Cinco Aggies de NMSU nombrados en la Lista de Vigilancia de Pretemporada de Conference USA

Five New Mexico State football players have been selected to the 2026 Conference USA preseason watch list, according to KVIA. The Aggies' representatives are wide receiver TK King, linebackers Sone Aupiu, defensive lineman Henry Davis III, defensive end Gabe Peterson and punter Brody Richter.

King, entering his second year with the program, is NM State's only offensive selection. Last season, the redshirt junior led all Conference USA receivers in yards per game, averaging 73.5 yards in eight games played. He recorded 41 catches for 588 yards and three touchdowns, ranking second on the team in all three categories. King has earned four preseason honors this year, including preseason first-team all-conference recognition from Phil Steele and Athlon Sports, plus selection to the Jet Award Preseason Watchlist for the second consecutive year.

Aupiu, a Long Beach, California native, enters his fifth year with the Aggies as a three-year starter. The linebacker totaled 68 tackles last season, ranking third among NM State defenders, along with 5.5 tackles for loss, one sack, one interception, four pass breakups, three quarterback hurries and two forced fumbles.

Davis III returns for his third season and played in 11 games last year, recording 10 total tackles including four solos. He registered a season-high three tackles in a game against No. 21 Tennessee. Peterson, also entering his third season, logged 31 total tackles in 2025 after spending one year at Utah State. In 2023, Peterson appeared in all 15 games and recorded 55 tackles during NM State's second 10-win season in school history.

Richter, the lone newcomer to the group, joins NM State from a college career that included stops at Arizona State, Northern Arizona, UCLA and Minnesota. At UCLA in 2024, he averaged 42.8 yards per punt and placed 17 punts inside the 20-yard line. He has recorded 12 punts of 50 yards or greater at the collegiate level, including a 61-yard punt at LSU in 2024.

NM State opens the 2026 season Aug. 29 against Florida State in Tallahassee, Florida, on the CW Network. The Aggies host Mercyhurst on Sept. 5 at Aggie Memorial Stadium with kickoff at 7 p.m. MT.