It happens every year during the college football season.
First-year players, some of which that were virtually unknown at the outset of the schedule, come out of nowhere and make a positive impact for their team.
At a school like New Mexico State, where DeWayne Walker is entering his second season as the program's head coach, that especially rings true.
Here are some key players to keep an eye on, as they enter their first seasons suiting up for the Crimson and White:
Frank Padilla
Position: Strongside linebacker
Experience: Senior
Height/Weight: 6-foot-2, 230 pounds
Prior affiliation: College of the Sequoias (California)
On the edge: Padilla's passion for the game and rowdy persona can be a blessing and a curse. Regardless, he has the size, strength and athleticism to play at a high level in the WAC. Originally brought in to be NMSU's middle linebacker, he was shifted to the outside during the spring. No matter, though. There are no questions about his physical attributes, as he steps in as a starter from day one.
DeWayne Walker's eval: "Wealth of talent.... If he plays within the scheme, and does what he's supposed to do, he has a chance to be one of the better linebackers in the conference. If he makes mistakes and doesn't play within the defense, he's gonna kill us."
Turnaround effort: "I want us to be an explosive defense, I want to lead by example. I want to bring
the community to the stands and celebrate, you know what I mean? I want to take this team to a bowl game, that's my biggest goal....It's time to turn the table."
— Frank Padilla on expectations for 2010 season
B.J. Adolpho
Position: Weakside linebacker
Experience: Redshirt freshman
Height/Weight: 5-foot-11, 215 pounds
Prior affiliation: Kahuku High School (Hawaii)
High motor: Adolpho plays with reckless abandon, throwing his body around the field and hitting anything that moves. He opened eyes last year on the Aggie scout team and had the coaching staff believing that he could step in and start at outside linebacker in 2010. That's exactly where he'll be on Saturday night.
DeWayne Walker's eval: "Plays with a lot of intensity, passion....Linebackers, there load scheme wise, they gotta know there stuff. We do a lot of different things, so we put....pressure on them."
That special feeling: "I just love hitting. If anything, if I can't make the play, I'm going to hit somebody. I'll do anything I can to help my other teammates, that way my team gets better."
— B.J. Adolpho on the joy of laying a big hit on the opposition
Kenny Turner
Position: Running back
Experience: Sophomore
Height/Weight: 5-foot-10, 195 pounds
Prior affiliation: Fullerton College (California)
Rocket man: The 24-year-old running back comes from Fullerton with a boatload of talent. In a perfect world, he'll be a multi-dimensional weapon out of the Aggie backfield, providing speed, explosiveness and pass-catching ability in the team's new offensive system. He did sit out much of fall practice with a nagging hamstring injury.
DeWayne Walker's eval: "He's a special player, man. I'm anxious to watch him play. I haven't had a chance to watch him as much in practice."
Mr. Everything: "I'm looking to bring a variety of things to the offense. It's all about versatility. I can catch the ball, I can be that home run hitter. I'm excited to be here and I'm excited to help."
— Kenny Turner upon his arrival this summer at New Mexico State
Matt Christian
Position: Quarterback
Experience: Junior
Height/Weight: 6-foot-3, 220 pounds
Prior affiliation: Palomar Junior College (California)
Providing a lift: If there was one thing the Aggies needed this offseason, it was the added threat of a passing attack that could at least keep opposing defenses honest. Christian was part of that equation, a quarterback brought in to run a new system under coordinator Mike Dunbar that will see NMSU spread the field and attack the opposition.
DeWayne Walker's eval: "He's just a leader....I love that about him too....He's assure of himself, he's passionate about what he does."
The intangibles: "Leadership, excitement, just a level head. Up or down, just stay level, lead the team, just get W's."
— Matt Christian on what he's looking to provide the 2010 Aggies.
Aundre McGaskey
Position: Right offensive tackle
Experience: Junior
Height/Weight: 6-foot-6, 315 pounds
Prior affiliation: Blinn College (Texas)
Plow horse: McGaskey, who was virtually proclaimed the starting right tackle since his signing this past winter, certainly has the size to catch people's attention. He also has quite the pedigree, playing winning high school ball in the Dallas area, suiting up for the University of Texas and then going to Blinn where he helped lead the team to a national title.
DeWayne Walker's eval: "Just a big man....with a great future....He's made out offensive line, as far as I'm concerned, complete....He's what the doctor ordered for us at right tackle."
Positive vibe: "I'm looking to bring excitement, trying to bring fans together so they can have something to represent in the community."
— Aundre McGaskey on what he's looking to bring to the team
Watch list
First-year players to keep an eye on throughout 2010 Aggie football season.
• Taveon Rogers, WR: Figures to be top-three in Aggies' receiver rotation. At 6-foot, 175 pounds, he has speed to burn.
• Andrew Manley, QB: Freshman figures to redshirt in 2010. Still, sky-high potential for the Hawaii native.
• Darien Johnson, CB: Donyae Coleman shifting to free safety has opened things up for Johnson, a true freshman, at nickel back.
• Marcus Williams, WR: Big target — 6-foot-3, 185 pounds — could find himself some playing time.
• George Callender, FS: Physical defensive back will split time with Donyae Coleman as team's dual free safety tandem.
• Tyler Stampler, K: Aggies brought Stampler in during offseason to be primary place kicker.
• Josh Smith, S: Developmental player could be thrown into fire if more injuries hit at safety spot.
• Terrell Dolberry, RB: Coaching staff impressed with this walk-on player from Harbor City, Calif.
• Tommy Stuart, DT: Once healed from concussion, Stuart should be part of defensive tackle rotation.
• Dylan Davis, LB: True freshman is slotted in as primary backup to Boyblue Aoelua at middle linebacker spot.
• William Frazier, WR: Walk-on has worked his way up wide receiver depth chart.
• David Niumatalolo, DL: This redshirt junior played under former defensive coordinator Woody Widenhofer. He returns following church mission, and can line up at either defensive end or tackle.
• David Mahoney, DT: Mahoney will see immediate snaps for Aggies at defensive tackle.
Opening night
Who: San Diego State at New Mexico State
What: College football
Where: Aggie Memorial Stadium
When: Saturday, 6 p.m.
