LOGAN — The eyes of much of the college football world have settled on Salt Lake City as of late, as the No. 6-ranked Utah Utes continue to make a case for a spot in the College Football Playoff.
Among those watching the Utes closely are two pairs of eyes some 80-plus miles away.
Tight end Caleb Repp and wide receiver Siaosi Mariner — former Utah football players and current graduate transfers to Utah State — have kept close watch on their former team’s rise through the polls.
And yes, they’ve talked about both the success of their former teammates and their respective decisions to leave Utah.
“Of course we’ve talked about it,” said Repp, somewhat incredulously. “What they’re doing is incredible. While we were there it was kind of building up to that, to what they are now. Shout-out to them, they’re doing great. It’s awesome to see that. I’m rooting for them all the way, too. It’s pretty cool to see Utah do that well.”
As great a season as Utah is having, Repp wouldn’t change a thing, though. He believes both he and Mariner, as well as other grad transfers to Utah State such as defensive end Nick Heninger (Utah) and BYU grad transfer Riley Burt, made the right choice for themselves by taking their talents to Logan.
“Me, personally, I wouldn’t change anything,” he said. “I’d rather be happy and be on a team that has to fight every week instead of being miserable and winning a bunch of games.”
Utah State head coach Gary Andersen, who was an associate head coach at Utah last season, agrees.
“Caleb has really enjoyed his time here. He sees his Utah State career coming to a close really quick, and from what he tells me and how he carries himself, he believes this was a great decision,” Andersen said. “I know this was a great decision for all of those transfers; all of those transfers that came here made us a different team. We would not be where we are today without those guys that transferred here. Those grad transfers were a big part of what we’ve done this year and they all have had success. All of those guys were great additions to our program.”
Aggies on the air
Utah State (6-5, 5-2) at New Mexico (2-9, 0-7)
Dreamstyle Stadium, Albuquerque, N.M.
Saturday, 2 p.m. MST
TV: Facebook
Radio: KZNS 1280