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Logan • Multiple changes within the Utah State football staff this winter did not adversely affect the Aggies' recruiting, according to head coach Matt Wells.
Twenty players signed their national letters of intent with Utah State on Wednesday, including 16 freshmen, four junior college transfers and seven from in-state high school programs.
Eight new players are already enrolled in the program and will participate in spring practice. Three Bingham linebacker Simian Matagi, Sky View tight end Bryce Mortenson and Dixie running back Tre Miller will serve LDS Church missions before enrolling.
"It's a long, athletic class … with a few guys who are multi-position guys and multi-sport guys," Wells said. "I like that. Those guys are competitive by nature."
Among the new recruits, 12 play offense and eight play defense. Five are ranked as three-star prospects by rivals.com, including cornerback Makiah Gilmer from Kirkland, Wash., running back Morian Walker Jr. from San Jose and quarterback Jordan Love of Bakersfield, Calif., along with Mortenson and Miller.
Wells, however, doesn't put much stock in recruiting rankings.
"In terms of stars," he said, "I don't know that until somebody tells us. … As long as we like them and our coaches like them and as long as they fit the criteria academically, character-wise and football-wise we're going to recruit them."
Wells cites departing Utah State linebackers Kyler Fackrell and Nick Vigil as examples of successful players who were not heavily recruited.
"It doesn't matter," he said. "We're about to have two [NFL] draft picks that had one offer. So it is what it is. It's great for you [media] guys to write and everything. But once they walk into our locker room, I want our players to welcome guys, whether they are a walk-on or they turn down Pac-12 and Big 12 offers. And I think they do."
Love, who threw for 2,184 yards and 21 touchdowns last season at Liberty High School, is the only quarterback in Utah State's recruiting class.
"I don't know where Jordan is right now," Wells said. "I know he'll be better in training camp than he'll be in spring ball. Think about it. Jordan Love should be in [high school] chemistry class right now. He's a young, young 17-year-old kid. But he's a very talented kid."
Admittedly, Wells have been scrambling during the final month of recruiting.
Six assistant coaches, including offensive coordinator Josh Heupel and defensive coordinator Kevin Clune, left for other jobs. Co-defensive coordinator Frank Maile and defensive line coach David Kotulski have been hired but, for awhile, Wells and three holdover assists were the only ones recruiting.
"I don't think it had major impact a negative impact," Wells said. "What was hard was just the sheer numbers. This isn't basketball recruiting. … We're juggling the 20 dudes that we signed and another 20 we were actively recruiting. So that was a load, just in terms of manpower. That was a major challenge."
The recruiting effort forced Wells to "pause for a minute" regarding the completion of his new staff. But he said, "That's starting to amp back up now."
Twitter: @sluhm
Utah State recruits
Name Pos. Ht/Wt HS/Juco
Demytrick Ali'ifua OL 6-3/280 San Leandro HS (Calif.)
His brother, Ricky, is a defensive end at USU
Caden Andersen DE 6-3/280 Logan HS
After a mission, expected to contribute quickly
Alex Byers WR 6-3/175 Antelope Vy. JC (Calif.)
Scored 18 TDs in 20 games over two seasons
Antonio Cole CB 6-1/180 NE Oklahoma A&M
All-State in Oklahoma as a high school senior
Makiah Gilmer S 6-1/180 Juanita HS (Wash.)
Also had offers from UNLV, Idaho and others
Rayshad Lewis CB/WR 5-9/165 Bishop Moore HS (Fla.)
Son of former NFL star linebacker Ray Lewis
Jordan Love QB 6-2/179 Liberty HS (Calif.)
Threw for 1,960 yards, 21 TDs as a senior
Simian Matagi LB 6-2/205 Bingham HS
Helped make Miner defense one of the best
Viliamu McMoore OL 6-5/265 Kapolei HS (Hawaii)
Named all-state by the Honolulu Star-Advertiser
Tre Miller RB 6-1/215 Dixie HS
Mission is next, picked the Aggies over Wyoming
Bryce Mortenson TE 6-6/210 Sky View HS
Will serve a church mission before enrolling
Troy Murray DE 6-5/210 Logan HS
Flipped after committing to MWC rival Nevada
Craig Rucker WR 5-8/160 Edgewater HS (Fla.)
Offers from Toledo, Akron, Ball State, others
Ty Shaw OL 6-5/285 Herriman HS
Originally committed to play at Southern Utah
Zach Swenson S 6-1/185 East HS
Also a Tribune all-stater in soccer as a senior
Ron'quavion Tarver WR 6-4/215 Fort Scott CC (Kansas)
Last year: 44 receptions, 508 yards, 3 TDs
Sean Taylor OL 6-5/280 Laney JC (Calif.)
He'll have three years to play two for the Aggies
Justus Te'i LB/TE 6-2/220 Mission Hills HS (Calif.)
Other offers: Navy, Nevada, San Diego State
Morian Walker Jr. RB/CB 6-1/200 Valley Christian HS (Calif.)
He has reportedly run a 4.49 in the 40-yard dash
David Woodward LB 6-3/195 Olympia HS (Wash.)
Missed junior season in high school with a back injury