TIGHT END
2022 players not returning: Ron Tiavaasue (Transferred to New Mexico State)
2023 post-spring ball attrition: None
Returning players: Parker Buchanan, Broc Lane, Josh Sterzer
New Faces in 2023:
Isaiah Alonzo 6’5″ 250 (NR) – Orange Coast CC, CA – (2 years to play 2)
2022 (So.) Stats: 21 receptions 261 yards 2 TDs
2021 (RsFr.) Stats: 4 receptions 57 yards 1 TD
2020 (Fr.) Stats: Redshirted at Orange Coast College
Offers from: None
Primary Recruiter: DJ Tialavea, Nick Paremski
https://www.occpirateathletics.com/sports/fball/2022-23/bios/alonzo_isaiah_j49q
https://www.hudl.com/profile/11230873/Isaiah-Alonzo
Will Monney 6’4″ 205 (247 3*) – Springville HS, UT
2022 (Sr.) Stats: 31 receptions 443 yards 3 TDs
2021 (Jr.) Stats: 4 receptions 37 yards; 1 carry 8 yards; 10 tackles
Offers from: Idaho
Primary Recruiter: DJ Tialavea, Patrick Allen
https://247sports.com/Player/Will-Monney-46129826/
https://www.hudl.com/profile/14521193/Will-Monney
2023 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.)
JOSH STERZER
Senior Josh Sterzer will be battling for first-team reps. Due to the COVID NCAA eligibility extension, Sterzer has one more season of eligibility beyond 2023 remaining. As a junior in 2022, although he too was battling a nagging injury, Sterzer started in all 11 games he was healthy for and snared 11 passes for 129 yards and a touchdown. As a sophomore in 2021, he saw action in all 13 games catching 4 passes for 21 yards. As a true freshman in 2020, he saw action in 3 games, including 1 start but he did not record any stats. He returned home from serving an LDS Church mission and enrolled at Utah State in January 2020. Sterzer runs crisp routes in the short passing game and he could easily become an option as a safety valve. He can turn to get out and run when he gets in the open field and he can be a physical blocker on the line with running plays. He has sure hands and could become a valuable target in the red zone. Sterzer is the crafty veteran of the group and his reliability is what will always give him the opportunity to see the field often.
BROC LANE
Junior Broc Lane will be 100% entering fall camp and I project he will be battling to end up at the top of the depth chart when all is said and done. While fighting some nagging injuries as a redshirt sophomore in 2022, Lane saw action in 9 games and caught 6 passes for 39 yards and a touchdown. As a sophomore in 2021, he missed the season due to an injury and was redshirted. As a true freshman in 2020, he saw action in all 6 games and caught 2 passes for 9 yards. After only playing tight end as a senior in high school, Lane has finally settled comfortably into the position. He is quick and has nice footwork while running routes, making it easy for him to gain separation. He excels in the middle of the field, whether piling up yards after a short catch or running down the seam for a big play. He is constantly looking for the ball and displays great hands. Lane has all the skill and talent to help the Aggies from the tight end spot. Is 2023 going to be the year that he escapes the injury bug and shows Aggie Nation what he can do?
ISAIAH ALONZO
Junior college transfer Isaiah Alonzo joined the Aggies in January in order to participate in spring ball. Unfortunately, the injury bug caught him as well and he missed nearly half of spring ball but is expected to be 100% once fall camp begins. The junior has 2 seasons of eligibility remaining. As a sophomore at Orange Coast Community College (CA) in 2022, Alonzo snagged 21 receptions for 261 yards and 2 touchdowns. As a redshirt freshman in 2021, he caught 4 passes for 57 yards and a touchdown. Alonzo knows where he is on the field and finds the soft spots in opposing defenses to get open for short gains. He has shown he can be dangerous with the ball in his hands and is capable of turning upfield and bowling over would-be tacklers for big gains. He also converts his physical nature into the run game, where he opens up big holes. As long he remains healthy, I expect Alonzo to see the field in 2023.
PARKER BUCHANAN
Looking to make a move up the depth chart will be sophomore Parker Buchanan. As a redshirt freshman in 2022, he saw action in 5 games, catching 2 passes for 9 yards before an injury ended his season. As a true freshman in 2021, he saw action in 4 games but did not record any stats and preserved his redshirt status. As a senior quarterback at Box Elder High (UT), in 2020, he racked up 82 completions in 156 attempts for 1,149 yards, 8 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions. He also tallied 130 carries for 710 yards and 7 touchdowns. He even recorded 2 receptions for 40 yards and a touchdown. As a junior in 2019, he had a slightly better season with 112 completions in 223 attempts for 1,702 yards, 15 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions. He also carried the ball 111 times for 375 yards and 7 touchdowns while adding 1 reception for 27 yards. As a sophomore in 2018, he logged 62 completions in 138 attempts for 910 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions while adding 55 carries for 24 yards and 5 touchdowns. As a two-sport athlete Buchanan has developed into a very mobile athlete and thanks to his basketball roots, he also has good feet/footwork and that translates well onto the football field. When he runs, he runs with power and purpose and he isn’t afraid of contact. In terms of playing tight end it would be nice to have seen some footage of him catching more than one pass but often times at the high school level the best athlete on the field is the quarterback and in looking over football and basketball film of him, he is every bit of the term “athlete” and that will serve him well at the next level as an Aggie at Utah State.
WILL MONNEY
True freshman Will Monney graduated from high school early in order to enroll at Utah State in January and participate in spring ball. Monney chose the Aggies over an offer from Idaho. As a senior at Springville High School (UT) in 2022, Monney was active in the passing game catching 31 passes for 443 yards and 3 touchdowns. As a junior in 2021, he caught 4 passes for 37 yards. Monney has long strides that help him get downfield in a hurry. He has a large catch radius that makes him an ideal target in the endzone. He has deceptive speed and can slip by opposing defenses. He has shown he can provide value in the running game by delivering big blocks. He can line up in the flat, the slot, or along the line, and that makes him a threat to catch the ball all over the field. Monney made some real strides during spring ball as he was the lone tight end that made it through all 15 practices healthy. Those extra reps should really pay off as fall camp kicks off.
PROJECTED 2023 PRESEASON DEPTH CHART
TIGHT END
83 Josh Sterzer (6-3, 235, Sr*., 3L, 2*)
87 Broc Lane (6-4, 240, Jr*., 2L, 3*)
11 Isaiah Alonzo (6-5, 250, Jr., JC, NR)
85 Parker Buchanan (6-5, 240, So., 1L, 3*)
86 Will Monney (6-4, 210, Fr., HS, 3*)
Coming Up On Friday: Special Teams