The Magnificent Seven: Aggies Bulk up Football Roster
24-25 Sports Season Winding Down, AGGREGATOR Winding Up
Hello Everyone.
Quick thank you as always to all my readers. Without you, this wouldn’t be possible. I am ranked #99 in the nation this week in terms of popularity on Substack. I didn’t put out a column in 5 days, which is why I dropped from #78, but I am only 80-ish spots away from Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s column, and he’s a much more accomplished man than myself.
But you folks have helped get this NM State column national recognition, and this is why I say AGGREGATOR is the People’s Champion.
I DID write something on my other blog, Consumer Beast this week about something that is sports-adjacent.
I wrote about Shedeur Sanders and the “backlash” over the prank phone call a couple of punk kids did to him during the draft, and I discussed all the reasons why people shouldn’t see that situation one way without understanding the ability for business opportunities.
It has become my most popular column in about a year. I will be writing a couple more columns on Consumer Beast about topics that are fun, if not controversial, and will be breaking more news with acerbic commentary.
I want to mention I did a podcast with a gentleman named “The Burger Pauper” on Thursday that is set to air on Monday. I talk about the hypothesis of Hawaii playing NM State in Football in 2026 in Vegas. I also talk about the fanbase of NM State. It was 30 mins and it was fun. Will post it here when it drops.
I will be doing more podcasts soon, and I will EVENTUALLY show others how it is done with a podcast that is reflective of what I like…
I WANT YOU TO SUBSCRIBE TO THAT COLUMN ABOVE IF YOU LIKE HONEST WRITING WITH A SHARP TONGUE AND INTELLIGENT DEBATE.
I am also thinking of expanding the AGGREGATOR empire a bit, but I will weigh that over the summer.
But in the meantime, this is where I remind you that AGGREGATOR is a reader-supported publication. I would not be here without your generosity. Some people who write these things call them “donations.” They are most certainly NOT DONATIONS. I am a businessman, selling a quality product. If you feel that I give you insight that no other Aggies content creator can give you, than for just $5 a month or about 10 cents a day, you can support independent writers like myself, and you will get a product that is top 78 in the nation as of last week.
78 in the country and from Las Cruces! :)
Ok. We have been gone for a few days. Let’s get to it.
Aggies Football Sign DE from Liberty Among Others
New Mexico State, hurting from losing so much talent in the portal this year, has gone on a signing spree this week, inking a cadre of potential high impact players from FCS, JuCo and even a couple of FBS TEs and a DE from Liberty.
Here they are:
Larry Jones III - When I think Larry Jones, I think of Atlanta Braves Legend Larry “Chipper” Jones usually.
Nice to feel Chipper about taking a player from our CUSA Rivals
Larry Jones III
#1 – Defensive End – Liberty Flames
Sophomore | 6'1", 250 lbs | Lakeland, FL
2024 Stats
Games: 5
Tackles: 5 (0 solo, 5 ast)
Sacks: 0.5
2024 Game Log
9/7 @ NMSU – 1 AST, 0.5 SACK
9/21 vs ECU – No stats
10/8 vs FIU – 1 AST
11/9 @ MTSU – 1 AST
11/23 vs WKU – No stats
Jones III has seen action in five games as part of Liberty’s defensive line rotation. He recorded his first career sack against NM State, showing flashes of backfield disruption in limited snaps.
Jamall Thompson
#81 – Defensive Lineman – Samford Bulldogs
Junior | 6'3", 268 lbs | Sarasota, FL
2024 Stats
Tackles: 23 (18 solo, 5 ast)
Sacks: 6.0
FF: 1 | INT: 0
Kick Returns: 1 for 13 yds
Career Totals
Tackles: 57
Sacks: 10.5
FF: 1 | INT: 0
Thompson has been a disruptive force on the edge for Samford, leading the team with 6 sacks in 2024. Even at 268 pounds, he flashed surprising speed, returning a squib kickoff 13 yards—proving he's more than just a pass rusher.
Jason Gwan
#98 – Defensive Lineman – Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions
Sophomore | 6'2", 260 lbs | Buffalo, NY
2024 Stats
Tackles: 9 (4 solo, 5 ast)
Sacks: 0.5
FF/FR/INT: 0
Gwan has contributed steadily up front for the FCS Golden Lions, posting 9 tackles and a half-sack on the year. Still developing in his sophomore season, he’s shown flashes of power at the point of attack.
Evan Blaettler
#71 – Offensive Lineman – Vacaville HS / Freshman
6'5", 292 lbs
Blaettler, a towering freshman lineman, played for American River in the 3C2A last year.
His size and frame make him a developmental prospect to watch in the trenches, as the Aggies NEED help in the O-Line losing Shiyazh Pete, among others.
Santos Valdez
Offensive Lineman | Senior | 6'2", 321 lbs| East Texas A&M
Hometown: Fillmore, Calif.
High School: Bishop Heelan Catholic HS
Also played at: Iowa Central CC
Valdez brings an imposing presence to the offensive line at 6'2", 321 pounds—built like a battering ram and just as hard to move. Played for the team formerly known as Texas A&M Commerce.
Before joining them, he played at Iowa Central Community College, a program known not just for football but for producing some of MMA’s toughest alumni, including Jon Jones, Colby Covington, and Cain Velasquez. That kind of background says it all: Iowa Central CC breeds tough dudes, and Valdez fits the mold. No rear naked chokes on the O-Line though. Refs don’t like that.
Joshua Goines
#80 – Tight End – Tulane Green Wave
Freshman | 6'3", 237 lbs | Frisco, TX
Though Goines didn’t see game action for Tulane in 2024, just earning a spot on a program like the Green Wave says plenty about his potential. In high school, he helped lead Reedy to a dominant 12-1 season and was a first-team all-district selection. He totaled 18 catches for 194 yards and 2 TDs as a junior, while also showing versatility at defensive end and in track. He clocked a 4.56 40-yard dash at Tulane’s camp—elite speed for a tight end. With his size, athleticism, and leadership credentials (like the Dave Campbell Impactful Leadership Award), Goines could turn into a long-term success story once his number gets called.
Lukas Ungar
#89 – Tight End – Stanford Cardinal
Senior (5th Year) | 6'4", 244 lbs | Mendham, NJ
Career Stats
Games: 18
Receptions: 3
Yards: 13
TDs: 0
Ungar didn’t see the field in his final season at Stanford, but his five years on The Farm tell the story of a well-rounded, resilient athlete. A three-time Pac-12 Academic Honor Roll honoree, Ungar combined athleticism with leadership, dating back to his time as a four-star recruit out of New Jersey.
Despite injuries and limited playing time, he stayed the course and earned respect both on and off the field. His background is steeped in excellence—whether it’s his family’s Olympic legacy or his own multi-sport success in high school—and that foundation could carry him far beyond his football career.
Now, I heard a lot from Aggies fans about this pickup.
Why only a few catches? Why not someone with better stats?
Folks, I understand that, but this is a P5 TE who had some injury setbacks, but this is a smart cat. I mean his family lineage is amazing.
More about the Olympic Legacy:
Lukas Ungar comes from a family deeply rooted in athletics. His brother, Matthew, played football at Georgetown, while his sister, Kolina, is a standout lacrosse player at the University of Vermont.
The competitive edge runs even deeper—his great-grandfather, David Munson, was a 1904 Olympic gold medalist in track & field and a collegiate national champion at Cornell in both 1904 and 1905.
In my view, you can never have too many smart, intelligent people with 4 generations of athletes in their genes.
Lukas is one of those guys who may or may not get a ton of opportunities this season, but even having his presence on the sidelines, a mature well educated man from STANFORD of all places only helps.
I said in a podcast that our coach, Tony Sanchez, while being an Aggie Alum also holds a Masters in Special Education, so he is by all accounts a teacher first, so having someone with a degree from a prestigious university who can ball and help out, I’m all for it.
Lukas Ungar earned his Bachelor of Arts in Science, Technology, and Society from Stanford University (2020–2024), graduating with a 3.6 GPA. While majoring in Innovation and Organization with a minor in Communications.
He also graduated from the prestigious Delbarton School in Morristown, NJ, a College Prep School who has an annual tuition more than your car is valued at. Places like this are where America’s leaders are built :) Look at how damn beautiful that school is.
I went to high school in a three room shack. I am not joking.
Thanks for being an Aggie, Lukas!
Ready for football? I am… Only 3 months away. I can’t wait Aggies Fans. I will have more as the days and weeks go on. More paywalled stuff as well, so PLEASE sign up today. I will keep you entertained until the men and women that represent the school we love come back in 25-26.
In the meantime, next column I will have a track wrap-up along with Baseball wrapping up the regular season. Stay Tuned.
Thank You!
James Baca - AGGREGATOR