PORTALES, N.M. – Eastern New Mexico football is welcoming 12 new student-athletes to the team at the mid-year. The players come from four different states and are transferring from NCAA DI, NCAA DII, and NJCAA institutions.

"Mid-year transfers are very important because they add needed experience and depth to your team as your seniors transition out of your program," said head coach Kelley Lee when asked about the importance of mid-year transfers. "They get to learn your culture and schemes and that affords them the opportunity to truly have an impact on your program in the fall."

The newest Greyhounds include:

Derek Pauaea Aumua | Safety | Junior | 6-0 | 200 lbs | Diablo Valley College
The incoming safety played two seasons for Diablo Valley College. The California native competed in 14 games and totaled 36 tackles. As a sophomore, Aumua finished with 27 tackles, four sacks, and six tackles for loss. He also forced a fumble in a season-opening win over Fresno (28-21).

Ronald Williams | Safety | Junior | 5-10 | 195 lbs | Chaffey College
A first-team all-conference safety comes to Portales after a successful tenure at Chaffey College. Williams was a team captain, deans list honoree, and member of the all-California team in 2023. He leaves Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. with 58 total tackles and two interceptions. He helped the team improve from a 2-8 record to 11-0 over the 2023 season.

Tyler Martin | Safety | Junior | 6-0 | 195 lbs | Mt. San Jacinto College
A unanimous first-team all-conference selection joins the Greyhounds after an impressive season with Mt. San Jacinto College. He was a first team all-state honoree and was named a junior college second team all-american. Martin posted 43 tackles, five interceptions, and four pass breakups in his lone season with the Eagles.

Jarrion Patton | Corner | Sophomore | 6-0 | 185 lbs | University of Virginia, Lynchburg
Patton joins Eastern New Mexico after two seasons with the University of Virginia, Lynchburg – a member of the National Christian College Athletics Association. The defensive specialist broke up two passes against NCAA DII Carson-Newman to begin the 2023 season.

C.J. Tuliloa | Linebacker | Junior | 5-11 | 240 lbs | New Mexico Military Institute
The junior linebacker will stay in the Land of Enchantment after spending the last three seasons with the New Mexico Military Institute. The Hawaii native holds 105 career tackles and five tackles for loss. He also has two pass break ups and an interception in a win from 2022 versus Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College. Tuliloa helped the team go 27-10 in his three years with the program.

Jarius Stewart | Quarterback/Athlete | R-Freshman | 5-9 | 195 lbs | Air Force Academy
The redshirt-freshman comes to ENMU via Air Force Academy. The 2021 graduate of Calhoun HS in Port Lavaca, Texas was a first team all-district honoree and all-state academic awardee. He scored 29 touchdowns on the ground in his final year at Calhoun.

Ron Craten | Runningback | Senior | 5-11 | 204 lbs | Mississippi College
Craten brings three years of Division II football experience to ENMU. The Mississippi College transfer totaled 419 years and four touchdowns over three seasons. In a game versus Midwestern State in 2023, Craten rushed for 146 yards on just 13 carries.

Jeremiah Moore | Return Specialist | Junior | 5-9 | 170 lbs | Sierra College
The junior return specialist becomes a Greyhound after a season at Sierra College. Moore played in nine games for the Wolverines where he caught 31 passes for 307 yards. He returned 11 kickoffs in 2023 and 11 punts. He had two-straight games with punt returns of 39 yards.

Jackson Smith | Runningback | Junior | 5-11 | 180 lbs | Santa Ana College
The junior comes to Eastern New Mexico via Santa Ana College. Smith quadrupled his production offensively in 2023 as he carried the ball 56 times for 462 yards. He holds the school record for the longest touchdown rush – a 95-yard dash versus Santa Monica. He posted two games of 100+ yards. He also added 13 catches for 128 yards.

Elvis Vakapuna | Runningback | Junior | 5-8 | 215 lbs | Fullerton College
A first-team all-conference running back at Fullerton College comes to ENMU with valuable experience with Division I Utah and Fullerton. Vakapuna spent three seasons with the Utes before going to play at Fullerton where he ran for 590 yards on 103 rushes. He helped FC go 9-1 in 2023.

Josaiah Loia | Offensive Line | Junior | 6-2 | 355 lbs | Foothill College
An all-conference and first team all-state selection joins the Greyhounds after helping Foothill College go 19-3 over two seasons, including a perfect 11-0 mark in 2023. He assisted the offense in gaining 435+ yards per game during both seasons with the rushing offense gaining 235+ yards on average. In 2023, Loia's team scored 44.3 points per outing.

Cooper Hamilton | Kicker | Junior | 5-10 | 172 lbs | University of Houston
A familiar student-athlete comes back to Eastern New Mexico after spending fall 2023 with the University of Houston. In his lone season with the Cougars, the team went 4-8 and 2-7 in their first year in the Big 12. Hamilton is one of two kickers in the 21st century for ENMU to have a perfect season in point after attempts. The 2021 season saw him go 17-for-17. He also is tied for third longest field goal made this century for the Hounds as he connected on a 50-yarder versus Tarleton State in 2022.