QUARTERBACK
Returning players: Bryson Barnes, Jacob Conover, CJ Tiller
2024 players not returning: Levi Manning (left team), Spencer Petras (graduation)
2025 post-spring ball attrition: Braden Siri (transfer portal)
2024 total production lost: 9 games, 9 starts, 214 completions, 327 attempts (65.4%), 2,315 yards, 17 touchdowns, 11 interceptions
2024 total production returning: 11 games, 3 starts, 79 completions, 130 attempts (60.8%), 878 yards, 12 touchdowns, 6 interceptions
2024 total production transferring in (transfer portal/junior college): 1 game 1 carry 1 yard
New Faces in 2025:
Kaden Cox 6’1″ 170 (247 2*) – Ridgeline HS, UT – (Preferred Walk-on)
2021 (Sr.) Stats: 255 completions 356 passes (71.6%) 3,776 yards 55 TDs 2 INTs; 40 carries 208 yards 3 TDs
2020 (Jr.) Stats: 197 completions 281 passes (70.1%) 2,756 yards 30 TDs 6 INTs; 62 carries 59 yards 8 TDs
2019 (So.) Stats: 206 completions 332 attempts (62.0%) 2,127 yards 14 TDs 17 INTs; 72 carries 425 yards 3 TDs
Offers from: byu (PWO)
Primary recruiter: Kevin McGiven
https://www.hudl.com/profile/10006585/Kaden-Cox
Anthony Garcia 6’2″ 193 (3*) – University of Arizona – (3 years to play 3)
2024 (RsFr.) Stats: 1 carry 1 yard
2023 (Fr.) Stats: Redshirted at San Jose State University
Offers from: Cincinnati, Sacramento St
Original offers from: Air Force, Army, Eastern Washington, Navy, Princeton, Sacramento St, San Jose St, Villanova
Primary recruiter: Kevin McGiven
https://www.hudl.com/profile/12154319/Anthony-Garcia
2025 OUTLOOK
BRYSON BARNES
Barring injury, graduate senior Bryson Barnes will be the Aggies starting quarterback in 2025.
Last season, Barnes played in 9 games with 3 starts, completing 77 passes in 126 attempts (61.1%), for 856 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions. He also carried the ball 68 times for 530 yards and 5 touchdowns.
During his 4-year career at Utah State and the university of utah, he has played in 33 games with 14 starts, completing 258 passes in 426 attempts (60.6%), for 2,881 yards, 29 touchdowns, and 19 interceptions. He also has 179 carries for 921 yards and 9 touchdowns. His brother, Blake, is a redshirt freshman linebacker for the Aggies.l
According to 247sports, Barnes was rated as the 405th-best transfer portal player in the country and the 50th-best quarterback in the transfer portal. Coming out of Milford High School (UT), he originally held preferred walk-on offers from the university of utah, Utah State, and Washington State.
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 three years, Barnes is ready to compete for the starting spot this summer.
ANTHONY GARCIA
Anthony Garcia is a transfer from the University of Arizona who will enter the 2025 season as a sophomore with three years of eligibility remaining.
Last season, during his one-year stint with the Wildcats, he saw action in one game, logging one carry for one yard. He also spent one season redshirting at San Jose State in 2023.
According to 247sports, coming out of Capital Christian High School (CA), Garcia was rated as the 1,600th-best player nationally, the 73rd-best quarterback, and the 114th-best player in the State of California. He originally held offers from Air Force, Army, Eastern Washington, Navy, Princeton, Sacramento State, San Jose State, and Villanova. He chose the Aggies over offers from Cincinnati and Sacramento State.
Garcia has a strong arm, and his natural ability to step into his throws allows him to rifle passes all over the field. He reads the field well, going through his progressions and, in turn, gets the ball out of his hand quickly. His strong arm allows him to throw the deep ball, but he also has enough touch on his passes that he is an accurate passer on throws 10 to 20 yards downfield. He excels at recognizing when he can tuck and run to create something on offense and is plenty mobile to force opposing defenses to respect his ability to scramble. Garcia will have the opportunity to win the backup job in fall camp.
JACOB CONOVER
Graduate senior Jacob Conover is pushing hard for second-team reps.
Last season he saw action in 2 games and completed 2 passes in 4 attempts for 22 yards.
Between stays with the Aggies, Arizona State University, and byu, Conover has appeared in 10 games during his 5-year career, totaling 18 completions in 52 attempts (34.6%) for 197 yards and 3 interceptions.
According to 247sports, coming out of Chandler High School (AZ), Conover was rated as the 317th-best player nationally, the 11th-best pro-style quarterback, and the 6th-best player in the State of Arizona. He originally held offers from Alabama, Arizona, Arizona State, byu, Memphis, Mississippi, Nevada, Northwestern, Oregon State, South Carolina, Utah State, and Washington State.
Conover has very good arm strength and has an effortless velocity that allows him to throw outside the numbers. He has a quick, efficient release. His high school numbers show that he has the ability to complete passes with accuracy. He can adjust and quickly flick the ball out. He has an above-average ability to escape the pocket and continue looking downfield. He can make all the throws; it is just a matter of him putting it all together. I’m looking forward to seeing that happen at Utah State. He will be given the opportunity to compete for the number two spot in fall camp.
CJ TILLER
Sophomore CJ Tiller will battle for the backup spot this summer.
Last season, Tiller did not see any action during his first season as an Aggie.
During his 2-year career with the Aggies and boise state university he played in one game as a bronco, completing 12 of 21 passes for 117 yards and an interception.
According to On3 Sports, coming out of Rancho Cucamonga High School (CA), Tiller was rated as the 756th-best player nationally, the 41st-best quarterback, and the 66th-best player in California. Tiller originally held offers from California, boise state, Northern Arizona, San Diego State, San Jose State, Utah State, and Washington State. He chose the Aggies over an offer from James Madison.
Tiller is a talented quarterback who caught the eye of P5 recruiters is senior year of high school. He has a strong arm and completes passes with accuracy. He excels at rolling out and completing passes while on the run. He throws a nice catchable ball even when he doesn’t step into throws. He has shown he can throw the deep ball with accuracy and keep his receivers moving forward. He is very mobile and able to escape the pocket and evade opposing defenders with ease. He should be able to pick up some yardage with his feet if needed. Tiller will be given the opportunity to compete for the backup spot in fall camp, but with three years of eligibility remaining, he should have his eyes set on battling for the starting gig in spring ball of 2026.
KADEN COX
True freshman preferred walk-on Kaden Cox got an early jump on things, enrolling at Utah State in January following his return from serving a church mission.
Cox had a distinguished high school career as a 3-year starter with the Riverhawks. He amassed 658 completions in 969 attempts (67.9%) for 8,659 yards, 99 touchdowns, and 25 interceptions. He also added 174 carries for 687 yards and 14 touchdowns.
According to 247sports, coming out of Ridgeline High School (UT), Cox was rated as the 202nd-best quarterback nationally and the 69th-best player in Utah. Cox originally held preferred walk-on offers from byu, Colorado State, Portland State, Utah State, Southern Utah, Utah Tech, and Weber State. He signed with byu in high school but chose to transfer to Utah State before January 2025.
Cox is a dual-threat quarterback who can get out and run when he needs to. He played a ton of football throughout his high school career. His leadership and competitive nature stand out to me. He has sound mechanics and a fluid throwing motion. He can stand in the pocket and deliver the ball with poise and accuracy. He excels at completing the short and intermediate routes 10 to 20 yards downfield. He is smart with the football and is rarely guilty of a turnover. He is a true student of the game who will easily adapt to the new offensive system at Utah State. I expect Cox to redshirt the 2025 season.
PROJECTED 2025 PRESEASON DEPTH CHART
QUARTERBACK
16 Bryson Barnes (6-2, 205, Sr., 1L, 3*)
00 Anthony Garcia (6-2, 195, So., TR, 3*) OR
15 Jacob Conover (6-1, 200, Gr-Sr., SQ, 3*)
10 CJ Tiller (6-1, 200, So., SQ. 3*)
00 Kaden Cox (6-1, 170, Fr., HS, 2*)
Coming Up On Monday: Wide Receiver