LAS CRUCES, N.M. – The NM State football team has selected team captains for the 2016 season, announced head coach Doug Martin. Senior linebacker Rodney Butler and junior defensive back Jaden Wright have been chosen as the defensive captains, while senior offensive lineman Anthony McMeans and junior running back Larry Rose III have been named offensive captains.
 
Butler played in 11 games during the 2015 season. As a junior, Butler racked up 55 tackles with 30 unassisted and 25 assisted. The Palm Springs, Calif. native amassed 4.5 tackles for loss and racked up 1 sack against Georgia State. His one interception of the season came on UL-Lafayette's final drive of the game as he secured the victory for the Aggies.
 
Wright played in 11 games during the 2015 season where he collected 65 tackles with 44 unassisted and 21 assisted. A Lewisville, Texas native, Wright was named the Sun Belt Conference's Defensive Student-Athlete of the week after amassing 12 tackles, a fumble recovery for a touchdown and an interception against Georgia State. Wright had a career-high 15 tackles against UTEP and one forced fumble at No. 3 Ole Miss.
 
McMeans played in all 12 games during the 2015 season. The Greenville, Ala.native anchored an offensive line that allowed Rose III to lead the conference in rushing yards. His blocking also helped Andrew Allen complete 115-of-214 passes for 1,529 yards and 16 touchdowns in just eight games. In addition, McMeans allowed Tyler Rogers to complete 74-of-135 passes for 974 yards and seven touchdowns in the first four games of the season.
 
Rose III had one of the best seasons in Aggie history as a sophomore. After leading the conference and breaking the single-season rushing record for NM State with 1,651 rushing yards, Rose III was selected to the Associated Press All-America Third Team. In addition, the Fairfield, Texas native was selected as the Sun Belt Conference's Offensive Student-Athlete of the Year.
 
The Aggies kick off the 2016 season on Saturday as they travel to El Paso, Texas to take on Battle of I-10 rival UTEP in a 6 p.m. showdown. Follow the Aggies on Saturday and throughout the season at nmstatesports.com and on Twitter @nmstatefootball.