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2016 Utah State Football Recruiting Class Breakdown
2016 Utah State Football Recruiting Class: USU needs a lot of help right away, and while it’s asking a lot out of a recruiting class to make an instant impact, this one might need to.
February 1, 2016
2016 Utah State Football Recruiting Class: USU needs a lot of help right away, and while it’s asking a lot out of a recruiting class to make an instant impact, this one might need to.
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2016 Utah State Football Recruiting Class Overview
The Class Is Heavy On …
Wide receivers. There might not be any big-time star recruits, but there are lots of options with several different types to eventually full in the blanks. Craig Rucker is a smallish speedster out of Orlando, while Alex Byers is a JUCO transfer with 6-3 size and the body to be ready to roll now. Jaren Colston-Green comes out of Arizona Western and was looked at by a few Big Ten and Pac-12 schools, while Ron’Quavion Tarver is a 6-4, 220-pound ready-made target out of Fort Scott.
The Star of the Class Is …
Safeties Braxton Gunther and Makiah Gilmer. QB Jordan Love might be the main man for the offense soon, and tight end Bryce Mortenson was a nice get, but it’s Gunther and Gilmer who should eventually be the key parts of the class. The 5-11, 176-pound Gunther who had his options of Mountain West schools, while the 6-1, 180-pound Gilmer has the size and range to eventually be one of the team’s leading tacklers.
The Team’s Biggest 2016 Depth Chart Hole Is …
Wide receiver. There’s a reason why the coaching staff went after so many targets for the passing game. Hunter Sharp, Brandon Swindall, and Andrew Rodriguez are all gone along with some of the backups, and there have to be more downfield playmakers. The defensive side needs help on the front seven, too with everyone gone but end Ricky Ali’ifua.
2016 Utah State Football Recruiting Class
Demytrick Ali’ifua OL 6-3 280 Fr. HS San Leandro, Calif. (San Leandro HS)
Caden Andersen DE 6-3 280 Fr. HS Logan, Utah (Logan HS)
Alex Byers WR 6-2 175 Jr. JC Riverview, Fla. (Spoto HS/Antelope Valley JC)
Antonio Cole CB 6-1 175 So. JC Edmond, Okla. (Edmond North HS/Northeastern Oklahoma A&M)
Makiah Gilmer CB 6-1 180 Fr. HS Kirkland, Wash. (Juanita HS)
Rayshad Lewis WR 5-10 160 Fr. HS Orlando, Fla. (Bishop Moore HS)
Jordan Love QB 6-3 180 Fr. HS Bakersfield, Calif. (Liberty HS)
Simian Matagi LB 6-3 210 Fr. HS South Jordan, Utah (Bingham HS)
Viliamu McMoore OL 6-5 265 Fr. HS Kapolei, Hawaii (Kapolei HS)
Tre Miller RB 6-1 215 Fr. HS St. George, Utah (Dixie HS)
Bryce Mortenson TE 6-6 220 Fr. HS Smithfield, Utah (Sky View HS)
Troy Murray OLB/DE 6-5 220 Fr. HS Logan, Utah (Logan HS)
Craig Rucker WR 5-8 165 Fr. HS Orlando, Fla. (Edgewater HS)
Ty Shaw OL 6-5 290 Fr. HS South Jordan, Utah (Herriman HS)
Zach Swenson S 6-1 185 Fr. HS Salt Lake City, Utah (East HS)
Ron’Quavion Tarver WR 6-3 205 So. JC Belle Glade, Fla. (Glades Central HS/Fort Scott CC)
Sean Taylor OL 6-5 275 Jr. JC Valley, Calif. (Valley HS/Laney College)
Justus Te’i LB 6-2 225 Fr. HS San Marcos, Calif. (Mission Hills HS)
Morian Walker, Jr. RB 6-1 215 Fr. HS San Jose, Calif. (Valley Christian HS)
David Woodward LB 6-3 210 Fr. HS Olympia, Wash. (Olympia HS)
