Wednesday’s national signing day yielded quite the crop of newcomers for Utah State. The Aggies announced 36 signing players, 32 of whom are transfers and four are high schoolers.
During Wednesday’s press conference, head coach Bronco Mendenhall emphasized filling holes and getting better, but not equal.
One of the biggest Achilles heels the Aggies suffered from last season was their offensive line. It had a star quarterback in Bryson Barnes, but more often than not, he had to make plays because the offensive line didn’t give him enough time in the pocket. That is the area Utah State needs to see the biggest improvement in heading into next season.
The Aggies signed 15 offensive players, with five being linemen.
“The simple principle that we operate under in our program this time of year is we call it greater than, not equal to,” Mendenhall said. “They’re expected, and coaching staff, myself included, we’re expected to be greater than, not equal to last year’s version of us.
“... With the offensive front, just is one position, we’re looking to bring in, with no disrespect to anyone that we just lost, but we’re looking into bringing better than what we just had. Not only by the qualities of each player, but by the number. And so that’s a high number, and there possibly still could be another addition. That reflects not only the need, but the emphasis.”
One of the most significant transfer announcements was that BYU quarterback McCae Hillstead will be returning to the Aggies. In his true freshman year in Logan, Hillstead threw for 1,062 yards and 11 touchdowns on a 59.5% completion percentage.
“What a capable leader I’ve already seen, and then athletic and fast, and he throws the ball well,” Mendenhall said. “It’s just a natural partnership as I see it. I think he’s craving and dying for the chance to be able to be the starting quarterback and have that experience and to lead a team and to learn and grow and become and demonstrate what he’s truly capable of.”
After Jake Retzlaff transferred from BYU, the Cougars had a battle for the starting position, which Hillstead ended up losing to true freshman Bear Bachmeier.
Utah State also received Virginia quarterback transfer Grady Brosterhous. True freshman quarterbacks Kaleb Maryland and Brady Goodman round out the Aggies’ quarterback room.
Mendenhall said offensive coordinator Robert Anae is ecstatic with his quarterback room in his first year in Logan.
“(We) really like Grady, our quarterback from Virginia,” Mendenhall said. “(He’s) been so impressive in leadership and size and physicality and speed. ... Then our high school players, both those young quarterbacks. I’ll put it this way, our offensive coordinator, Robert, he’s almost giddy, and that’s not characteristic for Robert.
“I heard him talking to a colleague, and he says, ‘You can’t believe the quarterback situation I walked into.’ He’s smiling and talking in a really positive way. So we really like where we are quarterback-wise right now.”
When talking about the quarterback room, Mendenhall was asked whether Anthony Garcia was in contention at that position. Garcia was a go-to guy for trick plays, and the Aggies got success through it. He completed six of seven passes, for four touchdowns, last season.
Mendenhall said while they could still use him similarly next season, he plans to keep him at wide receiver.
Two defensive transfers also highlight Utah State’s signing day. California transfer and Draper native Harrison Taggart is among the 20 defensive signees.
Before his time at Cal, Taggart was a significant piece of the 2024 BYU defense. He tallied 69 total tackles, which was second-highest on the team.
“What a unique journey he’s been on from Oregon to BYU, then to Cal, and now to Utah State,” Mendenhall said. “What a great addition in terms of willingness and embracing the culture and fitting. I think he feels really lucky and grateful to be here at this time and have this opportunity. For us, the same, adding a player who has experience and production.”
The other big defensive transfer is Texas Tech safety Chapman Lewis. Lewis became a starter for the Red Raiders in his sophomore year in 2024. He started in all 11 games he played that year and recorded 43 tackles and three interceptions.
The biggest question for Lewis is his knee injury. He redshirted the 2025 year after sustaining a knee injury in the 2024 Liberty Bowl.
“He was a starter at Texas Tech, not this past year, but the year before,” Mendenhall said. “I know (Texas Tech’s) coach very well ... I called him and talked to him about Chap, and they really wanted him to stay. That’s always a strong endorsement, especially for another head coach that I know and trust, and this was a great opportunity for him.”
