It wasn’t particularly groundbreaking, and for Utah State especially, but when Bronco Mendenhall was introduced as the new head coach of the Aggies last week, he made a point to talk about bringing in players from the state of Utah.
Because of his extensive ties to the area — after his long tenure at BYU — sure, but also because of the connection local players have to local universities and communities.
“I intend to capitalize,” Mendenhall said. “Gosh, when you spend as much time in this state as I have and been a head coach for as long as I have in this state, if I were to show you the text messages — it is a world record. From influence and impact from past that is now relevant now.”
Mendenhall went on to say that the quality of high school football in Utah has “grown” and “improved” a great deal since he left BYU following the 2015 season.
“There are amazing young people here and they are tough and gritty,” he said. “Gosh, strong character, well schooled and well taught. ... They are in our state and would align really well here.
“It makes complete sense for me for that to be the primary place we start. Not the only place, but the primary place we start for our program. I believe that those kids, playing in front of family, for communities to watch kids from their own community and own state, that connection is deeper. It is more meaningful and there is a stronger tie. I believe in that, I like that and that is the direction we intend to go.”
So far, Mendenhall and his staff have done exactly what they said they would do. Through Dec. 17, the Aggies have landed four commitments since Mendenhall took over, and all four are Utahns.
Former Sky View high standout Titan Saxton was the first. After a strong season at Snow College this fall, Saxton signed with New Mexico while Mendenhall was still there, before then moving to USU with him.
Saxton was just the first though. In the last week, Lehi’s Abe Jager and Viewmont’s Ryan Tillman both committed to the Aggies.
Jager is a three-star recruit, while Tillman is an unrated recruit. Both play in the secondary — Jager is a cornerback, Tillman a safety — an area in which the Aggies have experienced a great deal of attrition this winter.
The duo of Jager and Tillman combined for nearly 70 tackles, seven interceptions and 16 pass breakups as seniors this fall, and while they aren’t likely to contribute immediately, they form the base of Mendenhall’s first real haul of talent at Utah State.
On Tuesday, USU may have received its most important commitment of the offseason so far. In a post on X, junior safety Ike Larsen announced that he is coming back to Utah State for his senior season.
Larsen had an up-and-down junior season but still managed to be one of the Aggies’ more productive defenders. His return means that Utah State’s secondary won’t be filled with unknowns next season, no matter who else the Aggies add via the transfer portal.
Mendenhall promised that USU wouldn’t confine its recruiting efforts to only Utah, but he emphasized the need to recruit at home first. So far, the Aggies’ new staff has done just that.
