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LOGAN — Recently re-hired Utah State football coach Gary Andersen isn’t done with the 2019 recruiting class that the Aggies signed Wednesday on the first day of the NCAA’s early signing period.
But it’s a good start.
The Aggies signed 14 players, all from high school, with two scheduled to enroll at the university in January and another leaving on a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
“This is a great start to our 2019 recruiting class, and we are excited about the young men we are welcoming to the program,” Andersen said in a statement from the school. “We have been able to develop the right relationship with each of them to ensure we are comfortable with them and they are comfortable with us in the short time since we’ve been here, whether they are signing National Letters of Intent or are preferred walk-ons.”
The class is highlighted by linebacker Christian LaValle from Mission Viejo, California. Originally committed to Arizona State, the 6-foot, 215-pound linebacker suffered a Lisfranc fracture last year and used a grayshirt season with the Sun Devils, meaning he did not enroll in classes.
Before he could get healthy, ASU fired Todd Graham and hired Herm Edwards, at which time LaValle began searching for other options.
The three-star signee is the third-highest rated recruit in Utah State football history, according to 247Sports.com. His commitment gave the Aggies the No. 2 recruiting class in the Mountain West, according to the recruiting service.
Utah State early recruiting class of 2019
| Name | Pos | Height | Weight | Hometown (high school) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ashton Adams | OL | 6-4 | 300 | Salem, Ore. (South Salem) |
| Aaron Bredsguard | DL | 6-3 | 225 | Bountiful, Utah (Viewmont) |
| Pierce Callister | K/P | 6-0 | 170 | Ogden, Utah (Weber) |
| Josh Calvin | QB | 6-3 | 190 | Bellflower, Calif. (Mayfair) |
| Aric Davison | OL | 6-3 | 305 | Richland, Wash. (Richland) |
| Keith Harris | S | 5-11 | 170 | Lawndale, Calif. (Leuzinger) |
| Cam Lampkin | WR | 5-11 | 165 | Mesquite, Texas (Poteet) |
| Christian LaValle | LB | 6-0 | 230 | Mission Viejo, Calif. (Mission Viejo) |
| Sione Moa | LB | 6-1 | 180 | North Ogden, Utah (Weber) |
| Jackson Owens | OL | 6-4 | 290 | Sandy, Utah (East) |
| Dean Rice | DL | 6-4 | 280 | Yuba City, Calif. (River Valley) |
| Simon Thompson | LB | 6-2 | 210 | Salem, Ore. (West Salem) |
| Jesse Vasquez | LS | 6-1 | 225 | Thousand Oaks, Calif. (Oaks Christian) |
| Jamason Willingham | LB | 6-3 | 215 | Lacey, Wash. (Steilacoom) |
LaValle will enroll at Utah State for the spring semester of 2019, along with freshman offensive lineman Aric Davison from Richland, Washington.
LaValle is one of four linebackers who signed Wednesday, a group that also includes Weber’s Sione Moa. A first-team all-Region 1 wide receiver, Moa caught 84 passes for 1,015 yards and five touchdowns, and added 62 career tackles on defense.
Three other players from Utah signed with the Aggies, including Moa’s teammate at Weber, kicker/punter Pierce Callister (a preferred walk-on); Viewmont defensive lineman Aaron Bredsguard; and East offensive tackle Jackson Owens.
Only two skill-position players signed Wednesday, including quarterback Josh Calvin. The 6-foot-3, 190-pound signal caller was a first-team all-league quarterback at Mayfair High School in Lakewood, California, where he threw for 2,010 yards and 23 touchdowns with five interceptions as a senior.
For the Aggies’ complete early signing class, visit the Utah State Recruiting Central page.
