LAS CRUCES, N.M. - The hype is very real for running back O'Maury Samuels.

Lindy's Sports listed the Los Lunas, N.M., native as the Aggies' top newcomer in the publication's 2020 season preview of the NM State football program. The Michigan transfer sat out all of last year and has two years of eligiblity remaining.

"He was one of the higher-rated skill position players to come out of New Mexico in recent years," Lindy's Sports wrote of Samuels. "He is poised to take over what has been a productive running back spot in Doug Martin's offense. Samuels was a beast on the scout team in his transfer season."

Samuels spent the two first seasons of his collegiate career at Michigan, playing in 16 games over two years. The tailback rushed for 66 yards on 13 attempts (5.1 avg.), including a career-long 18-yard scamper against SMU, as a sophomore in 2018.

Lindy's Sports also identified seven Aggies, including Samuels, as 'Players to Watch' during the 2020 campaign. Left tackle Sage Doxtater, defensive tackle Roy Lopez, defensive end Xander Yarberough, linebackers Devin Richardson and Rashie Hodge Jr. and punter Josh Carlson made the cut.

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