All three quarterbacks from the 2023 Utah State roster are gone.
Cooper Legas has since transferred to Tulsa, and McCae Hillstead packed up and moved just down the road to BYU. Levi Williams decided to forego his senior year and is instead preparing for Navy SEAL training.
All three QBs contributed and were part of the reason the Aggies had the top offense in the Mountain West last season. They led the league with 438 yards per game and their 33.2 points per game ranked second. Legas and Hillstead both passed for over 1,000 yards, and Williams generated 634 yards of total offense on the season.
Utah State needed to find another QB, and it looks like it may have done so through the transfer portal. The Aggies brought in Spencer Petras from Iowa and Bryson Barnes from Utah. As of now, Petras looks like the guy who will be the Week 1 starter and went 20-11 for the Hawkeyes, passing for 5,199 yards and 24 touchdowns with 19 interceptions throughout his four seasons at Iowa. Barnes started 11 games during his four years at Utah and finished with 2,025 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions.
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Jalen Royals Returning For Utah State
Regardless of who’s named the starter, both QBs should be pleased with the returning weapons. Most notably is first-team All-Mountain West wideout Jalen Royals. The senior led the league with 15 receiving TDs and his 83.1 YPG ranked third. He landed on the HERO Sports All-American second team.
It’s hard for a QB to find a better target than Royals. He’s fast, physical, and is always making plays.
The Aggies are also bringing back WRs Micah Davis and Colby Bowman. Davis was third on the roster last year with 36 receptions for 628 yards and six TDs. He was also an excellent kick returner. Bowman finished with 247 yards on 11 receptions and six scores. Last year’s leading tight end, Broc Lane, will also be back after his 21-reception, 208-yard campaign.
Utah State’s Rushing Attack
While losing leading rusher Davon Booth to Mississippi State isn’t ideal, the Aggies don’t have to worry too much about losing a ton of production from their backfield. Rashul Faison nearly split carries with Booth last year and will be back for his second season at Utah State after rushing for 736 yards and five scores on 118 carries. He started three games.
Robert Briggs could be Faison’s backup and was also a big contributor, finishing with 430 yards and two scores on 80 rushes.
Utah State will have plenty of familiarity up front with six linemen returning who started at least seven games last season. Senior Cole Motes started all 10 games he played in with eight starts at right tackle and two at left tackle. Wyatt Bowles started the final eight games at right guard, and Falepule Alo made eight starts at center. Aloali’i Maui had nine starts — five at right guard and four at center — and Tavo Motu’apuaka started seven games at RG last year. Sophomore Teague Andersen also started seven games which included snaps at right tackle, left tackle, and center.
There’s probably nothing better for a new QB than to have an experienced, versatile offensive line and some top-notch weapons, especially when all are staying in the same offensive system.
The Aggies have the players they need to have a premier offense in the league again. They’ll just need to get quality QB play from the newcomers.
