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New Utah State coach Gary Andersen held a few scholarships available just in case.
Well, the just-in-case scenario happened and three high school players have signed with the Aggies and will join USU this fall.
"Sometimes there are kids that don't get signed right away," Andersen said. "We think we've got some real high-quality athletes and they'll help us a lot."
Jackie Wilson and Travis Reynolds, teammates at Boyd Anderson High in Lauderdale Lake, Fla., and Kerwynn Williams, a do-everything athlete at Las Vegas' Valley High, have signed letters, Andersen said.
Williams had all sorts of numbers on the field but was overlooked by many schools, Andersen said, because of the number on his roster. At just 5-9, Williams might have been seen as too small by most Division I coaches. But Andersen said once he got a look at his game film — not to mention the 2,002 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns this season — he was convinced he could play at Utah State.
"His size might have hurt him," Andersen said. "But look at guys like (Oregon State's Jaquizz) Rogers. He's got all sorts of ability."
With a 3.8 GPA, Williams was also honored with one of 50 national Old Spice Red Zone Player of the Year awards.
Williams also played quarterback for Valley High and passed for 692 yards.
Wilson, also a 6-foot-1, 200-pound guard on the highly rated Boyd Anderson basktball team, had 1,507 passing yards and 773 rushing yards for the Cobras over the past two years. This season, he led the team with 424 rushing yards and 982 passing yards for a combined 14 touchdowns.
Reynolds, a 5-11, 180-pounder, was the team's leading receiver with 45 catches for 493 yards. Andersen said Reynolds was rated the No. 29 high school wide reciever by ESPNU and was the University of Miami wide receiver MVP at the school's summer camp.
Andersen said the duo was brought to Utah State by new cornerbacks coach Corey Raymond who was at Louisiana State before joining the Aggies a few weeks ago.
"They are all obviously skilled players on the offensive side. For whatever reason, they just hadn't found their fit," Andersen said. "They're exactly what we were looking for in some late signings."
E-mail: jeborn@desnews.com