Signing day success
Signing day — arguably the most important day for the near future of any college football program.
This year Utah State coaches competed with some BCS schools for prospects, something head coach Gary Andersen hasn’t dealt with much during his time in Logan.
“Overall it was highly competitive,” Andersen said. “The level of competition went up again for us, and it’s continued to do that every single year.”
Despite recruiting battles with various BCS programs, as well as University of Utah and Brigham Young University, Andersen’s staff signed 15 new recruits.
Among them is former Jordan High School star and Snow College offensive lineman Bill Vavau, who helped the Badgers to a victory in the Tops of the Mountains Bowl last season.
Glendale Community College’s Patrick Ward is another O-lineman who signed with Utah State. The 6-foot-4, 270-pound Phoenix native chose to play football in Logan over enrolling at Washington State and Purdue.
The Aggies picked a couple of defenders out of Florida: linebacker Delroy Hamilton of Hallandale Beach, Fla., and wide receiver Bruce “Jojo” Natson, who formerly played with current Aggie wide out Travis Reynolds at Boyd Anderson High School in Oakland Park, Fla.
“We ventured out — again, had some success in Florida,” Andersen said. “That was great to see. We are very happy with those two young men.”
BYU quarterback Riley Nelson’s younger brother D.J., who verbally committed during fall 2011, also signed. The 5-foot-9 Utah 4A MVP said he was swayed to play at USU because of the opportunity to play quarterback.
“It’s a great day, it kind of went how we thought it would,” Andersen said. “This recruiting schedule went all the way down to the last minute. Did we get everybody that we wanted? No.”
Andersen lost the recruiting battle for Snow defensive lineman and captain Tenny Palepoi to Utah. The 295-pounder also had a scholarship offer from BYU.
Former Logan High quarterback Jeff Manning will suit up for USU next season after returning from his LDS mission, as will Sky View defensive lineman Eric Berntson and Bountiful linebacker Travis Parrish.
“It is a solid class in the state of Utah,” Andersen said, “especially if you look at the returning missionaries that are back.”
– tavin.stucki@aggiemail.usu.edu