Utah State Football Announces 2020 Signing Class

Utah State head football coach Gary Andersen announced his second signing class on Wednesday, as part of the National Signing Day. The class, which includes 24 total players, is comprised of 19 high school athletes, three junior college transfers and two four-year transfers.

Of the 24 players, seven signed with Utah State in December and four are returned missionaries.

Overall, six of the players are currently enrolled at Utah State for the spring 2020 semester, while five will serve a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints before enrolling at Utah State.

The state of Utah produced the most signees with eight, followed by six players from California, three from Texas, and one player each from Arizona, Florida, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Virginia and Australia.

In all, Utah State's 2020 class includes 12 recruits on defense, six recruits on offense, and four specialists, to go along with two athletes who could play on either side of the ball.

This group of signees joins the 54 players that Andersen and his staff added to the program last season and the Aggies still have more spots available heading into the 2020 campaign.

2020 UTAH STATE FOOTBALL SIGNEES BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

Justice Ena • OL • 6-3 • 280 • FR • HS • Smithfield, Utah (Sky View HS)

High School: Earned Utah Class 4A first-team all-state honors as an offensive lineman as a prep senior at Sky View High School in Smithfield, Utah… The 35th-best overall high school recruit in the state of Utah according to 247Sports.com… Helped the Bobcats earn their first-ever state championship with a 13-1 overall record in 2019… Spent significant time on both the offensive and defensive line during his high school career… Only allowed one sack during his senior season… Anchored a Sky View offense that averaged 38.8 points per contest, and a defense that recorded six shutouts and allowed just 10.7 points per game… Totaled 62 tackles and 2.0 sacks as a senior… Began his prep career at Clearfield (Utah) High School, where he recorded 29 tackles, which included 3.0 sacks and 4.0 tackles for loss, in just six games as a junior.

Personal: Son of Justin and Dana Ena... Has one sister... His dad, who is the inside linebackers coach at Utah State, played football at BYU and spent four years in the NFL with the Philadelphia Eagles and Tennessee Titans... Will serve a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints before enrolling at Utah State.... Last name is pronounced Eh-nuh.

Keegan Duncan • LB • 6-3 • 220 • FR • RS • Declo, Idaho (Declo HS)

Previous School: Came to Utah State in the fall of 2019 after originally signing with Boise State... Redshirted during the 2019 season as a four-year transfer.

High School: Four-star prospect according to 247Sports.com… Three-star prospect according to ESPN.com… Top-rated recruit in the state of Idaho, per both ESPN and 247Sports… Rated the No. 13 athlete in the country according to 247Sports… Capped his prep career by winning back-to-back All-Idaho 2A Player of the Year honors and winning back-to-back state championships… Was named Idaho's Gatorade Player of the Year in 2018, and was the USA Today Idaho Offensive Player of the Year in 2017… Was a three-time first-team all-state selection... Led Declo High School to a 12-0 record and the Class 2A state championship as a prep senior in 2018... Rushed for 2,041 yards and 27 touchdowns on 130 carries (15.7 ypc)... Also caught 19 passes for 595 yards (31.3 ypr) and 13 touchdowns, while passing for four touchdowns, in addition to returning three punts, two kickoffs and two interceptions for scores... In all, he had 3,620 all-purpose yards and 51 total touchdowns as a prep senior... Added 67 tackles on defense... Rushed for 2,843 yards and 29 touchdowns as a junior… Also scored nine times on special teams… Accumulated 3,795 all-purpose yards and had 42 total touchdowns… Was named first-team All-Idaho (2A) on both offense and defense as a sophomore as he rushed for 2,039 yards and 17 touchdowns… Also played defense, registering 56 tackles and recording three interceptions... A standout in track and field, as well, winning 2A state titles in the 200- (22.21) and 400-meter dash (48.7) as a junior... Also played basketball... Maintained a cumulative 3.97 grade-point average during his high school career and was a member of the honor roll all four years. 

Personal: Son of Jason and Tiffanie Duncan... Has two brothers and two sisters... Majoring in pre-physical therapy.

Bowen Fjord • S • 6-2 • 190 • FR • HS • Boerne, Texas (Boerne-Champion HS)

High School: Earned Texas Class 5A-2 first-team all-state and all-area honors as a defensive back as a prep senior at Boerne-Champion High School in Boerne, Texas.... Posted 108 tackles, three interceptions, 13 passes defended and one forced fumble during his senior season as he was named his team's Defensive MVP... Had a pair of double-digit tackle outings in 2019, including a career-high 20 stops against Calhoun HS and 12 tackles against Glenn HS... Added a career-best five passes defended against Pioneer HS... Also returned 11 punts for 209 yards (19.0 ypr), including two for touchdowns from 85 and 80 yards... Following his senior season, he played in the San Antonio All-Star Game... Posted 21 tackles in three games during his junior season and 30 tackles in six games as a sophomore... Also plays baseball and is a two-time state qualifier in the 110- and 300-meter hurdles on the track & field team... As a junior, he placed fourth at the Texas 5A state championships with his blistering personal-record time of 14.26 seconds in the 110-meter hurdles... Also earned second-team academic all-state honors as a senior.  

Personal: Son of Johnny and Carolyn Fjord... Has three sisters and one brother... His dad and grandfather both played football at Utah, while his older brother played football at Southern Utah... Last name is pronounced Fee-ord... Will serve a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints before enrolling at Utah State.... Plans on majoring in engineering.

Jacob Garcia • LS • 6-1 • 230 • FR • HS • Anaheim, Calif. (Servite HS)

High School: Five-star prospect and top-ranked long snapper in the nation according to 247Sports.com… Ranked third in the nation as a long snapper by Rubio Long Snapping and is the fourth-ranked long snapper nationally by Kohl's Professional Camps… Prepped at Servite High School in Anaheim, Calif., where he lettered in football, rugby and track & field... Capped off the 2019 Kohl's Western Showcase with the highest overall charting score and winning the snap competition with a .66 second snap time... Also won the snapping competition at the Kohl's Underclassmen Challenge... Competed in the Polynesian Bowl in January, 2020... Won the Kohl's Underclassmen Challenge Long Snapping Competition in January of 2018... Kohl's Western Spring Showcase Long Snapping Competition Winner and Top Charter in May of 2018... Kohl's Western Winter Showcase Long Snapping Competition Winner in December of 2018... Named to the Kohl's High School Season All-American Second Team and won the Matt Wigley Long Snapping "The Season" competition in 2017... Was a scholar-athlete as a senior.

Personal: Son of Jim and Nancy Garcia... Has one brother... Plans on majoring in business at Utah State.

John Gentry • RB • 5-10 • 195 • FR • HS • Houston, Texas (North Shore HS)

High School: Three-star recruit that is rated as the 52nd-best high school running back in the nation according to 247Sports.com… Earned Texas Class 6A first-team all-district honors at wide receiver as a prep senior at North Shore High School in Houston, Texas, as he had 18 receptions and 10 touchdowns... Helped the Mustangs to back-to-back Texas 6A D1 state titles during his junior and senior seasons, and a combined record of 31-1 during that span… North Shore HS climb as high as No. 4 in the national polls in 2019 according to MaxPreps.com… Earned first-team all-district honors as a junior at running back as he gained over 900 yards and scored 24 touchdowns... In three years of playing varsity football, he totaled 3,586 all-purpose yards and 48 touchdowns as he also returned punts and kickoffs… Also ran track & field and recorded career-best times of 4.56 in the 40-meters and 10.87 in the 100-meters. 

Personal: Son of Johnny and Genice Gentry... Has three sisters two brothers... Dad played football at Santa Clara University... Aunt played basketball at Long Beach State... Plans on majoring in business marketing at Utah State. 

James Hansen • DT • 6-4 • 275 • SO • JC • Fontana, Calif. (Kaiser HS/Riverside CC)

Junior College: Earned first-team all-Southern California Football Association (SCFA) Southern Regional honors as a defensive lineman during his freshman season at Riverside (Calif.) Community College... Helped the Tigers to a perfect 12-0 record and an appearance in the 2019 California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) State Championship game... Recorded 23.0 tackles, which included 2.0 sacks and 4.0 tackles for loss, while adding one forced fumble on the year... Had a season-high nine tackles against El Camino JC.

High School: Earned California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) first-team all-league and all-division honors at offensive tackle as a prep senior at Kaiser High School in Fontana, Calif... Maintained a cumulative 3.8 grade-point average during his high school career.

Personal: Son of Eddie and Ruby Hansen... Has four brothers and four sisters... Brother Aisea played football at Nevada... Served a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Tallahassee, Fla... Is enrolled at Utah State for the 2020 spring semester and majoring in business and finance.

Mata Hola  • LB • 6-3 • 230 • FR • HS • Sandy, Utah (Alta HS)

High School: Three-star prospect and the18th-best recruit in the state of Utah according to 247Sports.com…Earned Utah Class 4A second-team all-state honors from both the Salt Lake Tribune and Deseret News at linebacker as a prep senior at Alta High School in Sandy, Utah, as he recorded 90 tackles (32-solo, 58-assist), which included 13.5 sacks and 36.5 tackles for loss, to go along with 20 quarterback hurries, four pass breakups, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery... Had double-digit tackles in four games, including a season-high 11 stops, which included 1.5 sacks and 4.5 tackles for loss, against Timpview HS... Also had 11 tackles, including 2.0 sacks and 5.0 tackles for loss, to go along with a career-high seven quarterback hurries against Orem HS... Had a career-high-tying 3.0 sacks and a career-best 6.0 tackles for loss as part of his seven tackles against Dixie HS... Also had a career-high 6.0 tackles for loss as part of his 10 stops against Hillcrest HS... Earned honorable mention all-state honors as a junior as he recorded 66 tackles (19-solo, 47-assist), which included 9.5 sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss, to go along with one pass breakup and one forced fumble... Posted a career-high 12 tackles against Hillcrest HS and had a career-high 3.0 sacks against Orem HS.

Personal: Served a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Long Beach, Calif. (Vietnamese speaking)... Name is pronounced Mah-tah Hole-uh... Originally signed with Utah State in 2017.

Stephen Kotsanlee • P • 6-2 • 205 • FR • HS • Melbourne, Australia (Box Hill HS)

High School: Played Australian Rules Football for most of his life… From 2012-15, played several seasons with the Surrey Park Panthers Football Club in the Yarra Football League, winning a premiership (championship) in 2013… Played soccer for the Blackburn Football Club in the VCFA between 2015-16… Returned to Aussie Rules football in 2017 and played with the Balwyn Football Club in the Eastern Football League… In 2018, he was introduced to Prokick Australia, an academy in Melbourne that teaches Australians how to punt an American football with the hope of earning a scholarship to play football and study in the United States… Trained with coaches Nathan Chapman and Johnny Smith from 2018-19… Graduated in 2017 from Box Hill High School in Victoria, Australia… Was the 2016 House Captain, 2017 Sports Captain and 2017 Captain of the Year as a senior… Earned the 2017 Academic Excellence Award.

Personal: Son of Ian Hughes and Ratchadar Kotsanlee… Has one brother, Ennis… Originally born in Thani, Thailand and lived in Singapore... Is enrolled at Utah State for the 2020 spring semester and majoring in accounting…. Last name is pronounced Kot-sun-lee.

Broc Lane • TE • 6-5 • 225 • FR • HS • Gilbert, Ariz. (Perry HS)

High School: Three-star prospect... Ranked as the 54th-best overall high school recruit in the state of Arizona and the 120th-best high school tight end in the nation according to 247Sports.com…  Earned Arizona Class 6A Premier first-team all-region honors at tight end as a prep senior at Perry High School in Gilbert, Ariz... Played in a three tight end system and caught 23 passes for 265 yards (11.5 ypr) and five touchdowns in six games… On the defensive side of the ball, recorded 42 total tackles, including 27 solo stops, along with 3.0 sacks and 5.0 tackles for a loss, to go along with two forced fumbles in five games… Against Red Mountain HS, he had six receptions for 70 yards and two touchdowns… Recorded 14 total tackles, which included 2.0 sacks and 3.0 tackles for loss, in a win against Brophy College Prep... Also competed in soccer and track & field.

Personal: Son of Mike Lane and Cami Cuomo... Has two brothers... His dad played football at Northern Arizona... Plans on majoring in business at Utah State.

Luke Marion • S • 6-0 • 185 • FR • HS • Tualatin, Ore. (Tualatin HS)

High School: Three-star defensive back that is rated as a top-10 player in the state of Oregon by 247Sports.com… Earned Oregon Class 6A first-team all-Three Rivers League honors at defensive back as a prep senior at Tualatin (Ore.) High School… Also scored 11 touchdowns with six receiving touchdowns and five rushing scores… Helped the Timberwolves to a 10-3 record and to the quarterfinals of the 2019 state playoffs… Earned second-team all-league honors at defensive back as a junior in 2018 after leading his team in interceptions.

Personal: Son of Brock and Keri Marion… Has three brothers and four sisters… Father played collegiately at Nevada and then for 12 seasons in the NFL with the Detroit Lions, Miami Dolphins and Dallas Cowboys, where he was a three-time Pro Bowl selection and two-time Super Bowl champion... Plans on majoring in exercise science… Last name is pronounced Mar-e-un.

Ryan Marks • K/P • 6-0 • 200 • FR • HS • Farmington, Utah (Farmington HS)

High School: Ranked the No. 7 punter nationally by Kohl's Kicking Academy… Tabbed an Under Armour All-American… Was the only player from the state of Utah to play in the 2020 Under Armour All-America Game in Orlando, Fla., where three of his punts traveled 40-plus yards and all three were downed inside the 20-yard line… Was a captain in the Under Armour All-American Game… Earned Utah Class 5A first-team all-state honors as he averaged 38.4 yards per punt during his senior season at Farmington (Utah) High School… Eleven of his 34 punts were downed inside the 20-yard line, with a long of 58 yards… Was 6-of-8 on field goals and 31-of-35 on extra points… Of his 60 kickoffs during his senior season, 53 resulted in touchbacks… Earned second-team all-state honors as a junior... Was the Region 5 Special Teams Player of the Year as both a junior and senior... Played quarterback on the Viewmont HS junior varsity team during his sophomore year... Also played baseball at Viewmont HS during his sophomore season.

Personal: Son of Greg and Lisa Marks... Has three brothers... Grandfather played football at Utah... His uncle, Rob Clark, played football at Utah State... Will serve a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints before enrolling at Utah State... Plans on majoring in pre-medicine.    

Justin McGriff • WR • 6-6 • 220 • SO • JC • Tampa, Fla. (Jefferson HS/ASA College of Miami)

Junior College: Spent the 2019 season at ASA College in Miami Fla., where he caught 25 passes for 360 yards and eight touchdowns in seven games for the Silver Storm… Hauled in seven receptions for 121 yards, including touchdowns of eight, 18 and 34 yards, respectively, against Snow College.

Previous School: Spent his freshman season at Nebraska, where he redshirted… Was a member of Nebraska's travel roster for the final game of the 2018 season at Iowa… Claimed spots on the Brook Berringer and Tom Osborne Citizenship Teams. 

High School: Three-star prospect by Rivals.com... Ranked among the top 150 prospects in Florida by 247Sports.com… Had a standout prep career at Jefferson High School in Tampa, Fla., helping his team to appearances in the Class 5A state playoffs during his junior and senior seasons… In 2017, the Dragons posted an 8-3 record as he caught 25 passes for 454 yards and four touchdowns, while averaging better than 18 yards per reception… Showed his big-play ability for Jefferson HS in 2016, catching 27 passes for 518 yards, an average of better than 19 yards per catch… Also played basketball for the Dragons for two seasons.

Personal: Son of Roosevelt McGriff and Renika Jordan... Plans on majoring in business management at Utah State.

Breaker Mendenhall • S • 6-3 • 180 • FR • HS • Crozet, Va. (Western Albemarle HS)

High School: Named to the 2019 All Central Virginia second-team as a defensive back following his senior season at Western Albemarle High School in Crozet, Va… Also earned first-team all-Jefferson District honors as a wide receiver… Helped the Warriors advance to the second round of the 2018 state playoffs as a junior, going 9-4 overall, including 6-1 in district play.

Personal: Son of Bronco and Holly Mendenhall… Has two brothers… His dad is the head football coach at Virginia.  

Dahlin Mesake • DE • 6-3 • 230 • FR • HS • Las Vegas, Nev. (Bishop Gorman HS)

High School: Three-star outside linebacker that is rated as the ninth-best prospect in the state of Nevada by 247Sports.com… Suffered a season-ending injury in the second game of his senior campaign at Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, Nev… Recorded seven tackles, including 2.0 tackles for loss, in Bishop Gorman's 40-7 season-opening home win against Orem (Utah) HS… Made one tackle against St. Louis (Honolulu, Hawaii) before being injured against the Crusaders… Did not play during his junior season after transferring from Liberty High School in Henderson, Nev… Named the Defensive MVP at Liberty HS as a sophomore, after helping lead the Patriots to an 11-2 season... Was also named Liberty HS Student of the Month as a sophomore... Also played volleyball.

Personal: Son of Wayne and Angela Mesake... Has two brothers and two sisters... Has a cousin that plays volleyball at UCLA... Plans on majoring in accounting... Name is pronounced Dah-lynn May-saw-kay. 

Marcus Moore • DE • 6-2 • 255 • GR • TR • Pasadena, Calif. (Crespi HS/UCLA)

Previous School: Spent four seasons at UCLA, as he redshirted in 2016, played in 13 games with three starts in 2017 and appeared in four games in 2018... Posted 20 tackles, including 1.0 sacks and 5.5 tackles for loss, to go along with one forced fumble and one pass defended as a redshirt freshman... Had multiple tackles in five games, including a career-best six stops against Washington, which included a career-high 2.5 tackles for loss... Recorded three tackles during his sophomore campaign... Earned a spot on the UCLA Athletic Director's Honor Roll in the fall of 2016, the spring of 2018 and the fall of 2019.

High School: Three-star recruit by ESPN.com and the No. 57 recruit in the state of California... Scout.com three-star recruit, No. 66 on the California 100 list, No. 92 on the West 150 list and the No. 73 defensive end in the nation... Rivals.com three-star recruit... PrepStar All-West selection.

Personal: Son of Christina Moore.. Has two brothers... Graduated from UCLA with a degree in African American Studies.

Elelyon Noa • RB • 5-9 • 200 • FR • HS • La Mesa, Calif. (Helix HS)

High School: Three-star recruit that is rated as the 146th-best high school running back in the nation according to 247Sports.com… Earned all-San Diego area first-team honors during his senior season despite playing in just six games due to injury... Rushed for 1,085 yards and 11 touchdowns on 126 carries as a prep senior at Helix High School in La Mesa, Calif… Was named the East County Sports Player of the Year following his junior campaign in 2018, and was named to the California large schools all-state second-team, as he led the Highlanders to an 8-5 record and the championship game of the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) San Diego Section playoffs… Rushed for 2,326 yards and 25 touchdowns (11.5 ypc) during his junior season… Totaled 5,830 total rushing yards during his four-year career at Helix HS to break the school record, previously held by Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush… Also caught 30 passes for 391 yards (13.0 ypc) and three touchdowns during his career… Ran for a career-best 340 yards and five touchdowns as a junior against Grossmont HS… Had 27 100-yard rushing games during his prep career and scored at least one touchdown in each of his final 16 games… Had a career-best receiving game during his senior season, as he caught five passes for 80 yards and one touchdown against Cathedral Catholic HS... Also competed in track & field as a freshman.

Personal: Son of Elias and Terina Noa... Has seven brothers and two sisters... Brother Ezekiel Noa plays middle linebacker at Boise State... Another brother played football at Eastern Oregon, while one of his sisters played softball at Hawai'i... Is enrolled at Utah State for the 2020 spring semester and majoring in accounting... Name is pronounced L-L-E-On No-uh.

Jakob Robinson • CB • 5-10 • 160 • FR • HS • Orem, Utah (Orem HS)

High School: Three-star prospect and the 20th-best recruit in the state of Utah according to 247sports.com… Earned Utah Class 5A honorable mention all-state honors following his senior season at Orem (Utah) High School… Helped the Tigers capture their third-consecutive state championship, including their first in 5A after bumping up a classification in 2019… Finished his senior year with 38 tackles and six interceptions – in six different games – and broke up 29 passes, which was 20 more than anyone else on the team… Also caught 14 passes for 343 yards and two touchdowns… Returned two kickoffs for 145 yards, including a 95-yarder for a touchdown, in a 55-21 win over Timpanogos HS... Also plays basketball and is a member of the track & field team.

Personal: Son of Eric and Janee Robinson... Has five brothers and sisters... Plans on majoring in business at Utah State.

Joey Rouly • PK • 6-0 • 190 • FR • HS • Anaheim, Calif. (Canyon HS)

High School: Earned California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Crestview League Offensive Player of the Year honors as a wide receiver as a prep senior at Canyon High School in Anaheim, Calif... Was also tabbed a second-team all-purpose honoree by the Orange County Register... Kicked off 81 times for an average of 50.6 yards with 43 touchbacks, and punted 92 times for an average of 33.7 yards with a long of 61, while 21 of his punts were downed inside the 20-yard line... Caught 86 passes for 1,414 yards (16.4 ypr) and 19 touchdowns during his final two seasons, including 61 catches for 1,142 yards (18.7 ypr) and 13 touchdowns in 10 games, with a long of 75 yards, as a senior... Also threw a 23-yard touchdown pass... Added 51 tackles on defense, to go along with three interceptions and two forced fumbles... Had a career-high 13 catches for 263 yards and three touchdowns and booted two field goals in a 41-40 victory against Spanish Springs HS... Also had three touchdown receptions against Irvine HS, as he caught eight passes for 174 yards... Plays basketball for Canyon HS, as well... Was a scholar-athlete all four years in high school and elected to the 2020 National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame.

Personal: Son of Jeff and Lisa Rouly... Has one sister... Plans on majoring in business at Utah State... Last name is pronounced Roo-lee.

Xavion Steele • CB • 5-10 • 185 • JR • JC • Hemet, Calif. (Orange Lutheran HS/Fullerton JC)

Junior College: Three-star recruit according to 247Sports.com… Earned first-team all-Southern California Football Association (SCFA) honors following his sophomore year at Fullerton (Calif.) Junior College… Led the Hornets with 15 pass breakups… Recorded 59 tackles, which ranked second on the team, 2.0 sacks and two interceptions, including one he returned 85 yards for a touchdown against Palomar College… Also blocked one field goal… Garnered first-team all-SCFA honors as a freshman in 2018 after tallying 48 tackles, seven pass breakups and four interceptions, including two he returned for touchdowns… Selected the SCFA National Division Defensive Player of the Week after returning two interceptions for touchdowns in a 45-14 win against San Diego Mesa College… His first pick-six was a 49-yard return and the second was an 86-yard return… Spent a semester at Golden West College in Huntington Beach, Calif., where he grayshirted before transferring to Fullerton College…. Also competed in track & field at Fullerton JC and placed ninth at regionals in the 100m. 

High School: Recorded 22 tackles, to go along with two passes defended, at Orange Lutheran High School in Orange, Calif., while playing in the final five games for the Lancers… Returned eight kickoffs for 199 yards and one touchdown, as well... Also played basketball and competed on the track & field team as he ran the 100, 200 and 400 meters.

Personal: Son of Miesha Roquemore and Edward Steele… Has a twin brother and one sister… His twin, Xavier, plays football at Massachusetts… Dad played football at Humboldt State… Grandmother went to the Olympic Trails in the 100, 200 and 400 meters… Is enrolled at Utah State for the 2020 spring semester and majoring in sociology… First name is pronounced Za-vee-on.

Josh Sterzer • TE • 6-4 • 225 • FR • HS • Salt Lake City, Utah (Taylorsville HS)

High School:  Earned Utah Class 5A honorable mention all-state honors from the Deseret News at linebacker as a prep senior at Taylorsville High School in Salt Lake City, Utah, as he recorded 72 tackles (63-solo, 9-assist), which included 11.0 sacks and 22.0 tackles for loss, to go along with five quarterback hurries and one forced fumble... Was also named the Outstanding Linebacker in Region 3 as a senior... Posted a career-high 13 tackles, which included a career-best 7.0 tackles for loss, against Brighton HS... Recorded two or more sacks in four games, including a career-high 3.0 sacks against Ogden HS... Offensively, he caught 19 passes for 423 yards and five touchdowns as a tight end and added 11 rushes for 68 yards... Had three receptions for a career-high 129 yards, including a career-long 80-yard touchdown, against Timpview HS... Had a career-high five receptions for 96 yards and a career-best two touchdowns against Jordan HS... Earned honorable mention all-region honors as a junior as he recorded 60 tackles (32-solo, 28-assist), which included 4.0 sacks and 12.0 tackles for loss, to go along with five quarterback hurries, two blocked field goals and one pass breakup... Had a season-high nine tackles, including 2.0 sacks and 5.0 tackles for loss, against Cottonwood HS... Had a career-high four quarterback hurries against Murray HS... Also played basketball and club volleyball at Taylorsville HS.

Personal: Son of Jim and Richelle Sterzer... Has six brothers and sisters... Last name is pronounced Stur-zer... Served a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Queretaro, Mexico... Originally signed with Utah State in 2017... Is enrolled at Utah State for the 2020 spring semester and majoring in accounting... Last name is pronounced Stur-zer.

Otto Tia • ATH • 6-3 • 205 • FR • HS • Layton, Utah (Northridge HS)

High School: Three-star prospect and the 21st-best recruit in the state of Utah according to 247Sports.com… Earned Utah Class 6A first-team all-state honors from the Deseret News as a wide receiver as a prep senior at Northridge High School in Layton, Utah… Was the top receiver for the Knights as a senior in 2019, totaling 39 receptions for 647 yards (16.6 ypc) and three touchdowns… Also scored two rushing touchdowns during the season… On the defensive side of the ball, he recorded 18 tackles and 3.0 sacks in five games… Best statistical game as a senior came against Viewmont HS as he recorded 240 all-purpose yards (129 receiving, 47 kick return, 64 punt return), to go along with six tackles and 3.0 tackles for a loss… Earned 6A honorable mention all-state honors from the Deseret News as a defensive end following his junior season, as he tallied 28 tackles, 4.0 sacks, five interceptions and two forced fumbles… On the offensive side of the ball, he had 31 receptions for 623 yards and two touchdowns… Also returned 14 kickoffs during his career for an average of 27.1 yards per return… Did not start playing football until his sophomore year of high school… Also plays basketball.

Personal: Son of Lise and Moli Tia... Has four sisters and two brothers... Will serve a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints before enrolling at Utah State... Plans on majoring in physical therapy... Name is pronounced Ah-toe Tee-uh.

Izzy Vaifo'ou • LB • 6-3 • 200 • FR • HS • Salt Lake City, Utah (Highland HS)

High School: Earned Utah Class 4A honorable mention all-state honors from the Salt Lake Tribune at defensive end as a prep senior at Highland High School in Salt Lake City, Utah, as he recorded 38 tackles (34-solo, 4-assist), which included 4.0 sacks and 12.0 tackles for loss... Had a career-high nine stops against East HS, and had eight tackles, including 1.0 sacks and a career-high-tying 3.0 tackles for loss, against Hillcrest HS... Recorded a career-best 3.0 tackles for loss as part of his six stops against Davis HS... Offensively, he caught 14 passes for 165 yards and three touchdowns, highlighted by a three-reception game for 55 yards and two touchdowns against Bonneville HS... Had 11 tackles, including 3.0 tackles for loss, during his junior season... Was a member of the honor roll.... Also participated in basketball, rugby and wrestling in high school.

Personal: Son of Vaha and Christine Kioa... Has one brother and two sisters... Served a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Philippines... Last name is pronounced Vie-fo-oo... Originally signed with Utah State in 2017.

Poukesi Vakauta • DT • 6-1 • 255 • FR • HS • Euless, Texas (Trinity HS)

High School: Three-star recruit and the 97th-best defensive tackle in the nation according to 247Sports.com… Prepped at Trinity High School in Euless, Texas, where he helped the Trojans to a 9-2 record and an appearance in the Texas 6A D1 football state championship game during his senior season… Was a first-team all-district player his sophomore, junior and senior seasons as a starter on the defensive line... Recorded 98 total tackles, which included 5.0 sacks and 7.0 tackles for loss, to go along with 14 quarterback pressures and one forced fumble during his senior season... Earned first-team Dallas-area all-district honors from The Dallas Morning News following his junior season in 2018… Also earned Big Country all-district first-team honors… Participated in track & field at Trinity HS, as well, and was a Texas 6A regional qualifier in the shot put with a personal-best throw of 49-4.

Personal: Son of Fusi and Telusila Vakauta... Has one sister... Cousins with former USU football players Salanoa Galeai and Tipa Galeai... Will serve a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints before enrolling at Utah State... Plans on majoring in communications... Name is pronounced Poe-kes-e Va-ka-oo-ta.

Crew Wakley • ATH • 6-2 • 190 • FR • HS • Sandy, Utah (Jordan HS)

High School: Earned Utah Class 5A first-team all-state honors from the Deseret News at quarterback as a prep senior at Jordan High School in Sandy, Utah... Was also named the Region 7 MVP by the Deseret News as he played in 12 games and completed 58.1 percent (191-of-329) of his passes for 2,998 yards (249.8 ypg) and 22 touchdowns… Threw for a season-high 436 yards on 23-of-47 passing against Alta HS… Eclipsed the 300-yard passing mark in three games as a senior… Threw for a season high five touchdowns against Pleasant Grove HS… Threw at least one touchdown pass in each of the final seven games of the season… Also rushed 177 times for 1,407 yards (7.9 ypc/117.3 ypg) for another 22 touchdowns to lead the 5A classification in rushing touchdowns, while ranking second in rushing yards… Rushed for over 100 yards in eight games, including a season-high 238 yards against Alta HS… Rushed for a season-high four touchdowns in two games… Earned Utah Class 5A first-team all-state honors from the Deseret News and second-team all-state honors from the Salt Lake Tribune as a junior as he played in 11 games and completed 61.6 percent (180-of-292) of his passes for 3,507 yards, to go along with 38 touchdowns and only seven interceptions… Threw for a career-high 491 yards against Taylorsville HS, one of his three games over 400 yards passing… Threw for a career-high seven touchdowns twice, and had at least one touchdown toss in 10 of his 11 games… Also rushed 195 times for 1,420 yards (7.3 ypc/129.1 ypg) for 22 touchdowns… Eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark in seven games, including a career-high 260 yards and five touchdowns against Brighton HS… Was named the region MVP during his junior season, as well... Also played basketball for Jordan HS.

Personal: One of three children of Shawn and Sallianne Wakley... Served a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Fort Worth, Texas... Last name is pronounced Wake-lee... Originally signed with Utah State in 2018.

For more, see the 2020 Signing Class Press Release and videos at https://utahstateaggies.com/news/2020/2/5/utah-state-football-2020-signing-class.aspx.