PLAYERS LISTED IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER
Bryson Barnes 6’1″ 210 (3*) – Junior
Barnes is a junior transfer from the university of utah who will enter the 2024 season as a junior with two years of eligibility remaining. Barnes started in 10 of the 11 games he played in 2024, completing 142 passes in 242 attempts (58.7%), for 1,572 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. On the ground, he added 90 carries for 265 yards and 3 touchdowns. For a player who began his collegiate career as a walk-on, Barnes has developed surprisingly well. He drops back, sets his feet quickly, and moves through his progressions looking for an open opportunity to throw. He has a pretty good deep ball and does a good job of hitting his receivers in stride to allow them to run after the catch. He is a respectable runner and can force opposing defenses to keep an eye on him to keep them honest. With the number of reps against top-flight competition he’s seen over the past two years, Barnes will be ready to compete in spring ball.
McCae Hillstead 5’10” 185 (3*) – Sophomore
McCae Hillstead will enter the 2024 season as a sophomore and still has 4 years to complete his final 3 years of eligibility. Hillstead was a starter in 4 of the 8 games he played in 2024, completing 94 passes in 158 attempts (59.5%), for 1,062 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions. Hillstead is a quarterback with a lot of upside. Don’t let his size fool you, he plays at a very high skill level and is capable of making every kind of pass on the field. He does a good job going through his progressions. He has the ability to pick defenses apart with accurate throws on every pass. He can also extend plays with his mobility. He can roll out of the pocket and hit a receiver in stride. He battled injuries all season long. As long as he remains patient and allows himself to get healthy and develop Hillstead has a future as a quarterback at Utah State.
Cooper Legas 6’1″ 215 (3*) – Graduate Senior
Graduate senior Cooper Legas will use his final season of eligibility in 2024. Legas spent much of the 2023 season as the starting quarterback for the Aggies earning the nod in 7 of the 9 games he played while completing 138 passes in 213 attempts (64.8%), for 1,815 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions. He also ran for 122 yards on 68 carries. Legas is shifty as a runner and makes cuts upfield well, making him difficult to bring down. He is a true dual-threat quarterback and a playmaker. He can extend plays with his legs and has a strong arm to make any throw needed in the pocket or on the run. He likes to try and push the ball downfield to his deep threats at wide receiver. He is a natural leader at the quarterback position and commands the huddle. He has a great understanding of his pre-snap reads and responsibilities and makes on-field decisions accordingly. He has developed into a true field general. I believe that Legas will begin spring ball as the number one quarterback and rightfully so.
Spencer Petras 6’5″ 230 (3*) – Graduate Senior
University of Iowa graduate senior transfer Spencer Petras will use his final season of eligibility in 2024. Petras missed the 2023 season with a shoulder injury but before the injury, he had started in 31 of 37 games throughout his career at Iowa and has passed for 468 completions in 825 attempts (56.7%), for 5,199 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 19 interceptions. Petras has a strong arm and has developed a nice touch on deep passes, which is a must in order to have success in the Aggies offensive scheme. He has a keen sense in the pocket and is able to keep his eyes downfield while feeling out the opposing pass rush while continuing to look downfield for an open receiver. His sound footwork is what makes his maneuverability in the pocket possible. He is mobile enough to roll out of the pocket to avoid trouble but will not be much of a threat to run. Petras brings a ton of experience playing against very good football teams with him to Logan and that will bode well for him in his bid to earn playing time.