Peter Dindinger — NMMI Sports Press
New Mexico Military Institute has turned into a pipeline for New Mexico State University's football program.
With four former Broncos on the current roster, NMSU got two new commits from NMMI.
On Wednesday, Nov. 11, NMMI freshman defensive back Noah Holmes made the announcement via Twitter that he had committed to the Aggies.
Nearly 23 hours later, Bronco freshman strong safety Dalton Bowles tweeted something similar.
Bowles, a Roswell native and former standout at Goddard High School, starred in 10 games for NMMI last season, recording 26 total tackles, two interceptions, 2.5 tackles for loss and three pass breakups.
Last season he grabbed two interceptions against Kilgore College while he tallied a game-high four tackles in a 20-10 upset win during the Southwest Junior College Football Conference semifinals over Kilgore.
A former quarterback at Goddard, Bowles rushed for 1,900 yards and threw for 1,000 while scoring 33 touchdowns.
Bowles was the total package as he also played at the safety and linebacker positions while leading the Rockets to a 9-2 overall record and an appearance in the state semifinals.
He had received four Division II offers from Fort Lewis College, West Texas A&M, Eastern New Mexico and Western New Mexico before ultimately choosing NMMI, which ended up being the right fit.
"The NMMI football program prepared me very well, taught me a lot of good techniques," Bowles said. "It put me in the right spot to get this opportunity. My goal was definitely always to go Division I.
"It was a blessing. I was very thankful from God and it was a dream come true, really exciting."
A former New Mexico High School Coaches Association Class 5A first-team honoree in 2018, Bowles always had the potential of playing at the next level.
"I thought out of high school he was the best player in the state his senior year," said NMMI head coach Joe Forchtner. "He had faith in the junior college process and it worked for him.
"Dalton's one of the hardest working and highest character kids we've had here."
Bowles' counterpart Holmes saw action in six games last season with the Broncos. He had two tackles, a sack and a tackle for loss during a 35-21 win over Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College.
Holmes, a former four-sport athlete at Tom Glenn High School in Leander, Texas, planned on attending Texas State but it didn't pan out.
That's when Forchtner reached out and offered Holmes a scholarship.
With no other schools on his radar, Holmes decided to attend NMMI.
"I just took the scholarship, followed the process and I ended up where I am today. It's just a blessing," Holmes said. "I'm very excited because ever since I was a kid I always dreamed about playing college and professional sports, so I already achieved my goal of playing in college.
"(I'm) hoping I can go there and continue on to the next step."
Basketball was always Holmes' first sport considering his sister, Zoe, went on to play for Division I Delaware State while his dad, Wendell, was a standout at Concordia University Texas.
Since Glenn High School opened its doors during the 2016-2017 school year, the football team needed some players.
After a few practices, Holmes and his athleticism along with his tall stature were a good mix for the gridiron.
He was named to the Austin American-Statesman's All-Centex team in 2018 after helping lead Glenn High School to a 7-5 record.
"(Noah is) a good person. We really look for that. He's got great character," Forchtner said about Holmes. "He's athletic and he works and plays hard — (Noah) kind of checked all the boxes for us."
NMSU linebackers coach Oliver Soukup, a former NMMI special team's coordinator and defensive line coach in 2011, has helped funnel in former Broncos like Lazarus Williams, Andre Bodison, Daemahni Williams and James Blowers.
Currently, the Aggies are planning on competing in the spring. So far they have three games on the schedule which is slated to begin Feb. 20 against Tarleton State.
"We've always wanted the in-state schools to recruit us and use us that way, and it's great to see New Mexico State starting to do that," Forchtner said. "It's good to see somebody recognize what these guys can do."
Holmes is planning on majoring in environmental science while Bowles is still undecided.
The duo is equally excited for the opportunity they've been presented.
"I was waiting my time and it never came, but I was blessed with the opportunity that coach Fort came and got me," Holmes said. "I'm grateful that I got to have the opportunity to play at the collegiate level because I wasn't getting any looks from any coaches."
Bowles replied, "I don't know what I'm going to major in but I hope I can just get there and then get on the field. I'm really excited because my parents will be able to go to a lot of games."