LAS CRUCES, N.M. — The New Mexico State football team‘s (4-8, 2-6 Conference USA) 2025 season just wrapped up and several players have already entered the transfer portal. This is something the program has grown accustomed to and many other schools around the country are experiencing the same thing.
Even though the transfer portal often results in fans being upset about losing top players, many former Aggies have transferred to power five programs and have found success at that level.
Here is a list of 16 former Aggies who have made a name for themselves at the highest level in college football:
Quarterback Diego Pavia (Vanderbilt)
2024 passing stats: 20 touchdowns and four interceptions for 2,293 yards on 59.4% completion.
2024 rushing stats: Eight touchdowns and 800 yards.
2024 Awards:
Associated Press Newcomer of the Year
AP All-SEC second team
USA Today SEC Co-Newcomer of the Year
Maxwell Award Semifinalist
Davey O’Brien Award Semifinalist
Davey O’Brien Award QB Class of 2024
Manning Award Watch List
Maxwell Award Watch List
Birmingham Bowl MVP
Davey O’Brien Award Bowl Season Great 8
Pavia led the Commodores to a 7-6 win-loss record (3-5 SEC), including a 35-27 bowl victory over Georgia Tech. Vanderbilt also defeated No. 1 Alabama 40-35 Oct. 5, 2024, to give themselves their first win over a No. 1 ranked team in school history.
2025 passing stats: 27 touchdowns and eight interceptions for 3,192 yards on 71.2% completion.
Rushing stats: nine touchdowns for 826 yards.
2025 Awards:
Heisman Finalist
All-SEC First Team
SEC Offensive Player of the Year
CBS Sports All-America Team
CBS Sports Player of the Year
On3 All-America Team
Panini Senior Bowl Invite
Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Award Winner
Pavia has led the Commodores to a 10-2 season, the program’s first-ever 10-win season. This includes wins over No. 11 South Carolina, No. 10 LSU, No. 15 Missouri and No. 19 Tennessee. Vanderbilt will play against No. 23 Iowa in the ReliaQuest Bowl at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, 10 a.m. MT Wednesday, Dec. 31.
Tight End Eli Stowers (Vanderbilt)
2024 receiving stats: 49 catches for 638 yards and five touchdowns
2024 Awards:
All-SEC First Team
Mackey Award Semifinalist
Phil Steele All-America third team
Associated Press All-SEC second team
Phil Steele All-SEC first team
2025 receiving stats: 62 catches for 769 yards and four touchdowns
2025 Awards:
All-SEC First Team
PFF All-America Team
William V. Campbell Trophy Winner
John Mackey Award Winner
Running Back Makhilyn Young (Vanderbilt)
2025 stats:
45 carries for 410 and six touchdowns
14 catches for 133 yards
Wide Receiver Trent Hudson (Vanderbilt)
2025 receiving stats: Two catches for 32 yards
Rushing stats: One carry for 10 yards
Quarterback Blaze Berlowitz (Vanderbilt)
2025 passing stats: One touchdown and no interceptions for 131 yards on 52.9% completion
Rushing stats: One touchdown for 81 yards
Running Back Star Thomas (Tennessee)
2025 stats:
95 carries for 529 yards and seven touchdowns
10 catches for 98 yards and two touchdowns
Running Back Mike Washington Jr. (Arkansas)
2025 stats and awards:
168 carries for 1,068 yards and eight touchdowns
28 catches for 226 yards and one touchdown
All-SEC Second Team
Wide Receiver Jonathan Brady (Indiana)
2025 stats:
14 catches for 115 yards and three touchdowns
Running Back Seth McGowan (Kentucky)
2025 stats:
165 carries for 725 yards and 12 touchdowns
19 catches for 126 yards
Offensive Tackle Shiyazh Pete (Kentucky)
2025 stats: No statistics applicable
Linebacker Keyshaun Elliot (Arizona State)
2025 stats:
98 total tackles (54 solo tackles) (44 tackle assists) (seven sacks)
Defensive Back Myles Rowser (Arizona State)
2024 stats: 98 total tackles (51 solo tackles) (47 tackle assists)
2025 stats: 79 total tackles (47 solo tackles) (32 tackle assists)
Defensive Tackle Sterling Webb (Missouri)
2024 stats: 18 total tackles (six solo tackles) (12 tackle assists)
2025 stats: 18 total tackles (eight solo tackles) (10 tackle assists)
Safety Tayden Barnes (Cincinnati)
2025 stats: 25 total tackles (14 solo tackles) (11 tackle assists)
Defensive End Buddha Peleti (Washington State)
2025 stats: 20 total tackles (eight solo tackles) (12 tackle assists)
Quarterback Gavin Frakes (Northwestern)
Did not see any game action in 2025
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