Marlin Dean 6’5″ 230 (4*) – Butler CC, KS – EDGE Rush End
Dean is a junior college transfer who will enter the 2024 season as a sophomore with three years of eligibility remaining. After beginning his collegiate career at the University of Georgia, he burst onto the junior college scene earning honorable mention all-American honors after making 25 tackles, 10.0 tackles-for-loss, 7.5 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles. Dean comes to the Aggies rated as the second-best JuCo rush end in the country. His calling card is his elite speed on the edge blowing by opposing offensive linemen before they can react. He is long-armed, uses an array of bull rush, spin, and swim moves, and is too talented to be blocked by just one player. His forte is getting to the quarterback. Once he arrives at an opposing ball carrier, he wraps up well and rarely has a tackle broken. He will make an immediate impact for the Aggies this season.

Shaun Dolac 6’1″ 225 (NR) – University of Buffalo – Inside Linebacker
Dolac is a transfer from the University of Buffalo who will enter the 2024 season as a junior with two years of eligibility remaining. After beginning the 2023 season with 32 tackles, 2.5 tackles-for-loss, 1 interception, and 1 pass breakup, in just 3 1/2 games, Dolac was forced to medically redshirt after suffering a season-ending injury. However, as a sophomore in 2022, he led the nation in solo tackles after amassing an incredible 147 tackles, 13.5 tackles-for-loss, 4.5 sacks, 7 pass breakups, and 3 forced fumbles. Dolac is a heat-seeking missile, finding opposing ball carriers and stopping them dead in their tracks but don’t be fooled by his numbers as a tackler, he is adequate in pass coverage as well. I would describe him as a textbook tackler, he uses his strong lower body to blow up an opposing ball carrier with such a force that they rarely fall forward once he hits them. He stays low when he hits and ball carriers rarely escape a tackle. Dolac can resurrect Linebacker U here at Utah State. He will be a Day 1 starter.

Robert Freeman 5’8″ 165 (3*) – American River CC, CA – Wide Receiver
Freeman is a junior college transfer who will enter the 2024 season as a junior with three years to complete his final two seasons of eligibility. Freeman earned California Community College All-American honors in 2023 after pulling in 55 receptions for 845 yards and 10 touchdowns. He is also dangerous on special teams earning all-American honors as a punt and kick returning his freshman year. Freeman is the prototypical slot receiver. He has shifty, quick footwork and uses that to disguise the true direction of his releases and cuts. He can catch the ball over the middle of the field, and his smaller stature helps him get compact and absorb hits from much bigger opposing defensive players. As a slot receiver, it will be easy to get him the ball in a multitude of ways, with screen passes, jet sweeps, and drag routes at the line of scrimmage. Freeman wants to be just like former Aggie all-conference wideout Terrell Vaughn right down to wearing number 0 and I think he has the ability to do so.

George Maile 6’3″ 305 (4*) – Baylor University – Offensive Guard
Maile is a transfer from Baylor University who will enter the 2024 season as a sophomore with three seasons of eligibility remaining. Maile saw action in 12 games in 2023. Maile is a very physical pass-blocker. He uses his strength to push opposing defenders around with ease. He plays with an aggression and tenacity that coaches love to see in a player. His broad-shouldered build helps with his solid blocking technique, staying low as he explodes out of his stance and engages at the line of scrimmage. He keeps his legs churning forward and finishes through the whistle. He has very active hands and moves well laterally to keep rushers in front of him. Most offensive linemen excel in one facet or the other as an offensive lineman, he is equally skilled in run-blocking and pass-protection. I see Maile competing for a starting spot immediately and he could develop into an NFL prospect.

Jordan Vincent 5’11” 190 (NR) – New Mexico State University – Strong Safety
Vincent is a transfer from New Mexico State University who will enter the 2024 season as a senior. 2024 will be his final season of collegiate eligibility. In two seasons as a starter for the Southern Aggies, Vincent rolled up 149 tackles, 6.5 tackles-for-loss, 2.0 sacks, 3 interceptions, 11 pass breakups, 2 forced fumbles, and 1 blocked kick. Vincent played wide receiver in high school and the first thing that jumps out at me is his ability to track the ball once it is in the air as evidenced by his pass breakup numbers. He has a nose for the football and outstanding in-game instincts. He has become a great tackler in the open field. He enjoys playing in the box defending the run as much as he does dropping into coverage to defend the pass. He isn’t shy about being physical. He seems to have always had his name attached to a big play, coming up with a tackle-for-loss, breaking up a pass, or stopping a player short of first down yardage on third down. Vincent did not leave his starting gig at New Mexico State to come to Utah State and be a backup. I predict he will be a Day 1 starter.

A LOOK BACK AT MY 2023 5 NEWCOMERS TO WATCH FOR:
Davon Booth
Colby Bowman
Micah Davis
Malone Mataele
Cian Slone