WIDE RECEIVER
Returning players: Zakkarii Black, Colby Bowman, Cole Christensen, Kahanu Davis, Micah Davis, Jackson Olsen, Grant Page, Quentin Riley, Jalen Royals, Otto Tia, Kyrese White
2023 players not returning: Kyle Van Leeuwen (injury retirement), Terrell Vaughn (graduation)
2024 post-spring ball attrition: Arcelles Johnson (transfer portal), Ryder MacGillivray (transferred to Northern Colorado), Austin Okerwa (transferred to Northern Arizona)
2023 total production lost: 34 games, 13 starts, 89 receptions, 933 yards, 11 touchdowns
2023 total production returning: 60 games 27 starts 127 receptions 2,037 yards 23 touchdowns
2023 total production transferring in (transfer portal/junior college): 20 games 18 starts 83 receptions 1,194 yards 13 touchdowns
New Faces in 2024:
Robert Freeman 5’8″ 164 (247 3*) – American River CC, CA – (3 years to play 2)
2023 (So.) Stats: 55 receptions 845 yards 10 TDs; 15 kick returns 383 yards; 15 punt returns 345 yards 2 TDs
2022 (Fr.) Stats: 35 receptions 484 yards 4 TDs; 24 kick returns 730 yards 2 TDs; 14 punt returns 154 yards
Offers from: Austin Peay, Eastern Washington, Stephen F. Austin, UTEP
Original offers from: Arizona St, Southern Oregon
Primary Recruiter: Nick Paremski, Kyle Cefalo
https://247sports.com/player/robert-freeman-46099853/
https://www.hudl.com/profile/11966931/Robert-Freeman
Jack Hestera 6’1″ 185 (247 3*) – University of Charlotte – (2 years to play 2)
2023 (So.) Stats: 28 receptions 349 yards 3 TDs
2022 (RsFr.) Stats: 14 receptions 157 yards
2021 (Fr.) Stats: Redshirted at the University of Colorado
Offers from: Houston, Mississippi, Nevada, West Virginia
Original Offers from: Colorado (PWO)
Primary recruiter: Kyle Cefalo
https://247sports.com/player/jack-hestera-46149716/
https://www.hudl.com/profile/10698082/Jack-Hestera
Tate Kjar 5’10” 150 (247 3*) – Corner Canyon HS, UT
2023 (Sr.) Stats: 112 receptions 1,813 yards 15 TDs
2022 (Jr.) Stats: 103 receptions 1,665 yards 19 TDs
2021 (So.) Stats: 8 receptions 88 yards 1 TD
Offers from: Southern Utah, Utah Tech, Weber St
Primary Recruiter: Kyle Cefalo, Blake Anderson, DJ Tialavea
https://247sports.com/Player/Tate-Kjar-46141026/
https://www.hudl.com/profile/15162577/Tate-Kjar
2024 OUTLOOK
X-Receiver
JALEN ROYALS
Senior Jalen Royals had the breakout season of all breakouts seasons bursting onto the college football scene and into the Utah State record books. Last season he started all 13 games hauling in 71 passes for 1,080 yards and an astonishing 15 touchdowns. For his effort last season, he was named first-team all-Mountain West Conference. During his 3-year career at Utah State and the Bulldogs, he has played in 35 games with 24 starts and caught 77 passes for 1,172 yards and 17 touchdowns.
Royals recruiting story is straight out of a storybook. He played junior college football at Georgia Military College (GA), in a very run-heavy offense. He showed up at the Aggies summer camp in June of 2022. He ran a blazing 4.32 40 time. He was asked to do it again, which he did. He left that camp with his only FBS scholarship offer which is accepted less than 48 hours later. He chose the Aggies over offers from Erksine, McPherson, Methodist, and Point.
Royals displays impressive hands due to good hand-eye coordination. He tracks the ball very well while it is in the air. His long wing span allows him to extend and attack the ball at its highest point. He uses his body control to attack the ball in front of his frame. He has displayed a tremendous ability to adjust mid-route for passes. He has the rare ability to play in the slot and outside and with his speed, he is dangerous all over the field. His strong lower body makes tackling him a challenge for smaller defensive backs. His superior speed and physical nature allow him to easily gain separation from opposing defenders.
GRANT PAGE
Sophomore Grant Page is looking to build on an outstanding spring ball session. Page has yet to record any stats during his two-year career. He joined the Aggies last season after spending a season redshirting at the University of Colorado.
According to 247sports coming out of Fairview High (CO), Page was rated as the 931st-best player nationally, the 64th-best athlete, and the 3rd-best prospect overall in Colorado. He originally held offers from Colorado, Colorado State, Georgia Tech, Iowa State, Kansas State, Michigan State, Nebraska, utah, Wake Forest, and Washington State. He chose the Aggies over offers from Lindenwood and Towson State.
In looking at film the one thing that stands out to me is Page just makes things look easy. He has a smooth, effortless glide when running routes. Thanks to his background as a star basketball player, he can high point the football, and at 6-foot-3, that combination makes things very tough on opposing defenses. He has quick feet and that allows him to sell one thing and do another. He can get off press coverage, be physical, and run by opposing defenders. I’m expecting Page to be a major contributor much sooner than later.
KAHANU DAVIS
Redshirt junior Kahanu Davis had a solid spring and will battle for the second-team spot at this position. Last season Davis was able to retain his redshirt status by appearing in the maximum 4 games and snagging 2 passes for 14 yards. During his 3-year career, he has played in 22 games with 18 starts catching 38 passes for 597 yards and 5 touchdowns.
Davis chose the Aggies over offers from Illinois State, Missouri State, Morehead State, San Diego, South Dakota School of Mines, and Wagner.
Davis is a skilled receiver who has honed his skill by setting up cornerbacks and making one or two moves to get wide-open. He is very good in the intermediate and deep routes. Once the ball is in his hands, he is capable of making every play explosive with his yards after the catch. He tracks the ball well in the air and does a good job of making the catch in stride to maximize the potential of each play. I believe that Davis has a very good chance of cracking the rotation in 2024.
QUENTIN RILEY
Adding depth to the position is sophomore preferred walk-on, Quentin Riley. Riley spent the 2023 season participating on the Aggie practice squad.
As a senior at Meridian High (ID) in 2021, Riley hauled in 69 receptions for 1,009 yards and 9 touchdowns. For his effort, he earned second-team all-state and first-team all-conference selections. He chose the Aggies over offers from the College of Idaho, Mount Union, and Pacific University.
Riley is an outside threat in every sense of the phrase. He caught deep ball after deep ball while at Meridian. He tracks the ball well in flight and can make adjustments accordingly while the ball is in the air. He has very dependable hands. He can catch the ball in traffic and under tight coverage. He is very respected by his Aggie teammates and coaches thanks to his non-stop effort.
Z-Receiver
MICAH DAVIS
Senior Micah Davis had a stellar first season in an Aggie uniform. Last season Davis played in 11 games with 7 starts snaring 36 passes for 628 yards and 6 touchdowns. For his effort, he earned an all-Mountian West Conference honorable mention nod. During his 4-year career at Iowa Western Community College and Air Force, he has played in 35 games with 7 starts catching 79 passes for 1,138 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Davis was a key member of the 2022 Iowa Western Community College (IA) NJCAA National Championship team. He chose the Aggies over offers from Coastal Carolina, Indiana, Southeast Missouri State, and Wyoming.
Davis is a prolific route-runner who specializes in deep balls thanks to his releases at the line of scrimmage. He is dangerous with the ball in his hands, gaining immediate separation and reaching top speed right away. He is shifty, with “make guys miss in a phone booth”, type of footwork. He has great field vision and can also be used in jet sweeps and other plays designed to get him in the open field. He does most of his damage playing out of the slot. I believe he will be a huge part of the Aggie offense in 2024.
COLBY BOWMAN
Senior Colby Bowman had a solid spring session and will look to build on that in the fall. Last season he played in 13 games with 6 starts and pulled in 11 passes for 247 yards and 2 touchdowns. During his 4-year career, he has played in 39 games with 7 starts and catching 18 passes for 291 yards and 2 touchdowns.
According to 247sports coming out of Saint John Bosco Prep (CA), Bowman was rated as the 195th-best player nationally, the 26th-best wide receiver, and the 25th-best prospect overall in California. He originally held offers from Arizona State, Boston College, California, Colorado, Nevada, Stanford, and Vanderbilt. Upon entering the transfer portal, once Aggie Head Coach Blake Anderson called, Bowman jumped all over the scholarship offer.
Bowman is a big receiver with game-breaking speed. He understands the game and knows how to get open. He is an excellent route-runner who smoothly changes directions as he swerves around the field. He is hard to bring down after the reception as he keeps his feet moving after catching the ball in stride. He is a natural pass catcher with soft hands who doesn’t fight the football and he isn’t afraid to go over the middle. He catches the ball through contact and uses his body well to box out smaller defenders. He is also a very solid and willing blocker. Bowman has the opportunity to be a true deep threat in every sense of the phrase.
OTTO TIA
Junior Otto Tia will battle for second-team reps this fall. Last season Tia dealt with an injury that limited him to just 6 games with 1 start while catching 5 passes for 62 yards. During his 3-year career at Utah State, he has played in 21 games with 1 start and catching 6 passes for 71 yards.
According to 247sports coming out of Northridge High (UT), Tia was rated as the 2,488th-best player nationally, the 285th-best wide receiver, and the 21st-best prospect overall in Utah. He chose the Aggies over an offer from Idaho.
Tia is the type of player who is dangerous with the ball in space. He can be used in multiple ways; over the middle, on deep throws, and jet sweeps. He excels at picking up yards after the catch and finds another gear after securing the ball. He has an exceptional size that allows him to go up and high-point the football in the air. He has developed an on-field aggression that will serve him well throughout his career.
JACKSON OLSEN
Redshirt freshman Jackson Olsen is looking to make a move up the depth chart. In his first season with the Aggies last year, he redshirted and did not see any action. During his 3-year high school career he played in 23 games with 19 starts and caught 86 passes for 1,384 yards and 19 touchdowns. He fought off a broken collarbone as a senior to help make a late-season run. After a strong junior season, he was named first-team all-state.
According to 247sports coming out of Ridgeline High (UT), Olsen was rated as the 2,131st-best player nationally, the 250th-best wide receiver, and the 20th-best prospect overall in Utah. He chose the Aggies over an offer from Idaho.
Olsen has great size for a player at the wide receiver position. He is a smooth route-runner and immediately turns upfield to fight for extra yards. He is a feisty player that will battle on every play. Olsen has great hands and a penchant for making difficult catches in traffic over the middle of the field. He is also a dangerous return man who is capable of finding the endzone at any time thanks to his outstanding field vision.
H-Receiver (Slot)
JACK HESTERA
Jack Hestera is a transfer from the University of Charlotte who will enter the 2024 season as a junior with two years of eligibility remaining. During his 3-year career at Charlotte and the University of Colorado, he has played in 20 games with 11 starts and pulled in 42 passes for 506 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Coming out of Cedar Park High (TX), Hestera accepted a preferred walk-on offer from the University of Colorado. Once he entered the transfer portal he chose the Aggies over offers from Houston, Mississippi, Nevada, and West Virginia.
Hestera uses quick feet and solid footwork to move in and out of breaks and lose his defender. He is dangerous in the open field and swivels his hips to shake would-be-tacklers. He is fearless in catching the ball in traffic and will take a big hit if necessary to secure the reception. He can used in a variety of ways, inside, outside, on deep ball or drag routes. He is a very good transfer portal pick-up for the Aggies.
KYRESE WHITE
Graduate senior Kyrese White had a great spring and finished the session sitting at the top of the depth chart. Last season Whihte saw action in all 13 games catching 2 passes for 6 yards. During his 5-year career, he has played in 38 games catching 3 passes for 8 yards. Rowan is the son of Aggie Hall-of-Fame running back Emmett White.
White is a tremendous all-around athlete. He has quick feet and can get off the ball in a hurry. He is very tough for defensive backs to get a hand on at the line of scrimmage. After he makes a catch, he is very dynamic with the ball in his hands and can use a myriad of moves to gain yards after the catch. He can also be used as a jet sweep threat. He was also a standout defensive back in high school and that will serve him well in reading opposing defensive coverages.
ROBERT FREEMAN
Robert 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. Last year Freeman started all 11 games and ripped down 55 receptions for 845 yards and 10 touchdowns. For his effort, he was named a California Community College Region 1 first-team all-American. During his 2-year career, he has started all 22 games catching 90 passes for 1,329 yards and 14 touchdowns. His cousin Herschel Turner is a running back for the Aggies.
According to 247sports coming out of American River Community College (CA), Freeman was rated as the 125th-best junior college player nationally, the 19th-best junior college wide receiver, and the 22nd-best junior college prospect overall in California. He chose the Aggies over offers from Austin Peay, Eastern Washington, Stephen F. Austin, and UTEP.
Freeman is a dynamic receiver who will fit in the slot very nicely in the Aggies offensive system. He has quick, shifty footwork and he often confuses opposing defensive backs with an array of cuts, stutter steps, and releases. He is not afraid to operate over the middle of the field and he can compact his body to absorb contact once he catches a pass. He has verticle speed and can get upfield in a hurry which makes him a deep threat. He can be used in several ways on offense, especially getting the ball around the line of scrimmage on drag routes and jet sweeps. I think he compares favorably to former Aggie wide receiver Terrell Vaughn.
ZAKKARII BLACK
Redshirt freshman Zakkarii Black will enter fall camp fighting to move up the depth chart. In his first season with the Aggies last year, he redshirted and did not see any action. As a high school senior in 2022, he started in all 11 games and was a dual-threat out of the backfield catching 33 passes for 438 yards and 5 touchdowns, while also adding on 110 carries for 685 yards and 7 more touchdowns. During his 4-year high school career he played in 25 games with 11 starts catching 65 passes for 893 yards and 7 touchdowns.
According to 247sports coming out of Charter Oak High (CA), Black was rated as the 2,302nd-best player nationally, the 145th-best running back, and the 217th-best prospect overall in California. Black chose the Aggies over offers from Grambling State, Montana State, Morgan State, and Penn State.
Thanks to his time as a running back, Black is incredibly shifty. Although he isn’t very big, he is very difficult to bring down because it’s tough for opposing defenders to get a direct hit on him. He is blessed with breakaway speed, making him a threat to score every time he gets the ball. One of his best attributes is his ability to reach top speed so quickly. He is very versatile and can be used in the running game on jet sweeps and short bubble screens. I think he will eventually get involved in returning punts as well. I expect him to see the field much sooner than later.
TATE KJAR
True freshman Tate Kjar will join the Aggies in time for summer workouts. Last year he had a standout senior season starting all 14 games and racking up an incredible 112 receptions for 1,813 yards and 15 touchdowns. For his effort, he was named the 6A Offensive Player of the Year, and he also picked up his second straight first-team all-state selection. During his 3-year high school career he played in 35 games starting in 28 and catching 225 passes for 3,585 yards and 35 touchdowns.
According to 247sports coming out of Corner Canyon High (UT), Kjar was rated as the 2,443rd-best player nationally, the 283rd-best wide receiver, and the 28th-best prospect overall in Utah. He chose the Aggies over offers from Southern Utah, Utah Tech, and Weber State.
Kjar is a tactician at route-running. His quick feet and ability to change direction at top speed enable him to easily pick up a step or two on opposing defensive backs. He shows fearlessness over the middle of the field and is patient enough to sit in a zone and work himself open. Once the ball is in his hands, his sprinter speed will help him pile up the yards after the catch. Tate will be behind Utah State’s returning wide receivers to start with but learning from Coach Cefalo will be a huge advantage.
COLE CHRISTENSEN
Adding depth to the position is redshirt freshman preferred walk-on Cole Christensen. In his first season with the Aggies last year, he redshirted and did not see any action.
As a high school senior at Lone Peak High (UT) in 2022, he started in the 10 games he was available for and pulled in 51 receptions for 682 yards and 9 touchdowns. For his effort, he earned a second-team all-state selection. During his 2-year career for the Knights, he caught 93 passes for 1,417 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Christensen does most of his damage out of the slot. He does not shy away from working in the seam against bigger linebackers, running quick slants, or sitting in a zone. He plays much, much bigger than his size, as he will aggressively go after passes over taller opposing defenders. He operates very well out in the open field. He has excellent speed which makes him a threat to take it to the house every time he touches the ball.
PROJECTED 2024 PRESEASON DEPTH CHART
X – RECEIVER
1 Jalen Royals (6-0, 195, Sr., 2L, NR)
8 Grant Page (6-3, 195, So., SQ, 3*)
11 Kahanu Davis (5-10, 180, RsJr., RS, NR)
25 Quentin Riley (6-1, 195, So., SQ, 2*)
Z – RECEIVER
4 Micah Davis (5-11, 190, Sr., 1L, 3*)
9 Colby Bowman (6-2, 200, Gr-Sr., TR, 4*)
5 Otto Tia (6-4, 215, Jr., 1L, 3*)
18 Jackson Olsen (6-4, 185, RsFr., RS, 3*)
H – RECEIVER (SLOT)
14 Jack Hestera (6-1, 185, Jr., TR, 3*)
23 Kyrese White (5-10, 185, Gr-Sr., 2L, NR)
0 Robert Freeman (5-7, 170, Jr., JC, 3*)
13 Zakkarii Black (5-6, 140, RsFr., RS, NR)
20 Tate Kjar (5-10, 150, Fr., HS, 3*)
82 Cole Christensen (5-9, 175, RsFr., RS, NR)
Coming Up On Tuesday: Running Back