OFFENSIVE GUARD
Returning players
Kauasi Hansen
K’leyone Iosua
Cole Keele
George Maile
Tavo Motu’apuaka
Jared Smith
2025 players not returning
Elia Migao (Graduation)
Jared Pele (Graduation)
Caysen Whittaker (Transfer portal)
2026 post-spring ball attrition
NONE
2025 total production lost
1 games
0 starts
0 knockdowns
2025 total production returning
41 games
26 starts
1,722 snaps
102 knockdowns
2025 total production transferring in (transfer portal/junior college
3 games
0 starts
22 snaps
0 knockdowns
New Faces in 2026
Evan Nesmith 6’5″ 283 (NR) – Cornell University – (1 year to play 1)
2025 (Sr.) Stats: Saw action on the offensive line in 3 games and redshirted
2024 (Jr.) Stats: Saw action on the offensive line in 3 games. Missed the majority of the season with an injury.
2023 (So.) Stats: Saw action on the offensive line in 10 games
2022 (Fr.) Stats: Saw action on the offensive line in 8 games
Offers from: Albany, Central Connecticut St, New Haven, New Mexico St, Stony Brook, Towson St, Vanderbilt
Original offers from: Cornell, Lafayette College
https://x.com/evan_nesmith/status/2007478480565329925/video/1l
Spencer Scappini 6’3″ 305 (NR) – Hazen HS, WA – (Preferred Walk-on)
2025 (Sr.) Stats: Starter on the offensive line in all 9 games
2024 (Jr.) Stats: Starter on the offensive line in all 9 games
Offers from: Montana, Portland St
Primary recruiter: Mario Acitelli
https://www.hudl.com/profile/16707772/Spencer-Scappini
2026 OUTLOOK
LEFT GUARD
GEORGE MAILE
Senior George Maile was the starter here last season, and I expect him to start at this spot again.
As a junior last season, Maile played in 13 games with 13 starts. He logged 827 snaps and recorded 51 pancake blocks.
During his 4-year career at Utah State and Baylor University, he has played in 46 games with 15 starts. He racked up 1,181 snaps and recorded 71 pancake blocks. His brother Bo was a defensive tackle for the Aggies.
According to 247sports, Maile was rated as the 985th-best transfer portal player nationally and the 73rd-best interior offensive lineman. Maile chose the Aggies over offers from Arizona State, byu, California, Hawaii, San Diego State, Texas State, Texas Tech, and Washington State. He originally held offers from Baylor, boise state, byu, California, Colorado, Nebraska, Oregon, Oregon State, TCU, Tennessee, UCLA, USC, utah, and Utah State.
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 continuing to develop into an NFL prospect.
EVAN NESMITH
Evan Nesmith is a transfer from Cornell University who will enter the 2026 season as a graduate senior who will use his final season of eligibility at Utah State.
As a junior last season with the Big Red, Lynch played in 3 games with 0 starts and then sat out the remainder of the season, utilizing his redshirt season.
During his 4-year career at Cornell University, Nesmith played in 24 games with 0 starts.
Nesmith chose the Aggies over offers from Albany, Central Connecticut State, New Haven, New Mexico State, Stony Brook, Towson State, and Vanderbilt. He originally held offers from Cornell and Lafayette College.
Nesmith has valuable in-game experience that made him a coveted post-spring ball addition. During his collegiate career, he has played all across the offensive line, including both tackle spots and both guard spots. He has a massive 7-foot-1 wingspan that he uses to his advantage, keeping opposing pass rushers from advancing by extending his arms and making it very difficult to get by him. He has proven to be a disciplined run blocker, engaging with opposing defensive linemen and correctly opening holes in Cornell’s run-heavy offense.
KAUASI HANSEN
Redshirt freshman Kauasi Hansen will challenge for the second spot on the depth chart.
As a true freshman last season, Hansen saw action in 2 games with 0 starts, participating primarily on special teams, and was able to preserve his redshirt season.
During his 3-year high school career at Herriman High School (UT), Hansen saw action on the offensive line in 36 games and was a starter in all 36 of them.
According to 247sports, Hansen was rated as the 2,068th-best player nationally, the 187th-best offensive tackle, and the 45th-best player in Utah. He chose the Aggies over offers from byu, Colorado State, New Mexico, and San Jose State.
Hansen has proven to be an imposing figure on the offensive line. He is extremely agile, and that comes into play as he can swing around on a run play to get out in front as a lead blocker. His footwork and mobility will be a pair of his greatest strengths. He is just as effective in pass protection, where his stout footwork becomes most noticeable. He isn’t afraid to put opposing defensive linemen on their backs. Hansen can play anywhere on the offensive line, but I think he projects best as a guard.
SPENCER SCAPPINI
True freshman preferred walk-on Spencer Scappini will add depth to the position.
As a senior last season at Hazen High (WA), Scappini played in 9 games with 9 starts.
During his 2-year high school career with the Highlanders, Scappini saw action on the offensive line in 18 games and was a starter in all 18 of them.
Scappini chose the Aggies over offers from Montana and Portland State.
Scappini loves to use his massive frame to engage and drive opposing defenders into the turf. Once he makes contact, he does an excellent job of continuing to drive his feet. In zone-blocking schemes, he does a good job of identifying his assignment. He is fairly light on his feet for a player his size, but he does his best work moving from the outside in.
RIGHT GUARD
TAVO MOTU’APUAKA
Junior Sione “Tavo” Motu’apuaka finally stayed healthy for an entire season and showed what he is capable of. He will return as the starter at this position in 2026.
As a junior last season, Motu’apuaka played in 12 games with 12 starts. He logged 764 snaps and recorded 47 pancake blocks.
During his 4-year career at Utah State, he has played in 19 games with 19 starts while logging 1,161 snaps and 59 knockdown blocks. His brother Hale was a defensive tackle for the Aggies.
According to On3 Sports, coming out of Mililani High School (HI), Motu’apuaka was rated as the 1,180th-best player nationally, the 95th-best offensive tackle, and the 7th-best player in Hawaii. He chose the Aggies over offers from Hawaii, San Diego State, UNLV, utah, and Washington State. He was originally committed to the university of utah but as the early signing period neared, he chose to flip his commitment to the Aggies.
Motu’apuaka is a very physical player who delivers menacing hits on opposing defenders who attempt to get by him. He explodes out of his stance once the ball is snapped and immediately gets into position to execute his assignment. He does a good job maintaining a low center of gravity. He is a good athlete and very mobile for a player of his size. He is versatile enough to play at multiple spots along the line. He has a mean streak that every offensive lineman needs, but not everyone of them has. If he has finally rid himself of the injury bug, good things will continue to happen for him.
K’LEYONE IOSUA
Junior preferred walk-on K’Leyone Iosua was the surprise of the season on the offensive line last year.
As a sophomore last season, Iosua played in 13 games with 1 start. He logged 126 snaps and recorded 4 pancake blocks.
During his 3-year career at Utah State, he has played in 13 games with 1 start while logging 126 snaps and 4 knockdown blocks.
Iosua chose the Aggies over offers from Black Hills State, Eastern New Mexico, Fort Hays State, and Highland Community College (KS).
Iosua does a good job of playing assignment football. His natural physical power allows him to bulldoze opposing defensive linemen. He identifies the opposing player who his mark is and engages immediately. He keeps a solid base while fighting to get into the backfield. He uses his leverage well to stand up an opposing offensive player. He uses his size well in the run game and is very aggressive on the field. He is at his best as a run blocker who resets the line of scrimmage. His versatility allows him to play any of the interior offensive line positions.
JARED SMITH
Redshirt freshman Jared Smith will enter fall camp looking to move up the depth chart.
As a true freshman last season, Smith was a member of the Aggies practice squad and was able to preserve his redshirt season.
During his 3-year high school career at Lone Peak High School (UT), Smith saw action on the offensive line in 38 games and was a starter in all 38 of them.
According to 247sports, Smith was rated as the 2,343rd-best player nationally, 166th-best offensive tackle nationally, and the 33rd-best player in Utah. He chose the Aggies over offers from Idaho State, Southern Utah, Utah Tech, and Weber State.
Smith is very strong in the run game. He likes to bully opposing defenders, pushing them backward to open up big holes. His athleticism allows him to be a key blocker who can be reliably used to pull and open a hole with a full head of steam behind him. He has shown good footwork in pass protection and has the quickness to push opposing edge rushers beyond the play. He engages in his blocks with ferocity and loves to hand out pancake blocks.
COLE KEELE
Adding depth to the position is junior preferred walk-on, Cole Keele.
As a sophomore last season, Keele saw action in 1 game, logging 5 snaps.
During his 3-year career with the Aggies, Keele has played in 2 games with 0 starts and totaled at least 5 snaps.
Keele chose the Aggies over an offer from Black Hills State, and preferred walk-on offers from New Mexico State, utah, and Weber State.
Keele has earned a reputation as a tough, nasty player who loves to get physical in the trenches. He is a strong player who can get his hands inside on an opposing defensive player and drive him wherever he wants to take him. He has a solid lower body, which allows him to keep a strong anchor in pass protection. He is mobile and has good enough footwork. He plays through the whistle and isn’t afraid to put opposing players on their backs. He is a versatile player who will play anywhere, anytime, just to get on the field.
PROJECTED 2026 PRESEASON DEPTH CHART
LEFT GUARD
72 George Maile (6-4, 310, Sr., 2L, 4*)
00 Evan Nesmith (6-5, 283, GrSr, TR, NR)
51 Kauasi Hansen (6-4, 295, RsFr., RS, 3*)
00 Spencer Scappini (6-3, 305, Fr, HS, NR)
RIGHT GUARD
65 Tavo Motu’apuaka (6-4, 335, Jr., 2L, 3*)
61 K’leyone Iosua (6-3, 315, Jr., 1L, NR)
77 Jared Smith (6-3, 265, RsFr., RS, 3*)
59 Cole Keele (6-3, 315, Jr., SQ, NR)
Coming up on Friday: Center