NMSU signs first D-I transfers as 2 FCS all-conference players join up

New Mexico State football is now off and running in the transfer portal.

The Aggies picked up their first two transfer signings since the transfer portal window opened on Jan. 2, as Western Carolina tight end Josiah Thomas and Delaware State running back James Jones both announced their commitments on Tuesday, Jan. 6.

Both received selections to their respective all-conference teams after their performances this season. Thomas earned two honors on the All-Southern Conference team, being named a second-team selection and an All-Freshman player, while Jones earned first-team All-MEAC honors.

Advertisement

MORE AGGIES FOOTBALL: Analyzing positions of need for New Mexico State in transfer portal

MORE AGGIES FOOTBALL: 2026 New Mexico State football transfer portal tracker

Thomas has played only one season of college football so far and was a first-team selection in his district during his senior year at Lake Travis High School (Texas). He caught 28 passes for 228 yards and three touchdowns, with his 28 catches ranking fourth among WCU players. Thomas earned additional end-of-season honors from Phil Steele when he named him an FCS third-team Freshman All-American.

Thomas was NM State's first signing since the transfer portal opened. Jones would be the second.

Jones rushed for 958 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns last season with the Hornets. BOXTOROW gave him an HBCU All-American honorable mention and the 2025 HBCU Impact Player of the Year superlative for his efforts. Jones averaged an astounding 9.8 yards per carry, which should help bolster an NM State rushing game that ranked last among all FBS teams in rushing yards per game in 2025.

Advertisement

The Aggies have now signed four total transfers from other four-year collegiate programs. Defensive lineman Jordan-Lebron Downey and cornerback De'Marcus Peters each transferred from Livingstone College and Texas A&M-Kingsville, respectively, from the Division II level, and were announced as part of NM State's early signing class last month.

This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: New Mexico State football signs two FCS all-conference players