<strong>The following is a preview of the upcoming season of the 2009 Utah State Aggies</strong>
“I promise you’ll be proud to be an Aggie”-Coach Gary Andersen (SLC Luncheon). Talk about music to any ear of any Aggie fan in history. It has been a rough few years starting out in the WAC. A very tough schedule is on the horizon for Coach Andersen and his troops. Talk to anybody on the street and they will tell you something refreshing is going on in Cache Valley. The Aggies a return a total of 19 starters back from last year. The cupboard isn’t bare with the multi-talented junior quarterback Diondre Borel and phenom Robert Turbin who is projected as a future NFL prospect. WAC first teamer Paul Igboeli is also returning to lead the linebackers. Kejon Murphy and James Brindley will be the ballhawks in the back of the defense. No more cushion play from the corners who have welcomed Curtis Marsh who played tailback last year.
<strong>Offensive Outlook:</strong>
The Aggies will be guided by Dave Baldwin who has experienced success at the college level especially with New Mexico where he had the 16th ranked rushing offense in the NCAA in 2008 at 208.3 ypg. In 2007 New Mexico had an amazing run on offense in which it had a 3000 yard passer, a 1,000 yard rusher, and two 1,000 yard receivers. Look for Utah State to be more balanced in their attack and to utilize the tight end a lot more then fans are used to. Diondre Borel is known for his scrambling ability and if he can develop on being an accurate passer it could be a dream season. The tailbacks are loaded with Robert Turbin, junior college transfer Michael Smith, and rising freshman Kerwynn Williams. There are plenty of recievers that are known as pass catchers but not down the field threats. Recruit Matt Austin from well known Mt. San Jacinto Junior College was brought in but broke his foot early and is expected to be back in 4-5 weeks. All-WAC center Brennen Mcfadden should flourish in the new offense calling out the blocking assignments.
<strong>Defensive Outlook:</strong>
The new defensive scheme was well welcomed this past spring. More blitzing and man-to-man coverage will be implemented into the system and will be headed by returning senior cornerback Kejon Murphy. A total of 15 position changes were done to get more speed on the field. Some examples are: Jacob Atkinson from FB-LB, Chris Williams form Safety to LB, Kellen Bartlett from DT to TE, Maxim Dinka-MBA from Safety to LB, and Curtis Marsh from TB-CB. Coach Bill Busch comes to Cache Valley and hopes to have his players play more instinctly and have success. Eight defensive lineman will rotate a lot of snaps and should improve the defense. Look for a lot of nickel packages against spread offenses with Curtis Marsh playing the nickel spot. The mentality is a more aggressive style and relying on the corners to be able to go on some one-one-martchups. If the defensives scheme can mesh with the talent then it can move up the defensive rankings. Fastest Player: CB Kejon Murphy Best Haircut: LB Paul Igboeli Best Freshman: RB Kerwynn Williams Best NFL prospect: Robert Turbin Best hands: WR Xavier Bowman Hardest Hitter: LB Kyle Gallagher Best Name: LB Maxim Dinka-MBA Most Fiery Coach: Alex Gerke-OL Team Captains: James Brindley, Kejon Murphy, Paul Igboeli, Brennen Mcfadden, Diondre Borel, Robert Turbin.
<strong>TIDBITS:</strong>
-Only four players could power clean 300lbs before Coach Andersen arrived-now there are 30+ players that can do the feat -Names will be on the back of the jerseys -New road uniforms-white (obviously) with blue numbers outlined in black -Aggies are 1-47 against ranked teams according to the football media guide Prediction: 5-7 (a year away from bowling) TWO DEEP DEPTH CHART OFFENSE QB 12 Diondre Borel, 6-0, 174, Jr. 14 Kane Wilson 6-4, 215, Fr. RB 6 Robert Turbin, 5-10, 202, Soph. 34 Michael Smith, 5-9, 197, Jr. 30 Kerwynn Williams, 5-9, 180, Fr. 5 Marquis Butler, 6-0, 192, So. WR 17 Xavier Bowman, 6-3, 195, Sr. 82 Eric Moats, 6-0, 173, Jr. WR 85 Omar Sawyer, 5-9, 174, Sr. 81 Nnamdi Gwacham, 6-3, 205, Sr. WR 11 Stanley Morrison, 5-9, 151, Soph. 24 Austin Alder, 5-11, 178, Soph. TE 83 Jeremy Mitchell, 6-5, 243, Sr. 88 Tarren Lloyd, 6-7, 247, Soph. LT 52 Spencer Johnson, 6-5, 285, Jr. 70 Christian Brown-Frazier, 6-4, 291, So. LG 76 Funaki Asisi, 6-3, 295, Soph. 79 Robert Hill, 6-2, 260, Soph. C 61 Brennan McFadden, 6-2, 305, Sr. 55 David Disman, 6-1, 263, Soph. RG 68 Philip Gapeu, 6-2, 306, Soph. 66 Eric Schultz, 6-4, 295, Fr. RT 74 Tariq Polley, 6-4, 315, Jr. 69 Ty Rogers, 6-4, 279, Jr. DEFENSE LE 42 Junior Keiaho, 6-3, 244, So. 37 Quinn Garner, 6-3, 236, So. NT 91 Sean Enesi, 5-10, 271, Jr. 96 Alan Bishop, 6-5, 281, Sr. DT 54 Nathan Royster, 6-0, 252, Jr. 58 Kamaloni Vainikolo, 6-2, 280, Jr. RE 44 Devin Johnson, 6-3, 231, Jr. 94 Antonio May, 6-4, 231, Sr. LB 2 Chris Williams, 6-2, 207, Sr. 41 Jordan Glass, 6-2, 232, Jr. MLB 9 Bobby Wagner, 6-1, 217, So. 15 Reuben Willis, 5-10, 239, Soph. LB 31 Paul Igboeli, 6-0, 223, Sr. 43 Kyle Gallagher, 6-1, 203, Soph. LCB 1 Kejon Murphy, 5-9, 15, Sr. 36 Quinton Byrd, 5-10, 174 Fr. SS 3 James Brindley, 5-11, 189, Sr. 14 Jamaine Olson, 6-0, 183, Jr. FS 27 Rajric Coleman, 6-2, 179, Jr. 49 Joey Schrader, 6-0, 192, Jr. CB 7 Chris Randle, 5-10, 176, Jr. 27 Curtis Marsh, 6-1, 184, Jr. SPECIALISTS PK 16 Chris Ulinski, 6-2, 206, Jr. 8 Peter Caldwell, 6-4, 240, Soph. P 8 Peter Caldwell, 6-4, 240, Soph. 16 Chris Ulinski, 6-2, 206, Jr. KR 34 Michael Smith, 5-9, 187, Jr. 85 Omar Sawyer, 5-9, 174, Sr. PR 1 Kejon Murphy, 5-9, 155, Sr. 11 Stanley Morrison, 5-9, 151, So.