Four questions for 2018: Part Three – Can Tipa Galeai become the next great Utah State linebacker?

Utah State has had 11 players selected in the NFL Draft since 2011. Of those 11 players, all of them have been linebackers, defensive backs, or running backs. It fits with what took the Aggies to new heights as a program back in 2012: a dominant rushing attack and a stifling defense.

Of those three position groups, it’s safe to say that the linebackers have had the most success in the NFL. Kyler Fackrell has found a rotational spot in Green Bay’s pass rush, garnering three sacks last season. Nick Vigil started 11 games for Cincinnati last season and totaled 77 tackles. And Bobby Wagner has put together a stellar career so far over six seasons, being named First-Team All-Pro on three occasions.

So who will step up to continue the tradition? Junior linebacker Tipa Galeai may be that guy.

For those unfamiliar with the name, Galeai is a transfer who comes from TCU after recording 3.5 sacks and 5.5 tackles for loss in eight games as a sophomore. An on-campus, physical altercation while drunk ended Galeai’s time at TCU, but the junior is poised to take advantage of his second chance, and USU sorely needs it.

Utah State’s drop in total wins over the past three seasons mirrors their drop in sack production perfectly. In 2014, Utah State’s last 10-win season, the Aggies ranked second in the nation by averaging 3.8 sacks per game. Over the past three seasons, USU hasn’t even mustered half that number, averaging 1.8 sacks per game in each year. No surprise that the Aggies have failed to threaten the 10-win plateau over that timeframe.

Can Galeai himself fix that problem? Probably not. Can he fix some of it?

Yeah, I think so. That play comes from the 2016 Liberty Bowl between TCU and Georgia, and Galeai records a sack, forced fumble, and fumble recovery on that one play. Galeai is measured at 6-foot-5 and 230 lbs. The physical talent is there for him to become a dominant force for the Aggie defense. If he does, we might see Utah State’s defense return to amongst the Mountain West’s elite.