Mesa Receivers Taking Flight
With another JUCO football season almost in the books, it also marks the beginning of Division 1 commitment time. Mesa football without a doubt has been at the forefront of sending players to the next level for the past couple seasons. This offseason won't be any different for the T-Birds, as speedster wide receiver Joshua Aganon has just been offered by New Mexico, which makes Aganon the seventh T-Bird wide receiver in the past two seasons to earn the opportunity to compete at the Division 1 level.
Aganon is Mesa's leading receiver in most statistical categories. He has 55 catches for 539 yards with six touchdown receptions through nine games this season. Receiver isn't the only position Aganon can play, he can make plays out of the backfield and has done some kick returning as well. On the season, he has exactly 600 all-purpose yards.
"Josh is a very explosive athlete, and has been a huge part of our offense the past two seasons," said Mesa Head Football Coach Ryan Felker, "He is a competitor, and a great fit for New Mexico's offense."
Also being offered on this year's Mesa roster in terms of receivers are Chett Levay, who is a hybrid tight end/receiver, who is being looked at by Idaho, Eastern Michigan, S. Alabama, Hawaii and UAB. Levay on the season has 29 catches for 413 yards and two touchdowns.
Aaron Molina is also being looked at by Utah State and New Mexico. Molina has hauled 34 passes in eight games for 513 yards with six touchdowns.
Great talent abounds with these Mesa athletes but molding that talent into a Division 1 receiver takes coaching.
"Coach Robert Ortiz is a very talented young WR coach. For him to have prepared seven Division 1 WRs in his first two years as a wide receiver coach is saying something," remarked Coach Felker.
Coach Ortiz is in his third year at Mesa, his first was spent shadowing Matt Miller currently at Nebraska-Kearney.
"Being able to hire Robert was a blessing, especially knowing the level of knowledge he gained by working with Coach Miller. Coach Ortiz and Coach Miller are both intense individuals and technicians whose kids work hard on and off the field," said Coach Felker.
It's not only the receivers that are earning offers but there are currently 10 Thunderbirds from the 2015 squad who hold Division 1 offers, adding to the total of 34 T-Birds that are currently playing or have played at the Division 1 level in the past three seasons.
"Being a junior college coach is very tough especially in the league we compete in. At the end of the day our first priority is preparing and getting our kids to the next level. Winning can be at times almost secondary, " said Coach Felker, "I am very proud of our team, coaches, and support staff for the character they have shown through all of the adversity this season. At the end of the day we will take care of our sophomores"
Below is a list of current receiving offers and former players who are at the next level.
Chett Levay WR Idaho, Eastern Michigan, S. Alabama, Hawaii, UAB
Joshua Aganon WR New Mexico
Aaron Molina WR Utah State, New Mexico
Dionte Sykes WR Utah State, San Diego State (Committed)
Devin Brunetti OL (C) Alabama A & M
Danielson Auelua DL Boise State, Utah State (Committed)
Jondarious Gardner DL Colorado State
Robert Coleman DL Nevada
Rodney Jones Jr. DE/LB Middle Tennessee 1/1
Marloshawn Franklin DB UT Martin
2014
DL Aulelio Olomua Kansas State
OL Brandon Pertile Oklahoma State
DB Derron Williams-Brown- California
QB Austin Apodaca- New Mexico
DB Juan Giraldo- Eastern Michigan
OL Andrew Erbes- Idaho
DB D.J. Hampton- Idaho
OL Kevin Austin- Louisville
WR Ethan Cortazzo- Utah State
WR Gabe Vasquez- University of Arizona
DL Donald Mesier Youngstown State
WR Garette Craig- Univ. of New Hampshire
OL Gabe Murphy- Hampton
2013
DL Claudeson Pelon- Southern Cal
OL Cory Clements- Purdue
QB Blake Kemp East Carolina
DB Demarlon Morris Oregon St.
DB A.J. Greathouse California
DL Damani Mosby Kansas
DB Jalen Rogers Hawaii
QB Beau Reilly Hawaii
LB Daniel Peterson Idaho
LB Ronald Perry (13) Northwestern State (LA)
K Jordan Burke Idaho
RB Cedric Simmons North Dakota
DB Asi Hosea Weber St.
LB Daniel Jackson Bethune Cookman
LB Taylor Hansen Northwestern St.
2012
DB Damarious Randall Arizona State
OL David Griffin Hawaii
DB Jeremy Morris Utah State
QB Jaymason Lee Alabama A & M
LB Trent Cortazzo Cornell (N.Y.)
DL Darian Moody Alcorn (Miss.) State