A win by San Diego State over No. 23 North Texas on Saturday evening at New Mexico’s University Stadium in the New Mexico Bowl would secure the Aztecs’ 10th victory of the season. It would be the 10th team in SDSU’s (Division I) history to reach the milestone, and the first to do it since 2021.

Here’s a look at five potential NFL prospects to watch in the Aztecs’ eighth all-time meeting with the Mean Green:

Niles King, Edge, San Diego State, Sr.

Nicknamed the “Sack King” for his ability to take down quarterbacks at Grand Valley State, a Division II program, King picked the Aztecs over offers from Arizona, Boise State, Florida Atlantic, Oklahoma State and Tulane last December. The 6-foot-6, 260-pound pass rusher finished the regular season with 6½ sacks, including 3½ in the last two games against San Jose State and New Mexico. Pro Football Focus graded King as SDSU’s most effective pass rusher during the regular season in true pass sets (81.8), slightly ahead of Trey White (79.8). He racked up 25½ tackles for loss, 18½ sacks and four forced fumbles in his last two seasons with GVSU.

Lucky Sutton, RB, San Diego State, Jr.

The junior from Cathedral Catholic High School recently announced on social media he’ll be back for the 2026 season with the Aztecs. A matchup against one of the worst run defenses in the nation sets the table for him to put an exclamation mark on already impressive season. North Texas ranks 128th in the nation with 207.2 rushing yards allowed per game. Sutton finished first in the Mountain West, and 13th nationally with 1,237 rushing yards, averaging 5.2 yards per carry. His yardage currently ranks 16th in SDSU single-season history.

Drew Mestemaker, QB, North Texas, Fr.

Mestemaker’s journey from a back-up high school quarterback to walk-on to leading the nation in passing yards (4,129) is the stuff Disney movies are made of. He was third in passer rating, behind only Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza and finalist Julian Sayin (Carlsbad High School). Mestemaker leads a Mean Green offense tied with Ole Miss for the national lead in explosive passing plays (65) — plays going 20 yards or more — this season. He’s expected to play in the New Mexico Bowl, despite likely being one of the most sought-after players in the upcoming transfer portal (Jan. 2). My hunch is Mestemaker follows his former coach Eric Morris to Oklahoma State. Morris also played a significant role in the development of both Patrick Mahomes and Cam Ward.

Ethan Wesloski, LB, North Texas, Jr.

Wesloski leads a formidable trio of linebackers, including Trey Fields and Shane Whitter. The 6-foot-1, 234-pound linebacker was fifth in the American Conference with 104 tackles, earning second-team All-Conference recognition. Out of 250 linebackers who’ve played at least 300 snaps this season, Wesloski is third overall (91.6), 14th in run defense (88.8) and second in coverage (92.2), according to Pro Football Focus.

Will Jones II, S, North Texas, Sr.

The 5-foot-10, 186-pound strong safety helped spearhead the nation’s ninth-best pass defense (163.2 yards allowed per game on a 56.8 completion percentage), earning third-team All-American Conference honors. While the Mean Green are 70th in points allowed, and struggle mightily against the run, only five FBS teams have more takeaways than the Mean Green’s 25. Jones has accounted for five of them with two interceptions and three forced fumbles. The former three-star recruit previously played at Kansas State, South Florida and Old Dominion.