Ike Larsen: Cache Valley’s emerging star
LOGAN — With the Aggies leading late in the fourth quarter and needing a defensive stop to seal the game, true freshman safety Ike Larsen jumped the route and intercepted UConn quarterback Zion Turner to give Utah State Football their first win of the season on Saturday, Aug. 27 at Maverik Stadium.
That kind of big play isn’t a surprise coming from Larsen — at least not to his coaches and teammates.
“He just goes out there, plays hard, plays fast, plays physical,” senior safety Hunter Reynolds said. “He just has a nose for the football.”
In just two games this season, Larsen has already put his footprint on the Aggie defense.
During the opening game against UConn, Larsen recorded a tackle along with the game-sealing interception.
A week later, Larsen was out to make a name for himself.
Larsen led the team in tackles with seven, had an interception that he returned for 18 yards, and a punt block that put the Aggies on the 30-yard line — all against the No. 1 team in the country, Alabama.
“We schemed it up all week,” Larsen said. “We knew we were going to get a punt block; it was just a matter of when. It felt good having something we practiced like that be successful.”
Larsen was rewarded with the Mountain West “Freshman of the Week” award for his performance.
Larsen’s stock is trending up, and Reynolds said “his ceiling is whatever he wants it to be.”
Head coach Blake Anderson agreed with Reynolds.
“Man, he’s going to have a great career here,” Anderson said. “He is going to play a lot of critical downs for us this season and in his career.”
But Larsen feels he is much more than just a football player.
“I am not just a football player. I am there for anybody that needs help — I like to talk to people,” Larsen said. “It’s cool to be known as a football player, but I also like to be known as just Ike, you know — the cool kid that just gets along with everybody and likes everybody.”
Not only does Larsen want to be known as Ike, a nickname given to him by his parents when he was a kid, he also wants to be known for his music career.
“I’ve been making music for like, three or four years now,” Larsen said. “It’s a way for me to talk about my feelings and emotions without causing any damage to anybody or anything.”
Larsen said although his music career didn’t start out as a serious project, it’s turned into one.
“I didn’t take it serious at the start. But now people actually like it,” Larsen said. “I put out three songs, and it’s going good for me. I kind of wanted to take it more seriously, and it’s just been fun.”
Larsen released his first song, titled “On My Mind,” in April. He has released two songs since then, all available on Apple Music and Spotify.
What makes Larsen’s story and talent so interesting is his locality to Utah State — he grew up in Cache Valley.
Cornerback Ajani Carter commented on this in a press conference after Larsen’s first career interception against UConn.
“He said Logan, Utah is his city. And it’s going to be his city,” Carter said. “He’s going to be good — if y’all stick around to see it. He’s going to be really good.”
And if you have watched high school football in the valley the last few years, you probably already recognize how good he could be.
Larsen played at Logan High School for three years, where he played a hybrid receiver role in addition to his defensive back role.
According to his biography on the USU Athletics page, as a junior at Logan High, Larsen caught 35 passes for 548 yards and six touchdowns, while also earning 62 tackles with seven interceptions and three forced fumbles.
Larsen transferred to Sky View High School his senior year and had 55 tackles and four interceptions while leading Sky View to the 2020 4A championship.
Offensively, he had nine total touchdowns and 565 receiving yards. He was also named the team’s MVP that year for his performance.
“He was so physical. I was so impressed with how physical he was,” Sky View head coach Chris Howell said.
Howell said that Aggie fans are in for not just Larsen’s play on the field but also what he provides to a team off the field.
“He has kind of a quiet confidence about him,” Howell said. “Quiet, humble, but super, super competitive and a really good teammate.”
Howell is happy a valley recruit made it this far.
“We’re super proud of him and really excited, regardless of whether he’s from Sky View or anyone from any of the other valley schools — just super excited to see a valley kid contribute and make a big difference for the Aggies,” Howell said.
It almost didn’t happen, though.
Last season was nearly Larsen’s last year playing football.
His parents, Bret and JoAnn, caught coronavirus, and it almost took his mother’s life.
“During fall camp last year, doctors did not think she was going to live — she was on a ventilator,” Larsen said. “I was actually going to quit football just so I could move with my family because I didn’t know if it was going to be the last time I could see my mom or not.”
Looking back on that difficult decision, Larsen is happy with his choice to keep playing.
“I had a tough time trying to decide if I wanted to quit football or keep playing, but I’m glad I did for my parents,” Larsen said.
In the transition to a college team, Larsen said that his teammate, defensive back Michael Anyanwu, has been one of his biggest mentors.
“He just always just told me (to) just keep doing me and don’t change for anybody else, and just do your thing,’” Larsen said. “Mike took me under his wing as soon as I got there, and he’s just been there to support me.”
Larsen saw action in only one game last year, mostly running the scout team for the Aggies. Still, he had a game day ritual ready for this season.
“I’ve worn the same Nike Pro spandex since my freshman year of high school,” Larsen said. “I also listen to my favorite song, ‘UNCIVILIZED! (GO!)’ by JELEEL!”
An artist off the field and a key teammate on the field, Larsen is set for an impactful first season at Utah State.