TIGHT END
Returning players: Broc Lane, Josh Sterzer, Chase Tuatagaloa
2024 players not returning: Will Monney (transferred to Oklahoma State)
2025 post-spring ball attrition: Grayson Brousseau (transferred to Oklahoma State)
2024 total production lost: 14 games, 0 starts, 11 receptions, 138 yards, 1 touchdown
2024 total production returning: 25 games, 12 starts, 39 receptions, 399 yards, 6 touchdowns
2024 total production transferring in (transfer portal/junior college): 9 games, 9 starts, 13 receptions, 173 yards, 2 touchdowns
New Faces in 2025:
Alex Fai’i’vae 6’3″ 215 (3*) – Leone HS, ASM
2024 (Sr.) Stats: 20 receptions 1,056 all-purpose yards 10 TDs
2023 (Jr.) Stats: Stats not available
Offers from: Minnesota North-Vermillion
Primary recruiter: DJ Tialavea
https://www.hudl.com/profile/19734778/alex-faiivae
Kache Kaio 6’3″ 234 (NR) – Snow JC, UT – (4 years to play 3)
2024 (Fr.) Stats: 13 receptions 173 yards 2 TDs
Offers from: Old Dominion
Primary recruiter: DJ Tialavea
https://www.hudl.com/profile/18992405/Kache-Kaio
2025 OUTLOOK
BROC LANE
Graduate senior Broc Lane will finish his career atop the depth chart.
During an injury-shortened season last year, Lane played in 7 games with 6 starts and still snagged 16 passes for 197 yards and 2 touchdowns.
During his 5-year career at Utah State, he has started in 16 of 33 games and caught 48 passes for 444 yards and 4 touchdowns.
According to 247sports, coming out of Perry High (AZ), Lane was rated as the 2,154th-best player nationally, the 106th-best tight end, and the 58th-best prospect overall in Arizona. He chose the Aggies over offers from Air Force, Arkansas St, Army, boise state, Bucknell, Coastal Carolina, Eastern Illinois, Georgetown, New Mexico State, Northern Arizona, Northern Colorado, Pennsylvania, Southern Utah, Utah Tech, and Weber State.
Lane is quick and has nice footwork while running routes, making it easy for him to gain separation. He excels in the middle of the field, whether piling up yards after a short catch or running down the seam for a big play. He is constantly looking for the ball and displays great hands. His knowledge of the game and his reliability make him a quarterback’s best friend. His blocking at the line of scrimmage, as well as downfield, is next-level ability. Lane has all the skill and talent to help the Aggies from the tight end spot. Is 2025 going to be the year that he entirely escapes the injury bug and shows Aggie Nation what he can do?
JOSH STERZER
Graduate senior Josh Sterzer is firmly entrenched in the first-team/second-team role.
Last season, Sterzer played in 11 games with 6 starts and pulled in 20 passes for 202 yards and 4 touchdowns.
During his 5-year career at Utah State, he has started in 19 of 42 games and caught 37 passes for 363 yards and 5 touchdowns.
According to On3 Sports, coming out of Taylorsville High (UT), Sterzer was initially recruited by the Aggies as a defensive end and was rated as the 2,907th-best player nationally, the 224th-best defensive end, and the 34th-best prospect overall in Utah. The Aggies were his first offer, and he accepted soon after being offered.
Sterzer runs crisp routes in the short passing game, and he could easily become an option as a safety valve. He can turn to get out and run when he gets in the open field, and he can be a physical blocker on the line with running plays. He is also an outstanding downfield blocker. He has sure hands and could become a valuable target in the red zone. He is the crafty veteran of the group, and his reliability is what will always allow him to see the field often. He is the clear-cut number two man on the depth chart.
KACHE KAIO
Kache Kaio is a transfer from Snow Junior College (UT) who will enter the 2025 season as a sophomore with three years of eligibility remaining, plus a redshirt season if needed.
In his lone season last year with the Badgers, Kaio played in and started 9 games, snagging 13 receptions for 173 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Kaio chose the Aggies over an offer from Old Dominion.
In limited action, Kaio has shown that he has a knack for running good routes and uses his raw technique and solid footwork to get himself open. He does a good job of reading opposing defenses and finding the soft spots in the zone, and settles in waiting for a pass to come his way. He runs hard after the catch and has proven to be tough to tackle. His stout build and sense of balance allow him to pick up additional yards after contact. He is a capable blocker who knows his assignment and opens up holes for his teammates.
CHASE TUATAGALOA
Chase Tuatagaloa enters fall camp hoping to stay healthy and make an impact on the depth chart.
During an injury-shortened season last year, Tuatagaloa saw action in 7 games but did not record any stats.
During his 3-year career at Utah State, he has played in 11 games but has yet to log any stats.
According to 247sports, coming out of Orem High (UT), Tuatagaloa was rated as the 1907th-best player nationally, the 148th-best athlete, and the 41st-best prospect overall in Utah. He chose to become an Aggie over an offer from Morgan State.
What makes Tuatagaloa such an important player on the roster is his incredible ability to play multiple positions at the FBS level. Not many kids can do that. He is VERY capable at any spot on the field. Having been a quarterback in the offense, he will already know the nuances of routes and blocking schemes needed to be a tight end. He is a huge target for Aggie quarterbacks. He has good hands and is very good at using his big body to create separation against smaller defenders. He is a willing blocker in the run game, which is a must for the Utah State coaching staff.
ALEX FAI’I’VAE
True freshman Alex Fai’i’vae will battle for reps in fall camp.
Last season as a high school senior, Fai’i’vae pulled in 20 receptions, totaled 1,056 all-purpose yards, and scored 10 touchdowns.
During his 3-year high school career, Fai’i’vae played in 27 games with 27 starts and pulled in 56 receptions and had 2,310 all-purpose yards with 32 touchdowns. Due to him playing his high school football in American Samoa, there are limited stats available.
According to 247sports, coming out of Leone High (AS), Fai’i’vae was rated as the 2,317th-best player nationally, the 149th-best tight end, and the 11th-best prospect overall in American Samoa. He chose the Aggies over an offer from Minnesota North-Vermillion.
Fai’i’vae does a Solid job watching the ball all the way in and securing the catch. He isn’t afraid to work over the middle of the field, and he uses his strength to hold onto the ball after taking a big hit. He has a physical nature and is not afraid to lower his shoulder to run through an opposing defender for extra yardage. He has a good burst of speed and is capable of being a threat to gain yardage after the catch. I think he is a raw talent who is just barely scratching the surface of the player he could become. With the number of upperclassmen on the depth chart, I expect him to redshirt the 2025 season.
PROJECTED 2024 PRESEASON DEPTH CHART
TIGHT END
87 Broc Lane (6-4, 245, Gr-Sr., 4L, 3*)
83 Josh Sterzer (6-3, 235, Gr-Sr., 5L, 3*)
13 Kache Kaio (6-3, 235, So., JC, NR)
12 Chase Tuatagaloa (6-4, 235, Jr., 2L, 3*)
00 Alex Fai’i’vae (6-3, 215, Fr., HS, 3*)
Coming Up On Wednesday: Running Back