Kordell David has been waiting for his chance.
The senior wide receiver has made the most of smaller opportunities over the past two seasons. David finished the 2022 season as New Mexico State’s second-leading receiver with 343 receiving yards, and his 55 receiving yards and a touchdown helped the Aggies to a monumental win over Auburn last season.
NM State coach Tony Sanchez, the Aggies’ wide receivers coach in 2023, feels David has been too limited in his career. He wants to change that this season and aims for David to be NM State’s best receiver this season.
This means that David’s wait for his big break may finally be over.
“I know there are a lot of eyes on me now,” said David. “I’m hungry and ready to compete. I’m really looking forward to it.”
The Aggies could need him this year. NM State lost its top six receiving yards last season to graduates and the NCAA Transfer Portal, including Jonathan Brady to California and Trent Hudson to Mississippi State.
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David finished seventh in that category and led all returners in receiving yards. He made quite a splash after being named to the Conference USA preseason watch list and the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award watch list.
The Aggies hope to make it to three straight bowl games in the 2024 season, which begins Saturday at 7 p.m. at home against Southeast Missouri State. If NM State wants to get there, it will need increased contributions from guys like David.
“If we’re going to win the amount of games we want, we need guys like Cordell to step up and have a great season,” Sanchez said. “He knows he’s got a little more to go and he’s excited about it.”
Including the departing receivers, 37 players transferred from NM State after 2023. As one of the few returnees, David is looking to take on more of a leadership role this season.
He set this goal in the winter as more and more players left the team. As more transfers arrived, David felt compelled to take the lead and head into fall camp.
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He started speaking up more at practices and team workouts. If David feels his teammates need to be pushed or held accountable, he speaks up. If a teammate has a question about something, David hopes he’s the one to get them back on track. He’s even taken a freshman, wide receiver TJ Pride, under his wing and helped him adjust to life in Las Cruces.
David hopes that his teammates, especially the Aggies’ freshmen, can look up to him.
“I just want to be that voice,” David said. “I want them to know that they can come to me and talk to me about anything, no matter what.”
Being older makes it easier for David to be a leader, but not being one of those 37 transfers has strengthened his position. Staying in Las Cruces has brought David more respect as he appointed team captain on Monday.
“Kordell is a great team player. He always has been and that’s why he stayed,” said senior center and co-captain Canaan Yaro. “I’m sure he could have left, but he stayed. That means a lot to us.”
David also wanted to improve his speed and acceleration, focusing on speed training drills aimed at improving his footwork, which will hopefully translate into results on the field this season.
He also hopes that his experience will help him better recognize the similarities in defense.
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“I’ve played a lot of games here the last two seasons,” David said. “I’ve been in the film room a lot and I feel like it’s helped me read the defense better.”
Off the field, David enjoys being a “simple guy.” In his free time, he likes to stay home, play with his two dogs, and spend time with his family. David especially enjoys spending time with his mother, Kalisha, who always makes the 12-hour drive from his hometown of Winnie, Texas, to Las Cruces to watch him play.
When David leaves the house for something other than school or football, he tries to get involved in fundraisers and community events or even work with local high school football players.
David believes that his approach to life helps him maintain a balanced mind, which he believes also benefits him on the pitch.
“You never get too high, but you never get too low either,” said David. “I’ve always been very humble and that shows on the football field. It allows me to take a deep breath and relax.”
The Aggies have been on a roll lately, winning their fourth bowl in 2022 and reaching the CUSA Championship Game last season. Many players and former coach Jerry Kill have left the team, but NM State is optimistic the good times can continue.
That optimism comes from guys like David returning. The Aggies will rely on him all season and he wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“I don’t feel any pressure,” David said. “When my number is called, I know I’ll do my part.”
