Athletics

National Signing Day

(graphic illustration from Athletics website)

Utah State [University] head football coach Matt Wells announced his fourth signing class on Wednesday, as part of National Signing Day. The class, which includes 20 total players, is comprised of 16 high school athletes and four junior college transfers. Of those 20 signees, three are mid-year transfers who are already enrolled at Utah State, in addition to five early enrollees out of high school. And finally, three members of this year's class will serve a two-year LDS Church mission before enrolling at USU.

The state of Utah produced the most signees with seven, including three from Cache Valley, followed by five players from California, four players from Florida, two players from Washington and one player each from Hawaii and Oklahoma.

"We are really excited about this signing class and the young men who will represent Utah State University both on and off the football field," said Wells. "What impresses me the most when I look at this group as a whole is the overall length and athleticism we were able to sign."

The greatest emphasis in Wells' fourth recruiting class was at linebacker, wide receiver and on the offensive line as Utah State signed four student-athletes at each position. The Aggies rounded out the 2016 class with three defensive backs, two running backs, one quarterback, one defensive end and one tight end.

"We met many needs with this group, especially at linebacker, wide receiver and on the offensive line," said Wells. "We also were able to identify several players who will be able to come in and compete for immediate playing time."

In all, Utah State's 2016 class includes 12 recruits on offense and eight defensive players.

"Another aspect of our recruiting that was met was emphasizing the state of Utah and our mission program," said Wells. "The state of Utah has always been and always will be our number one priority, as well as our mission kids and our Polynesian connections, and all three of those areas were met with productive numbers."

Eight new players are already attending classes at Utah State in junior wide receiver Alex Byers, junior offensive lineman Sean Taylor, sophomore cornerback Antonio Cole, freshman offensive lineman Demytrick Ali'ifua, freshman defensive end Caden Andersen, freshman quarterback Jordan Love, freshman offensive lineman Viliamu McMoore and freshman safety Zach Swenson.

The national letter-of-intent signing period for football began Wednesday, Feb. 3, and concludes on Friday, April 1.

See the full list of high school and junior college signees, along with bios, in the full story on the Athletics website.

Additional Aggie sports news is available at the Athletics website.


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