Utah State Football: Statesman’s complete Aggie’s National Signing Day 2017 recruit list
Editor’s note: All rankings for the athlete descriptions are from scout.com, while all videos are courtesy of the individual’s hudl.com profiles. This post will be updated to reflect up-to-date information throughout the day surrounding Utah State Football National Signing Day 2017. Statesman reporters Trevor Porath and Thomas Sorenson contributed to this report.
Devon Anderson – DE – Dodge City Community College (Kansas)
The 6-foot-3, 270-pounder had offers from Memphis, Arkansas State, Buffalo and Toledo, but decided that Logan, and Utah State would be a better fit instead. In his freshman campaign, Anderson totaled 26 tackles, nine for a loss, and two sacks for the Conquistadors. With three years of eligibility remaining, the JUCO product will help to replenish the depleted Aggie defensive line that lost starters Ricky Ali’ifua and Travis Seefeldt.
HUDL highlights – http://www.hudl.com/video/3/3130780/583c3a2bdfd8b9282c447136
DeAnte Fortenberry – DB – City College of San Francisco (California)
As one of eight three-star commits, Fortenberry will compete for a starting job in the Aggie secondary which lost four seniors, including starters Daniel Gray and Devin Centers. The 5-foot-11, 175-pound defensive back received offers from Baylor, Oregon State and Iowa State, among others, thanks in large part to his freshman season performance. Fortenberry led the Rams with seven interceptions and 20 pass breakups while also posting 48 tackles last season. The JUCO product leaves a CCSF career behind that included 100 tackles and 11 total interceptions. He will have three years of eligibility remaining.
HUDL highlights – http://www.hudl.com/video/3/6109434/5721cd1a4df6124b7019adc0
Alfred Edwards – OT – Redlands High School (California)
Ranked eighth among California offensive tackles, and 27 in the west for the same measure, Edwards was a target for every school in the Mountain West except for Boise State and New Mexico. Initially a Nevada commit, Utah State stole the 6-foot-7, 275-pounder from the Wolf Pack late in the recruiting process. With impressive 83-inch wingspan, Edwards could challenge the rest of the offensive line depth for playing time depending on how he preforms in camp.
HUDL highlights – http://www.hudl.com/video/3/2703031/583dac775b3cd92578f6d58c
Carson Terrell – TE – Lehi High School (Utah)
Rated as the No. 1 tight end in Utah, the 23 in the west and the 53 in the country, Terrell was a coveted prospect. Leaving behind offers from Duke, BYU, UCLA, Utah and Oregon State, Terrell fills a big void left by four-year contributor Wyatt Houston, who left Utah State as the second leading tight end in school history for yardage gained. The three-star commit caught 57 passes for 837 yards and eight touchdowns in his senior campaign as a Pioneer.
HUDL highlights – http://www.hudl.com/video/3/5248407/5871553f3deaab0d7c54ba1a
Savon Scarver – WR – Centennial High School (Nevada)
From Sin City to one of the snow capitals of Utah, Scarver joins the Aggies as the No. 3 wide receiver prospect in Nevada, and is also 23 in the west and 133 in the nation. Drawing interest from California, Oregon and a slew of Mountain West schools, the three-star recruit hauled in 43 passes for 946 yards and eight touchdowns in his senior campaign. Throughout his career as a Bulldog, Scarver recorded 2,162 yards and 24 touchdowns from only 105 receptions.
HUDL highlights – http://www.hudl.com/video/3/2860360/5721d7b59a90ec5540a08ce1
Tre Miller – RB – Dixie High School (Utah)
Joining Carson Terrell as another No. 1 Utah prospect, Miller racked up gaudy stats in his past two seasons with the Flyers. As a senior, the three-star commit amassed 1,602 yards and 18 touchdowns on the ground as he and his teammates completed a 3AA State Championship run. As a junior, Miller collected 1,515 yards and 17 touchdowns. The 6-foot-1, 215-pounder received interest from a bevy of both local and Power 5 schools, including BYU and Wyoming.
HUDL highlights – http://www.hudl.com/video/3/2949058/5721d2a1bd746d007c7383d1
Jamaal Evans – QB/WR/RB – Centennial High School (Nevada)
On the passing end of Savon Scarver’s success, the two former-Bulldog teammates join the Aggies as a true one-two punch. The three-star, dual-threat quarterback tossed 2,248 yards and 21 touchdowns all while maintaining a 60-percent completion rate as a senior. He also racked up 608 yards and 15 touchdowns on the ground in 2016. For his career as a Bulldog, Evans amassed 5,451 all-purpose yards and 75 touchdowns. The 6-foot-3, 220-pounder had offers from UNLV, Nevada and Idaho.
HUDL highlights – http://www.hudl.com/video/3/2860325/583689e8dfd8b827b0bcf0d8
Henry Colombi – QB – Chaminade Madonna College Prep (Florida)
Beating out the likes of Power-5 Conference schools, LSU, Indiana, Arkansas and Iowa State, Utah State nabbed one of Florida’s premier dual-threat quarterbacks in the 2017 class. For his career as a Lion, the three-star recruit passed for 4,736 yards, 50 touchdowns and had a whopping 70-percent completion percentage. Colombi only threw 12 interceptions in his final two years at the high school level. The 6-foot-3, 195-pounder will join long-time friend, LaJuan Hunt, on the Aggies’ roster.
HUDL highlights – http://www.hudl.com/video/3/3367193/5721cc1c19a53e2a186c9cd4
Daniel Langi – ILB – Bingham High School (Utah)
Returning from a two-year LDS mission, Langi brings a hard-hitting, downfield, thumping style of play to the Aggies. The 6-foot, 220-pound recruit had 103 total tackles (48 solo), seven sacks and an interception for the Miners as a senior in 2015. The three-star linebacker received interest from the University of Utah and BYU among other in-state schools. He also received offers from Mountain West schools, Wyoming and Nevada.
HUDL highlights – http://www.hudl.com/video/3/1092993/5721b72de984d413d4f486ea
Josh Sterzer – DE – Taylorsville High School (Utah)
As a two-star recruit out of the Salt Lake valley, Sterzer made his presence felt as a senior for the Warriors, racking up 81 tackles, including 24.0 for a loss, and 12.0 sacks. At 6-foot-4, 225 pounds, the all-state honorable mention selection also received interest from the Air Force Academy and Weber State.
HUDL highlights – http://www.hudl.com/video/3/3199043/57e0456ebd75202fec6d65c5
Kyle Van Leeuwen – WR – Timpview High School (Utah)
This 2-star recruit and second-team all-state honoree paced the Thunderbird’s high-powered offensive attack with 42 receptions, 903 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns in 2016. The 5-foot-10, 180-pounder joins his brothers, Zach and Travis, who both have played for Utah State as wide receivers.
HUDL highlights – http://www.hudl.com/video/3/1616718/57cb1efb11fa80208cb2e181
A.J. Iloa – DB – East High School (Utah)
Iloa racked up 104 tackles, including 68 of the solo variety, as a senior for the 4A State Champion Leopards. The 6-foot-3, 200-pounder also intercepted three passes this past season. The two-star recruit was tabbed as a first-team all-state selection for his senior campaign. Iloa was also offered by the Air Force Academy, Nevada and Weber State for his contributions to East High School’s undefeated 2016 season.
HUDL highlights – https://www.hudl.com/video/3/3931928/584ba1f8ff0d1a2064d1f4fd
Chandler Dolphin – OG – Alta High School (Utah)
The first-team all-state honoree racked up an astonishing 55 pancake blocks in his senior season for the Hawks. The two-star recruit helped to pave the way for Alta running back Josh Davis, who had 2,645 rushing yards and 28 rushing touchdowns. The 6-foot-4, 285-pounder had scholarships from Weber State, Southern Utah, Dixie State and Utah, but Dolphin will join the Aggies as a preferred walk on.
HUDL highlights – http://www.hudl.com/video/3/1686012/580d6ffd7bddf74b1466dddf
Brandon Bowen – LB – American Fork High School (Utah)
The 6-foot-2, 220-pounder recorded 106 tackles, 54 of which came via his own accord, two sacks and an interception for the Cavemen in 2016. He also received an honorable mention all-state honor for his senior campaign performance.
HUDL highlight – http://www.hudl.com/video/3/2403779/57c33faeed57ef341c8cf047
Louy Compton – OLB – Ellsworth Community College (Iowa)
As a two-star JUCO All-American recruit, recorded 60 tackles, including 18.0 for a loss, 14 sacks and two forced fumbles for the Panthers in his 2016 campaign. The 6-foot-3, 220-pounder will have two years of eligibility left to make a mark at Utah State.
HUDL highlights – http://www.hudl.com/video/3/1572324/57e14ea9bd75200e78d864fc
Nami Tuitu’u – OL/DL – Mesa High School (Arizona)
This two-star recruit was a first-team all-region selection on both sides of the trenches as senior for the Jackrabbits. Defensively, the 2-star recruit racked up 66 tackles, including 7.0 for a loss, forced two fumbles and returned an interception 52 yards to the house this past season.
HUDL highlights – http://www.hudl.com/video/3/3596977/57e4b59dbd75201024b5dd00
Andre Grayson – DB – Etiwanda High School (California)
In his final two seasons for the Eagles, Grayson was a dominant force on the outside. As a senior, Grayson, a second-team all-league pick, finished with 48 tackles, four interceptions and six break ups. As a junior, the 5-foot-9, 155-pounder recorded 50 tackles and batted 12 passes away.
HUDL highlights – http://www.hudl.com/video/3/3886568/57e6eb95bd75201524e3b0cd
Robert Castandea – OL – Ellsworth Community College (Iowa)
With two years of eligibility remaining after earning first-team all-conference honors as a sophomore for the Panthers, the honorable mention JUCO All-American signed with the Aggies back in December. Castaneda, a 2-star recruit, also spent his freshman season with Big-12 Conference program Texas Tech.
HUDL highlights – http://www.hudl.com/video/3/8254437/57e142fa7bddf828801b4a02
Suliasi Tamaivena – LB – Mt. San Antonio College (California)
This 2-star recruit will have two years of eligibility remaining after spending his first two seasons with the Mounties. Tamaivena signed with Washington State a year ago, but never played for the Cougars. As a sophomore with Mt. SAC, Tamaivena racked up 81 tackles, including 20.0 for a loss, and 9.0 sacks.
HUDL highlights – http://www.hudl.com/v/1GhUhB
Other Notable Recruits –
Eltoro Allen – RB – Riverside Community College
Heneli Avendano – OL – Jordan High School
Connor Coles – K/P – Bozeman High School
Jarrod Green – S – Consumnes Oaks College
Jonathan Hagee – K/P – Plainfield High School
Zahodri Jackson – CB – Riverview High School
Ismael Vaifoou – LB – Highland High School
Harris LaChance – DE – Herriman High School
Preston Curtis – WR – East High School
John Fakahafua – ATH – East High School
Roman Andrus – OT – Snow College
Dylan Spradling – WR – Grossmont College