BOUNDARY SAFETY
Returning players: Omari Okeke, Kadiyon Sweat
2023 players not returning: Devin Dye (transferred to Kansas), Dusten Ramseyer-Burdett (graduation), Javar Strong (injury retirement)
2024 post-spring ball attrition: Jackson Sundstrom (left team)
2023 total production lost: 16 games 8 starts 85 tackles 1.5 tackles-for-loss 2 interceptions 7 pass breakups 1 forced fumble 1 fumble recovery
2023 total production returning: None
2023 total production transferring in (transfer portal/junior college): 25 games 25 starts 107 tackles 5.5 tackles-for-loss 2.0 sacks 1 interception 3 pass breakups
New Faces in 2024:
Gio Kafentzis 5’10” 180 (247 3*) – Emerald Ridge HS, WA – (Preferred walk-on)
2023 (Sr.) Stats: 30 tackles 2 INTS 1 pass breakup
2022 (Jr.) Stats: 34 tackles 3 INTs 1 pass breakup 2 fumble recoveries
2021 (So.) Stats: 7 tackles
2020 (Fr.) Stats: 27 tackles 1.0 sacks 2 pass breakups
Offers from: Eastern Washington, Nevada, San Diego St (PWO), Weber St (PWO)
Primary Recruiter: Kwame Agyeman
https://247sports.com/player/gio-kafentzis-46114809/
https://www.hudl.com/profile/9976658/Gio-Kafentzis
Terrell Taylor 6’0″ 190 (247 3*) – Golden West CC, CA – (2 years to play 2)
2023 (So.) Stats: 42 tackles 2.5 tackles-for-loss 1 INT
2022 (RsFr.) Stats: 19 tackles 1 pass breakup 1 fumble recovery
2021 (Fr.) Stats: Redshirted at Army
Offers from: Eastern Michigan, Old Dominion, Stephen F. Austin, Wagner
Primary Recruiter: Ethan Morriss, Nick Paremski
https://247sports.com/player/terrell-taylor-46054082/
https://www.hudl.com/profile/8340132/Terrell-Taylor
Jordan Vincent 5’11” 190 (NR) – New Mexico State University – (1 year to play 1)
2023 (Sr.) Stats: 65 tackles 3.0 tackles-for-loss 2.0 sacks 3 pass breakups
2022 (Jr.) Stats: 84 tackles 3.5 tackles-for-loss 3 INTS 8 pass breakups 2 forced fumbles 1 blocked kick
2021 (So.) Stats: 60 tackles 5.0 tackles-for-loss 3 pass breakups 2 forced fumbles 1 fumble recovery
2020 (Fr.) Stats: 25 tackles 2.5 tackles-for-loss 2 pass breakups
Offers from: UNKNOWN
Primary recruiter: Nate Dreiling
https://247sports.com/Player/jordan-vincent-46137848/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RsFGktrm7Y
2024 OUTLOOK
JORDAN VINCENT
New Mexico State graduate senior transfer Jordan Vincent will use his final season of eligibility in 2024. Last season Vincent started in all 15 games and was credited with 65 tackles, 3.0 tackles-for-loss, 2.0 sacks, and 3 pass breakups. For his effort, he earned an All-Conference USA Honorable Mention selection. During his 4-year career at New Mexico State and Eastern Illinois, he has totaled 43 games with 36 starts, racking up 234 tackles, 14.0 tackles-for-loss, 2.0 sacks, 3 interceptions, 11 pass breakups, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, and 1 blocked kick.
According to 247sports Vincent is rated as the 1,289th-best transfer portal player in the country and the 132nd-best safety in the transfer portal. The Aggies were Vincent’s first offer and he accepted almost immediately.
Vincent is a great tackler in the open field. He uses textbook tackling techniques to wrap up and secure opposing defenders. He has great instincts, is constantly around the ball, and has a knack for coming up with a big play when it’s needed most. He can defend the run as well as the pass making him a threat no matter where he lines up. He has good hands and can track the ball well in the air from his time as a receiver in high school and early collegiate years. Vincent didn’t come to Utah State to play his final season as a backup.
OMARI OKEKE
Redshirt senior Omari Okeke is back for his final season of eligibility. He missed last season with a shoulder injury that he suffered early in fall camp. During his 4-year career at Utah State and Cerritos Community College (CA), he has played in 25 games with 16 starts and totaled 68 tackles, 3.0 tackles-for-loss, 0.5 sacks, 2 interceptions, 3 pass breakups, and 1 fumble recovery.
After spending three seasons with the Falcons, Okeke chose the Aggies over an offer from Hawaii.
Okeke is a long, rangy athlete. He is versatile enough to play several positions in the defensive secondary. He is a physical force in the run game and is not only capable of making the big hit but he is a sound, reliable tackler as well. He has a wide range of coverage skills and can play both zone and man coverage. He will fit well as a rover in the Aggies new defensive scheme. He does a good job of diagnosing, reading, and reacting to opposing offensive plays.
TERRELL TAYLOR
Terrell Taylor is a junior college transfer who will enter the 2024 season as a junior with two seasons of eligibility remaining. Last season he started all 10 games and tallied 42 tackles, 2.5 tackles-for-loss, and an interception. During his 2-year career for the Rustlers, he played in 19 games with 10 starts and totaled 62 tackles, 2.5 tackles-for-loss, 1 interception, 1 pass breakup, and 1 fumble recovery.
According to 247sports coming out of Golden West Community College (CA), Taylor was rated as the the 111th-best junior college player nationally, the 13th-best junior college safety, and the 21st-best junior college prospect in California. He chose the Aggies over offers from Eastern Michigan, Old Dominion, Stephen F. Austin, and Wagner.
Taylor is a fast, physical player who is strong enough to fight through blocks, track the opposing ball carrier, and then wrap up and make a strong tackle in the open field. He has exceptional closing speed that allows him to flock to the ball in run support and track the ball while it is in the air on pass plays. His ability to anticipate plays will set him apart because that allows him to jump routes and gives him a mental edge while in coverage.
KADIYON SWEAT
Redshirt freshman Kadiyon Sweat is looking forward to getting on the field this season. He spent last season redshirting for the Aggies. As a high school senior in 2022, he started all 14 games and rolled up 57 tackles, 3.0 tackles-for-loss, 10 interceptions, 8 pass breakups, and 1 forced fumble on his way to Region 8 MVP and first-team all-state honors. During his 4- year career for the Pioneers, he played in 50 games with 39 starts and racked up 217 tackles, 4.0 tackles-for-loss, an incredible 26 interceptions, 29 pass breakups, and 1 forced fumble.
According to 247sports coming out of Lehi High (UT), Sweat was rated as the 2,046th-best player nationally, the 169th-best safety, and the 26th-best prospect overall in Utah. He chose the Aggies over offers from Air Force, Bryant, Colorado State, Eastern Washington, Idaho, Idaho State, and Weber State.
Sweat has been one of the top ball hawks in Utah High School Football history. He tracks the ball well in the air and has great hands which allow him to come down with the interception. He also excels at high-pointing the football often out battling an opposing wide receiver for the football. Sweat played mostly free safety in high school, but his violent approach to the game, when he prepares to make a tackle, has allowed him to transition nicely to boundary safety.
GIO KAFENTZIS
Adding depth to the position is true freshman preferred walk-on Gio Kafentzis. During his 4-year high school career for the Jaguars, Kafentzis played in 29 games with 19 starts, totaling 98 tackles, 10.0 tackles-for-loss, 1.0 sacks, 5 interceptions, 4 pass breakups, and 2 fumble recoveries.
According to 247sports coming out of Emerald Ridge High (WA), Kafentzis was rated as the 247th-best safety, and the 33rd-best prospect overall in Washington. He chose the Aggies over offers from Eastern Washington and Nevada and preferred walk-on offers from San Diego State and Weber State.
Kafentzis does a good job of initially diagnosing plays. He isn’t afraid to mix it up in run support, often taking on offensive players much bigger than him. He is plenty fast to provide solid zone coverage and can take deep thirds or halves with ease. He spent time on the offensive side of the ball as well, and that helped develop his ball skills.
PROJECTED 2024 PRESEASON DEPTH CHART
BOUNDARY SAFETY
24 Jordan Vincent (5-10, 185, Sr., TR, NR)
2 Omari Okeke (6-2, 195, Gr-RsSr., 1L, NR)
16 Terrell Taylor (5-11, 200, Jr., JC, 3*)
31 Kadiyon Sweat (6-0 185, RsFr., RS, 3*)
28 Gio Kafentzis (5-11, 180, Fr, HS, 3*)
Coming Up On Monday: Cornerback