12-1 overall record. He threw for two or more TDs five times in the 2013 season, and earned honorable mention Class 8A recognition for his efforts. He threw no interceptions in 152 passing attempts. Jeanty was named to two all-star games and helped the Patriots finish ranked 13th in the state of Florida.
HONORS/STATS:
- 2013 (senior year): 1,340 passing yards, 21 TDs; 118 rushing yards, 4 TDs
- Boasted a 72% completion percentage, the highest in South Florida
Andrew Allen
- 6’2″
- 200
- Texas City HS Stingarees (Texas City, Texas)
- Committed June 28, 2013
- Recruited by linebackers coach Zane Vance
Allen is an athletic quarterback (4.5 in the 40) who was a three-year starter for the Stingarees. He threw for over 4,300 yards and 45 TDs in his career, was a three-time all-district selection, and led Texas City to a 25-10 record as a starter. Allen throws with finesse and can make plays with his legs.
Allen said he chose NMSU primarily based on the chance to play DI football right away as a QB. He also liked what he saw with the coaching staff, the campus, and academics when he took his official visit last summer. He plans on majoring in criminal justice.
HONORS/STATS:
- 2012 (junior year): 1,555 passing yards, 16 TDs; 463 rushing yards, 9 TDs
- 2013 (senior year): 1,307 passing yards, 14 TDs; 294 rushing yards, 6 TDs
- 2011 honorable mention all-district
- 2011 all-county pick
- 2012 honorable mention all-district
- 2013 unanimous first team all-district
- 2013 all-county pick (The Galveston Daily News)
- 2013 all-area pick (The Post)
Jalen Jones
- 6’3″
- 215
- South River HS Seahawks (Edgewater, Maryland)
- Committed February 5, 2014
- Recruited by offensive coordinator Gregg Brandon
Jones is a dynamic player who throws a crisp ball and can make plays with his feet. He threw for nearly 2,500 yards in 2013 with 59% accuracy, earning honorable mention all-state for his efforts. His dad, Rahsaan, played linebacker for NC State back in the early 90s.
Jones was a real diamond in the rough because he had very little game film entering his senior year (he transferred to South River after he and his mom moved to the Annapolis area), but he performed very well at combines hosted by schools such as Duke, Maryland, and East Carolina. Still, no official offers came until Coach Brandon called South River coach Lance Clelland in the weeks before signing day (Brandon coached Clelland in the early 90s at Northwestern). Before that, Jones was drawing light interest from schools such as Temple, Towson, and Appalachian State.
Jones chose NMSU based on the coaching staff and the campus atmosphere. He wants to major in either engineering or business management.
I’ll keep everyone updated in the near future regarding my thoughts on these prospects. Go Aggies!
Letters from Las Cruces 