Samuel Announces NMSU Football Recruits

Aggies ink 20 student-athletes to National Letters of Intent.

Feb. 2, 2000

LAS CRUCES, N.M. - New Mexico State has signed 20 student-athletes to National Letters of Intent to attend NMSU and play football, head coach Tony Samuel announced Wednesday. NMSU received 13 new letters today from student-athletes, who join seven who signed previously.

"We went for our wish list and came up with everything but would like to add one additional defensive lineman," Samuel said of his fourth recruiting class at NMSU. "We are still looking for a defensive lineman." Samuel referred to three additional scholarships, of the Aggies' 23 scholarships to give, that the NMSU staff would fill at a later date.

The class of 2000 consists of 12 freshmen and eight junior college transfers. Seven of the 20 student-athletes are already enrolled in NMSU's Spring Semester and attending classes, including six of the JC transfers and one freshmen.

"On paper this class of student-athletes looks good," Samuel said. "But a class doesn't prove itself for a couple of years."

Dario Aguiniga, K (5-11, 175, Fr.) - Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico (Marian Catholic School [San Diego, Calif.])
Record-setting kicker from Marian Catholic School in San Diego, Calif. Included on the San Diego Union-Tribune's "County's Top College Prospects" list in 1999. Named All-Harbor League following stellar senior season in 1999. Honored as CIF Division III Kicker of the Year. Hit game-winning 37-yard field goal in Qualcomm Stadium to give Marian its second straight Division IV championship, over The Bishop's School, in December 1999. Member of head coach Mike David's 11-2 Crusader team in 1999. Named the San Diego Union-Tribune Prep Athlete of the Week following his heroics in the Division IV championship win. Kicked 47 PATs in 1999, second-most in the county. Hit three field goals, including a 49-yarder, against Coronado during senior season. Member of Marian's 11-2 Harbor League championship team as sophomore in 1998. Former prep teammate at Marian of current Aggie wide receiver Leon Oloya. Also excelled in soccer at Marian, earning first-team All-Harbor League honors following senior season. Born in Chula Vista, Calif. Son of Miguel and Maricela Aguiniga.

Jeremy Barth, DL (6-2, 285, Jr.) - Woodridge, Calif. (Tokay HS/San Joaquin Delta [Calif.] College)
Two-year starter on defensive line at San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton, Calif. Played for Mustang head coach Randy Gaines. Named to All-Mid Empire Conference first team following sophomore season in 1999. Played prep ball at Tokay High School in Lodi, Calif.

Brandon Chambers, OL (6-4, 320, Fr.) - Tulsa, Okla. (Union HS)
Played one season on offensive line at Union High School in Tulsa, Okla. Helped head coach Bill Blankenship's Redskins to a 13-1 record during senior season at UHS. Member of Union's state runner-up squad in1999. Prep teammate of fellow NMSU signee Andy Dale at UHS. Son of Kathy Chambers.

Andy Dale, OL (6-1, 300, Fr.) - Broken Arrow, Okla. (Tulsa Union HS)
Three-year letter winner at Union High School in Tulsa, Okla. Led Coach Bill Blankenship's Redskins to a combined 26-2 record as a junior and senior. Guided UHS to a pair of state runner-up finishes in 1998 and 1999. Tabbed second-team All-Oklahoma as an offensive lineman. Prep teammate of fellow NMSU signee Brandon Chambers at UHS. Son of David and Janice Martin.

Cheron Figgs, IB (5-8, 185, Fr.) - El Paso, Texas (Andress HS)
Star running back at Andress High School in El Paso, Texas. Named one of seven "Wingback Sleepers" in the nation by Max Emfinger of the National Bluechips Recruiting Service. Listed among the Texas Top 100 prior to senior season by Rivals.com National Recruiting Network. Referred to as the "Best player in El Paso" by Rivals.com. Rushed for 1,013 yards on 140 carries (7.2 yards per carry) and scored 10 touchdowns as a senior in 1999. 1,013 rushing yards ranked third in District 1-5A in 1999. Member of District 1-5A first team in 1999. Named to the El Paso Times All-City second team following senior season. Rushed for more than 1,500 yards and 16 TDs as a junior in 1998. Clocked at 4.3 in the 40-yard dash. Son of Albert and Currie Figgs.

Jason Jewell, OL (6-5, 290, Jr.) - Phoenix, Ariz. (Palm Beach Garden [Fla.] HS/Northwestern Univ./Glendale [Ariz.] Com. Col.
Played for Coach Mike Grossner at Glendale Community College in 1997 and 1999. Twice led Glendale to the Valley of the Sun Bowl as an offensive tackle. Named first-team all-conference and all-region and second-team All-Western States Football League as a sophomore in 1999. Spent the 1998 season on Northwestern University's roster as a redshirt. Twice named NU's scout player of the week in 1998. Also participated on Glendale's track and field squad. Registered a best throw of 45'6 1/2" in 1997 (2nd best throw in the region and 3rd best throw in the state). A teammate at Glendale CC of fellow NMSU signee Robert Canidate. Played first three prep seasons at Washington High School in Phoenix, Ariz. Final year was spent playing at Palm Beach Garden [Fla.] HS. Earned first-team all-conference and second-team all-area honors as a senior at PBGHS. Participated in the Outback Steakhouse All-Star Game. Finished second in the region and seventh in the state in shot put as a senior. Tabbed a all-region honorable mention as a junior at WHS.

Tommy Laborin, DL (6-3, 285, Fr.) - Playas, N.M. (Animas HS)
Played as a fullback and linebacker for Coach Jeff Gillespie at Animas (N.M.) High School in 1999. Earned second-team Class A All-New Mexico honors at linebacker as a senior. Played on the offensive and defensive line as an undergraduate in 1997 and 1998 under head coach Kevin Lorone. Earned first-team All-New Mexico honors on both offense and defense as a junior. Also earned two letters in basketball and lettered once in track and field. Son of Louie and Mary Laborin.

Buck Pierce, QB (6-2, 185, Fr.) - Gasquet, Calif. (Del Norte HS [Crescent City, Calif.])
Three-year starter at quarterback for Del Norte High School in Crescent City, Calif. Guided Coach Lewis Nova's Warriors to a 16-4 record as a junior and senior. Passed for 2,225 yards and 25 touchdowns as a senior in 1999. Earned Big 5 Conference Most Valuable Player honors for the second consecutive season. Broke school's single-season and career records for both passing yardage and passing TDs in 1999. Posted a 226 quarterback rating as a senior. Threw for 2,010 yards and 19 TDs as a junior in 1998. Earned conference MVP honors as a junior. Tossed for 1,180 yards and 10 TDs as a sophomore in 1997. Led conference in passing in all three of his varsity seasons. Voted to the Times Standard North Coast California All-Century team. Throws right-handed. Qualified for North State meet as a long jumper. Leaped over 22 feet as a junior. Led DNHS to a pair of league titles as a starting guard on the basketball squad. Guided Coach Kirk Burrows' Warriors to a 44-10 record as a sophomore and junior. Averaged 18 points and seven assists per game as a junior. Posted 15 points and six assists per game as a sophomore in 1996-97.

Chad Sievers, LB (6-3, 205, Fr.) - Waterloo, Neb. (Valley HS)
Two-time All-Nebraska honorable mention at Valley (Neb.) High School. Twice earned first-team All-Omaha and first-team All-Capital Conference honors. Played a variety of positions under Coach George Purnell, including quarterback, defensive back, wide receiver and tailback. Registered 130 tackles, two interceptions and three fumble recovers on defense as a senior in 1999. Rushed for over 800 yards and nine TDs as a tailback during senior season. Caught 15 passes for 100 yards and threw three TDs in 1999. Logged 65 tackles and two interceptions as a junior. Grabbed 45 passes for over 500 yards and seven TDs in 1998. Also played guard for four seasons on Coach Rick Ahrens' basketball squad. Earned All-Nebraska honorable mention and third-team All-Capital in hoops as a senior. Averaged 15 points and 8.5 rebounds during the 1998-99 season. Ranks first in his graduating class with a 4.0 grade point average.

Beau Sylvestre, FB (6-1, 235, Fr.) - Victorville, Calif. (Silverado HS)
Two-year letterman for Silverado High School in Victorville, Calif. Played linebacker and fullback under head coach Mark Lenz for the Hawks. Scored 15 touchdowns from fullback position as a senior in 1999, most in goaline situations. Rushed for 577 yards on 70 carries in 1999. Totaled 140 tackles, 63 solo tackles, 20 tackles-for-loss, six sacks and four forced fumbles as a senior from the linebacker position. Selected first-team All-San Bernardino County linebacker by the Riverside Press following senior season in 1999. Named to the L.A. Times Inland Empire All-Star first team as a LB in 1999. Selected the All-Area Defensive Player of the Year in 1999 by the Victorville Daily Press. Twice honored by the Victorville Daily Press as a first-team all-area selection as junior and senior. Named to All-Mojave River League first team in both 1998 and 1999. First-ever player >from Silverado High School to earn a scholarship to a Division I school. Played freshman and sophomore seasons at Victor Valley High School in Victorville, before transferring to the newly created Silverado. Clocked at 4.58 in the 40-yard dash. Also a prep wrestler, won the CIF-Southern Section wrestling title at 215 pounds as a junior. Son of Pat and Kathleen Sylvestre.

Steve Subia, OL (6-4, 320, Fr.) - Midland, Texas (Lee HS)
A three-year letterman under head coach John Parchman at Lee High School in Midland, Texas. Listed on the Texas Top 100 prior to his senior season by Rivals.com National Recruiting Network, one of 13 offensive lineman listed. Lee tabbed national champion by USA Today in 1999. Member of Lee's back-to-back state championship teams in 1998 and 1999. Helped LHS to a 30-1 record during junior and senior years. A member of the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal's South Plain's Top 20 recruit list. A first-team All-West Texas selection and member of all-state team. Two-time selection to All-District 4-5A team. Clocked at 5.4 in the 40-yard dash. Nickname is "Big Chief". Son of Steve Subia Sr. and Diana Esparza.

Mark Thomason, DL (6-6, 280, Fr.) - Fort Collins, Colo. (Rocky Mountain HS)
Three-year letterman at Rocky Mountain High School in Fort Collins, Colo. Played under head coach Tom Smailes. Helped lead team to 8-2 record as senior and 7-3 mark as junior. Set RMHS combined weightlifting record of 1,215 pounds (squat, clean & bench) and squat mark of 560 lbs. A member of the student council at Rocky Mountain. Brother, Scott, played linebacker at Dixie College in St. George, Utah. Son of Dave and Janet Thomason.

Preston Williams, WR (6-1, 190, Fr.) - Farmington, N.M. (Farmington HS)
Three-year letterman at Farmington (N.M.) High School under head coach Tom Lynch. Led the state in receptions, 48, and receiving yardage, 887, as a senior in 1999. Averaged 18.4 yards per reception in 1999. Totaled 107 catches and 1,875 yards in three seasons at FHS. Named first-team all-state following senior season. Three-time All-District I-AAAA honoree at wide receiver. Twice a district all-academic selection. Clocked at 4.35 in the 40-yard dash. Also a track & field participant for Farmington, earning a district championship in 1997 as a member of FHS's 4x100 team. Father, Eric, played linebacker at Weber State University. Son of Eric and Roseanne Williams.

Ryan Bakke, RE (6-2, 250, Jr.) - Phoenix, Ariz. (Glendale Apollo HS/Phoenix College)
Junior college transfer enrolled at NMSU Spring Semester. Two-year star at Phoenix College for head coaches Gary Cook and John Allen. Earned second-team All-Western States Football League (WSFL) honors in 1999 at defensive end. Also garnered first-team All-Arizona accolades as a sophomore... Registered 52 tackles, including four sacks in 1999. Also blocked one field goal and one extra point during sophomore campaign. A three-year letterman at Apollo High School in Glendale, Ariz. Played on the offensive and defensive lines for head coach Gregg Parrish's Hawks. Helped lead AHS to an 11-1 record and district championship as a senior in 1997. Established an Apollo school record by compiling 34 consecutive starts. Member of two Syline Region championship teams at AHS. Three-time All-Skyline Region honoree. Started at defensive end for the All-Arizona team as a senior. Son of Edward and Sandra Bakke.

Harbert Briscoe, WR (6-3, 190, Jr.) - Daly City, Calif. (Riordan HS/City College of San Francisco)
Mid-year junior college transfer enrolled at NMSU for Spring Semester. Member of 1999 junior college national championship team at City College of San Francisco. Helped Rams to undefeated 12-0 record as a sophomore in 1999. Totaled a 23-1 two-year record at CC of San Francisco under head coach George Rush. Caught 48 passes for 770 yards and 10 touchdowns during 1999 national championship season. Accounted for 22 receptions, 330 yards and three TDs as a freshman in 1998, when San Francisco finished 11-1 and was Nor-Cal champion. Four-year letterman at Riordan High School in San Francisco, Calif. A 1996 graduate of RHS who played under coach Ken Peralta and Liam Watters for the Crusaders. Caught 41 passes for 830 yards and six touchdowns as a senior in 1996. Totaled four interceptions and 44 tackles on defense as a senior. A first-team All-West Catholic Athletic League selection. Named to the All-Bay Area team. Accounted for 25 catches, 450 yards and four TDs as a junior in 1995. Nickname is "HB". Son of Harvey and Barbara Briscoe.

Jamar Cain, RE (6-2, 220, Jr.) - Sacramento, Calif. (Valley HS/Sacramento City College)
Junior college transfer from Sacramento City College, enrolled at NMSU Spring Semester. Played two seasons at SCC under head coach Dave Griffin. Helped the Panthers to a 10-2 record and bowl victory as a sophomore rush end in 1999. Totaled 62 tackles, seven sacks and one touchdown as a sophomore. A first-team Nor-Cal All-Conference selection as a sophomore in 1999. Part of 9-2 Nor-Cal Conference champion Sacramento CC team as a freshman linebacker in 1998. Named to Nor-Cal All-Conference team as freshman. A four-year letterman at Valley High School in Sacramento, Calif. Valley compiled a 39-4-1 record and four league championships during his career from 1993 to 1996. Named All-Delta League. Also participated in track & field at VHS. Son of Joshalyn Cain.

Robert Canidate, CB (5-8, 180, Jr.) - Phoenix, Ariz. (Alhambra HS/Glendale [Ariz.] Community College)
Junior college All-American who enrolled at NMSU in Spring Semester. Two-year starter at Glendale (Ariz.) Community College under head coach Mike Grossner. Tabbed a first-team All-America as a sophomore in 1999 by JC Gridwire. Named as an NJCAA All-America honorable mention following sophomore season. Listed on the 1999 Top 300 Juco Report by PrepStar Magazine as a defensive back following sophomore season. Listed among the Junior College Super 124 Bluechips by Max Emfinger's National Bluechips recruiting service. Earned academic all-America honors with a 3.6 grade point average. Tallied 44 tackles and four interceptions in 1999. Also recorded six touchdowns (two kickoff return, one blocked punt return, one interception return and two rushing) in 1999. Averaged 29 yards on kick returns. Logged a pair of 100-yard kickoff returns as a sophomore. Registered TD rushes of 50 and 63 yards as a tailback. Helped lead the Gauchos to consecutive appearances in the Valley of the Sun Bowl. Named first-team All-Western States Football League as a sophomore in 1999. Selected second-team All-Arizona as a freshman defensive back in 1998. A teammate at Glendale of fellow NMSU signee Jason Jewell. Three-year letterman at Alhambra High School in Phoenix, Ariz. Played running back, cornerback and returned kicks for the Lions under head coach Frank Lautt. Selected the 5A Defensive Player of the Year as a junior in 1996. Named the 5A Co-Offensive Player of the Year in 1995 as a sophomore. Brother of University of Arizona All-America running back Trung Canidate. Father of one daughter, Chayla. Son of Jimmie Canidate and Ruth Sampson.

Chadd Kahlsdorf, OL (6-5, 300, Jr.) - Ventura, Calif. (Ventura HS/Ventura [Calif.] College)
Mid-year junior college transfer enrolled at NMSU for Spring Semester. Two-year letterman at Ventura (Calif.) College under head coach Terry Morris. Member of 9-1 Pirate team in 1999, named team offensive MVP. Named to the All-Western States Conference second team following sophomore season. Helped Ventura College to 8-2 record as freshman in 1998. Selected first team All-Western States Conference in 1998. A first team academic all-American. Earned four letters in football at Ventura (Calif.) High School under head coach Phil McCune. Set the VHS school record with 112 pins/pancakes as a senior in 1994. Selected first team all-county by the L.A. Times and the league coaches. Named to the CIF All-Division III first team. Also earned three letters in track at Ventura, in the shot put and discuss. A member of the VHS honor roll and principle's list. Full name is Charles Nicklous Kahlsdorf III, but goes by Chadd. Son of Ann Kahlsdorf and the late Charles Kahlsdorf Jr.

Anthony Stevenson, LB (6-1, 215, Jr.) - Chandler, Ariz. (Chandler HS/Arizona State University/Arizona Western College)
Junior college transfer enrolled at NMSU for Spring Semester. One-year starter at Arizona Western College in Yuma, Ariz. for head coach Bob O'Mera. . Listed on the 1999 Top 300 Juco Report by PrepStar Magazine following 1999 season, one of 31 linebackers. Registered 163 tackles (45 solo), six sacks and 19 tackles-for-loss as a sophomore in 1999 at Arizona Western. Earned first-team All-Arizona and first-team All-Western States Football League honors in 1999. Helped AWC to a 6-4 record and third place finish in WSFL in 1999. Signed with Arizona State University out of high school. Earned one letter in two years at ASU. Appeared in eight games for the Sun Devils in 1998 and tallied a pair of tackles. Spent the 1997 season on the ASU roster as a redshirt. Clocked at 4.56 in the 40-yard dash. 1997 graduate and three-year letterman at Chandler (Ariz.) High School under head coach Jerry Loper. Member of Wolves' conference championship teams as sophomore, junior and senior. Earned first-team all-state, all-east valley and all-conference as a senior. Also lettered twice in track & field and once in wrestling at CHS. Father, Mark Stevenson played offensive line for the Detroit Lions in 1985 and played in the United States
Football League in 1983. Member of the National Honor Society, Dean's List and honor roll in high school. Son of Mark and Karen Stevenson. 

Michael Winter, LB (6-2, 225, Fr.) - Toronto, Ontario, Canada
(Northern Secondary)
Prep linebacker from Canada who enrolled at NMSU in Spring Semester. Will be a true freshman in fall of 2000. Spent grades 11 and 12 at Northern Secondary School in Toronto, Ontario, where he played linebacker for head
coach Dan Dominico. Defensive captain for Northern, which was ranked in Top 10 in Ontario. Started at LB for the city all-star team in 1998 Shrine Classic. Was defensive MVP of Sokol Bowl. Went to William Lyon MacKenzie Secondary School in Toronto as a freshman and sophomore. Took final class and earned diploma from Northview Secondary Heights. Son of Andrew and Ildi Winter.