QUARTERBACK

2020 players not returning: Jason Shelley (Dismissed from the team; Transfer Portal)

2021 post-spring ball attrition: None

Returning players: Josh Calvin, Garrett Larson, Cooper Legas, Andrew Peasley

New Faces in 2021:

Logan Bonner 6’1″ 220 (247 2*) – Arkansas State University – (2 years to play 2)
2020 (Sr.) Stats: 106 completions 173 attempts 1,160 yards 11 TDs 3 INTs; 29 carries 5 yards; 1 reception yards
2019 (Jr.) Stats: 91 completions 154 attempts 1,052 yards 10 TDs 1 INT; 20 carries (-7) yards, 1 reception 37 yards 1 TD
2018 (So) Stats: 15 completions 32 attempts 151 yards 1 TD 1 INT; 5 carries 33 yards
2017 (RsFr.) Stats: 9 completions 21 attempts 70 yards 1 TD 1 INT; 7 carries 11 yards
2016 (Fr.) Stats: Redshirted at Arkansas State
Offers from: Arkansas St, Florida International, Middle Tennessee St, Washington St, Western Kentucky
Original offers from: Arkansas St, Eastern Washington, Southern Mississippi, Texas-San Antonio
https://bigblueusuaggienews.com/2021/07/19/2021-usu-football-signing-day-introduction-qb-logan-bonner/
https://247sports.com/player/logan-bonner-61712/
https://www.hudl.com/profile/3139869/Logan-Bonner

2021 OUTLOOK

In regards to the NCAA mandated eligibility freeze from the 2020 season, what I’ve learned is that the players eligibility will continue to accrue. Once the player reaches his 4th or 5th season, depending on if the player uses a redshirt season, the player will have the option to return to school for a 5th or 6th season and continue playing one more season. The player will then move from being listed as a senior (Sr.) to a graduate senior (GrSr.)

At quarterback in 2021, I see a two-way battle for the starting spot between junior transfer Logan Bonner and sophomore Andy Peasley. I also see redshirt freshmen Cooper Legas and Josh Calvin duking it out for the third spot.

Logan Bonner joins the Aggies for the 2021 season after beginning his career at Arkansas State. He should have 2 years of eligibility remaining to compete for the Aggies due to receiving a medical redshirt after missing the majority of his sophomore season with an injury and the NCAA mandated eligibility freeze. In 11 games as a junior at Arkansas State in 2020, he had 106 completions in 173 attempts (60.0%) for 1,160 yards, 11 touchdowns, and just 3 interceptions. He also added 5 yards on 29 carries. During his injury-shortened sophomore season in 2019, he appeared in 4 games completing 91 of his 154 passing attempts (59.0%) for 1,052 yards with 10 touchdowns and 1 interception. He also added 20 carries for (-7) yards and pulled in 1 reception for 37 yards and 1 touchdown. As a redshirt freshman in 2018, he appeared in 5 games and recorded 15 completions in 32 attempts (47.0%) for 151 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception. He also had 33 yards on 5 carries. As a true freshman in 2017, he saw minimal action in 4 games and completed 9 passes in 21 attempts (43.0%) for 70 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception. He also had 7 carries for 11 yards. Logan has a big, strong arm that allows him to push the ball down the field. He isn’t shy about looking for the big play. He is mobile enough to move in and out of the pocket with ease. He can keep his eyes down the field and work through his progressions while he feels out the pass rush. He throws for a high completion percentage and keeps his interception rate low. His familiarity with what new Aggie Head Coach Blake Anderson expects will be a plus but he must still impress new offensive coordinator Anthony Tucker.

Also battling hard for the top spot on the depth chart will be junior Andrew Peasley. As a sophomore in 2020, he played in 5 games, starting in 2 of them and completed 37 passes in 69 attempts (53.6%) for 391 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions. He also showed off his agile running ability by finishing the season as the second-leading rusher on the team by gaining 195 yards on 22 carries and 1 touchdown. Before missing the majority of his redshirt freshman season with an injury in 2019, he played in 1 game, completing 2 passes in 2 pass attempts (100.0%) for 5 yards, while also putting his speed on display by carrying the ball 3 times for 83 yards and 1 touchdown. As a true freshman in 2018, he appeared in 3 games completing 3 of 8 pass attempts (37.5%) for 19 yards, and also carried the ball 7 times for 76 yards. Peasley graduated from high school early so he could enroll at USU for the winter semester of 2018 to participate in spring practice. As a senior at La Grande High (OR) in 2017, he threw for 1,593 yards, 19 touchdowns, and ran for 417 yards and another 8 touchdowns all while missing several games with an injury and he still earned his second consecutive Greater Oregon League Offensive Player of the Year award. As the early signing day neared in December, the Aggies held off a furious late push from Mountain West Conference rival Boise State for the services of Peasley. Peasley is a three-sport athlete that is extremely competitive and very resilient. He is a tremendous athlete, who is also a big-time runner. He is going to make tons of plays with his legs throughout his career. He is fast and very shifty and able to escape pressure with little issues. He is also a capable passer and he can make effective and accurate throws while on the run.

Sophomore Cooper Legas is one of two young quarterbacks looking to make a move up the depth chart. As a redshirt freshman in 2020, Legas did not see any action. He sat out the 2019 season as a true freshman while he redshirted. As a senior in 2018, Legas was a man among boys his last two seasons at Orem High (UT), racking up 237 completions in 340 attempts (69.7%) for a whopping 4,338 yards, 48 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. He also rushed for 1,077 yards on just 93 carries for another 15 touchdowns. For his effort, he was named 4-A Offensive MVP, 4-A first-team all-state, Utah Valley Player of the Year, and Region 10 Offensive MVP. All of his work culminated in a second straight 4-A Utah State Championship. As a junior in 2017, he began to shine, as he had 241 completions in 364 attempts (66.2%) for 4,115 yards, 45 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions. He also took off for 113 carries, 1,076 yards, and 7 touchdowns. The night former Aggie Head Coach Gary Andersen was once again officially named the Head Coach, he made phone calls to two recruits. One of those calls was to Legas. The Aggies had to fight off a last-minute charge from SEC member Arkansas to secure the services of Legas on signing day. He is shifty as a runner and makes cuts upfield well, making him difficult to bring down. He is a true dual-threat quarterback and is a playmaker. He can extend plays with his legs and a strong arm to make any throw needed in the pocket or on the run.

The second of the two young quarterbacks is sophomore Josh Calvin. As a redshirt freshman in 2020, he did not see any action. He sat out the 2019 season as a true freshman while he redshirted. Following the completion of the 2019 season, he was named the Offensive Scout Team Player of the Year. Calvin had a solid senior season at Mayfair High (CA) in 2018, as he completed 118 of 220 attempts (56.6%) for 2,010 yards, 23 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions. He also carried the ball 14 times for 136 yards and 1 touchdown. For his effort in 2018, he was named to the All-Suburban League first-team. As a junior in 2017, he enjoyed very similar success completing 123 of his 204 pass attempts (60.3%) for 1,981 yards, 21 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions, and also carried the ball 72 times for 105 yards and 2 touchdowns. He was pursued by Mountain West Conference foe Nevada before the Aggies secured his letter of intent. Calvin makes quick reads and has a huge arm. He knows when to stay in the pocket and wait for plays to develop and he can make a variety of throws. Also, he is a mobile quarterback and can extend plays with his legs. He is a tenacious fighter who is an extremely hard worker who takes nothing for granted. He has a great ability to control the huddle and the team when adversity hits. He can move, run zone-read schemes, scramble, and run away from opposing defensive players.

Adding depth at the position is sophomore preferred walk-on Garret Larson. Larson spent the 2020 season at Utah State as a member of the practice squad. Before enrolling at Utah State last fall, Larson served an LDS Church mission. As a senior in 2018 at Davis High (UT), Larson enjoyed a fine season, completing 160 passes in 298 attempts (53.7%) for 1,877 yards, 15 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. Larson has all the qualities a coach would want in a quarterback. Larson is studious, intellectual, detailed, composed, competitive, and leads by example. He does a good job keeping his feet moving in the pocket while at the same time keeping his eyes up to see downfield. He throws a nice deep ball and can be accurate to boot. He seems to make a lot of pre-snap reads, as he knows where he wants to go as soon as he has the ball. Larson is a shoo-in to redshirt during the 2020 season.

PROJECTED 2021 PRESEASON DEPTH CHART

QUARTERBACK
1 Logan Bonner (6-1, 230, GR-Jr., TR, 2*)
6 Andrew Peasley (6-2, 200, Jr., 1L, 3*)
5 Cooper Legas (6-1, 205, So., SQ, 3*)
7 Josh Calvin (6-2, 205, So, SQ, 3*)
14 Garrett Larson (6-3, 200, So., SQ, NR)

Coming Up On Tuesday: Running Back