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LOGAN — Though the Aggies' defense, like the offense, is bringing in many new faces, there are seasoned leaders in every defensive position group.
The big question remains whether or not the coaching staff can get over 100 players working together and on the same page.
We break down the defense by each position group ahead of the team's Week 1 matchup against the 25th-ranked Iowa Hawkeyes in Iowa City.
Defensive line
Joe Cauthen, Utah State's new defensive coordinator, seemed anything but confident in his defensive line just days before their first real test of the season.
The unit boasts two veteran starters — both will play an integral role this year — in sixth-year senior Hale Motu'apuaka and senior Poukesi Vakauta, but any defensive line fan-familiarity ends there. The remaining group of seven returning defensive linemen for the Aggies have just one start collectively.
The Aggies welcome 11 newcomers to the defensive line this season, of which seven are transfers and four as freshmen recruits.
"It's a process," Cauthen said. "We're trying to teach the guys how to play. We've got some young guys in there ... it just doesn't happen overnight."
Cauthen told KSL.com the defensive line will certainly be better in Week 4 than in Week 1, but don't expect the hard-nosed Iowa offensive line to show them any pity, though. Ready or not, the Week 1 test against a top-25 opponent looms; and should it take a few more weeks for the defensive line to be playing competitively, their inexperience could lead to a catastrophic result for the Aggies.
Linebacker
The linebacker room, on the other hand, is more prepared. This unit has gotten progressively better throughout fall camp, according to Cauthen.
With nine tackles for loss and 69 total tackles last season, the linebacker unit will be led by senior MJ Tafisi Jr., which will be his final season. Despite missing the final five games last season due to injury, his efforts earned him preseason second team All-Mountain West honors from Phil Steele and Athlon Sports. Should he remain healthy this year, he'll be expected to be an important contributor to the Aggies' defensive efforts.
Max Alford, a true sophomore from Park City, will likely line up next to him behind the defensive line. His first season ended with a nine-tackle performance against Memphis in the First Responder Bowl.
Cauthen specifically mentioned Washington State transfer Gavin Barthiel, redshirt freshman Bronson Olevao Jr, and sophomore Cole Joyce as some other key parts of the linebacker unit this fall.
Cornerback
The cornerbacks may be, arguably, the most exciting position group to watch this year. An interesting mix of returning leadership and talented transfers highlight the new Utah State secondary.
Sixth-year senior Michael Anyanwu leads the unit after playing in almost every game since the beginning of the 2020 season. He racked up a combined 91 tackles the past two seasons, and has earned preseason third team All-Mountain West honors from Phil Steele and Athlon Sports.
In addition to Anyanwu, the Aggies return cornerbacks Xavion Steele and JD Drew.
A few higher-profile transfers highlight the six newcomers at the position for the Aggies, including UCF's Jaiden Francois, Oregon transfer Avante Dickerson, and Wisconsin corner Al Ashford III, and are likely to bring an added spark to the secondary. All three have multiple years of eligibility remaining.
Gabriel Bryan, an experienced junior college transfer, will attempt to make an immediate impact for the Aggies, as well.
Safety
The safeties are led by redshirt sophomore Ike Larsen, who has received national recognition as one of the best defensive backs in the country. He was the only player from the Utah State roster to be selected to the preseason All-Mountain West team.
Larsen has become the leader of a group that returns three other players this season, including redshirt junior Anthony Switzer, who missed all of last season due to injury. Prior to that, Switzer played for three seasons at Arkansas State, where Aggies head coach Blake Anderson previously coached, where he recorded 91 tackles.
Utah State also added eight safeties to the roster, including Simeon Harris, who coach Cauthen mentioned as a standout player near the beginning of fall camp. Harris, a sophomore, transferred from recent Big 12 addition Colorado this season.
The new safeties will likely have numerous in-game opportunities to prove themselves with Larsen being the only returning starter.
Return team
Special teams coach Nick Paremski confirmed to KSL.com that newcomer wide receiver Micah Davis will serve as the sole punt returner and as one of two kick returners this season. Davis will be joined on kickoffs by veteran receiver Terrell Vaughn, who served as a kick returner last season, as well.
Vaughn averaged 26.5 yards per return last season, and returned a kick for 100 yards and a touchdown against Weber State. Paremski said both Vaughn and Davis had good showings in fall camp as returners.
