Aggies reload: Utah State signs impact players across five sports
As Utah State Athletics continues building under the leadership of its coaches, the 2025-26 recruiting cycle marks a notable turning point.
Across football, volleyball, soccer and both men’s and women’s basketball, the Aggies’ latest signees embody the new era of college sports: versatile, high-upside athletes who can contribute right away while building for the future.
These classes focus less on chasing elite rankings and more on building teams with depth, character and a foundation for long-term development. With Utah State set to join the Pac-12 next year, this approach could ensure the athletics programs on campus remain stable throughout the rest of the decade.
Football: Building from the ground up
On Dec. 3, head coach Bronco Mendenhall unveiled Utah State’s 2026 early signing class, which includes 17 high school recruits filling needs across nearly every position. Mendenhall framed the class as part of a broader “who first, then what” philosophy, emphasizing not just athletic ability but also character, grit and cultural fit.
“It can just simply be height, weight, speed, size, strength or the metrics for each position, which has to be part of it,” Mendenhall said. “But to me, there’s a character component, there’s a grit and resilience component and there’s a cultural component that has also has to be part of it for a player to thrive in our program but also to add value in moving the program forward.”
A strong emphasis on local and regional talent is evident, with seven signees hailing from Utah and additional players from California and Texas. Mendenhall has stressed the importance of proximity for family support and community connection, noting players within driving distance often have a more positive experience.
“Starting in Utah is the foundation,” Mendenhall said. “Starting in the valley is the foundation before the foundation. Most of these kids that are interested, their high school coaches or their parents are familiar with the type of program I run, how it’s being run and the success that it’s had. There really hasn’t been anything other than a draw in terms of the interest in that.”
Two Cache Valley players are among the signees: offensive linemen Easton Hammond from Ridgeline and Luke Baker from Green Canyon. Both bring size, physicality and durability, key for sustaining the program’s performance over multiple seasons.
The class achieves balance across the roster, including offensive linemen, quarterbacks, running backs, receivers, tight ends, defensive backs, linebackers and edge defenders. This breadth is intended to shore up depth across the board and ensure succession planning for each position is possible, rather than relying on a single-year roster patch.
The signees represent a mix of immediate and long-term potential. Some will enroll in January and be ready to begin development quickly, while others, including those going on two-year missions, are part of a multi-year vision for roster stability.
Several players stand out. Kaleb Maryland, a dual-threat quarterback from Houston, led North Shore High School with nearly 4,000 passing yards, 39 touchdowns and over 800 rushing yards, demonstrating a level of athleticism and dual-threat ability that could flourish within USU’s offensive scheme. Brody Flores, an outside linebacker from Colorado, brings elite athleticism and defensive production, providing depth and speed at a position where the Aggies are focused on long-term competitiveness.
This signing class embodies Mendenhall’s vision of a program built to last. USU aims for continuity and long-term competitiveness, hedging against the attrition risks that define modern college football. The development of these athletes over the next 2-4 years will likely determine how quickly the program can contend with stronger conference opponents.
Volleyball: Targeted talent to boost competitiveness
The women’s volleyball program, led by head coach Rob Neilson, announced three signees for the 2026 season on Nov. 12. The class includes 6-foot-6-inch middle blocker Taytum Nelson, libero and defensive specialist AC Gibbs and outside/opposite hitter Madi Rich.
Neilson described the additions as targeted, focusing on players who could contribute immediately and fill specific team needs rather than simply adding numbers.
“With so many sophomores, we didn’t need a lot of players but found three with the character, talent and skills to contribute immediately to our gym,” Neilson said.
Nelson’s height and net presence immediately stand out, and her success at the high school and club levels suggests she can impact both offensively and defensively.
Gibbs brings elite defensive ability, having recorded the second most digs in the country in her senior season, along with 66 aces and 167 assists. She’ll replace veteran Kendel Thompson and bring the consistency and endurance needed to anchor the backcourt.
Rich adds front-row versatility and attacking prowess, complementing Nelson and Gibbs while providing additional options on both offense and defense.
The volleyball program looks set to gain immediate contributions from these players, adding to an already stacked roster of the conference’s best talent. Neilson has made it clear he wants this program to become a top-25 team nationally, and these signings seem poised to help move it in that direction.
Soccer: Adding skill and depth
The women’s soccer program under head coach Manny Martins announced six signees for the 2026 season on Nov. 13. The incoming players provide depth at every position, bringing athleticism and versatility to a team seeking to maintain its competitive edge.
“Each of our six signees brings unique strengths and will undoubtedly elevate our program,” Martins said. “Together, they represent the future of Aggie soccer, and I can’t wait to see how they contribute to our success in the upcoming seasons.”
Among the newcomers, forward Kya Newton from South Jordan stands out for her scoring ability, having tallied 64 goals and 36 assists over her high school career while competing at the national ECNL level. Goalkeeper Shay Masters also draws attention, having posted a 0.59 goals-against average with 63 saves over 1,345 minutes during her junior season, highlighting her reliability and potential to stabilize the back line.
Martins’ class is designed to deepen the roster and enhance flexibility. Players like Newton and Masters could contribute immediately, either in starting roles or as impact substitutes, particularly in high-stakes tournament play.
The overall approach suggests a program focused on sustained success while recruiting athletes capable of contributing in significant roles early in their collegiate careers. And Martins now has a long runway after signing a contract extension that keeps him at Utah State through the 2030 season.
Men’s Basketball: Planning ahead for perimeter flexibility
On Nov. 17, men’s basketball secured an in-state recruiting addition with the signing of 6-foot-5-inch guard Bryce Mella from American Fork.
While Mella will not arrive on campus until after a two-year mission, his size and versatility as a wing/guard hybrid fit the program’s long-term strategy. Mella’s length provides defensive flexibility, and his scoring and athletic ability could make him a key rotational player in the years following his enrollment.
“We love his upside and feel that his best basketball is ahead of him,” said head coach Jerrod Calhoun. “Recruiting in-state players who understand our culture and take pride in representing Utah State is essential to our long-term success, and Bryce is exactly the type of home-grown talent we want in Logan.”
For a program balancing homegrown recruits with transfers, Mella represents a deliberate, patient investment that aligns with Utah State’s broader philosophy of developing talent over time.
Women’s Basketball: International talent with proven experience
The women’s basketball program made a high-profile addition on Nov. 12 with forward Nicole Ogun, a 6-foot-inch player with experience in the Korisliiga, the top professional league in Finland. Ogun averaged 18.7 points, 9.3 rebounds, 2.3 blocks, 1.8 steals and 1.5 assists per game last season, demonstrating both scoring ability and defensive presence. Head coach Wesley Brooks emphasized her rebounding, rim protection and efficiency in scoring around the basket.
“I think in our system, she’s going to come in and play right away,” Brooks said. “We’re excited to have her.”
Ogun’s professional background, combined with her physical tools, makes her one of the most impactful signees across all Utah State sports programs this year.
Across all sports, Utah State’s approach reflects a patient, methodical philosophy: Invest in character, potential and depth to build programs that can thrive over the long term. While fully realizing this vision can be challenging in higher-revenue sports like football and basketball, coaches such as Martins and Neilson have cultivated championship-caliber programs by retaining top talent.
If even a portion of these signees develop into key contributors, the Aggies could become increasingly formidable across multiple sports, showing that thoughtful and strategic recruiting can drive sustained success.