Skip To Main Content

New Mexico State University Athletics

The Official Website of New Mexico State University Athletics
Now Loading: Football
Aggies, Oh Aggies!

2014 Football Roster

55 Valerian Ume-Ezeoke

  • Position Offensive Lineman
  • Height 6-3
  • Class Senior
  • Hometown Garland, Texas
  • High School Garland Lakeview Centennial HS

Biography

2013 (Junior): Ume-Ezeoke started at center for the Aggies offensive line during the 2013 season, recording 56.5 knockdowns, second highest on the team.  He had a season-high 10 knockdowns against Louisiana (Nov. 2).  Ume-Ezeoke’s play helped the Aggies’ leading rusher Germi Morrison rush for an average of 4.1 yards a rush on 109 carries for 451 yards and a team-high four rushing touchdowns.  His blocking ability also allowed quarterback Andrew McDonald lead the Aggies in passing, throwing for 2,497 yards and 15 touchdowns, averaging 208.1 yards a game.  Ume-Ezeoke was also named to the Remington Trophy Watch List early in the season.
2012 (Sophomore): Ume-Ezeoke played in all 12 games for the Aggies in 2012, starting at the center position. He recorded 44 knockdowns and allowed no sacks during the season. He was a vital part of the Aggies pass protection that allowed wide receiver Austin Franklin to earn All-America honors. Ume-Ezeoke also helped quarterback Andrew Manley throw for 2,764 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2012, as he ranked 47th in the nation in passing. The 2,764 passing yards by Manley is sixth all-time in a single season, while the 18 touchdown passes rank tied for seventh in a single season. Ume-Ezeoke was named an Academic All-WAC selection and a 2012 Capital One Academic All-district VII first team member for his work in the classroom.
2011 (Freshman): Ume-Ezeoke played in eight games for the Aggies on the offensive line in 2011, starting six games. He made his first start against Minnesota (Sept. 10), helping the Aggies defeat a Big Ten opponent for the first time in school history, 28-21. He tallied 32 knockdowns on the season, with a season high 10 against Minnesota. Ume-Ezeoke helped the Aggies rush for 1,625 yards and 16 touchdowns, while the NM State passing game threw for 3,550 yards and 24 touchdowns. He blocked for Matt Christian who led the team with 2,158 yards passing and 15 touchdowns, while blocking for the team’s leading rusher in Kenny Turner, who recorded 1,074 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground. The NM State offense ranked No. 27 in the nation in passing offense and No. 47 in total offense. Ume-Ezeoke allowed no sacks and committed just four penalties on the season. He garnered Freshman All-WAC honors from Rivals.com, while maintaining a perfect 4.0 GPA.
High School: Ume-Ezeoke was a three-year lettermen and key player for the Lakeview Centennial High School Patriots as both an offensive lineman and a defensive lineman. As a defensive lineman, Ume-Ezeoke had 52 total tackles during the 2010 regular season, 21 of those tackles were unassisted and 31 were assisted. He was selected to the all-district team in 2008, 2009 and 2010, named offensive lineman of the year by the Garland Lakeview Centennial High School offensive staff in 2010, and chosen as the Chevy Prep Player of the Week, which is an achievement based off of both academics and athleticism. He was ranked as the No. 36 center in the country by Scouts.com. Ume-Ezeoke was an all-state selection as a sophomore and a second team all-state pick as a junior.
Personal: Ume-Ezeoke is the son of Anthony and Tina Ume-Ezeoke. He is majoring in community health.


Statistics

Season Statistics

Season Statistics

No statistics available for this season.

Career Statistics

There are no statistics available for this player.

Historical Player Information

  • 55

    2011Freshman

    Offensive Lineman
    6'2" 267 lbs
    55
  • 55

    2013Junior

    Offensive Lineman
    6'3" 295 lbs
    55
  • 55

    2014Senior

    Offensive Lineman
    6'3" 295 lbs
    55