FIELD SAFETY

2021 players not returning: Jarrod Green (Graduation)

2022 post-spring ball attrition: None

Returning players: Isaac Larsen

New Faces in 2022:

Saco Alofipo 5’9″ 165 (247 3*) – Liberty HS, NV
2021 (Sr.) Stats: 55 tackles 5.0 tackles-for-loss 2.0 sacks 2 INTs 5 pass breakups
2020 (Jr.) Stats: Season Cancelled Due To COVID
2019 (So.) Stats: 23 tackles 2.0 tackles-for-loss 2 INTs 5 pass breakups
Offers from: Northern Arizona
Primary Recruiter: Ephraim Banda, Ethan Morriss
https://247sports.com/player/saco-alofipo-46114079/
https://www.hudl.com/profile/14447439/Saco-Alofipo

Gurvan Hall 6’0″ 175 (247 4*) – University of Miami – (Transfer; 2 years to play 1)
Original Offers from: Alabama, Auburn, Appalachian St, Bowling Green, Central Florida, Clemson, Duke, Florida, Florida Atlantic, Florida St, Georgia, Houston, Indiana, Iowa St, Kentucky, Louisville, LSU, Marshall, Michigan, Miami (FL), North Carolina, North Carolina St, Notre Dame, Ohio St, Pittsburgh, Purdue, South Florida, Syracuse, Tennessee, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, West Virginia, Wisconsin
2021 (Jr.) Stats: 31 tackles 1.0 tackle-for-loss
2020 (Jr.) Stats: 43 tackles 1.5 tackles-for-loss 3 pass breakups
2019 (So.) Stats: 66 tackles 3.5 tackles-for-loss 2.0 sacks 1 INT 4 pass breakups
2018 (Fr.) Stats: 8 tackles
Primary Recruiter: Ephraim Banda
https://247sports.com/Player/Gurvan-Hall-88261/
https://www.hudl.com/profile/6311541/Gurvan-Hall

Wes Wright 6’1″ 200 (NR) – byu – (Transfer; 2 years to play 2)
2021 (So) Stats: Entered Transfer Portal
2020 (So) Stats: 2 tackles at byu
2019 (RsFr.) Stats: 24 tackles 4.0 tackles-for-loss at Snow JC
2018 (Fr.) Stats: Redshirted at Snow Junior College
https://www.hudl.com/profile/1757057/Wes-Wright

2022 OUTLOOK

In regards to the NCAA-mandated eligibility freeze from the 2020 season, what I’ve learned is the player’s 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 (Gr-Sr.)

Graduate senior transfer Gurvan Hall spent all of spring ball taking first-team reps at this position. Hall joined the Aggies in January after beginning his collegiate career at the University of Miami (FL). He has 2 years to complete his final season of eligibility. As a senior at Miami in 2021, Hall played in 7 games with 4 starts and totaled 31 tackles and 1.0 tackle-for-loss. As a junior in 2020, he rolled up 43 tackles, 1.5 tackles-for-loss, and 3 pass breakups. As a sophomore in 2019, he racked up 66 tackles, 3.5 tackles-for-loss, 2.0 sacks, 1 interception, and 4 pass breakups. As a true freshman in 2018, he was credited with 8 tackles. Hall is a ballhawk downfield, tracking the ball well in the air to make a play on the ball. He is a violent hitter, putting maximum force into his tackles to give receivers something to think about when trying to make a catch. He positions himself well pre-snap, making sure he is in the correct area to make a play on the ball. He is a big-time athlete. He looks like he can contribute immediately in the fall.

Redshirt freshman Isaac (Ike) Larsen is looking to build on a solid spring ball session. As a true freshman in 2021, Larsen saw action in 2 games and did not record any stats but was able to maintain his redshirt status. As a senior at Sky View High (UT) in 2020, he totaled 36 tackles and 3 interceptions. For his effort, he earned all-state and all-region honors along with winning the Utah 4-A state title. As a junior at Logan High (UT) in 2019, he racked up 62 tackles, 1.0 tackles-for-loss, 7 interceptions returning one for a touchdown, 7 pass breakups, 3 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, and another touchdown. As a sophomore in 2018, he tallied 42 tackles, 5 interceptions, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, and another touchdown. Larsen is an athletic two-way player who makes big plays on both sides of the ball. He analyzes plays quickly and flocks to the ball in a hurry. He is a big-hitter in the open field and comes in and out of his backpedal smoothly. His time as a wide receiver will be an advantage for him. He also has a ball hawk mentality and a physical nature. He is an extremely aggressive tackler. Although he may still need to adjust to the collegiate level, Larsen should develop into a good player in college.

Transfer preferred walk-on junior Wes Wright joined the Aggies in January. Wright previously spent two seasons at byu and will have 2 seasons of eligibility remaining. Wright is the older brother of former Aggie wide receiver and current Carolina Panther Derek. As a covid-sophomore in 2021, Wright spent the season in the transfer portal after leaving byu before the start of the season. As a sophomore in 2020, he saw action in 10 games and recorded 2 tackles at byu. As a redshirt freshman at Snow JC (UT) in 2019, he tallied 24 tackles and 4.0 tackles for loss. As a true freshman in 2018, he sat out the season while redshirting. Wright is an athletic safety who has the speed to play from sideline to sideline. He does a good job of diagnosing opposing offensive plays and relentlessly tracking the ball carrier. His toughness as a player shines through he and doesn’t miss many tackles. He is a physical player and throws his body around with complete disregard for himself.

Competing to make a move up the depth chart is true freshman Saco Alofipo. As a senior at Liberty High (NV) in 2021, he piled up 55 tackles, 5.0 tackles-for-loss, 2.0 sacks, 2 interceptions, and 5 pass breakups. As a junior in 2020, his season was canceled due to covid. As a sophomore in 2019, he saw some varsity action and tallied 23 tackles, 2.0 tackles-for-loss, 2 interceptions, and 5 pass breakups. Alofipo patrols the back end of the field with his vision and speed. You will often find him flying around to where the ball goes. He is an extremely physical player who possesses good instincts. He surprises most opposing offenses with his excellent closing speed. He excels at tackling in the open field and can cover sideline to sideline as a deep safety. He has all the physical tools to succeed at the collegiate level.

PROJECTED 2022 PRESEASON DEPTH CHART

FREE SAFETY
6 Gurvan Hall (6-0, 175, GR-Sr, TR, 4*)
19 Ike Larsen (5-10, 175, RsFr., RS, 3*)
37 Wes Wright (6-1, 200, Jr., TR, NR)
34 Saco Alofipo (5-9, 165, Fr., HS, 3*)

Coming Up On Friday: Rover Safety