Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes
Editor's note: A separate story with capsules on all 17 of the athletes in this story can be found at hjnews.com.
Attracting high school talent at the local and regional levels is a pillar to Bronco Mendenhall's recruiting approach as a college football coach.
That was clearly evident when Utah State's head coach announced his first recruiting class during the early signing period, which started Wednesday. Case in point: All 17 athletes that finalized their commitment to the Aggies on Day 1 of the early period are current high school seniors and seven are from Utah.
"Through my years I've done a study and we've found really that the players that have the best experience, just as I did exit interviews at the end, collecting data points, they were usually within a six-hour driving distance or a single plane flight," Mendenhall said during a Wednesday press conference. "And so, yes, playing on the field mattered, (but) their family seeing them play mattered, and so then the proximity became relevant.
"Again, Utah high school players (are) critical and essential and a priority for our program. Regional (prep recruiting) then becomes the next most important."
The Aggies announced the signing of four offensive linemen, two quarterbacks, two cornerbacks, two outside linebackers, two inside linebackers, two tight ends, one defensive tackle, one wide receiver and one running back.
Five of these players will graduate from high school early and enroll at USU for the incoming spring semester in tight ends Jude Nelson and Preston McDaniel, defensive tackle Tiki Bell, quarterback Kaleb Maryland and linebacker Brody Flores.
Two of Wednesday's signees will serve missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints before enrolling in linebacker Tripp Palmer and offensive lineman Matekitonga Havea.
All four of the O-linemen — all of whom are multi-sport athletes in high school — are products of the Beehive State and two of them are from Cache Valley in Easton Hammond (Ridgeline High) and Luke Baker (Green Canyon). The other two are Lucas Neidig (Bingham) and Havea (Lehi).
"There are a lot of big young men here in the state and they play at a high level," said Evan Butts, who is USU's director of player personnel. "Again, I think that's kind of a testament to the quality of high school football that's in this state.
"These guys are getting coached up really well and, yeah, not only are they big, but, again I've said it before, they play hard and they're mean, they're nasty, but there's a technical element to it, too, where they know what they're doing."
The 6-foot-3 Hammond was a four-year starter for the Riverhawks, who recently capped off an undefeated season with a 4A state championship. The 6-8 Baker — Neidig and Havea are nearly as tall as Baker — was a three-year starter for the Wolves and helped his team make 4A title game appearances as a sophomore and senior.
Mendenhall was asked about both of his local athletes during his press conference.
"Man, (his) mindset, it just drips off of Easton — the aggression, the competitive spirit with the ability, and (having) a really polished player at a young age is super appealing for us and the position he's going to play. ... (His mindset) is equivalent of a first-year player that's maybe already been in your program a couple of years, which is a huge advantage.
"And then, in terms of Luke, now you think a little bit more developmental by body type, (but) same thing (in that he has) the mindset, the competitive spirit. But now you see a different frame with a slightly different timetable as there is development that's going to fill out that frame.
"I love the idea of possibly, I don't know, two years from now and we're in the Pac-12, and opponents are looking at our offensive front, saying, 'where? how?' And here's the length and the size and the strength, and it's like, 'how did that happen?'"
Maryland is the lone future Aggie of this group of 17 signees whose high school career is still ongoing as his North Shore (Texas) squad is back in action Friday in a state playoff game. Maryland, a legitimate burner with sub-10.4 speed in the 100-meter dash, and fellow soon-to-be true freshman Brady Goodman (Mountain View, Arizona) are both true dual-threat signal callers.
"It's why he's coming," answered Mendenhall when asked how well Maryland could acclimate to USU's offensive scheme with his dual-threat capabilities. "And it's an oversimplification, so I'm not saying he doesn't care about Logan, I'm not saying he doesn't care about Utah State and I'm not saying he doesn't care about our approach.
"He does (care) about all of those things. (But) he's watched Bryson Barnes and he's watched Kevin McGiven coach Bryson Barnes ... and it's like, 'yeah, that's my spot.' And so I'm really excited about not what only he can bring, but if you had a chance to watch Brady as well, our other freshman, and (they're) really good young players and quarterbacks. And so, I'm excited about them both."
