Former Logan High football players proudly representing their hometown at USU

LOGAN – A handful of guys on the Utah State football roster aren’t just Aggies – they are Grizzlies as well. The eight Logan High alumni on the USU football team get to represent their university while playing in front of their hometown.

One of those guys is quarterback DJ Nelson. He joined USU after leading Logan to back-to-back region titles and an undefeated 2011 state championship season. He didn’t get to play high school ball with some of the younger Logan alum at USU, but like most of them, he spent much of his youth closely following the Aggies.

“We grew up playing little league here, and we grew up going to these games and watching these scrimmages,” he said. “It’s something that we kind of realize, that now we’re in the spot of those guys we idolized before, the guys we looked up to.”

That Logan connection was showcased in a recent scrimmage when Nelson connected with wide receiver Chad Artist for a long touchdown pass. When asked about the play, head coach Matt Wells pointed out another with four different Grizzlies involved.

“The other day DJ was in at quarterback,” he said. “He threw one out to Taylor Compton with Artist blocking Chase Nelson.”

Those kinds of things have been happening at USU for years. Wells said Logan High has a history of sending talent to the program.

“It’ll be interesting to see how our current Logan High kids mature in the system and become playmakers,” he said. “They’re not there yet, but they’ve certainly got some potential.”

Logan isn’t the only local high school that will have former players on Merlin Olsen Field this fall, but it will have more than any other. Safety Gaje Ferguson played at Mountain Crest, and so did linebacker Alex Huerta. Redshirt freshman defensive end Jake Pitcher played for Sky View and freshman tight end Preston Hobbs came from Preston High.

“I think anybody who has grown up around Utah State, you have a certain sense of pride for the school and showing that there is talent in the valley as well,” junior Derek Larsen said. “Not only the kids at Logan High, but Sky View, Mountain Crest and the new high schools coming in. It’s kind of this pride showing that there’s athletes in the valley as well that can play at this level.”

Larsen is one of three USU linebackers from Logan. Troy Murray and Chasen Andersen are the others.

“It’s a certain special thing that I don’t think too many people can do,” Larsen said. “Not many people from your high school play on the same college team as well.”

Larsen has had to prove his Division-I ability. He followed his big brother’s example on his way to USU. After graduating from Logan High and serving a two-year LDS mission, B.J. Larsen walked onto the team and eventually earned a starting role. Derek Larsen did the same.

“All he told me is you’ve just go out there and leave it all out on the field,” he said. I think he did that and that’s what I’ve been trying to do as well.”

Artist said it is a neat feeling to go into practice and see guys like Caden Andersen and Jacoby Wildman lined up on the other side of the ball, just like they were in high school. Playing for his hometown team was always the goal and didn’t hesitate to sign when Wells offered him a spot.

“I told myself that if I ever have the chance to play here, I’m going to,” he said. “As soon as I was getting recruited here in high school I committed really quick.”

Just like any other football player, DJ Nelson said he is proud of where he came from. He loves to represent Logan High, but said the thing he and his teammates are representing most is Utah State.

“I think the main pride that we have is the fact that we play for Utah State,” he said, “and I think that is ultimately what it comes down to is we love the program, we love the valley and what the university stands for.”

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Posted in USU