Transcription

1 Senior wide receiver kevin curtis led the nation as a walk-on last year in receptions per game (9.1) an d finished third in receiving yards per game (139.2). 13

2 KEVIN CURTIS WIDE RECEIVER Sr. 1L South Jordan, Utah (Bingham HS/Snow JC) Utah State: A great story as playing as a walkon, he led the nation in receptions in his first major collegiate season, which came three years after his last junior college season (Jr.): The NCAA leader in receptions per game (9.1)... Led the NCAA in receptions per game every week of the season... Also ranked third in the country in receiving yards per game (139.2) and was 20th in all-purpose yardage (141.5)... A third-team All-American and a Biletnikoff Award Semifinalist... Was a walkon (was given a scholarship in the spring of 2002)... Prior to 2001, he had not played in a game since suiting up at Snow (Utah) JC in 1996 and 97 (went on an LDS church mission in 1998 and 1999 and redshirted as a walkon at USU in 2000)... He then became one of the nation s best receivers in his first season of Division I football... Established season school records for receptions (100), receiving yards (1,531), most 10-reception games (6), most 100-yard receiving games (9), and most consecutive 100-yard receiving games (6)... Had the best debut by a wide receiver in USU history with 11 catches for 171 yards in first game against Utah... Recorded the first back-to-back 200-yard receiving games in school history... USU played four ranked teams and five that went to bowl games (Utah, Louisiana State, Oregon, Brigham Young and Fresno State). In those five games he averaged 10.2 receptions and yards per game... Was named the team s offensive MVP. Previous College: Spent the 1996 and 1997 seasons at Snow JC where he earned second-team All-America honors as a wide receiver... Also earned first-team all-conference and team most valuable player honors... Served as a team captain as well... As a freshman had 30 catches for 600 yards and five touchdowns... As a sophomore he recorded 55 receptions for 1,100 yards and 19 touchdowns. High School: Was a two-year letterwinner at Bingham... Played wide receiver and in the secondary... Earned second-team all-region honors... Also played basketball. Personal: Born July 17, 1978 in Murray, Utah... Son of Mary Jean and Stuart Curtis... Has three brothers and three sisters... Plans on majoring in marketing and may become a firefighter... Hobbies include golf, ping pong, music, and spending time with friends and family. 3 The Nation s Reception Leader in 2001 All-America Third Team (Associated Press ) All-America Honorable Mention (Football News ) Biletnikoff Award Semifinalist (one of ) All-Independen t First Team (Football News ) All-Independen t First Team (Collegefootballnews.com ) 14 Receiving Stats Year G/GS Rec. Yds. Avg. TD LG / NCAA Statistical Rankings 1st in receptions per game (9.1) 3rd in receiving yards per game (139.2) 20th in all-purpose yardage (141.5) NCAA Record Book (Season Record Lists) 15th Receiving Yards (1,531) 19th Receptions (100) Tied for 20th Receptions per game (9.1) School Records (Season) Receptions (100) Receiving Yards (1,531) Most 10-reception games (6) Most 100-yard receiving games (9) Most consecutive 100-yard receiving games (6) 14

3 STEVE TEVE MULLINS ULLINS PUNTER Sr. 3L Phoenix, Ariz. (Paradise Valley HS) 12 Utah State: The nation s leading returning punter after finishing fourth in the country in Will be punting for the fourth straight season and has ranked in the top 29 of the country in each of his first three seasons (Jr.): Was fourth in the nation in punting average (44.8)... Was an honorable mention All- American by The Football News and was a Ray Guy Award semifinalist... His 44.8 average was a school record... Shared the team s special teams MVP award with Dane Kidman... Had at least one 50-yard punt in all 11 games during the season, including three 60-plus yard punts... Dropped 13 of his 50 punts inside the 20-yard line (So.): Had another outstanding season finishing second in the Big West and 29th in the NCAA in punting with a 41.4 average... Dropped 18 of his 64 punts inside the 20-yard line and recorded at least one 50-yard punt in eightof-11 games... Was a second-team all-big West selection... Earned Big West player of the week honors against Idaho... Also saw time at wide receiver and caught one pass for six yards... Was one-of-three passing for 19 yards as well (Fr.): Earned Freshman All-America honors from The Sporting News as a punter... Was 29th in the NCAA in punting average at 42.3 per game... Had a long of 70 yards and dropped nine inside the 20 on the year... Had at least one 50-yarder in eight games... Offensively he completed one-of-two passes for eight yards... Rushed one time for 34 yards (RS): Redshirted his first year at Utah State. High School: An all-region and honorable mention all-state selection as a senior... Was also an honorable mention all-state pick as a junior... Set school records for career yardage (more than 3,000) and touchdown passes (24)... Was a three-year starter at quarterback and also handled punting chores... Played forward on the team s 1997 state championship basketball team... Ran track as a sophomore and played baseball as a freshman. Personal: Son of Chuck and Karen Mullins... Born Oct. 23, 1979 in Jackson, Miss... Majoring in general business. The Nation s Leading Returning Punter All-America Honorable Mention (Football News ) Ray Guy Award Semifinalist (one of ) All-Independen t First Team (Football News ) Freshman All-America First Team (The Sporting News ) All-Big West Conference Second Team (2000) Punting Stats Year No. Yds. Avg. Long TB I Totals

4 KEVIN EVIN ANDERSON NDERSON SAFETY Jr. JC Ashland City, Tenn. (Cheatham County HS/Diablo Valley JC) D.J. B D.J. BROOKTER ROOKTER LINEBACKER So. 1L Fresno, Calif. (Bullard HS) 24 Utah State: Signed with USU in December, Participated in spring drills in Junior College: A first-team all-conference selection as a sophomore... Served as a team captain and was voted the most consistent player on his team... Recorded 115 tackles and six interceptions during his sophomore year. High School: Played at St. Mary s High School in Berkeley, Calif. before moving to Cheatham County High School in Ashland City, Tenn. for his senior season... Played both defensive back and tailback as a senior and rushed for 800 yards... Also had 400 yards receiving... Earned honorable mention all-region honors in basketball... Also competed in track. Personal: Born Dec. 30, 1981 in Oakland, Calif... Son of Kevin and Beti Anderson... Has two sisters... Plans to major in journalism... Likes lifting weights and playing video games... Cousin Charlie Batch played for the Detroit Lions. ANDRE BALA DEFENSIVE BACK So. 1L Houston, Texas (Willow Ridge HS) 26 Utah State: Will enter the fall as a top backup at cornerback, but should see plenty of playing time (Fr.): Played as a true freshman... Had one fumble recovery on the season... Saw action in the secondary and on special teams. High School: A three-time all-district selection... Was named to the Texas 100 Club as one of the best 100 players in the state of Texas... Had six career interceptions and more than 30 passes broken up... Led one of the best defenses in the state and the team won the district title in 1999 and Had two touchdowns on fumble recoveries, including one 98-yard return... Also competed in track... Ranked in the top 15 percent of his class academically... Was named an all-greater Houston scholar-athlete of the week in November of Personal: Born May 16, 1983 in Houston, Texas... Son of Aaron Groce and Susan Hampton... Has one brother... Plans to major in psychology... Hobbies include reading, travel, working out and watching sports... Last name is pronounced Ball-uh. Year G/GS UT AT Total Int. FR / Utah State: Will enter the fall as a top backup at one of the linebacker positions (Fr.): Played as a true freshman... Saw action at linebacker and on special teams... Recorded nine tackles on the season... Had one tackle for loss. High School: Was a first-team all-league selection and a second-team all-valley pick as a senior... Served as a team captain and earned the team s hustle award... Had 68 tackles and five sacks his senior year... As a junior he played free safety and recorded five interceptions and 35 tackles... Played wide receiver as a sophomore and caught 20 passes for 600 yards and 10 touchdowns... Also played basketball and track... Was the MVP of his basketball team as a junior. Personal: Born Jan. 17, 1983 in Fresno, Calif... Son of John Brookter... Plans on majoring in business... Hobbies include poetry and drawing... Was the president of a school leadership program that volunteered in the community. Year G/GS UT AT Total TFL FR / Multiple Letterwin ners Three Letters (6) Jesse Busta Jeff Crosbie Jamar Glasper Ade Jimoh Steve Mullins Jim Newton Two Letters (11) Chris Cooley David Fiefia Jose Fuentes Bryan Jackson Casey Poppinga Nate Putnam Derrek Shank Chris Stallworth Jorge Tapia Luis Trujillo Rodney Wilson

5 BRENEN RENEN BURNINGHMAM URNINGHMAM OFFENSIVE TACKLE So. 1L Smithfield, Utah (Sky View HS) 65 Utah State: Was thrown into action as a freshman last season and has starting experience... Will fight for a starting spot this fall (Fr.): Played extensively towards the end of the season replacing the injured Eric Gwilliam at tackle... Started four of the final six games of the year... Became the first freshman to start on the offensive line for USU since Ben Holbrook started vs. BYU in (RS): Redshirted his first year at Utah State after returning from an LDS mission... Was a co-winner of the team s offensive scout MVP honor along with Roger (Fernandez) Robinson. High School: Was a two-year letterwinner at Sky View playing offensive tackle, defensive end and long snapping in 1996 and Earned all-state honors as a senior... Also competed in basketball and track. Personal: Born July 20, 1979 in Ogden, Utah... Son of Lee and Zan Burningham... Has one brother and one sister... Sister played basketball and volleyball for UCLA and BYU after earning All- America honors as a volleyball player at Ricks Junior College... Undecided on his major... Went on an LDS mission from to Louisiana... Hobbies include playing the piano and doing ceramics. JESSE BUSTA LINEBACKER Sr. 3L La Crescenta Calif. (Crescenta Valley HS) First-Team all-big West (2000) PLAYER 56 with two interceptions... Was involved in five turnovers on the year as he also forced two fumbles and recovered one as well as the two interceptions... Recorded at least 10 tackles in eight games, including a career-high 17 at Boise State (Fr.): A key special teams player, who also saw backup action on defense... Was credited with 47 tackles on the year... Had two tackles for loss, including one sack... Also had one pass broken up and forced a fumble... Best game was a 12-tackle performance against Kansas State as he started that game in place of an injured Tony Newson for his only start... That came one week after he had nine stops against Arkansas State (RS): Redshirted his first year at USU. High School: An all-cif selection as a senior... Earned firstteam all-league honors and was the co-defensive Player of the Year in his league... Selected to all-area teams by both the Los Angeles Times and the Daily News... Recorded 143 tackles, four fumble recoveries, three interceptions and two sacks as a prep senior... Was first-team all-league and all-area as a junior... Was named the team s Most Valuable Player as a sophomore. Personal: Born Nov. 6, 1980 in La Crescenta, Calif... Son of Gale and Pam Busta. Year G/GS UT AT Total TFL Int / / / Totals 33/ Utah State: A quiet leader on the team, who has recorded back-to-back 100-plus tackle seasons... Is one of just six players on the roster with three letters (Jr.): Started all 11 games at linebacker... Led the team with 100 tackles on the year... Was second on the team with 13 tackles for loss and his three sacks were also second best... Additionally he broke up one pass, recovered one fumble and forced another... Had four double-digit tackle games, including a career-high 17 stops against Idaho State... Opened the year with 15 tackles at Utah... Had 14 against Oregon and 11 at Connecticut... Had two ninetackle games as well (Central Florida and Fresno State)... Named the team s top linebacker (So.): Earned first-team all-big West honors despite coming off the bench and starting just four games on the year... Was selected as the team s co-sophomore of the year with Jose Fuentes... Was second on the team and fourth in the Big West in tackles with 110, including 61 solo stops... Recorded five tackles for loss and tied for the team lead Jesse Busta was a first-team all-big West selection as a sophomore and led USU in tackles with 100 as a junior. 17

6 GRANT RANT CALVERLEY ALVERLEY OFFENSIVE TACKLE Jr. RS Moreno Valley, Calif. (Valley View HS/Riverside JC) DONTA ONTA CANDLERC 11 WIDE RECEIVER So. 1L Long Beach, Calif. (Long Beach Poly HS) Utah State: Was projected as a starter in 2001, but was redshirted instead... Earned the starting right tackle spot after spring drills (RS): Redshirted his first year at USU. Junior College: Was a first-team all-mission Conference selection as a sophomore in 2000 and also was a honorable mention academic All-American... He was recruited by South Florida, Arkansas State, San Jose State, Hofstra, and Baylor out of junior college. High School: Played one year of high school football... Also played basketball and baseball. Personal: Born Nov. 19, 1981 in Downey, Calif... Son of Richard and Irene Calverley... Has two sisters... Plans on majoring in psychology... Hobbies include playing basketball and working on cars. Utah State: Should see a lot of playing time... Enters the fall listed as a backup to Kevin Curtis (Fr.): Saw limited time at wide receiver while playing special teams... Did not record any receptions, but had six tackles on special teams. High School: Was a dream team selection and a Prep Star All- American as a senior... Also earned all-league honors and was a two-time most valuable receiver on his team... Caught passes for more than 400 yards and 10 touchdowns as a prep senior... Played four seasons on a team which played in four state championship games... Also ran track. Personal: Born April 20, 1983 in Compton, Calif... Son of Donta Sr. and Cynthia Candler... Has two sisters... Undecided on his major... Hobbies include racing and fixing cars... Was a member of the honor roll in high school... Had a cousin who played football in Europe... Name is pronounced Don-Tay Cand-lure Sr. 1L Carpenteria, Calif. (Carp) USU Team Honors Offensive MVP E. White K. Curtis Defensive MVP B. Passey T. Walker Outstanding Back/Receiver A. Jones J. Fuentes Outstanding Off. Lineman J. Long J. Walker Outstanding Def. Lineman N. Putnam N. Onaindia Outstanding Linebacker B. Eagal J. Busta Oustanding Secondary A. Jimoh T. Walker Outstanding Special Teams B. Bohn D. Kidman N. Barber S. Mullins Outstanding Freshman N. Putnam R. Tupea D. Fiefia R. Watts Outstanding Sophomore J. Fuentes R. Wilson J. Busta N. Putnam Most Inspirational J. Roberts J. Roberts B. Eagal Most Improved J. Fuentes E. Gwilliam C. Smith B. Jackson Off. Scout MVP B. Burningham J. Johnstun R. Fernandez Def. Scout MVP R. Watts J. Fackrell Iron Man B. Eagal T. Newson N. Onaindia Golden Helmet J. Roberts J. Glasper B. Passey JAISON CARRIGER LINEBACKER Fr. RS Butte, Mont. (Butte HS) 58 Utah State: Will backup at an outside linebacker position (RS): Redshirted his first year at USU. High School: Was a two-time all-state linebacker and two-time all-conference selection as well... Earned academic all-state honors three times as well... Recorded 110 tackles and four interceptions his senior year... As a tight end he had four touchdown catches... Defensively as a junior he had 80 tackles and two interceptions... Also played basketball, leading the state in threepoint percentage his junior year... Competed in track as well. Personal: Born Feb. 20, 1983 in Butte, Mont... Son of Rick and Paula Carriger... Has one brother and one sister... Plans to major in business finance and work as a stockbroker... Hobbies include hunting and spending time with friends

7 LAYER ROFILES DAN CATALANO ATALANO SAFETY Fr. RS Westlake, Calif. (Westlake HS) 18 Utah State: Will fight to move up on the depth chart after redshirting his first season at USU (RS): Redshirted his first year at USU. High School: Was a two-time all-league and all-county linebacker... As a senior he recorded 85 tackles, five sacks and three interceptions... As a junior he was in on 70 tackles... Team won league championships in both his junior and senior campaigns as well as a CIF title his junior year... Including varsity and junior varsity play, his teams were Personal: Born Sept. 16, 1983 in Pittsburgh, Pa... Son of Dan and Karen Catalano... Older brother is playing football at Wisconsin... Undecided on his major... Hobbies include snowboarding and diving... Last name is pronounced Cat-uh-law-no. BEN CHAET KICKER / PUNTER Sr. 1L Carpenteria, Fr. RS Calif. (Carp) Helena, Mont. (Helena HS) 38 Utah State: Will serve as the backup kicker after redshirting his first season here (RS): Redshirted his first year at USU. High School: As a senior he earned Super State, all-state and all-conference first-team honors as a kicker and punter... Was also listed as a regional All-American... Also earned academic all-state honors as a senior... As a junior he was a second-team all-state kicker and punter... Was five-of-eight on field goals and averaged 42.0 yards per punt as a senior... Had a long punt of 72 yards and a long field goal of 49 yards... Seventy five percent of his kickoffs were touchbacks... Played basketball, track and soccer as well at Helena High School. Personal: Born Sept. 16, 1982 in Helena, Mont... Son of Mike and Mary Chaet... Father played basketball at Northeastern... He has one brother and two sisters... Plans on majoring in engineering or architecture... Owns a black belt in Taekwondo... Last name is pronounced Chate. JOHN CHICK DEFENSIVE END Fr. HS Gillette, Wyo. (Campbell County HS) 37 Utah State: Signed in the spring of 2001, but did not enroll in school until the spring of Participated in spring drills in High School: Named the Wyoming high school defensive lineman of the year... Was an all-state defensive end and tight end... Was a two-time all-conference selection... As a senior he recorded 52 tackles, including 12 for loss... Also broke up four passes, recovered two fumbles and blocked a kick... As a tight end he caught four passes, including three for touchdowns and one two-point conversion... His team won the state championship after an undefeated season his senior year in Campbell County also won the state title in 1998 and finished second in Competed in track and was the state champion in both the shot put and discus. Personal: Born Nov. 20, 1982 in Gillette, Wyo... Son of John and Julie Chick... Has one brother and one sister... Wants to major in physical education... Would like to become either a physical therapist or an athletics director... Hobbies include golf, baseball, basketball, weight lifting, playing Nintendo, water activities, camping and fishing. Aggies By State Utah State lists players from 14 different states on its preseason roster, including 39 from California and 24 from Utah. California - 39 Utah - 24 Arizona - 6 Wyoming - 5 Idaho - 3 Montana - 3 Florida - 2 Texas - 2 Illinois - 2 Nevada - 1 Tennessee - 1 Washington - 1 Virginia - 1 Michigan

8 GARY COLEMAN WIDE RECEIVER Sr. 1L Miami, Fla. (Southridge HS/Pasadena JC) Utah State: Listed as a starter at one of the wide receiver positions... Started the last two games of (Jr.): Started three games, including the season opener at Utah... Had 36 catches (third on the team) for 440 yards (second on the team) and four touchdowns (second)... Had a 70-yard reception against Weber State for the longest pass play of the year for USU... Had at least one reception in every game... Best games statistically were his five receptions for 127 yards against Weber State and his six catches for 61 yards against South Florida... Also had five receptions for 81 yards against Oregon. Junior College: Was a second-team all-conference selection and his team s offensive player of the year as a sophomore in junior college... Caught 43 passes for 673 yards and seven touchdowns... Completed his two-year junior college career with more than 2,000 receiving yards... Was an academic All-America nominee and was on the dean s honor roll. High School: Was an honorable mention all-county choice as a prep senior... Also competed in track. Personal: Born June 21, 1980 in Miami, Fla... Son of Samuel and Elnora Coleman... Has two sisters and one brother... Plans on majoring in architecture... Main hobby is drawing. Receiving Stats Year G/GS No. Yds. Avg. TD LG / CHRIS HRIS COOLEY OOLEY TIGHT END Jr. 2L Logan, Utah (Logan HS) 89 Utah State: Will see playing time at both tight end and fullback... Played as a defensive end as a freshman (So.): Started four games... Had three receptions for 21 yards and one touchdown on the year... His first career reception was a threeyard touchdown at Louisiana State... Also added nine-yard catches against Wyoming and BYU... Added three tackles on special teams play (Fr.): Was pressed into duty in his true freshman year and saw action at tight end, defensive end and special teams... Recorded 19 tackles on the year... Had four tackles for loss, including two sacks... Also forced one fumble and recovered another. High School: Was an all-state selection as a senior, catching 46 passes for 625 yards at tight end... Recorded eight sacks as a defensive end... An outstanding high school wrestler, who finished second in the state as a junior... Also played baseball in high school. Personal: Born July 11, 1982 in Powell, Wyo... Wants to major in art... Enjoys all sports, hunting and fishing... Son of Nancy Cooley... Has one brother... Is a member of the National Honor Society. Year G/GS UT AT Total TFL Sacks / / Total 16/ Receiving Stats Year G/GS No. Yds. Avg. TD LG / Gary Coleman finsihed the 2001 season with the third most receptions (36) and second most receiving yards (440) on the team TRAVIS COX QUARTERBACK So. 1L Hyrum, Utah (Mountain Crest HS) 14 Utah State: Will battle with Jeff Crosbie for the top backup spot to Jose Fuentes (Fr.): Attempted passes in four different games during his true freshman year... Connected on four-ofseven attempts for 12 yards and one touchdown... First attempt came in the team s fifth game as he threw an incompletion against BYU... Hit two-of-two attempts for six yards the next week against Idaho State... Threw a four-yard touchdown pass against Weber State (RS): Redshirted his first year at Utah State. High School: Was a first-team all-state quarterback at local Mountain Crest High School... Was named the Region Four Most

9 Valuable Player and Logan Herald Journal all-valley Player of the Year as a senior as well... Was a three-year starter, who also started three games as a freshman... Finished his career fifth in Utah history with 5,190 yards... Was eighth in state history with 47 career touchdown passes... Threw for 1,900 yards and 16 touchdowns with just six interceptions as a senior... Was an allregion pick as a junior and was the all-valley quarterback as a sophomore... Also played baseball and basketball. Personal: Born Oct. 16, 1980 in Salt Lake City, Utah... Hobbies include water skiing, being outside and most sports... Father Dan played football at Utah State and was the head coach at Mountain Crest High School... Had a brother who was an allstate linebacker at Mountain Crest as well... Owned a 3.8 grade point average in high school. RICKEY CROCKETT CORNERBACK Jr. JC Pasadena, Calif. (John Muir HS/Pasadena JC) Utah State: Will look to move up the depth chart this season. Junior College: Played in the secondary. High School: Was a defensive back and earned all-league and all-southern Section CIF honors... Recorded seven interceptions, returning three for scores... Also competed in track and ran a meters. Personal: Born March 22, 1980 in Pasadena, Calif... Son of Sandra and Frank Potts... Has four brothers and two sisters... Will major in sociology. Utah State: Will battle with Travis Cox for the top backup role to Jose Fuentes... Has great experience with 17 career starts... Has thrown for more than 3,000 yards in his career... One of six Aggies with three letters earned (Jr.): Saw limited time due to an illness which kept him out of four straight games late in the year... Recorded his second career rushing touchdown as he went 12 yards for a score against BYU... Completed four of nine pass attempts for 17 yards... Most action was his three-of-six performance for 13 yards against South Florida in the 10th game of the year (RS): Started the first two games of the season for his 16th and 17th consecutive starts... Injured his thumb in practice the third week of the year and missed the remainder of the season... In the season opener against Texas Tech he completed 16-of-34 passes for 153 yards and two touchdowns... In first-half against Southern Utah he was five-of-15 for 27 yards (So.): Started all 11 games at quarterback... Threw for 2,007 yards and 10 touchdowns during the year... Completed 46.8 PLAYER 32 JEFF CROSBIE QUARTERBACK Sr. 3L Hyrum, Utah (Mountain Crest HS) 7 percent of his passes and also had 17 interceptions... Best game was a 311-yard effort against Brigham Young... Also hit 16-of-25 attempts for 265 yards and four touchdowns against Stephen F. Austin... Showed his ability to run as he gained 77 yards on nine carries against Nevada and had 38 yards on five rushing attempts against North Texas to close the season (Fr.): Played in each of the final five games of the year, starting each of the last four contests... His first collegiate action came in a relief role against Idaho in place of starter Logan Galli... He completed nine-of-28 attempts for 178 yards and two touchdowns... His first collegiate start came the next week against Boise State as he threw for 233 yards, while completing 18-of-46 attempts with three interceptions and one touchdown... His best yardage total was his second start with 279 yards against New Mexico State... On the year, he threw for 1,111 yards... His 79-yard touchdown pass to Adrion Pierson against North Texas was the 13th longest pass play in school history. High School: Was a three-year letterman as a quarterback and free safety at Mountain Crest... Was a first-team all-state selection as a senior in 1994 after passing for 2,500 yards and 25 touchdowns... Was also selected as the Region Most Valuable Player... Was an all-state basketball player as well. Personal: Born Dec. 25, 1976 in Logan, Utah... Major is business... Hobbies include fishing, hunting and most sports... Went on a mission to Brazil... Brother Jim played basketball at Southern Utah... Married to former Aggie volleyball player Amy Goulding Crosbie. Passing Stats Year G/GS Att. Com. Int. Pct. Yds. TD LG / / / / Totals 23/ NATHAN DANDRIDGE LINEBACKER So. 1L Moreno Valley, Calif. (Valley View HS) 8 Utah State: Will be the top backup at middle linebacker (Fr.): Saw playing time at linebacker as well as on special teams... Was credited with five tackles on the year... Also had one tackle for loss. High School: A first-team all-league selection and an honorable mention all-county choice as a prep senior... Recorded 130 tackles, while making one interception and forcing seven fumbles his senior year... Had 90 tackles as a junior and played varsity as a sophomore as well... Had great success in track and holds the school record in the shot put (53 feet) and discus (142 feet)... Was also a member of the all-league 4x100 relay team as a junior. Personal: Born Feb. 16, 1983 in Moreno Valley, Calif... Son of Alan and Marissa Dandridge... Has one brother who played football at Oregon State... Plans on majoring in accounting. Year G/GS UT AT Total TFL Sacks /

10 JEROME DENNIS SAFETY So. 1L Van Nuys, Calif. (Montclair Prep) 20 Utah State: Will backup at the cornerback position (Fr.): Saw action in the secondary and on special teams... Recorded 11 tackles on the year... Recovered one fumble... Best game was his three-tackle performance against BYU... Had one defensive tackle in seven other games... Started in the game at BYU (RS): Redshirted his first year at Utah State. High School: An all-cif selection on defense as a senior... Earned team offensive MVP honors all three years of high school... Had five interceptions as a senior... Also started four games at tailback and rushed for more than 1,000 yards on the season in his final year... Was the team captain and team MVP on the basketball team. Personal: Born Dec. 6, 1981 in Los Angeles, Calif... Grew up in Palmdale, Calif... Wants to major in business entertainment and minor in computer science... Would like to work as a producer in the entertainment field after graduation... Hobbies include playing basketball, writing poetry, writing songs and spending time with family and friends... Mother is Jean Lewis... Has four sisters and two brothers... Was the publisher of the school paper in high school... Received several poetry awards as well. Year G/GS UT AT Total TFL FR / MARK ESTELLE DEFENSIVE BACK Jr. 1L Carson, Calif. (Carson HS/L.A. Southwest JC) Utah State: Came out of spring practice as a starter at cornerback (So.): Started two games at cornerback, while seeing extensive action in the other nine games... Recorded 24 tackles... Had two tackles for loss... Also broke up one pass... Had six tackles in back-to-back games against Oregon and Brigham Young for his best two games statistically. Junior college:was a first-team all-state junior college selection as a freshman in Also was named a unanimous all-conference choice and was his team s defensive most valuable player... Earned honorable mention All-America honors as well... Recorded five interceptions and blocked five punts in his freshman year. High School: A first-team all-conference choice and his team s defensive player of the year... Also played baseball and competed in track, where he won the city long jump championship. Personal: Born July 29, 1981 in Los Angeles, Calif... Son of Chuck and Jewell Anthony... Has two brothers and one sister... Plans on majoring in business management. Year G/GS UT AT Total TFL PBU / RYAN DEQUILLETTES DEFENSIVE TACKLE Fr. RS Bakersfield, Calif. (West HS) 75 Utah State: Will provide depth on the defensive line after redshirting in (RS): Redshirted his first year at USU. 2000: Sat out last season after signing with USU in the spring. High School: Was a first-team all-league and first-team allarea selection as a senior offensive lineman in Played mainly on the offensive line in his career... Was a three-year starter, earning second-team all-league and honorable mention all-area honors as a junior... Was named his team s lineman of the year as a junior and as a senior... Was his high school s athlete of the year as a sophomore and as a junior... Was the first freshman to start on the junior varsity in five years... Also wrestled and competed in track and field. Personal: Born April 19, 1982 in Torrance, Calif... Son of Rhonda Sandoval and Randy DeQuillettes... Has three brothers and one sister... Plans on majoring in medicine or physical therapy... Hobbies include wrestling and most sports... Served as a the freshman class president and was active in the associated student body all four years of high school JIM FACKRELL DEFENSIVE END Fr. RS Mountain View, Wyo. (Mountain View HS) 94 Utah State: Participated in spring practice in Emerged as a top backup at defensive end. High School: Was an all-state and all-conference selection as a senior... Earned honorable mention all-conference honors as a junior... Played tight end, defensive end and punter... Team won state championship his freshman season and finished as runnersup his junior and senior years... Also played basketball and track. Personal: Born April 1, 1982 in Ogden, Utah... Son of Kenny and Bobbie Fackrell... Has three older sisters... Wants to major in civil engineering... Would like to vacation in Europe before working after graduation... Likes to be outdoors and work on the family ranch.

11 MATT FERGUSON SAFETY Fr. RS Boise, Idaho (Centennial HS) 47 Utah State: Participated in spring practice and will fight his way up the depth chart in the secondary. High School: Played free safety and quarterback in high school... Earned all-state honors his senior year and was a twotime all-conference pick... Set a school single-game tackle record... Team won a state championship his sophomore season... Also competed in track. Personal: Born July 5, 1980 in Boise, Idaho... Son of Ken and Kay Ferguson... Has two brothers and three sisters... Father played football at USU and spent nine years in the Canadian Football League... Both brothers played college football including Brandon at Boise State and Brad at Utah State... Undecided on his major... Likes all sports and snowboarding. well in high school... Is a cousin to former USU standouts Walter and Vaea Fiefia, who were both first-team all-big West as defensive tackles during their careers. Rushing Stats Year G/GS Att. Yds. Avg. TD LG / / Totals 22/ Receiving Stats Year G/GS No. Yds. Avg. TD LG / / Totals 22/ Punt Return Year G/GS Att. Yds. Avg. TD LG / Kickoff Return Year G/GS Att. Yds. Avg. TD LG / / Totals 22/ TAILBACK DAVID FIEFIA Jr. 2L West Valley City, Utah (Hunter HS) 39 Utah State: Will take over the starting tailback spot, replacing Emmett White, who graduated... Started his USU career at wide receiver where he played as a freshman before returning to his natural position of running back in (So.): The top backup to Emmett White at tailback... Rushed 30 times for 187 yards and two touchdowns on the year... Most of his yards came in the season finale when White was injured as he rushed 16 times for 116 yards and one score at Fresno State... Had 42 yards on eight carries against Central Florida... Caught six passes for 20 yards... Was a key return man as he had 14 kickoff returns for a 22.2 average to rank 61st in the nation (Fr.): Played at wide receiver in his first season at Utah State... Was third on the team in receptions with 31 for 344 yards and one touchdown... Was ranked in the top 10 in the nation among freshman wide receivers... Had at least two receptions in 10-of-11 games with his best effort a five-catch game for 73 yards against Southern Utah... Ran the ball three times for 10 yards... Threw one pass on the year, an 18-yard touchdown pass to Jose Fuentes against Idaho... Was a co-winner of the team s Most Outstanding Freshman award with Nate Putnam. High School: Was named Mr. Football in the state of Utah by the Deseret News in Rushed for 1,600 yards and 24 touchdowns as a prep senior... Defensively he recorded six interceptions... Also averaged 39.1 yards per punt. Personal: Born March 17, 1981 in Salt Lake City... Son of Tevita and Melolini Fiefia... Undecided on his major... Hobbies include most sports... Was a three-year basketball letterwinner as David Fiefia rushed for a career-high 116 yards and one touchdown on 16 carries versus Fresno State during his sophomore season. 23

12 JOSE FUENTES QUARTERBACK Sr. 2L Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. (Rancho Cucamonga HS) Second-Team all-big West (2000) 13 Utah State: Has started 20 games at quarterback and has added his name to numerous USU record lists heading into his senior season... A smart player who could be among the top quarterbacks in the nation this season (Jr.): Started all 11 games to extend his consecutive start streak to 20 games... His 3,100 passing yards were the third most in a season in USU history, while his 260 completions established a new school mark, as did his 24 touchdown passes... Hit 59.5 percent of his passes for the second best such season in school history... On the year he ranked fifth in the country in completions (23.6 per game), while he was 18th in total offense (265.5), 23rd in points responsible for per game (13.5) and 49th in pass efficiency (129.0)... Threw for at least 200 yards in every game to extend his streak to a school record 16 straight games... Best yardage game was a 437-yard contest against Weber State, which ranked as the fourth-best passing day in school history... Threw for 356 yards against Oregon... Twice had four touchdowns passing in a game (Wyoming and Weber State)... Was named the team s top offensive back for the season (So.): Earned second-team all-big West honors after earning the starting role in the third game of the year... Earned Big West player of the week honors against Idaho... Was named a co-winner of the team s outstanding sophomore award with Jesse Busta as well as sharing USU s most improved honor with Cade Smith... Ranked 14th in the NCAA in total offense, 16th in passing, 39th in points responsible for and 43rd in passing efficiency... Recorded the fourth-best total offense day in the nation during the year with 503 yards vs. Boise State, while also recording the season s second-best passing efficiency day (306.40) vs. Southern Utah and the fourth and 14th best passing days against Boise State (509 yards) and Idaho (421 yards) respectively... Threw for 2,709 yards on the year with 16 touchdowns to just eight interceptions... Caught a scoring pass against Idaho as well (Fr.): Played in four games while backing up Jeff Crosbie... His 11 passing attempts were second most on the team... Was four-of-11 for 91 yards on the year... First collegiate action came in the season opener at Georgia when he hit one-of-five passes for 37 yards... The next week he was twoof-three passing for 32 yards against Stephen F. Austin... Did not play again until attempting two passes, both interceptions, against Kansas State... Closed the year by hitting his only attempt for 22 yards in the season finale against North Texas (RS): Redshirted his first year at USU. High School: Completed 194-of-335 passes for 2,571 yards and 20 touchdowns, while rushing for five more scores as a senior... Team went 9-3 and advanced to the state quarterfinals... For his career he completed 283-of-504 passes for 4,125 yards and 38 touchdowns... Set school records for season yards and touchdowns and career yards and touchdowns... Also set a school mark with a 431-yard passing game against J.W. North High School... Lettered three times in baseball and basketball and one year in soccer. Fuentes in the USU Record Book Single-Game Records 2nd in Passing Yards (509 vs. Boise State) 4th in Passing Yards (437 vs. Weber State) 6th in Passing Yards (421 vs. Idaho) 22nd in Passing yards (356 vs. Oregon) Single-Season Records 1st in Pass Completions (260), st in Pass Completions per Game (23.6), st in consecutive pass attempts without an interception (184, st in 200-yard passing games (11), st in 400-yard passing games (2), 2000 (tied) 1st in Touchdown passes (24), st in Touchdown passes per game (2.2), 2001 Career Records 1st in 200-yard passing games (18) 1st in 400-yard passing games (3) 2nd in touchdown passes (40) 2nd in Pass Completion Percentage (.561) 3rd in pass completions (458) 4th in passing yards (5,900) 5th in pass attempts (816) 5th in Total offense (5,627)

13 Personal: Brother Richard is the quarterback at New Mexico Highlands... Son of Richard and Julie Fuentes... Born Nov. 29, 1979 in East Los Angeles, Calif... Major is business management. Passing Stats Year G/GS Att. Com. Int. Pct. Yds. TD LG / / / Total 25/ PLAYER College All-American in 2000 and also was a first-team all-state and all-mission Conference selection... He was named as one of the top- 100 players in the country as a sophomore... Along with USU, he was recruited by North Carolina State, Oklahoma State, Kansas, Nevada, and Missouri. High School: Played one year of high school football and was a first-team all-league pick. Personal: Born Jan. 18, 1981 in San Luis Obispo, Calif... Son of Mark and Elizabeth Galliano... Has two brothers and one sister... Plans on majoring in exercise science (Fr.) A-C-I Yds. TD LG Georgia S.F. Austin Utah DNP BYU DNP Arkansas State DNP Kansas State Idaho DNP Boise State DNP N.M. State DNP Nevada DNP North Texas (So.) A-C-I Yds. TD LG Texas Tech DNP Southern Utah Arizona State Utah Brigham Young North Texas Idaho Arkansas State New Mexico St Boise State Idaho State (Jr.) A-C-I Yds. TD LG Utah LSU Wyoming Oregon Brigham Young Idaho State Central Florida Connecticut Weber State South Florida Fresno State ARIC GALLIANO OFFENSIVE CENTER Jr. RS Santa Ana, Calif. (Foothill HS/Cerritos JC) 59 MICHAEL ICHAEL GATES ATES DEFENSIVE END Fr. HS Arlington, Texas (Sam Houston HS) 90 Utah State: Signed in the spring of 2001, but did not enroll until the spring of Participated in spring practice in High School: Was ranked in the top 150 players in the state of Texas... Was an all-area top 75 selection by the Fort Worth Star Telegram... Was the district defensive MVP... As a senior he recorded 65 tackles with nine sacks and five other tackles for loss. Personal: Born Oct. 31, 1982 in Arlington, Texas... Son of Linda and M.D. Gates... Plans on majoring in physical education and would like to become a coach... Likes to play basketball. NICK GEORGE TIGHT END Fr. RS Salt Lake City, Utah (Judge Memorial HS) 45 Utah State: Will add depth at the tight end position (RS): Redshirted his first year at USU. High School: Played center and defensive end and was a three-year starter and a team captain... Led team in tackles his senior year with 67 stops... Also had eight sacks... Played baseball as well. Personal: Born May 26, 1983 in Salt Lake City, Utah... Son of Michael and Elaine George... Has two sisters... Plans on majoring in ornamental horticulture... Would like to start a landscaping business after graduation... Hobbies include model rockets, music and landscaping. Utah State: Is listed as the starting center after spring drills (RS): Redshirted his first year at USU... First name is pronounced Eric. Junior College: Was named an honorable-mention Junior 25

14 JAMAR GLASPER SAFETY Sr. 3L Las Vegas, Nev. (Green Valley HS) 4 Utah State: Has started 20 games in his career and is one of six Aggies to have earned three letters... A solid player who missed spring football with some nagging injuries (Jr.): Started all 11 games at safety... Was second on the team in tackles with Had four stops for loss... Was involved in five turnovers as he forced three fumbles and recovered two more... Also broke up two passes... Had two double-digit tackle games during the year... Recorded 13 tackles against Central Florida and had 10 more against Brigham Young... Other top tackle games included nine stops at LSU and eight against Wyoming... Recorded at least four tackles in every game on the season... Earned the Golden Helmet Award as the team s hardest hitter (So.): Started nine games at strong safety... Was fifth on the team in tackles with Broke up six passes as well... Recorded 15 tackles at New Mexico State with his second-best tackle games coming against Arizona State and Boise State with eight each (Fr.): Played in the secondary and on special teams... Had 10 tackles on the year, while forcing one fumble and causing one fumble... Had four tackles at Georgia in the season opener (RS): Redshirted his first year at USU. High School: A two-time all-conference selection in high school... Was named the Most Valuable Defensive Player in his league his senior year... Was a three-year letterwinner... Team was 8-3 his senior season... Earned the Go For Broke award as a sophomore as an upcoming star... Lettered four years in basketball and was voted the league s best defensive player. Personal: Son of Patricia Glasper... Born August 19, 1979 in Las Vegas, Nev... Has one son... Major is physical education. JEREMY GUENTER DEFENSIVE TACKLE So. 1L Orem, Utah (Orem HS) 99 Utah State: Will enter the fall as a backup at defensive end... Saw a lot of time in the spring while Nate Putnam nursed an injury (Fr.): Played as a backup on the line... Registered eight tackles, including one sack on the year. High School: Was a first-team all-state selection... Was also named a team captain and his team s player of the year... Recorded 54 total tackles, including nine sacks... Also served as the team s punter and kicker and averaged 39 yards per punt... Also played basketball. Personal: Born March 15, 1980 in Provo, Utah... Son of Robert and Maria Elena... Brother Jonathan played at Weber State and was a member of USU s football team in Year G/GS UT AT Total Sacks TFL / Offensive Minded In the last seven years, Utah State has had individuals produce four of the seven best rushing seasons, five of the top 10 passing seasons and four of the top five receiving seasons in school history. USU has had back to back NCAA statistical leaders as Emmett White led the country in all-purpose yardage in 2000 and Kevin Curtis led the country in receptions in As a team USU has produced five of the top 12 total offense games in the two-year Mick Dennehy era as well as three of the top five passing games. 26 Year G/GS UT AT Total Int. TFL / / / Totals 29/

15 RYAN GUNSTREAM OFFENSIVE LINE Fr. RS LaPuente, Calif. (Bishop Amat HS) 60 Utah State: Enters the fall as a top backup at guard... Should see plenty of playing time (RS): Redshirted his first year at USU. High School: Played four years, earning honorable mention all-league honors three times... In addition to duties on the offensive line, he was a long snapper and played on the defensive line... Selected to valley all-star team... Competed in track and was the league champion in the discus as a junior. Personal: Born Oct. 18, 1982 in San Dimas, Calif... Son of Gary and Marilyn Gunstream... Has two brothers and one sister... His father was a football coach at Citrus Junior College... Mother was in the Olympic trials in swimming and coached volleyball... Would like to major in sports medicine... Hobbies include fishing, weight lifting and spending time with his family... Was a member of the National Honor Society. JOSH HOEHNE OFFENSIVE LINE Fr. HS Provo, Utah (Timpview HS) 68 Utah State: Joined the team this spring... Originally signed with USU in the spring of 1999, but went on a mission before enrolling... Last name is pronounced Haney. High School: A two-year starter who earned honorable mention all-state honors as a senior and all-region honors... Played on both the offensive and defensive lines... Recorded 40 tackles as a senior defensive end... Team won the state championship in 1997 after reaching the championship game his sophomore year... Also played basketball. Personal: Born August 26, 1980 in Carmichael, Calif... Son of Curtis and Joanne Hoehne... Has four brothers and three sisters... Undecided on his major... Hobbies include basketball, computers, outdoor activities and reading. TREVOR HUTTON FFENSIVE GUARD OFFENSIVE Jr. JC Santa Maria, Calif. (Righetti HS/Hancock JC) Utah State: Signed with USU in December, Participated in spring drills in Junior College: Was a second-team junior college All- American as a sophomore in Earned all-conference honors in 1999 and 2001 while redshirting the 2000 season... Listed by JC Grid Wire magazine as one of the top 100 junior college players in the country... Ranked as the 32nd best player in the nation by JCFootball.com as well as the fifth-best offensive lineman among junior college players. High School: Was an all-cif selection as a senior as well as a first-team all-league selection on offense and a second-team pick on defense... Was second-team all-league on offense as a junior. Personal: Born Feb. 28, 1980 in Hilo, Hawaii... Son of Janelle Hann and John Hutton... Plans to major in history and then coach and teach after graduation... Hobbies include four-wheeling and working on cars. BRYAN JACKSON SAFETY Jr. 2L Bountiful, Utah (Viewmont HS) 22 Utah State: Should once again see plenty of playing time in the secondary (So.): Started four of the last six games... Made 32 tackles to rank eighth on the team... Broke up two passes and recovered a fumble... Had a season-high six tackles against Central Florida... Made five stops against Weber State and four against BYU... Had at least three tackles in each of the last seven games of the year... Was a co-winner of the team s most improved player award along with Eric Gwilliam (Fr.): Lettered after joining the team for fall drills... Saw time at strong safety and on special team units... Recorded five tackles. High School: Was a two-time all-state selection and was selected to play in the Utah all-state game... Led his team in rushing and tackles for two years... Rushed for more than 100 yards four times and had 15-plus tackles 11 times... Was a team captain... Also played basketball and track for three years each... Served as team captain in both sports as well... Was named his school s top athlete... Was an all-area basketball selection as well as the team s defensive player of the year. Personal: Born March 1, 1979 in Bountiful, Utah... Son of Clyde and Judy Jackson... Father played football at USU... Has two brothers and two sisters... Majoring in business administration and would like to earn an MBA... Main hobby is water skiing. Year G/GS UT AT Total PBU FR / / Totals 15/

16 JUSTIN JACKSON DEFENSIVE END Jr. JC Kent, Wash. (Kentridge HS/City College of S.F.) Utah State: Signed with USU in December, Participated in spring drills in Came out of the spring with a starting defensive end position. Junior College: Earned first-team allconference honors in 2001, helping his team to its second straight junior college national championship... Recorded 42 tackles and eight sacks to go along with two fumble recoveries and one interception. High School: Was a three-year letterwinner in high school... Also played basketball and competed in track where he was an all-state discus thrower. Personal: Born on July 7, 1982 in Redmond, Wash... Son of Michael and Terri Jackson... His father played for the Seattle Seahawks and his brother Chris was a starting fullback for UCLA... Plans on majoring in business education and would like to teach at the junior high level... Enjoys spending time with friends, watching television, hiking, fishing and playing golf. DEREK JEFFERY WIDE RECEIVER Sr. 1L Bakersfield, Calif. (Stockdale HS/Grossmont JC) CORNERBACK Sr. 3L Woodland Hills, Calif. (El Camino Real HS) Second-Team all-big West (2000) ADE JIMOH 10 Utah State: Did not participate in spring practice due to an injury, but will start at cornerback this fall (Jr.): Started nine games at cornerback... Recorded 39 tackles on the year, including one for loss... Recorded an interception against South Florida... Broke up three passes to rank fourth on the team in that category (So.): Started all 11 games at left corner... Earned second-team all-big West honors... Was also named the team s outstanding defensive back... Shared the team lead with two interceptions on the year, while breaking up a team-high 12 passes... Also blocked a kick... Recorded 46 tackles (Fr.): Saw action in the secondary and on special teams... Had four tackles on the year (RS): Redshirted his first year. High School: A two-year letterwinner at El Camino Real High School... Was a second-team all-league selection as well as a preseason third-team all-area pick... Team won the city championship his senior season... Also played basketball and ran track... Was named his school s top scholar-athlete. Personal: Has earned an academic scholarship to Utah State... His cousin played basketball at Northeastern University in Boston... Son of Bianka Jimoh and Joe Harvey... Born April 18, 1980 in Los Angeles, Calif. 28 Utah State: Earned a starting spot after spring practice (Jr.): Saw time at wide receiver and on special teams... Offensively he caught one pass for nine yards (RS): Redshirted his first year at Utah State. Junior College: Played the 1998 and 1999 seasons at Grossmont JC... Was a second-team all-league selection as a sophomore... Had 28 receptions for 330 yards and boasted a 21.0 kickoff return average. High School: Was a two-time first-team all-league selection... As a junior he had 44 receptions for 660 yards and as a senior caught 52 balls for 700 yards... Also competed in track in the 100 and 200 meters. Personal: Born June 19, 1980 in Bakersfield, Calif... Son of Linda and George Jeffery... Has one brother (Tony) who played football at San Jose State and was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs... Plans on majoring in communications and working in television... Hobbies include watching television and playing ping pong... Was a member of the honor roll in high school and in junior college. Receiving Stats Year G/GS Rec. Yds. Avg. TD LG / Year G/GS UT AT Total Int. PBU / / / Totals 23/

17 JARED JOHNSTUN LINEBACKER Fr. RS Salt Lake City, Utah (Olympus HS) 46 Utah State: Spent the 2001 season on the offensive scout team, but will play linebacker this season... Projected as a top backup at an outside linebacker position (RS): Redshirted his first year at USU... Earned the team s offensive scout MVP honors. High School: Was a defensive end and tight end at Olympus... Was named second-team all-region... Recorded 20 sacks and was the team s second leading tackler among defensive lineman... Team won the state championship in Personal: Born Dec. 10, 1980 in Holliday, Utah... Son of Scott and Lori Johnstun... Has two brothers... Majoring in business and pre-med and would like to be a pediatrician after graduation... Main hobbies are fishing and camping. CORNELIUS ORNELIUS LAMB AMB CORNERBACK Fr. RS Phoenix, Ariz. (Agua Fria HS) 29 Utah State: Will provide depth at a cornerback position (RS): Redshirted his first year at USU. High School: Was a second-team all-region selection... Averaged 19 yards per reception and had four touchdowns as a wide receiver... Team lost in the state semifinals his senior year, finishing Was the MVP of the basketball team, while setting a school record en route to finishing second in the state in the triple jump. Personal: Born Feb. 8, 1983 in Phoenix, Ariz... Son of Cloyce Lamb, Paula Lamb and Reba Johnson-Tucker... Has four brothers and three sisters... Plans to major in computer engineering and work in computer software after graduation... Enjoys playing video games. DANE KIDMAN PLACEKICKER Sr. 1L Ogden, Utah (Ogden HS) 87 Quickly: Returns as the placekicker after taking over those duties last season (Jr.): Made seven-of-13 field goal attempts in his first year as USU s regular placekicker... Was 35- of-39 on extra point attempts as well... His season-long field goal was a 40-yarder against Wyoming... Made his first three attempts of the season before having one blocked against BYU... Was seven of 10 before missing his final three attempts in the last three games... Shared the team s special teams MVP honor with Steve Mullins (So.): Did not see any action while playing behind Brad Bohn (Fr.): Played in one game, booting a 44-yard field goal against Stephen F. Austin (RS): Redshirted after walking on the team. High School: Was an all-region selection as well as a two-time honorable mention all-region kicker... Long field goal was 42 yards... Also played soccer and was a four-year letterwinner... Served as the soccer captain his senior season. Personal: Born May 25, 1980 in Ogden, Utah... Undecided on his major, but would like to become an Air Force pilot... Main hobby is working on cars. Kicking Stats Year G FG Pct. LG PAT Pct. Pts. Avg Totals Dane Kidman averaged 5.1 points per game as a starter in

18 SAFETY So. 1L Peoria, Ariz. (Peoria HS) ROSS LUNA 36 BRANDON MCFEE WIDE IDE RECEIVER ECEIVER Fr. RS Pasadena, Calif. (John Muir HS) 82 Utah State: Had a solid spring and moved up to a top backup at one of the safety positions (Fr.): Saw enough time to letter... Played mainly on special teams during the year... Recorded five tackles on the season. High School: Played four years of high school football... Was a first-team all-state selection as a free safety as a senior... Earned conference defensive player of the year as a senior... Was named a first-tream all-conference selection as both a junior and a senior... Also played baseball and competed in track. Personal: Born March 23, 1983 in Phoenix, Ariz... Son of Ray and Gail Luna... Has one brother... Father played football at Fresno State... Undecided on his major... Hobbies include golf and snowboarding. Year G/GS UT AT Total Int. PBU / BRIAN MAJORS WIDE RECEIVER Fr. RS Moreno Valley, Calif. (Canyon Springs HS) 84 Utah State: Should see some time on the field this season (RS): Redshirted his first year at USU. High School: Was an all-region selection and earned team offensive MVP honors as a wide receiver... As a senior he had 35 receptions for 700 yards and six touchdowns... Defensively he recorded 45 tackles and had six interceptions... Also competed in track and earned all-league honors in the long jump and triple jump. Personal: Born June 12, 1983 in Long Beach, Calif. Son of Ronald and Gloria Majors... Has two sisters... Undecided on his major... Would like to be a business manager after graduation... Hobbies include coaching football and playing video games. Utah State: Will see time this season as a top backup at one of the wide receiver positions (RS): Redshirted his first year at USU. High School: Was an all-league and all-valley selection... Had 25 receptions for 496 yards as a wide receiver his senior year... Defensively he recorded more than 40 tackles and had two interceptions Fr. RS as a senior... Also competed in track. Personal: Pasadena, Born Calif. July 17, 1983 in Pasadena, Calif... Son of Sherre (John Holloway Muir HS) and Charles McFee... Has one brother... Undecided on his major... Likes to listen to music. CLINT MCKELL DEFENSIVE TACKLE Fr. HS Lehi, Utah (Lehi HS) 64 Utah State: Signed in the spring of 1999, but went on an LDS Church mission to the Philippines and did not enroll in school until the spring of Participated in spring drills in High School: Was a first-team all-state selection in Earned all-region honors as well... Served as a team captain and was his team s defensive player of the year... Recorded 128 tackles, 10 sacks, nine passes broken up and 28 hurries... Also competed in track and was third in the state in the discus in Personal: Born Nov. 16, 1980 in Salt Lake City, Utah... Son of Brent McKell and Charlotte McKell and Dana Nielsen... Has four siblings... Plans on majoring in biology and wants to go to medical school... Married and his wife s name is Theresa... Hobbies include all sports, fishing and hunting

19 OFFENSIVE TACKLE Sr. 1L San Francisco, Calif. (Riordan HS/City College of S.F.) PLAYER BARRY MCLAUGHLIN 69 Utah State: Will provide depth at the tackle position (Jr.): Started two games at tackle... Started against Central Florida and Weber State... Saw plenty of action during the season (RS): Redshirted his first year after transferring from City College of San Francisco. Junior College: Played two years at City College of San Francisco, earning all-league honorable mention honors as a freshman and first-team accolades as a sophomore... CCSF went 23-1 in his two years there and won the national championship in High School: Played two years and was his team s most inspirational player... Also competed in basketball and track. Personal: Born August 2, 1979 in Redwood City, Calif... Son of Jerry and Jeanne McLaughlin... Majoring in physical education and would like to teach and coach. PATRICK MCNUTT TIGHT END Fr. RS Saline, Mich. (Saline HS) Utah State: Could see Fr. RS some playing time at tight end (RS): Saline, Redshirted Mich. his first year at USU. High (Saline School: HS) A first-team all-league defensive end and tight end as a senior... Was a two-year starter... Named an all-area defensive end in 1999 and all-area tight end in Was also an academic all-league honoree... As a senior he had a teamleading 21 catches for 323 yards and three touchdowns... Defensively he recorded 53 tackles, including a team-best 19 sacks... Was an all-state academic honoree... Was a team captain... Team won the league championship his senior year... Also threw the discus and finished second in the state as a junior. Personal: Born Nov. 23, 1982 in Saline, Mich... Undecided on his major, but is leaning towards something in the sciences... Father Terry played college football... Mother is Marti and he has two sisters... Hobbies including snowboarding and wakeboarding... Was a four-year member of the honor roll. CHRIS MURASKI SAFETY Jr. SQ Libertyville, Ill. (Libertyville HS) 40 High School: Played free safety in high school... Boasted a 3.6 grade-point average. Personal: Born Dec. 10, 1979 in Lake Forest, Ill... Son of Tom and Rita Muraski.. Has two brothers and a sister... Plans to major in finance and economics... Would like to be a stock broker after graduation... Older brother Mike is a member of the USU football team as well. MIKE MURASKI RUNNING BACK So. TR Libertyville, Ill. (Libertyville HS/Lake Forrest) Utah State: Participated in spring practice... Transferred from Division III school Lake Forest. Previous College: Played defensive end and earned secondteam Freshman All-America honors. High School: Was an offensive guard and a nose guard in high school... Was team captain and earned all-conference, all-county and all-chicago-land honors... Also wrestled and played lacrosse. Personal: Born June 11, 1978 in Des Plaines, Ill... Son of Tom and Rita Muraski... Has two brothers, including younger brother Chris, who is a member of the football team as well... Wants to major in business and would like to run the family restaurant in Chicago after graduation... Hobbies include art and cars. FULLBACK TRENT NATE Jr. 1L Rock Springs, Wyo. (Rock Springs HS/Wyoming) 47 Utah State: Listed second at fullback entering the fall and should see plenty of time on offense as well as special teams (So.): Saw action on special teams in first year at USU... Was credited with two tackles on the season. Previous College: Attended Wyoming for one semester. High School: Was an all-state running back and an allconference linebacker as a senior... Played three seasons before graduating in Personal: Born Dec. 27, 1979 in Rock Springs, Wyo... Son of Cornell and Susan Nate... Has one brother and one sister... Undecided on his major... Main hobby is hunting... Was named to the National Honor Society and was a National Football Foundation Hall of Fame Scholar Athlete as well. Utah State: Participated in spring practice... Will look to move up the depth chart in the secondary. 31

20 JARED ARED NELTHORPE ELTHORPE DEEP SNAPPER Fr. RS Hemet, Calif. (West Valley HS) 54 Utah State: Will look to be a long snapper for the Aggies (RS): Redshirted his first year at USU. High School: Was a wide receiver and served as the team s deep snapper... Also played baseball and was a team captain. Personal: Born Nov. 3, 1982 in Atchison, Kan... Son of Mark and Lyndy Nelthorpe... Has one brother and two sisters... Undecided on his major... Hobbies include playing football and weight lifting. JIM NEWTON OFFENSIVE TACKLE Sr. 3L Newbury Park, Calif. (Newbury Park HS) 79 Utah State: Tops all current USU players with 22 career starts... One of six Aggies with three letters entering his senior season... At 6-10, he is the tallest USU football player in school history (Jr.): Started all 11 games at left tackle for the second straight year (So.): Started all 11 games at left tackle (RS): Redshirted the year with a shoulder injury (Fr.): Was pulled out of a possible redshirt season in the sixth game of the year at Washington... Saw action on the offensive line and on special teams... Blocked one kick. High School: Played on the line and at tight end at Newbury Park High School... Was a threeyear letterman... Also played basketball and was second-team allcounty after averaging 12 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks per game. Personal: Born Oct. 13, 1978 in Omaha, Neb... Enjoys playing basketball... Major is interdisciplinary studies. DONALD PENN OFFENSIVE LINE Fr. RS Playa Del Rey, Calif. (St. Bernard HS) 72 Utah State: Will provide depth as a top backup at one of the tackle spots (RS): Redshirted his first year at USU. High School: Named first-team all-cif as a prep senior... Was a first-team all-league selection as well... Earned his team s lineman of the year honor... As a junior he was a second-team allleague selection... Also played basketball in high school. Personal: Born April 27, 1983 in Los Angeles, Calif... Son of Donald and Nancy Penn... Has one sister... Father played college basketball... Plans on majoring in marketing... Main hobby is playing basketball. STUART PERRY QUARTERBACK Fr. RS Charlo, Mont. (Charlo HS) 17 Utah State: Spent last year as the scout team quarterback and will have to challenge to move up on the depth chart this season (RS): Redshirted his first year at Utah State. High School: Was a three-time all-state selection as a quarterback... Was the state's all-time passing leader as well as the passing touchdown leader in state history... Threw for 6,800 yards and 95 touchdowns in his career... Played in the East-West Shrine game... Team went 10-1 his senior year... Also played safety... Was a four-time all-state basketball player and set school records for points, rebounds and steals. Personal: Born July 24, 1981 in Charlo, Mont... Son of Shawn and Diane Perry... Undecided on his major... Main hobby is riding motor bikes

21 CASEY POPPINGA TIGHT END Academic all-big West (2000) Sr. 2L Evanston, Wyo. (Evanston HS/Wyoming) 81 Utah State: Listed as the starter at tight end... One of the more experienced players on the offensive side of the ball with two letters (Jr.): Started five games... Pulled in three receptions for 38 yards and one touchdown... Had a 22-yard reception against Oregon as well as a 10-yarder against Connecticut and a six-yard catch against South Florida... His touchdown came against Connecticut (So.): Started nine games... Was fifth on the team in receptions with 15 for 190 yards... Caught a two-point conversion... Had at least one reception in nine-of-11 games... His three catches against Idaho were season high, while his 56 yards on two receptions against Boise State was his best yardage total (RS): Redshirted after transferring from Wyoming. Previous College: Lettered at Wyoming in 1996, but did not record any statistics before going on an LDS Mission in 1997 and High School: Was an honorable mention All-America selection by USA Today as a senior at Evanston High School... Also earned first-team all-state honors that year as well... Was a two-time allconference selection... Selected to play in the Wyoming Shrine Bowl... Also competed in track and was third in the 110-meter hurdles and sixth in the 300-meter hurdles... He also played basketball... Was a member of the National Honor Society. Personal: Born Oct. 15, 1977 in Evanston, Wyo... Son of Dennis and Vicki Poppinga... His brother Brady plays football at BYU... Is a business administration major... Married and his wife s name is Britt. Receiving Stats Year G/GS No. Yds. Avg. TD LG / / Totals 19/ DEFENSIVE END Jr. 2L Brigham City, Utah (Box Elder HS) First-Team all-big West (2000) Academic all-big West (2000) NATE PUTNAM 91 Utah State: Did not participate in the spring due to injuries... Provides a big presence at 6-6 and if he stays healthy, will make a huge impact on the Aggie defense (So.): Started five games in an injury-plagued season... Recorded 20 tackles despite his shoulder injury... Had six tackles for loss which was third on the team... Two of those stops were sacks... Broke up five passes, second on the team and forced one fumble as well... Best tackle games were four-stop contests in consecutive weeks against Central Florida and Connecticut... Shared the team s sophomore of the year honor with Rodney Wilson (Fr.): Was the only league freshman to earn first-team all-big West Conference honors... Other honors included being tabbed academic all-big West as well as earning team honors as the outstanding defensive lineman and sharing the team s outstanding freshman award with David Fiefia... Became a starter in the fourth game... Led USU s down linemen and was sixth on the team in tackles with His 14 tackles for loss were second on the team, while his four sacks tied for the team lead... Had six passes broken up as well as blocking one kick... Forced two fumbles and recovered another one... Best tackle game was nine against New Mexico State... Also recorded seven tackles against Utah. High School: Was a two-year USA Today All-American as well as earning all-state and all-region honors twice... Was his team s MVP as well... Team won the state championship his junior year and finished third in his senior campaign... Also played basketball and was his team s MVP. Personal: Born Sept. 11, 1978 in Brigham City, Utah... Son of Greg and Becky Putnam... Is an exercise science major. Aggies By Class Seniors- 16 Juniors - 24 Sophomores - 16 Freshmen Year G/GS UT AT Total TFL Sacks FR / / Totals 20/

22 DAVID RAWLINS OFFENSIVE LINE Fr. RS Hyrum, Utah (Mountain Crest HS) 52 Utah State: Will provide depth on the offensive line, especially at the center position (RS): Redshirted his first year at USU. High School: Earned honorable mention all-state honors and was a first-team all-region selection as a senior... Played offensive guard and tackle... Also competed in track and field and finished seventh in the state in the shot put. Personal: Born May 29, 1982 in Logan, Utah... Son of Byron and Colleen Rawlins... Has three brothers and sisters... Major is sociology... Hobbies include fishing, bowling and play station. JAMES ROBINSON DEFENSIVE LINE So. 1L Phoenix, Ariz. (Brophy Prep HS) 70 Utah State: Will see a lot of playing time in the middle of the Aggie defensive line (Fr.): Saw some time at defensive end towards the end of the year... Was credited with two tackles. High School: A two-time all-region selection... Earned that honor as both an offensive and defensive tackle his senior year and as a defensive lineman as a junior... His senior year he was also tabbed as an all-arizona defensive lineman... Recorded 89 tackles his final year... Also had four and one-half sacks. Personal: Born August 27, 1982 in Salt Lake City, Utah... Son of Rick and Carol Robinson... Has one brother... Father played lacrosse at Colorado State... Hobbies include skiing and hunting... Plans to major in environmental science... Has been involved in tutoring elementary school students. Year G/GS UT AT Total TFL Sacks FR / ROGER (FERNANDEZ ERNANDEZ) ) ROBINSONR TAILBACK So. 1L Apple Valley, Calif. (Apple Valley HS) 28 Utah State: Changed his last name in the spring of 2002 to match his father s name... Showed great signs a year ago excelling on special teams play (Fr.): Played as a backup to Emmett White, while seeing a lot of action on special teams... As a back, he rushed eight times for 30 yards... Rushed three times for 17 yards against Brigham Young... Had his longest run of the year (13 yards) against Central Florida... Established a school record for kickoff return yardage in a season with 774 (22.8 average)... Also set a school mark with nine kickoff returns at Fresno State... Ranked 52nd in the NCAA in kickoff return average... His 219 kickoff return yards (on seven returns) against Brigham Young were the third most in the country during the year (RS): Redshirted his first year at Utah State... Was a cowinner of the offensive team scout MVP award with Brennen Burningham. High School: Was an all-league, all-area and all-county selection as a running back at Apple Valley... Rushed for 1,300 yards and 21 touchdowns on 151 carries in just seven games as a senior before spraining his foot... Best game was a 250-yard effort on just 18 carries against the ninth-ranked team in the Southern Section... As a junior he rushed for 1,200 yards and 11 touchdowns with a career-high of 325 yards against Burroughs... As a sophomore he rushed for 500 yards and five touchdowns... Also played free safety as a sophomore... Lettered four years in track and two years in basketball... Was the 100 and 200-meter league champion and was named the all-area sprinter of the year his senior season. Personal: Was born April 22, 1982 in Paramount, Calif... Wants to major in sociology and become a parole officer... Hobbies include lifting weights and being involved in his church youth group... Son of David and Betty Fernandez... Has three brothers and one sister. Rushing Stats Year G/GS Att. Yds. Avg. TD LG / Punt Return Year G/GS Att. Yds. Avg. TD LG / Kickoff Return Year G/GS Att. Yds. Avg. TD LG /

23 SAFETY Jr. JC Kingman, Ariz. (Kingman HS/Glendale JC) PLAYER MIKE ROSENCRANS OSENCRANS 21 Utah State: Signed with USU in December, Participated in spring practice in Should add depth at the safety position. Junior College: Earned honorable mention all-conference honors as a defensive back as a sophomore... Team won the national championship his freshman season (2000). High School: Was a two-time all-conference selection as an outside linebacker in high school... Also earned all-conference honors as a catcher in baseball. Personal: Born July 10, 1982 in Kingman, Ariz... Son of Andrea Sullivan... Has two brothers... Plans on majoring in business and starting his own restaurant... Hobbies include most sports. High School: Was a first-team all-cif offensive lineman as well as a two-time first-team all-league player as a center and as a defensive tackle... Started three years and was part of the 1997 conference championship team... Was a shot putter on the track team. Personal: Born July 18, 1980 in Los Angeles, Calif... Son of Joan and Pete Scheper... Has four older brothers and one older sister... Two brothers played football at Harvard, while his brother Paul played in high school with John Elway... Graduated in 2002 and is working on his master s degree... Wants to be a high school football coach or in law enforcement... Hobbies include lifting weights, playing racquetball and reading. DERREK SHANK SAFETY Jr. 2L Glendale, Ariz. (Apollo HS) 25 SCOTT ROSS DEEP SNAPPER Jr. TR Clifton, Va. (Centerville HS/Salisbury State) Utah State: Will battle for playing time as a deep snapper. Previous College: Played as a linebacker and long snapper... Recorded 21 tackles and one sack. High School: Played linebacker and long snapper... Earned eight player of the week honors... Team won consecutive district championships... Also wrestled and was a two-time district runner-up. Personal: Born June 9, 1981 in Redlands, Calif... Son of Steve and Sandy Ross... Has one sister... Plans to major in history... Would like to coach college football after graduation... Hobbies include traveling and wrestling... Uncles played college football... Grandfather was an All-American runner at Kansas. MIKE SCHEPER OFFENSIVE CENTER Sr. 1L LaCanada, Calif. (St. Francis HS/Willamette) 55 Utah State: Emerged from the spring as the starter at safety... Provides experience in the secondary (So.): Started the first four games of the year before playing as a reserve the rest of the season... Registered 31 tackles on the season... Had two tackles for loss, including one sack... Recorded an interception against Central Florida... Also broke up one pass and forced one fumble... Opened the year with a season-high nine tackles at Utah... Had seven tackles in the next game against LSU... Closed the year with six stops at Fresno State (Fr.): Started the final six games of the season at free safety... Recorded 39 tackles and shared the team lead with two interceptions... Also registered five passes broken up... Was credited with a season-high 13 tackles at New Mexico State... Had six stops against Idaho. High School: A three-year letterwinner at Apollo High School... Was an all-region selection on defense and on special teams, while earning second-team accolades on offense as a senior... Was an honorable mention all-region choice as a sophomore... Played cornerback and wing back... Team won two regional championships and advanced to the state playoffs three times... Also lettered in basketball and baseball and was an honorable mention all-region outfielder. Personal: Born Dec. 16, 1981 in Philadelphia, Pa... Wants to major in communications... Likes to watch television and play video games... Son of Gordon and Helen Shank... Has one sister... Made the honor roll three straight semester in high school. Year G/GS UT AT Total TFL PBU INT / / Totals 20/ Utah State: The top backup at the center position (Jr.): Earned a letter playing on special teams with some limited time on the offensive line. Previous College: Played the 1998 and 1999 seasons at Willamette, a Division III school in Salem, Ore... Was a two-time first-team all-conference center... Willamette won the 1999 conference championship. 35

24 36 PLAYER JAMES SPOKLIE LINEBACKER Fr. RS Pocatello, Idaho (Century HS) 53 Utah State: Will provide depth at one of the outside linebacker positions (RS): Redshirted his first year at USU. High School: Earned first-team all-state honors his senior year... Was the all-area and all-conference defensive most valuable player as well... Recorded 126 tackles, and had 13 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries... Team won state championship. Personal: Born August 17, 1983 in Pocatello, Idaho... Son of Pam and Jim Spoklie... Has five siblings... Brother Josh played football at Idaho State... Undecided on his major... Likes to play golf, pool and read. CHRIS STALLWORTH WIDE RECEIVER Jr. 2L Sacramento, Calif. (Grant HS) 15 Utah State: A good-sized target at Started 15 games his first two seasons at USU and should start again this season (So.): Was fourth on the team in receptions with Recorded 384 yards in receptions and his four touchdowns tied for second on the team... Started eight games on the year... Best game statistically was against Wyoming when he had seven catches for 65 yards and one touchdown... Had at least three receptions in seven games and at least one catch in 10 games (did not have a reception in the season opener)... In season finale against Fresno State, he had three catches for 62 yards, including a season-long 45-yarder (Fr.): Started six games as a true freshman... Caught 26 passes for 289 yards and one touchdown... His reception total and yardage total were both fourth on the team... Did not catch a pass in the first two games before hauling in four for 61 yards at Arizona State... Best game was a nine-reception outing for 62 yards at North Texas... Late in the year he caught five balls for 55 yards at New Mexico State. High School: An all-city selection after playing wide receiver and cornerback... As a senior he caught 40 passes for 896 yards... Also had six interceptions for a team that went 12-2 on the year... Played baseball and competed in track as well. Personal: Born April 1, 1982 in Mobile, Ala... Wants to major in history and then coach and teach at the high school level... Hobbies include going to movies and playing basketball and baseball... Son of Evelyn and Lawrence Stallworth... Has two brothers and one sister... Has a cousin who played football at Tennessee... Was on the school s honor roll Receiving Stats Year G/GS No. Yds. Avg. TD LG / / Totals 21/ JAKE STEWART DEFENSIVE END Fr. HS Logan, Utah (Logan HS) 57 Utah State: Signed in the spring of 1999, but went on an LDS Church mission and did not enroll in school until the spring of Participated in spring practice in High School: Was a first-team all-state pick as a senior... Also earned all-region and all-valley honors two times... Played defensive end and on the offensive line... Recorded 62 tackles and added three tackles for loss, seven sacks, five hurries and one fumble recovery as a senior... Was a three-year starter on the offensive line, playing center and guard as a sophomore and tackle as a junior and senior... Also played baseball and basketball... Was an honorable mention all-state baseball selection and earned all-region honorable mention honors in basketball. Personal: Born Jan. 11, 1981 in Logan, Utah... Son of Frank and Nancy Stewart... Father played football at Snow Junior College... Has three younger sisters... Undecided on his major, but would like to earn a master s degree after getting his bachelor s degree... Hobbies include hunting, fishing, camping and sports. Chris Stallworth had 33 receptions for 384 yards and four touchdowns during his sophomore season.

25 JORGE ORGE TAPIA APIA DEFENSIVE TACKLE Jr. 2L Oxnard, Calif. (Hueneme HS) 73 Utah State: A two-year starter in the middle of the Aggie defensive line (So.): Started all 11 games in the interior part of the line... Was credited with 15 tackles... Recorded two tackles for loss, including one sack... Had an interception against Connecticut, becoming the first defensive lineman with a pickoff since Ben Crosland in Blocked a field goal attempt against Utah... Best statistical games were three-tackle performances against Utah and Fresno State (Fr.): Started eight games at defensive tackle in his freshman year... Was the thirdleading tackler among USU s defensive linemen with 36 stops... Also had 10 tackles for loss, including three sacks... Was credited with nine tackles agianst Idaho and then had eight the next week against Arkansas State (RS): Redshirted his first year at USU. High School: Was all-league, all-county, all-region and all-cif selection as a senior... Started three years as a defensive tackle and offensive lineman... Also wrestled and competed in track. Personal: Born July 26, 1981 in Oxnard, Calif... Wants to major in criminal justice and become a probation officer... Hobbies include wrestling, track, model cars and spending time with friends... Was a two-time honor student with a grade point average of 3.5. Last name is pronounced Tap-E-uh. Year G/GS UT AT Total TFL Sacks INT / / Totals 20/ RYAN TAYLOR LINEBACKER Fr. HS Salt Lake City, Utah (Skyline HS) 42 Utah State: Competed in spring practice and impressed the Aggie coaches. High School: Was an all-state selection as a defensive end... Also played tight end... Led the team in sacks and was second in tackles his senior year (1998)... His team won back-to-back state championships... Also played basketball. Personal: Born Nov. 5, 1980 in Salt Lake City, Utah... Son of Michael and Tamie Taylor... Has one brother and two sisters... Plans to major in biology and then attend medical school... Hobbies include basketball, golf, skiing and mountain biking. JASON THOMAS WIDE RECEIVER Fr. RS Temecula Valley, Calif. (Temecula HS) 80 Utah State: Showed good signs in spring practice and will play as a backup in the Aggie wide receiver corps (RS): Redshirted his first year at USU. High School: Missed most of his senior season due to tearing an ACL in the first game of the year... Returned for the final two games of the regular season as well as two playoff games... Transferred to Temecula Valley for his senior season after spending his junior and sophomore years at Valley View High School... As a junior he caught 29 passes for 400 yards... Also played as a sophomore and recorded 12 receptions for 150 yards... Played baseball and was named his team s offensive most valuable player. Personal: Born Jan. 29, 1983 in Madrid, Spain... Son of James and Crystal Thomas... Has one brother and one sister... Plans to major in business administration... Hobbies include all sports, spending time with family and being active in church. Jorge Tapia has started 19 games in his first two seasons at Utah State including all 11 during the 2001 season. 37

26 LAYER ROFILES LUIS TRUJILLO OFFENSIVE GUARD Sr. 2L Long Beach, Calif. (Poly HS) 78 Utah State: Has started in each of the last two seasons and will man the left guard position this season (Jr.): Started five of the last six games at left guard (So.): Started three of the first five games of the year and then saw plenty of time in a reserve role (RS): Redshirted the season. High School: Selected to the all-cif, all-league and California Dream Teams in His team went 14-0, won the CIF Championship and was ranked second in the country by USA Today... In addition to playing offensive line, he also long snapped... Played three years at Gabrellino High School before finishing his prep career at Long Beach Poly... Also wrestled in high school. Personal: Son of Luis Trujillo and Cecila Perez... Born Jan. 14, 1980 in Los Angeles... Major is social work. RONALD TUPEA DEFENSIVE TACKLE So. 1L West Valley City, Utah (Hunter HS) 92 Utah State: Made an impact his freshman year and after starting seven games last year, is listed as a starter once again (Fr.): Started the final seven games of the year... Recorded 23 tackles on the season, including one for loss... Best game statistically was his six-tackle game against Idaho State... Also had three stops against South Florida... Shared the team s top freshman of the year honor with Robert Watts. High School: A two-time all-state selection as a junior and senior... Earned honorable mention all-region honors as a sophomore... Played tight end and defensive end... Averaged 21 yards per reception as a tight end and made 95 tackles, two sacks and had three pass deflections on defense his senior year... Also played basketball and baseball. Personal: Born Jan. 17, 1982 in Seattle, Wash... Son of Itula and Francella Tupea... Has three brothers and one sister... Two brothers played junior college football, including Elliott, who was a junior college All-American at Dixie (Utah) JC... Wants to major in physical therapy or dentistry... Hobbies include all sports. GREG REG VANDERMADE ANDERMADE OFFENSIVE LINE Jr. JC Newhall, Calif. (Hart HS/College of the Canyons) Utah State: Signed with USU in December, Participated in spring practice in Will have a good battle with Trevor Hutton for the starting right guard position. Junior College: Was a two-time all-conference selection for a team which went 19-3 and won two conference championships in his two years there (2000 and 2001)... Was named a first-team JC Grid-Wire academic All-American as a senior... Also earned NSCA Strength and Conditioning All-America honors as well. High School: Was all-league selection on the offensive line... Lettered two seasons... His teams were 27-1 in his two years, including two CIF Section III championships. Personal: Born Feb. 22, 1982 in Morristown, N.J... Son of Richard and Barbara Vandermade... Has two sisters... Plans to major in business at USU... Main hobby is music. RICHARD WATSON TAILBACK Fr. RS Sacramento, Calif. (Grant HS) 33 Utah State: Provides a nice change of pace in the USU backfield with his stronger frame (RS): Redshirted his first year at USU... Was the only running back on the scout team. High School: Named his league s player of the year as a senior... Was a first-team all-state and all-league selection as a prep senior... Rushed for 1,400 yards and 26 touchdowns his final year at Grant High School... Also recorded 110 tackles and five interceptions defensively... As a junior he was second-team allstate and first-team all-league... He rushed for 1,100 yards and 22 touchdowns, while recording 94 tackles and two interceptions on defense... Was an all-league pick as a sophomore... Also played basketball. Personal: Born Feb. 21, 1983 in Sacramento, Calif... Son of Robert and Julia Watson... Has one brother and one sister... Plans on majoring in business administration... Likes to spend time with his family. Year G/GS UT AT Total TFL Sacks FR /

27 LAYER ROFILES ROBERT WATTS LINEBACKER So. 1L Lancaster, Calif. (Paraclete HS) 30 Utah State: Listed as the starter at one of the outside linebacker positions (Fr.): Started four games in place of Tony Newson... Saw plenty of action as a backup in the other games... Made 28 tackles, including one for loss... Recovered one fumble as well... Had a season-high five tackles at LSU... Recorded at least three tackles in seven games... Shared the team s top freshman of the year award with Ronald Tupea (RS): Redshirted his first year at Utah State... Was named the team s defensive scout MVP. High School: Was named the defensive MVP of the CIF as well as the defensive MVP of his league... Was an all-valley first-team selection as well as an all-los Angeles Times first-team pick his senior year... Was named to the Gridiron Great Team... As a senior he recorded 109 tackles, including 43 solo stops... Also added five sacks and had two interceptions... Recorded more than 200 tackles in his prep career, while also recording 15 career sacks and five career interceptions... Also played basketball and baseball. Personal: Born Feb. 16, 1982 in Lancaster, Calif... Undecided on major... Hobbies include all sports... Parents are Joe and Bridget Watts... Has two brothers and one sister. Year G/GS UT AT Total TFL Sacks FR / REGGIE WILLSON CORNERBACK So. SQ Ogden, Utah (Weber HS) 23 Utah State: Will provide depth in the USU secondary and should see time on special teams (Fr.): Played enough to earn a letter in his first season at USU... Played mainly on special teams... Did not record any statistics. High School: Was a second-team all-state selection as a tailback and earned all-area first-team honors twice... Was his team s MVP and played in the Down Under Bowl in Australia in Also competed in track and was second in the state in the 100-meters. Personal: Born June 21, 1980 in North Ogden, Utah... Son of Brad and Jami Willson... Has one brother and two sisters... Will major in business management and would like to start his own business after graduation... Hobbies include hunting, camping, and snowmobiling. RODNEY WILSON LINEBACKER Jr. 2L Pensacola, Fla. (Woodham HS) 49 Rodney Wilson recorded two sacks and five tackles for loss during his sophomore season. Utah State: Started last season and will return in that role again this year (So.): Started six games on the year... Did not start the other five as USU started five defensive backs in those games... Recorded 26 tackles on the year... Had five tackles for loss, including two sacks... Best game was against Wyoming when he had 10 tackles... Had four stops in season-opener against Utah... Was a co-winner of the USU sophomore of the year honor with Nate Putnam (Fr.): Pressed into action in his first year at USU... Recorded five tackles with most of his time on special teams. High School: A third-team all-state selection from a talentproducing state... As a senior he was also named first-team all- Northwest Florida, first-team all-district and all-big Six... As a junior he earned second-team all-northwest Florida and all-big Six honors... His senior year he recorded 109 tackles, three and one-half sacks and one interception... For his career he was credited with 305 tackles... He also competed in track and finished second in the district in the 400-meters... Maintained a 3.0 GPA throughout high school. Personal: Born Oct. 12, 1981 in Pensacola, Fla... Would like to major in sports medicine and become a trainer at the collegiate or professional level... Hobbies include playing basketball, fishing, lifting weights and watching movies... Son of Ruth Armstrong and Richard Wilson... Has one brother. Year G/GS UT AT Total TFL Sacks Int. PBU / / Totals 15/