Coach gives update on 4 Aggie football players hurt in crash


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LAS VEGAS — Most of the talk at Mountain West media days was on the upcoming season. But at the forefront of Utah State coach Matt Wells' mind was just how lucky four of his players are to be alive.

On June 26, defensive linemen Adewale Adeoye, Edmund Faimalo, John Taylor and Travis Seefeldt, along with former Utah State softball player Sarah Vasquez, were involved in a horrific car accident in Cache Valley. All are out of the hospital now, and recuperating — but the emotional ramifications of the players and ther teammates may take some time to heal.

The Aggies, though, are grateful their teammates are alive and with them as they prepare to open fall camp Friday in Logan. Wells provided an upate on his players as they get ready for the 2015 season.

Taylor was among the first released from the hospital, and Wells said he'll be ready when the Aggies open fall camp Friday. Meanwhile, Faimalo and Adeoye are "progressing," according to Wells.

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"It's hard to put a timeline on those guys," Wells said. "But they're progressing. I see them practicing at some point."

The road could be much longer for Seefeldt, who was driving his SUV when the group was struck by a semitrailer in Trenton after coming home from nearby Newton Dam Reservoir.

The five student-athletes were not wearing seat belts, according to police. Neither the driver of the semi, which attempted to swerve to avoid the SUV, nor his 11-year-old son received significant injuries in the crash.

"Right now, our doctors and our medical staff tell me it's going to be hard for (Seefeldt) to make it back this year," Wells said.

After coming close to losing members of his football family, it's time to focus on the 2015 season. However, the memory of that Friday afternoon in June has a deep effect on this football team.

"It has brought us a little closer," Wells said. "I think we all value life a little bit more, and maybe love a little harder, realizing that was a tough thing. We almost lost them.

"The fact they are alive, walking and will all play again — there's no question the hand of God was on that car."

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Rod Zundel

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