DEFENSIVE END/EDGE
Returning players: Zion Andreasen, Enoka Migao, Ioholani Raass, Cian Slone, Blaine Spires
2023 players not returning: Adam Tomczyk (transferred to Cerritos Community College), Maka Tua’koi (transferred to Idaho State)
2024 post-spring ball attrition: Bryce Cage (transferred to Grambling State), Paul Fitzgerald (transferred to university of utah), Kaden Jolley (left team), Tanner Jolley (left team), John Ward (transfer portal)
2023 total production lost: 30 games, 13 starts, 61 tackles, 9.0 tackles-for-loss, 8.0 sacks, 1 pass breakup, 1 forced fumble
2023 total production returning: 47 games, 12 starts, 80 tackles, 19.0 tackles-for-loss, 8.0 sacks, 5 pass breakups, 2 forced fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries
2023 total production transferring in (transfer portal/junior college): 37 games, 33 starts, 115 tackles, 31.5 tackles-for-loss, 19.0 sacks, 3 pass breakups, 4 forced fumbles, 2 blocked kicks
New faces in 2024:
Aaron Armitage 6’5″ 260 (247 4*) – Stanford University – (2 years to play 2)
2023 (So.) Stats: 4 tackles 1.0 tackles-for-loss 1.0 sack
2022 (RsFr.) Stats: 15 tackles 1.0 tackles-for-loss
2021 (Fr.) Stats: 3 tackles 1.0 tackles-for-loss 1.0 sack; Redshirted at Stanford University
Offers from: UNKNOWN
Original offers from: California, Cincinnati, Duke, Florida, Florida St, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, Louisville, LSU, Maryland, Massachusetts, Miami (FL), Michigan, Michigan St, Mississippi, Nebraska, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Ohio St, Oklahoma, Oklahoma St, Oregon, Penn St, Pittsburgh, Purdue, Rutgers, Stanford, Syracuse, Temple, Tennesse, Texas, Texas A&M, USC, Vanderbilt, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin
Primary recruiter: Cedric Douglas
https://247sports.com/player/aaron-armitage-46076604/high-school-227110/
https://www.hudl.com/profile/9772433/Aaron-Armitage
Marlin Dean 6’6″ 245 (247 4*) – Butler CC, KS – (3 years to play 3)
2023 (RsFr.) Stats: 25 tackles 10.0 tackles-for-loss 7.5 sacks 2 forced fumbles
2022 (Fr.) Stats: Sat out the 2022 season in the transfer portal.
2021 (Fr.) Stats: 2 tackles at University of Georgia
Offers from: Charlotte, Cincinnati, Eastern Michigan, Jacksonville St, Kansas, Memphis, North Texas, South Florida, Texas St, Western Kentucky
Original Offers from: Arkansas, Auburn, Florida St, Georgia, Georgia St, Georgia Tech, Memphis, Mississippi, Mississippi St, Nebraska, Penn St, South Carolina, South Florida, Tennessee, Texas A&M, West Virginia
Primary Recruiter: Tevita Finau
https://247sports.com/player/marlin-dean-46097990/
https://www.hudl.com/profile/11163931/Marlin-Dean
Lawrence Falatea 6’3″ 242 (247 3*) – Washington State University – (3 years to play 3)
2023 (So.) Stats: Missed the season due to injury
2022 (RsFr.) Stats: 11 tackles 1.5 tackles-for-loss 1.0 sacks 1 forced fumble
2021 (Fr.) Stats: 1 tackle; Redshirted at Washington State University
Offers from: Colorado St, Nevada, New Mexico St, North Texas, Sacramento St, South Florida
Original offers from: Eastern Washington, New Mexico, San Diego St, Utah St, Washington St, Utah Tech
Primary recruiter: Cedric Douglas
https://247sports.com/player/lawrence-falatea-46099552/
https://www.hudl.com/profile/14223319/Lawrence-Falatea
Gabe Peterson 6’2″ 250 (247 3*) – New Mexico State University – (3 years to play 2)
2023 (So.) Stats: 55 tackles 8.0 tackles-for-loss 3.5 sacks 1 forced fumble 2 blocked kicks
2022 (Fr.) Stats: 17 tackles 3.0 tackles-for-loss 2.0 sacks
Offers from: Houston
Original offers from: Central Missouri St, Emporia St, New Mexico St, Southeast Missouri St
Primary recruiter: Nate Dreiling, Bobby McMillen
https://247sports.com/player/gabe-peterson-46129337/
https://www.hudl.com/profile/11415541/Gabe-Peterson
CJ Nesmith 6’5″ 230 (247 3*) – Fullerton CC, CA – (2 years to play 2)
2023 (So.) Stats: 31 tackles 12.5 tackles-for-loss 7.0 sacks 3 pass breakups 1 forced fumble
2022 (Fr.) Stats: 7 tackles 0.5 tackles-for-loss 1 pass breakup
Offers from: Bethune-Cookman, Morgan St, Presbyterian College
Primary Recruiter: Nick Paremski
https://247sports.com/Player/carl-nesmith-46146016/
https://www.hudl.com/profile/9883482/Carl-Nesmith
2024 OUTLOOK
WEAK SIDE DEFENSIVE END
CIAN SLONE
Senior Cian Slone will be a key player at this position in 2024. Last year Slone played in all 13 games with 6 starts and pulled down 28 tackles, 6.5 tackles-for-loss, 2.0 sacks, 4 pass breakups, and 1 forced fumble. During his 3-year career at Utah State and American River Community College (CA), he has played in 33 games with 17 starts and totaled 151 tackles, 30 tackles-for-loss, 14.5 sacks, 4 pass breakups, and 2 forced fumbles. His brother Teeg Slone is an Aggie free safety.
As a sophomore at American River, Slone was named the California Junior College Defensive Player of the Year for his outstanding effort. He chose the Aggies over offers from Hawaii, Idaho State, Northern Colorado, Northwestern State, Portland State, Stephen F. Austin, Toledo, and UC-Davis.
Slone is quick off the edge, getting past tacklers with his speed and into the backfield to make a play. He is a textbook EDGE rush end. He tracks opposing ball carriers like they are his prey. He does an impressive job pushing past opposing offensive linemen and doesn’t give up on any play. One thing that stands out is that he never takes a play off, he is 100% all-go, all the time. Slone is a textbook tackler who puts his whole body into his hits and ball carriers rarely escape his grasp. He has received very favorable comparisons to former Aggie standout Nick Heninger.
ENOKA MIGAO
Junior Enoka Migao will absolutely be in the mix for reps this fall. Last season Migao saw action in 13 games with 3 starts and logged 22 tackles, 3.0 tackles-for-loss, and 1.0 sack. During his 2-year career with the Aggies, he has played in 20 games with 3 starts and totaled 25 tackles, 3.0 tackles-for-loss, and 1.0 sacks. His twin brother Elia is an offensive lineman for the Aggies.
According to 247sports coming out of Chaparral High (CA), Migao was rated as the 1,030th-best player nationally, the 59th-best EDGE defensive end, and the 86th-best prospect overall in California. He chose the Aggies over offers from Arizona, byu, Colorado, Michigan State, Nevada, Oregon State, Sacramento State, San Diego State, and UNLV.
Migao is perfect for the EDGE rush position and relies on his finesse and speed. He is developing a lethal bull rush and will give opposing offenses fits for years. He has a muscular frame but also has great game speed to pair with it. He is at his best when he is tracking down opposing quarterbacks. He makes a concentrated effort to get a hand on the ball carrier to disrupt the play. He sheds his blocks easily and takes good angles to get into the backfield. He has lots of potential and will start to shine as he continues to develop.
IOHOLANI RAASS
Junior Ioholani Raass will be battling to get on the field this season. Last year Raass played in 8 games and was credited with 2 tackles and 1.0 tackle-for-loss. During his 3-year career at Utah State, Snow Junior College (UT), and UCLA, he has played in 16 games and totaled 14 tackles, 8.0 tackles-for-loss, 3.5 sacks, and 1 QB hurry.
According to 247sports coming out of Skyridge High (UT), Raass was rated as the 1,148th-best player nationally, the 59th-best weak-side defensive end, and the 8th-best prospect overall in Utah. He originally held offers from byu, Colorado, Hawaii, UCLA, Utah State, and Washington State. He chose the Aggies over offers from Southern Utah, Weber State
Raass has done a good job of filling out his frame and has not sacrificed any of the explosiveness that made him a coveted recruit. He is extremely quick off the edge and uses that to close on opposing ball carriers. He is physical at the point of attack and uses his long wing span to disengage from opposing blockers. He is tenacious in pursuit of the ball carrier and does well to cover ground upfield. Once he arrives at the ball, he finishes plays in the backfield. He has the range to cover outside but is best suited when rushing forward.
CJ NESMITH
CJ Nesmith is a junior college transfer who will enter the 2024 season as a junior with two years of eligibility remaining. Last year Nesmith started in the 9 games he played and wrapped up 31 tackles, 12.5 tackles-for-loss, 7.0 sacks, 3 pass breakups, and 1 forced fumble. For his effort, he earned a selection to the California Community College all-american first-team. During his 2-year career for the Hornets, he played in 19 games with 9 starts and totaled 38 tackles, 13.0 tackles-for-loss, 7.0 sacks, 4 pass breakups, and 1 forced fumble.
According to 247sports coming out of Fullerton Community College (CA), Nesmith was rated as the 102nd-best junior college player nationally, the 6th-best junior college EDGE rush defensive end, and the 18th-best junior college prospect overall in Florida. He chose the Aggies over offers from Bethune-Cookman, Morgan State, and Presbyterian College
Nesmith is a high-motor, high-intensity player who will play with non-stop determination from whistle to whistle. Speed is the the name of his game and he uses his natural ability to hunt down opposing quarterbacks and ball carriers and he makes it look easy. He uses his lower body strength to leverage himself against opposing offensive linemen and set the edge over his blocker. He does a great job staying low to maximize his speed.
LAWRENCE FALATEA
Lawrence Falatea is a transfer from Washington State University who will enter the 2024 season as a sophomore with three years of eligibility remaining. Falatea missed the entire 2023 season with an injury suffered during fall camp. During his 2-year career with the Cougars, he played in 14 games and totaled 11 tackles, 1.5 tackles-for-loss, 1.0 sacks, and 1 forced fumble.
According to 247sports coming out of Alta High (UT), Falatea was rated as the 1,534th-best player nationally, the 138th-best linebacker, and the 11th-best prospect overall in Utah. He originally held offers from Eastern Washington, New Mexico, San Diego State, Utah State, Washington State, and Utah Tech. He chose the Aggies over offers from Colorado State, Nevada, New Mexico State, North Texas, Sacramento State, and South Florida.
The first thing that jumps out at me is that Falatea has done a nice job of filling out his body. He has put on plenty of muscle mass since high school. He uses his long arms to keep the opposing offensive line at bay and then works through a spin or swim move in pursuit of the opposing quarterback. He shows good quickness and anticipation at the snap of the ball. He does a good job of finding the opposing ball carrier and sifting through the clutter in the backfield. Once he arrives at the ball, he gets low and finishes his tackle well by wrapping up and driving through the opposing player.
STRONG SIDE DEFENSIVE END
BLAINE SPIRES
Senior Blain Spires will be counted on to be a major contributor this season. Last year Spires played in 12 games with 3 starts and tallied 27 tackles, 8.5 tackles-for-loss, 5.0 sacks, 1 pass breakup, 1 forced fumble, and 3 fumble recoveries. During his 5-year career at Utah State and Bowling Green University, he has played in 42 games with 21 starts and totaled 93 tackles, 18.5 tackles-for-loss, 7.5 sacks, 2 pass breakups, 2 forced fumbles, and 4 fumble recoveries.
According to 247sports coming out of East High (OH), Spires was rated as the 3,462nd-best player nationally, the 226th-best defensive end, and the 121st-best prospect overall in Ohio. He chose the Aggies over offers from Austin Peay, East Tennessee State, Eastern Kentucky, Illinois State, Jackson State, Mississippi Valley State, and Southern Illinois.
One thing that Spires brings to the table is speed. He is an EDGE rush end in every sense of the phrase. He has an explosive first step and his initial goal is to blow past the opposing offensive tackle. He is in constant attack mode. He can find the ball carrier and put his helmet on him quickly. He has developed a strong rip move that allows him to get up, under, and past an opposing offensive lineman. He does a good job of flowing down the line of scrimmage and making a tackle on the opposite end. He does not seem to overrun the play. He is a good form tackler.
GABE PETERSON
Gabe Peterson is a transfer from New Mexico State University who will enter the 2024 season as a junior with three years to complete his final two seasons of eligibility. Last season he started in all 15 games and raked in 55 tackles, 8.0 tackles-for-loss, 3.5 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, and 2 blocked kicks. During his 2-year career with the Aggies, he played in 27 games with 15 starts and totaled 72 tackles, 11.0 tackles-for-loss, 5.5 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, and 2 blocked kicks.
According to 247sports Peterson is rated as the 928th-best transfer portal player in the country and the 72nd-EDGE rush defensive end in the transfer portal. The Aggies flipped his initial commitment out of the transfer portal from Houston.
Peterson is an energetic pass-rusher who doesn’t give up on plays. He displays a combination of strength and speed that allows him to attack the quarterback with little issue. He doesn’t over-pursue on a play and squares up well on his hits to prevent players from escaping. He is a fluid athlete with great lateral agility. Because of his explosive first step, he mostly tries to run around offensive tackles but shows proficiency with an inside swim move. He has good hand usage and shows awareness of ball carriers while engaging with blockers.
MARLIN DEAN
Marlin Dean is a junior college transfer who will enter the 2024 season as a sophomore with three years of eligibility remaining. Last season Dean started and played in 9 games and tallied 25 tackles, 10.0 tackles-for-loss, 7.5 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles. For his effort, he earned a first-team all-Jayhawk Conference nod. During his 3-year career for the Grizzlies and the University of Georgia, he saw action in 10 games with 9 starts and totaled 26 tackles, 10.0 tackles-for-loss, 7.5 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles.
According to 247sports coming out of Butler Community College (KS), Dean was rated as the 8th-best junior college player nationally, the 2nd-best junior college defensive lineman, and the 2nd-best junior college prospect overall in Georgia. He originally held offers from Arkansas, Auburn, Florida State, Georgia, Georgia State, Georgia Tech, Memphis, Mississippi, Mississippi State, Nebraska, Penn State, South Carolina, South Florida, Tennessee, Texas A&M, and West Virginia. He chose the Aggies over offers from Charlotte, Cincinnati, Eastern Michigan, Jacksonville State, Kansas, Memphis, North Texas, South Florida, Texas State, and Western Kentucky.
Dean’s calling card is his elite speed on the edge blowing by opposing offensive linemen before they can react. He is long-armed and can keep opposing linemen from getting their hands on him. He 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.
AARON ARMITAGE
Aaron Armitage is a transfer from Stanford University who will enter the 2024 season as a junior with two years of eligibility remaining. Last season Armitage saw action in 4 games and recorded 4 tackles, 1.0 tackle-for-loss, and 1.0 sack. During his 3-year career for the Cardinal he played in 15 games and totaled 22 tackles, 3.0 tackles-for-loss, and 2.0 sacks.
According to 247sports coming out of the Blair Academy (NJ), Armitage was rated as the 213-best player nationally, the 30th-best defensive lineman, and the 2nd-best prospect overall in New Jersey. He originally held offers from California, Cincinnati, Duke, Florida, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, Louisville, LSU, Maryland, Massachusetts, Miami (FL), Michigan, Michigan State, Mississippi, Nebraska, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Oregon, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Purdue, Rutgers, Stanford, Syracuse, Temple, Tennesse, Texas, Texas A&M, USC, Vanderbilt, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Armitage is a long-armed, agile player who has plus size and strength for his position. He is very athletic and has a good initial burst of speed and his combination of flexibility and body control to manipulate his body to get through gaps. He is a twitchy player with a start-stop ability that allows him to get opposing offensive linemen off balance. He does a good job of running down the line of scrimmage and pursuing opposing ball carriers from the backside. He has a rare combination of speed and power.
ZION ANDREASEN
Redshirt freshman Zion Andreasen will be competing hard to see this field this season. In his first season as an Aggie last year, Andreason saw action in 1 game and recorded one tackle. By competing in just one game he was able to maintain his redshirt status.
During his 3-year high school career at East High (UT), Andreason played in 19 games with 18 starts totaling 101 tackles, 19.0 tackles-for-loss, 15.0 sacks, 1 pass breakup, and 1 fumble recovery. For his effort in his senior season, he earned a Class 5A first-team all-state selection. He chose the Aggies over offers from Idaho and San Diego State.
Andreasen has the ideal pass-rushing height and size to be an effective EDGE rush end in the Mountain West and has the talent to go with it as well. He has a constant motor and will chase the ball all over the field. He explodes out of his stance and knocks blockers off balance with timely hand placement and a solid bull rush to get to the backfield. He likes to put the hurt on opposing ball carriers by putting his whole body into his tackles.
WILLIAM HOLMES
Adding depth to the position is true freshman William Holmes. Holmes took a very non-traditional route to Utah State by not playing high school football. After graduating from Western International High (MI), he was selected in the fifth round and 151st overall of the 2018 Major League Draft by the Los Angeles Angels.
During his 5-year minor league baseball career, Holmes recorded 163 at-bats, 39 hits, .239 (AVG), 1 home run, 23 runs-batted-in, 7 stolen bases, 17 runs scored, .339 (OBP), and .646 (OPS). He also saw limited time as a pitched totaling 0 wins and 2 losses in 10 games with 8 starts, 24.1 innings pitched, 38 strikeouts, and a 1.34 (WHIP).
Holmes is a physical specimen with a broad-shoulders, and a muscular, athletic frame. He has very good foot speed for a player of his size. He possesses good lower body strength which will be a plus in his development. His athleticism, foot speed, and upper-body strength indicate above-average potential. He showed good raw power and I think he brings some exciting untapped potential to the table.
PROJECTED 2024 PRESEASON DEPTH CHART
WEAK SIDE DEFENSIVE END
98 Cian Slone (6-4, 240, Sr., 1L, 2*)
45 Enoka Migao (6-4, 270, Jr., 1L, 3*)
56 Ioholani Raass (6-2, 240, Jr., 1L, 3*)
41 CJ Nesmith (6-4, 220, Jr., JC, NR)
50 Lawrence Falatea (6-3, 240, So., TR, 3*)
STRONG SIDE DEFENSIVE END
9 Blaine Spires (6-3, 235, Sr., 1L, 2*)
00 Gabe Peterson (6-2, 250, Jr., TR, 3*)
5 Marlin Dean (6-5, 240, So., JC, 4*)
00 Aaron Armitage (6-5, 260, Jr., TR, 4*)
40 Zion Andreasen (6-4, 230, RsFr., RS, NR)
59 William Holmes (6-4, 240, Fr., HS, NR)
Coming Up On Thursday: Special Teams