RUNNING BACK
2022 players not returning: John Gentry (Transferred to Sam Houston State), Pailate Makakona (Transfer Portal), Calvin Tyler (NFL Free Agent Cincinnati Bengals)
2023 post-spring ball attrition: Bailee Davenport (Transfer Portal), Jordan Wilmore (Transfer Portal)
Returning players: Robert Briggs, Cooper Jones
New Faces in 2023:
Jaydon Bailey 5’9″ 180 (247 3*) – Steele HS, TX
2022 (Sr.) Stats: 262 carries 1,778 yards 31 TDs; 6 receptions 102 yards
2021 (Jr.) Stats: 182 carries 1,000 yards 9 TDs; 4 receptions 52 yards 1 TD
2020 (So.) Stats: Season canceled due to COVID
2019 (Fr.) Stats: 49 carries 278 yards 4 TDs; 1 reception (-)1 yard
Offers from: Arizona St, Houston Christian, Incarnate Word, Texas St, Texas-San Antonio
Primary Recruiter: Chuckie Keeton
https://247sports.com/player/jaydon-bailey-46096447/
https://www.hudl.com/profile/12870109/Jaydon-Bailey
Davon Booth 5’10” 200 (247 3*) – Cerritos CC, CA – (3 years to play 2)
2022 (So.) Stats: 223 carries 1,442 yards 8 TDs; 22 receptions 179 yards 2 TDs
2021 (Fr.) Stats: 122 carries 564 yards 7 TDs; 11 receptions 171 yards 1 TD
Original Offers from: San Jose St
Offers from: None
Primary Recruiter: Anthony Tucker, Nick Paremski
https://247sports.com/player/davon-booth-46078963/
https://www.hudl.com/profile/11317111/Davon-Booth
Corbin Cottle 5’10” 185 (NR) – Bountiful HS, UT – (Preferred Walk-on)
2022 (Sr.) Stats: 57 carries 327 yards 2 TDs; 6 receptions 46 yards; 4 tackles
2021 (Jr.) Stats: 159 carries 1,480 yards 20 TDs; 8 receptions 72 yards; 48 tackles 5 pass breakups 1 forced fumble 1 blocked FG
2020 (So.) Stats: 55 carries 263 yards 5 TDs; 4 receptions 27 yards; 36 tackles 1.0 tackles-for-loss
Offers from: None
Primary Recruiter: DJ Tialavea, Chuckie Keeton
https://www.maxpreps.com/ut/bountiful/bountiful-redhawks/athletes/corbin-cottle/?careerid=fid18u0obapdd
https://www.hudl.com/profile/12776787/Corbin-Cottle
Rahsul Faison 6’2″ 210 (247 2*) – Snow JC, UT – (3 years to play 2)
2022 (So.) Stats: 88 carries 355 yards 6 TDs
2021 (Fr.) Stats: Did not see action at Marshall University
2020 (Fr.) Stats: Did not see action at Lackawanna Community College
Offers from: Albany, Arkansas St, Bryant, Jackson St, Southern Utah, Stony Brook
Primary Recruiter: DJ Tialavea, Rodney Freeman
https://247sports.com/player/rahsul-faison-46042097/
https://www.hudl.com/profile/6190235/Rahsul-Faison
Sione Finau 5’11” 185 (247 3*) – byu – (Preferred Walk-on, 1 year to play 1)
2021 (So.) Stats: Saw action in 3 games but did not record any stats
2020 (So.) Stats: 12 carries 48 yards; 2 receptions 8 yards
2019 (RsFr.) Stats: 59 carries 359 yards 2 TDs; 4 receptions 29 yards
2018 (Fr.) Stats: Saw action in 4 games but did not record any stats and redshirted at byu
Original offers from: byu, Nevada, Oregon St, Southern Utah, Weber St
Primary recruiter: DJ Tialavea
https://247sports.com/player/sione-finau-87291/
https://www.hudl.com/profile/1726963/Sione-Finau
Reggie Foster 5’11” 200 (Rivals 2*) – American Heritage HS, FL
2022 (Sr.) Stats: 18 carries 83 yards 2 TDs;
2021 (Jr.) Stats: 17 carries 143 yards 2 TDs
2020 (So.) Stats: 25 carries 100 yards 2 TDs; 1 reception 9 yards
2019 (Fr.) Stats: 7 carries 10 yards
Offers from: Edward Waters, Missouri, Webber International
Primary Recruiter: Chuckie Keeton, Blake Anderson
https://247sports.com/player/reggie-foster-46134083/
https://www.hudl.com/profile/12495369/Reggie-Foster
2023 OUTLOOK
Regarding 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.)
ROBERT BRIGGS
Sophomore Robert Briggs is fighting back from a season-ending injury last season but I still project him getting plenty of carries from the top spot of the depth chart. As a true freshman in 2022, Briggs made a splash playing in 10 games getting 74 carries for 353 yards and one touchdown. He also caught 7 passes for 31 yards. Briggs was a jack of all trades throughout his high school career. As a senior at Bellville High (TX) in 2021, he racked up 124 carries for 1,381 yards and 22 touchdowns. He also snagged 21 receptions for 562 yards and 8 more touchdowns. On the defensive side of the ball, he took 2 interceptions for 2 touchdowns and also had a punt return for a touchdown. As a junior in 2020, he made the most of his 66 carries by rushing for 678 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also caught 28 passes for 450 yards and 6 touchdowns. As a sophomore in 2019, he totaled 82 carries for 840 yards and 7 touchdowns. He added 18 receptions for 298 yards and another 5 touchdowns. Defensively, he also recorded 4 interceptions. As a freshman in 2018, he got his first taste of varsity action by recording 46 carries for 439 yards and 3 touchdowns. He also had one reception for 47 yards and turned that catch into a touchdown. He also started on the defensive side of the ball as a cornerback. Briggs is a powerful compact runner who switches to another gear once he gets downfield and can run vertically. He is a patient runner who waits for plays to develop and shakes off tackles around the line of scrimmage. His forte is getting outside of the tackles and shaking free with slippery open-field moves. He is also able to add value in the passing game, thanks to his ability to line up as a receiver. That can add a new wrinkle to the offense making him more difficult to guard. As long as his shoulder can hold up I see Briggs being a big part of the Aggie offense in 2023.
DAVON BOOTH
Junior College transfer junior Davon Booth joined the Aggies in January and was able to participate in spring ball. He will have three years to complete his final two seasons of eligibility. Booth chose to become an Aggie over an offer from San Jose State. Prior to coming to Utah State Booth spent two seasons at Cerritos Community College (CA). As a sophomore in 2022, he proved to be a workhorse, toting the rock 223 times for 1,442 yards, and 8 touchdowns. He also pulled in 22 receptions for 179 yards and 2 touchdowns. As a true freshman in 2021, he logged 122 carries for 564 yards and 7 touchdowns. He also grabbed 11 receptions for 171 yards and a touchdown. Booth’s number one trait is his speed. He has the ability to blow past defenders on his runs. He blends quickness with power and balance. He is not afraid to bowl over tacklers and he makes crisp, smooth cuts in the open field. He gets to the next level of the defense with seemingly little effort. He also possesses sure hands, which helps to get him into the open field. I believe he should be able to play right away this season.
COOPER JONES
Graduate senior preferred walk-on Cooper Jones spent the entirety of spring ball getting 2nd-team reps and it paid off big time for him. As a senior in 2022, saw action in all 13 games but did not receive any carries on offense. As a junior in 2021, he saw action in 8 games primarily on special teams but did not record any stats. As a sophomore in 2020, he saw action in just one game and did not record any stats. Jones joined the Aggies after spending his true freshman season at Butte Community College (CA) in 2019. Jones calling card is his speed. He is often able to make one cut, hit the hole, and get upfield. He is a versatile player and because of his outstanding burst of speed, he can add value to the running attack if the opportunity arose. His excellent field vision helps him to quickly determine which move to make next. He is also a very capable pass catcher and could be a threat out of the backfield in that capacity as well.
JAYDON BAILEY
True freshman Jaydon Bailey comes to the Aggies as a very accomplished high school running back. Bailey chose to become an Aggie over offers from Arizona State, Houston Christian, Incarnate Word, Texas State, and Texas-San Antonio. As a senior at Steele High (TX) in 2022, he was a man among boys toting the rock 262 times for 1,778 yards and 31 touchdowns. He added 6 receptions for 102 yards. As a junior in 2021, he began to show what he can do by turning 182 carries into 1,000 yards and 9 touchdowns. He also had 4 receptions for 52 yards and another touchdown. His sophomore season of 2020 was canceled due to COVID. As a freshman in 2019, he had 49 carries for 278 yards and 4 touchdowns. If I had to choose one word to describe Bailey as a running back it would be electric. He has breakaway speed and is hard to bring down once he gets downhill. Bailey bounces off tackles and is rarely taken down by the first man. He possesses an array of spin, juke, and jump moves to evade opposing defenders. He hits holes with full force and gives maximum effort every single down. If Bailey comes in and grasps the playbook early, he could see action very early in the season.
RAHSUL FAISON
Junior College transfer junior Rahsul Faison will join the Aggies this summer and will have three years to complete his final two seasons of eligibility. Faison chose to become an Aggie over offers from Albany, Arkansas State, Bryant, Jackson State, Southern Utah, and Stony Brook. As a sophomore at Snow Junior College (UT) in 2022, he had to share carries in a very crowded backfield and was able to turn 88 carries into 355 yards and 6 touchdowns. As a freshman in 2021, he attended Marshall University but did not see any action. At 6-foot-2 210 pounds, Faison is the big back that Aggies fans often clamor for. He has deceptive lateral quickness for a back his size and he is able to use that to bounce runs outside where he is able to bowl over or bounce off smaller defensive backs. He is able to reach full speed in just a couple of steps which allows him to accelerate through openings. His excellent field vision helps him find extra yardage that other backs might not. I find Faison a very intriguing signing. It wouldn’t surprise me to see him redshirt in 2023 BUT it also wouldn’t surprise me to find him on the field either.
SIONE FINAU
Transfer senior Sione Finau joined the Aggies in late June and will bring quality experience to the room. Finau has one year of eligibility remaining. He began his collegiate career at byu. His path to Utah State is a bit unconventional as he entered the transfer portal in March of 2022 and spent nearly 15 months out of football. As a COVID sophomore at byu in 2021, Finau saw action in 3 games but did not record any stats. As a sophomore in 2020, he saw action in 6 games and tallied 12 carries for 48 yards. As a redshirt freshman in 2019, Finau played in 8 games with 2 starts and totaled 59 carries for 359 yards and 2 touchdowns. As a true freshman in 2018, he saw action in 4 games but did not record any stats and redshirted at byu. Finau’s talents may cause a little tug-of-war among the offensive and defensive coaches. He has the skill set to play multiple positions both offensively and defensively. Finau is a football player just who does everything well. He can play running back or slot receiver and shows off a nice burst, explodes out of his breaks, and has very nice top-end speed. He is quick and shifty. He could also end up on the defensive side of the ball and has the skill set, toughness, and short-area quickness to play corner or safety. For now, I have him playing running back. He is a tough kid who always competes at a high level
REGGIE FOSTER
True freshman Reggie Foster is the mystery man of the group. Foster chose to become an Aggie over offers from Edward Waters, Missouri, and Webber International. Foster spent much of his high school career behind what turned out to be the #7 rated running back in the country who eventually signed with the University of Miami (FL). The Aggie coaching staff saw enough of Foster that he was offered a scholarship and obviously, he accepted. As a senior at American Heritage High (FL) in 2022, Foster had 18 carries for 83 yards and 2 touchdowns. As a junior in 2021, he logged 17 carries for 143 yards and 2 touchdowns. As a sophomore in 2020, he netted 25 carries for 100 yards and 2 touchdowns. Foster runs with determination and grit. He can approach top speed quickly and blasts through holes at top speed and blows by opposing defenders. He changes direction extremely easily. He makes people miss with a nice set of jukes and spin moves. He displays great field vision and because he runs so hard, he rarely goes down after first contact. Foster will have my attention during fall camp.
CORBIN COTTLE
True freshman preferred walk-on Corbin Cottle joins the team as a very accomplished high school running back. He chose to graduate early from high school and enroll at Utah State in January in order to participate in spring ball. As a senior at Bountiful High (UT) in 2022, he had his senior season cut short by an injury as he was only able to record 57 carries for 327 yards and 2 touchdowns, along with 6 receptions for 46 yards. As a junior in 2021, he racked up 159 carries for 1,480 yards and 20 touchdowns. He also caught 8 passes for 72 yards. He caught his first taste of varsity action in 2020 as a sophomore picking up 55 carries for 263 yards and 5 touchdowns. Cottle is good at quickly hitting a hole and accelerating to top speed in a matter of steps. He displays good field vision and can bounce to the outside with a one-step cut. His break-away speed is probably his best attribute. Cottle is a nice in-state addition for the Aggies. I see him spending the 2023 season as a redshirt.
PROJECTED 2023 PRESEASON DEPTH CHART
RUNNING BACK
22 Robert Briggs (5-6, 175, So., 1L, 3*)
4 Davon Booth (5-10, 200, Jr., JC, 3*)
31 Cooper Jones (5-6, 170, Gr-Sr., 2L, NR)
00 Jaydon Bailey (5-10, 185, Fr., HS, 3*)
00 Rahsul Faison (6-2, 210, Jr., JC, 2*)
00 Sione Finau (5-11, 185, Sr., TR, 3*)
00 Reggie Foster (5-10, 200, Fr., HS, 2*)
29 Corbin Cottle (5-10, 185, Fr., HS, NR)
Coming Up On Wednesday: Wide Receiver