Albuquerque native, NMSU LB Tyler Martinez to enter transfer portal 

New Mexico State linebacker Tyler Martinez is entering the transfer portal, he announced Sunday via social media.

Considered one of the Aggies’ best defensive players, the 6-foot-2, 225-pound senior made 27 total tackles in four games this year before an injury ended his season. NMSU head coach Tony Sanchez said earlier this month that the Albuquerque native and Volcano Vista High School graduate was set to return in 2026.

Martinez has one year of eligibility remaining after redshirting this season.

“I want to start by thanking God for continuously blessing my life and giving me the best opportunities to play the game I love," he posted Sunday via X. "I want to also thank New Mexico State for taking a chance on a kid who had zero FBS offers out of high school and (junior college) … This group of coaches is some of the best I’ve ever had and not only helped develop me as a football player, but also helped me develop as a man.

"I will forever be grateful for everything this group of coaches did for my life … The love I have received from everybody in Las Cruces has been amazing and I will never forget being a part of these special times. This is by far the hardest decision I have ever had to make, but with that being said I will be entering the transfer portal with one year of eligibility remaining.

"It is all love (for) Aggie nation and I will forever be an Aggie.”

After starting his career at New Mexico Military Institute, Martinez made 143 tackles over three seasons with NMSU. He tallied 94 total tackles and one sack in 2024, earning second team All-Conference USA honors in the process.

Martinez was named to Conference USA’s league watch list this summer, but suffered a hairline fracture in his right hand during NMSU’s season-opening win over Bryant. He played through the injury over the next three games, only to suffer a high ankle sprain in a 38-20 loss at rival New Mexico on Sept. 27.

Martinez never returned from his ankle injury, with Sanchez saying he didn’t want to burn his redshirt for “a game or two.”

“He wasn’t 100%,” Sanchez said earlier this month of the decision to effectively shut Martinez down for the season. “He wouldn’t have been 100% in the entire time. He’s barely starting to change direction. It may have hurt up front, but in the long run, I think it’s gonna make a big difference.”

The transfer portal opens Friday, Jan. 2 and closes on Jan. 16. Players can announce their plans to enter ahead of the formal opening date; 14 NMSU players have done so as of Sunday evening.

Here’s the full list of Aggies who have declared they’re entering the transfer portal:

-QB Jaylen Patterson

-WR T.J. Pride

-WR Donovan Faupel

-OL Kai Wheeler

-OL Elijah Harvey

-TE Gavin Harris

-LB Tyler Martinez

-LB Tory Gethers

-LB Quincy Davis

-DL Ezra Christensen

-CB Lanar Kelley Jr.

-S Armahn Hale

-S DJ Hill-Smith

-LS Grayson Curtis