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LOGAN, Utah — Last week, I talked a little bit about Utah State's winning ways the past two seasons and which "swing" games they would need to win in order to keep those wins coming. We know it's not going to be an easy task. This week, we're going to take a look at the best players on those teams that are going to make things difficult for the Aggies; more specifically, the five best players.
Delving into the rosters of the teams on USU's schedule, there is no shortage of talent. There are future top 10 picks, receivers that will set school records, and a linebacker who has the potential to sweep every defensive award in the country.
Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the five best players the Aggies will line up across from in 2013:
5. DeMarcus Lawrence DE Boise Statesize=/4>
Unlike last season, Boise State has a wealth of talent returning to their roster. Quarterback Joe Southwick begins his second season leading the offense, wide receiver Matt Miller will line up next to him after catching 66 balls for 769 yards; and Lawrence, the 6'3, 244 lbs. defensive end terrorized the Mountain West in 2012, leading the conference in sacks per game.
He led Boise with 13 tackles for loss and recovered two fumbles, returning one for a touchdown against Hawaii. He is a preseason, first team all-Mountain West Conference Selection and was named to the Lombardi Award watch list for 2013.
4. Noel Grigsby and Cody Hoffmansize=/4>
Don't you hate it when people who make top five lists sneak two players into one ranking and therefore,negating the idea of a top five?
So do I, but I did it anyway.
It was hard to leave either of these two off the list and since they're so similar, I couldn't really rank one ahead of the other. So there is my justification.
Let's start with Grigsby; when most of us think of USU's game at San Jose State in 2012, we think of the dominant defensive performance, racking up a school record 13 sacks; what we forget was how good Grigsby was in that game. He caught 11 balls for 181 yards and two touchdowns, not bad. He also gave BYU nightmares last season with eight catches for 132 yards and two touchdowns. Right now, he has a pretty good track record against teams from Utah.
He set the record for career receptions at San Jose State last season with 227 and career receiving yards with 3,015. He finished 2012 with 82 catches for 1,307 yards and in 2011, set the record for single season receptions at San Jose State with 89.
Much like Grigsby, Hoffman is about to own his school's record book as well. Hoffman is two touchdowns away from Austin Collie's 30 touchdown mark and 18 catches from Dennis Pitta's career 221 receptions. I feel it's safe to say, based on his 100 catches 1,248 yards from last season; these records are within reach.
What makes Hoffman unique is his ability to make the spectacular catch. Think of Matt Austin, Aggie fans; Hoffman consistently comes down with balls that you think he has no chance of catching. It's not like he does it a couple of times per season, he does it a couple of times per game. He's a great route runner and has great size for a receiver at 6'4, 215 lbs. causing a lot of mismatches.
I do not envy Nevin Lawson in 2013.
3. David Fales QB San Jose Statesize=/4>
How about the guy throwing the ball to Grigsby? Considered to be a borderline first round prospect, David Fales is not only thought of as the best quarterback in the conference, but one of the ten best quarterbacks in the nation.
Again, going back to the their last game against USU; yes, he was sacked 13 times but he also threw for 467 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions that day. His 38 completions against the Aggies are also a singles game record for the Spartans.
Fales completed 72.5 percent of his passes in 2012, throwingfor 4,193 yards and 33 touchdowns and he led San Jose State to its first 11-win season since 1940.
2. Kyle Van Noy LB BYUsize=/4>
I know he gets talked about a lot, but how can you possibly leave him off the list. He is arguably the best outside linebacker in the country and is the the best defensive player the Aggies will play this season.
Look at the numbers from 2012; 13 sacks, six forced fumbles, two blocked kicks, two interceptions, and 22 tackles for loss; incredible numbers. Plus, he somehow has managed to increase those numbers every year, we could be looking at an unbelievable year for Van Noy. Tyler Larsen and the rest of the offensive line will have their hands full in Logan trying to keep him away from Chuckie.
1. Marqise Lee WR USCsize=/4> Lee is widely considered the best wide receiver in the country and is a lock to be taken in the top ten of next year's draft, and quite possibly the top 5. Lee has drawn comparisons to A.J. Green and Calvin Johnson because of his athleticism, route running, and play making abilities. Just ask Utah how hard Lee is to cover; he torched the Utes for 192 yards on 12 catches and one touchdown.
In 2012, his sophomore season, Lee was a unanimous All-American and the 2012 Pac-12 offensive player of the year catching 118 balls for 1,721 yards and 14 touchdowns; and as Mike Grant and Robert Jackson pointed out yesterday in their article, Lee holds 22 school records as a junior....a JUNIOR!
Utah State has the tough task of trying to contain this Heisman candiate in southern California this season during their nightmare stretch of four of their first 5 games away from the friendly confines of Romney Stadium. In fact, when looking at this list of top flight talent the Aggies face in 2013 and their schedule, you'll notice, starting with the Trojans in week four, they face all of these players back to back to back to back.
USC, San Jose State, BYU, then Boise State.
Two on the road, then two at home.
The Aggies need to be prepared or else that is going to be a long, long four weeks.
