LAS CRUCES – New Mexico State Left Tackle Sage Doxtater turned 17 in his first season as Aggie in 2016.
Doxtater is one of nine Aggies seniors who will play his last game against Massachusetts at 1 p.m. on Saturday at Aggie Memorial Stadium.
“It’s kind of bittersweet,” said Doxtater. “I came here when I was literally just 17 and I leave when I’m 23. I’ve lived a quarter of my life here. It’s crazy to think about the millions of trainings out there and how many games. “
Doxtater has the most NM State football starts of all time at 48 and will surpass former receiver OJ Clark on most appearances with 50 on Saturday.
“I never thought I’d be here for that long, but it’s pretty cool to have a record like this,” said Doxtater.
Doxtater could have played professional football in his native Canada this season. He was drafted by the Toronto Argonauts in the second round of the Canadian Football League Draft in May, but decided to play his senior year and try to improve his chances in the NFL draft.
“This season has been really disappointing,” said Doxtater. “1-10 isn’t a good feeling, but I wouldn’t change it for the world. I’m really glad I came back. Nobody is happy that the season went like this. I think the future looks bright. It There are many young people with talent and greatness. I am excited to see what they can do in the future. “
Doxtater said he will start training to prepare for a pro-day and the NFL draft. He played well in back-to-back games against the SEC teams Alabama and Kentucky.
“I thought I played pretty well and (offensive coach Cory White) agreed,” said Doxtater. “There was a lot of preparation in those two weeks. I knew I had to go out and show that I could perform at this level. Coach White was a turning point for me.”
One of Doxtater’s biggest proponents is Eli Johnson, Aggies’ graduate transfer center, who played the 2021 season at Las Cruces after leaving the SEC, where he was a starter in Mississippi.
“Sage is an NFL tackle,” said Johnson, who has started all 12 games since joining Las Cruces. “He’s a great player and a great person. He’s one of the best players I know and I’ve seen a lot of great players. Just his combination of height and length and that combined with his power and strength and also his posability and how good his feet are. He has all the tools in the world to make a lot of money playing football. “
If Johnson’s assessment of Doxtater’s abilities sounds like a coach, it may be because Johnson is planning to return to his home in Mississippi within the next week, where he is seeking a position as a college-level research assistant.
“Of course I’m sad to end my football career because I’ve been doing it since I was five,” said Johnson. “I’m really looking forward to the future and to switching from the player to start my coaching career.”
Johnson came to Las Cruces with the aim of helping the Aggies play in a bowl game but despite having a season to date with a win, he has no regrets about his decision to move west.
“When I decided to come here, I was looking for a new life experience and wanted to experience and familiarize myself with a different culture,” said Johnson. “I had a great time getting out of here. It was total culture shock and I couldn’t be happier with how amazing it was.
“We played for university first and foremost and also for the bonds and relationships we built with our teammates. We have a tight locker room. I think that shows a lot about (head coach Doug Martin) and the kind of people that he brought into the world. ” Locker room. “
Of course, Johnson didn’t expect a season to win even after watching the Aggies battle Tarleton State and Dixie State from the sidelines that spring.
“In the spring, when we struggled with FCS schools, that wasn’t a good sign,” said Johnson. “I know we had a lot of players for these games so I was optimistic. I knew there would be some challenges for us at the beginning of the year but I really thought we would win some games and be more.” more competitive than I was. “
To their credit, Johnson, Doxtater, and the rest of the Aggies seniors have helped keep the Aggies together year round and would deserve a win to end their careers.
“Not even for the seniors who are playing their last game, but also for the younger ones,” said Doxtater. “You don’t want to go into the offseason with a loss. Overall, that’s really important for everyone.”
New Mexico state senior class 2021
Jared Wyatt, wide receiver
Robert Downs III, wide receiver
Andre Bodison, wide receiver
Caleb Mills, defensive back
Austin Reeves, long snapper
Eli Johnson, attacking lineman
Doro Omerhi, offensive lineman
David Ash, attacking lineman
Wise Doxtater, offensive lineman
not even seniors play younger boys last game. I don’t want to go into the off-season with a loss. really imp overall for everyone
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