WIDE RECEIVER
Returning players: Kahanu Davis, Tate Kjar, Jackson Olsen
2024 players not returning: Colby Bowman (graduation), Cole Christensen (left team), Jack Hestera (transferred to Colorado), Grant Page (transferred to Southern Mississippi), Quentin Riley (transfer portal), Jalen Royals (NFL Draft Round 4 Kansas City Chiefs), Otto Tia (transferred to university of utah), Kyrese White (NFL Undrafted Free Agent Denver Broncos)
2025 post-spring ball attrition: Robert Freeman (transferred to Idaho State)
2024 total production lost: 71 games, 36 starts, 207 receptions, 2,484 yards, 22 touchdowns
2024 total production returning: 10 games, 0 starts, 0 receptions, 0 yards, 0 touchdowns
2024 total production transferring in (transfer portal/junior college): 32 games, 3 starts, 8 receptions, 123 yards, 0 touchdowns
New Faces in 2025:
Cade Baker 6’3″ 185 (NR) – Saddleback CC, CA – (Preferred Walk-on; 4 years to play 4)
2024 (RsFr.) Stats: 5 receptions 53 yards 1 TD; Received a medical redshirt
2023 (Fr.) Stats: No stats recorded. Redshirted at Golden West Community College (CA)
Offers from: Chadron St, Culver, Hastings, Judson, Ottawa University (AZ), Saint Thomas, Tabor, utah (PWO), William Penn
Primary recruiter: DeNarius McGhee
https://www.hudl.com/profile/20027419/cade-baker
Nikko Boncore 6’0″ 175 (3*) – Centennial HS, AZ
2024 (Sr.) Stats: 29 receptions 508 yards 5 TDs; 5 carries 53 yards 1 TD
2023 (Jr.) Stats: 92 receptions 1,214 yards 15 TDs; 13 carries 55 yards 2 TDs; 6 completions 9 attempts 50 yards 2 TDs
2022 (So.) Stats: 62 receptions 1,207 yards 9 TDs
2021 (Fr.) Stats: 6 receptions 80 yards 1 TD
Offers from: Iowa St, South Dakota, Southern Utah
Primary recruiter: Kyle Cefalo
https://www.hudl.com/profile/15170051/Nikko-BoncoreMontoya
Brady Boyd 6’1″ 195 (3*) – Texas Tech University – (1 year to play 1)
2024 (RsJr.) Stats: 1 receptions 7 yards
2023 (Jr.) Stats: 5 receptions 41 yards; Redshirted
2022 (So.) Stats: 13 receptions 125 yards 1 TD at Texas Tech University
2021 (Fr.) Stats: 2 receptions 18 yards at the University of Minnesota
Offers from: None
Original offers from: Arkansas St, boise st, Columbia, Dartmouth, Illinois St, Kansas, Liberty, Louisiana-Monroe, Louisiana Tech, Minnesota, New Mexico, North Texas, Oklahoma St, Texas Tech, Tulane, Tulsa, utah
Primary recruiter: Denarius McGhee
https://www.hudl.com/profile/11286121/Brady-Boyd
Kaleb Mitchell 6’6″ 185 (3*) – First Baptist Academy, TX
2024 (Sr.) Stats: 46 receptions 959 yards 8 TDs
2023 (Jr.) Stats: 48 receptions 1,008 yards 16 TDs
2022 (So.) Stats: 28 receptions 462 yards 5 TDs
Offers from: Arizona St, Boston College, Colorado St, Grambling St, New Mexico, Sam Houston St, Texas St, Texas-San Antonio, Toledo, UNLV, utah
Primary recruiter: Denarius McGhee
https://www.hudl.com/profile/16211708/Kaleb-Mitchell
Ty Olsen 6’2″ 190 (3*) – Lincoln HS, CA
2024 (Sr.) Stats: 53 receptions 903 yards 12 TDs
2023 (Jr.) Stats: 74 receptions 1,262 yards 15 TDs
2022 (So.) Stats: 74 receptions 1,296 16 TDs
2021 (Fr.) Stats: 38 receptions 658 yards 8 TDs
Offers from: California, Colorado St, Dartmouth, Georgetown, Montana, Montana St, Pennsylvania, San Jose St, Washington St
Primary recruiter: DeNarius McGhee, Kevin McGiven
https://www.hudl.com/profile/15865368/Ty-Olsen
Carlos Orr-Gillispie 6’3″ 200 (3*) – University of Illinois – (4 years to play 4)
2024 (Fr.) Stats: Redshirted at University of Illinois
Offers from: UNKNOWN
Original offers from: Arkansas St, Austin Peay, Buffalo, Charlotte, Coastal Carolina, East Carolina, Eastern Kentucky, Illinois, Liberty, Miami (OH), Toledo, Western Michigan
Primary recruiter: DeNarius McGhee
https://www.hudl.com/profile/14883978/Carlos-Orr
Braden Pegan 6’4″ 200 (4*) – UCLA – (2 years to play 2)
2024 (So.) Stats: Medical redshirt
2023 (RsFr.) Stats: 1 reception 7 yards
2022 (Fr.) Stats: Saw action in 4 games
Offers from: None
Original offers from: Boston College, Colorado, Colorado St, Columbia, Fordham, UCLA, UNLV, utah, Utah St, Yale
Primary recruiter: Denarius McGhee
https://www.hudl.com/profile/11414281/Braden-Pegan
Demick Starling 6’0″ 194 (3*) – Western Kentucky University – (1 year to play 1)
2024 (RsJr.) Stats: 3 receptions 56 yards at Western Kentucky
2023 (Jr.) Stats: No stats recorded and redshirted
2022 (So.) Stats: 3 receptions 75 yards
2021 (Fr.) Stats: 4 receptions 93 yards 1 TD
2020 (Fr.) Stats: 4 receptions 20 yards 1 TD at University of Virginia
Offers from: Southeast Missouri St
Original offers from: Alabama A&M, Austin Peay, East Tennessee St, Liberty, Miami (OH), Southeast Missouri St, Tennessee St, Tennessee Tech, Toledo, Western Michigan, William & Mary
Primary recruiter: DeNarius McGhee
https://www.hudl.com/profile/11007644/Demick-Starling
Corey Thompson Jr. 6’0″ 180 (3*) – UNLV – (3 years to play 2)
2024 (So.) Stats: 4 receptions 60 yards
2023 (Fr.) Stats: 4 receptions 55 yards 1 TD
Offers from: Sacramento St
Original offers from: Colorado, Grambling St, Idaho St, UNLV
Primary recruiter: Denarius McGhee
https://www.hudl.com/profile/12950718/Corey-ThompsonMiller
2025 OUTLOOK
X-Receiver (LEFT)
DEMICK STARLING
Demick Starling is a transfer from Western Kentucky University and will use his final season of eligibility at Utah State.
Last season, Starling saw action in 8 games with 1 start and caught 3 passes for 56 yards.
During his five-year career with the Hilltoppers and the University of Virginia, Starling played in 36 games, with five starts, snagging 14 passes for 244 yards and two touchdowns.
According to On3 Sports, Starling was rated as the 1,580th-best transfer portal player in the country and the 246th-best wide receiver in the transfer portal. He originally held offers from Alabama A&M, Austin Peay, East Tennessee State, Liberty, Miami (OH), Southeast Missouri State, Tennessee State, Tennessee Tech, Toledo, Western Michigan, and William & Mary. He chose the Aggies over an offer from Southeast Missouri State.
Starling is a shifty route runner. He does a nice job on double moves to get separation from his man. He can exploit holes in the defense after the catch and is skilled at finding the running lanes to pick up yards-after-the-catch. He is great at getting the ball in his hands in space where he can easily make players miss. He is a legitimate threat in the deep passing game. He has good running instincts, which also aid him as a kick returner.
CARLOS ORR-GILLESPIE
Carlos Orr-Gillespie is a transfer from the University of Illinois who will enter the 2025 season as a redshirt freshman with four years of eligibility remaining.
During his lone season with the Fighting Illini, Orr-Gillespie did not see any action while he spent the season redshirting.
According to 247sports, coming out of Gatlinburg Pittman High School (TN), Orr-Gillespie was rated as the 849th-best player nationally, the 79th-best wide receiver, and the 14th-best player in the State of Tennessee. He originally held offers from Arkansas State, Austin Peay, Buffalo, Charlotte, Coastal Carolina, East Carolina, Eastern Kentucky, Illinois, Liberty, Miami (OH), Toledo, and Western Michigan. At press time, it is unclear if he held any other offers once he entered the transfer portal.
Orr-Gillespie gives the Aggies a much-needed long, athletic option at wide receiver. Orr-Gillespie shows good acceleration off the line of scrimmage. He has a smooth, effortless glide when running routes. Thanks to his background as a star basketball player, he can high point the football, and at 6-foot-3, that combination makes things very tough on opposing defenses. He has quick feet, and that allows him to sell one thing and do another. He can get off press coverage, be physical, and run by opposing defenders. He uses his long catch radius to his advantage to win contested catches down the field
TY OLSEN
True freshman Ty Olsen will battle for reps in fall camp.
Last season as a high school senior, Olsen pulled down 53 receptions for 903 yards and 12 touchdowns.
During his 4-year high school career with the Hornets, he played in 52 games, amassing 239 receptions for 4,119 yards and 51 touchdowns.
According to 247sports, coming out of Lincoln High (CA), Olsen was rated as the 1,754th-best player nationally, the 234th-best wide receiver, and the 138th-best prospect overall in California. He chose the Aggies over offers from California, Colorado State, Dartmouth, Georgetown, Montana, Montana State, Pennsylvania, San Jose State, and Washington State.
Olsen is one of the most accomplished high school wide receivers to ever sign with the Aggies. His long wingspan gives him a large catch radius, and he can get his hands on anything thrown in his direction. He has good height and, coupled with a good vertical leap, he comes down with a lot of 50/50 balls. His long strides make him sneaky fast and allow him to gain yards after the catch. He is fearless going across the middle on slants and in-routes, knowing a linebacker is waiting for him. He comes from an offense that liked to run, and he has developed into a very aggressive blocker.
NIKKO BONCORE
True freshman Nikko Boncore will battle for reps in fall camp.
Last season as a high school senior, Boncore missed the first six games due to AIA transfer rules, but once he became eligible, he pulled down 29 receptions for 508 yards and 5 touchdowns.
During his 4-year high school career, he played in 37 games, racking up 195 receptions for 3,149 yards, and 31 touchdowns.
According to 247sports, coming out of Centennial High (AZ), Boncore was rated as the 1,673rd-best player nationally, the 228th-best wide receiver, and the 21st-best prospect overall in Arizona. He chose the Aggies over offers from Iowa State, South Dakota, and Southern Utah.
Boncore shows advanced route running ability for his age. He shows very good route manipulation to attack the opposing defensive back before breaking away and creating separation. He also has solid foot quickness to snap off his routes. This leads to strong double moves and quick cuts to change direction and get open. He displays sticky hands, snaring balls out of the air to make a catch. He’s great after the catch and follows his blocks, finding the open field for extra yardage. He has the potential to develop into a well-rounded receiver who can line up inside or outside and make an impact in different routes.
Z-Receiver (RIGHT)
BRADEN PEGAN
Braden Pegan is a transfer from UCLA who will enter the 2025 season as a junior with two years of eligibility remaining.
Last season, Pegan missed the season with an injury and received a medical redshirt.
During his 3-year career with the Bruins, he played in 13 games with 1 start and caught 1 pass for 7 yards.
According to 247sports, Pegan was rated as the 1,875th-best transfer portal player in the country and the 320th-best wide receiver in the transfer portal. He originally held offers from Boston College, Colorado, Colorado State, Columbia, Fordham, UCLA, UNLV, utah, Utah State, and Yale. Once he entered the transfer portal, it appears that the Aggies were his only offer.
Pegan has a wide catch radius that allows him to pull down tough catches while on the run. His strong hands give him the ability to catch passes in traffic over the middle of the field. His skill set gives him an advantage over opposing defensive backs on 50/50 balls and contested passes. His sprinter speed allows him to effortlessly glide downfield with long, easy strides, and he is a viable threat in the downfield passing game.
JACKSON OLSEN
Sophomore Jackson Olsen is looking to make a move up the depth chart.
Last season, Olsen saw action in 2 games but did not record any stats.
In his 2-year career with the Aggies, he has played in 2 games but did not record any stats, and he has spent one season as a redshirt.
During his 3-year high school career with the Riverhawks, he played in 23 games with 19 starts and caught 86 passes for 1,384 yards and 19 touchdowns. He fought off a broken collarbone as a senior to help make a late-season run. After a strong junior season, he was named first-team all-state.
According to 247sports, coming out of Ridgeline High (UT), Olsen was rated as the 2,131st-best player nationally, the 250th-best wide receiver, and the 20th-best prospect overall in Utah. He chose the Aggies over an offer from Idaho.
Olsen has great size for a player at the wide receiver position. He is a smooth route-runner and immediately turns upfield to fight for extra yards. He is a feisty player who will battle on every play. Olsen has great hands and a penchant for making difficult catches in traffic over the middle of the field. He is also a dangerous return man who is capable of finding the endzone at any time, thanks to his outstanding field vision.
KALEB MITCHELL
True freshman Kaleb Mitchell will battle for reps in fall camp.
Last season as a high school senior, Mitchell pulled down 46 receptions for 959 yards and 8 touchdowns.
During his 3-year high school career, he played in 35 games, racking up 122 receptions for 2,429 yards, and 29 touchdowns.
According to 247sports, coming out of First Baptist Academy (TX), Mitchell was rated as the 1,646th-best player nationally, the 199th-best wide receiver, and the 227th-best prospect overall in Texas. He chose the Aggies over offers from Arizona State, Boston College, Colorado State, Grambling State, New Mexico, Sam Houston State, Texas State, Texas-San Antonio, Toledo, UNLV, and utah.
Mitchell is a big-bodied wide receiver with room to put more muscle on his frame. He has great straight-line speed, possessing the ability to easily get behind opposing defenses. He does a tremendous job of leveraging his height advantage to out-leap the defense on fade routes in the endzone. He has deceptively good footwork on several of his routes and does a good job of fooling opposing cornerbacks. He is very dangerous after the catch as he is difficult to tackle and his breakaway speed takes good angles away from opposing players.
CADE BAKER
Cade Baker is a transfer from Saddleback Community College who will enter the 2025 season as a redshirt freshman with four years of eligibility remaining.
Last season with the Bobcats, Baker started two games, catching 5 passes for 53 yards and a touchdown before missing the rest of the season with a concussion and receiving a medical redshirt.
During his 2-year collegiate career at Saddleback Community College (CA) and Golden West Community College (CA), Baker has played in 2 games with 2 starts and 5 passes for 53 yards and a touchdown. He also spent a redshirt season at Golden West.
Baker chose the Aggies over offers from Chadron State, Culver, Hastings, Judson, Ottawa University (AZ), Saint Thomas, Tabor, (PWO) utah, and William Penn.
Baker is a quality pickup. His strong hands and huge hand radius make him a very sticky-handed receiver, as the ball rarely hits the ground. He is a patient route runner who uses his quick feet to set up opposing defensive backs. Once his decision is made, he has the speed to blow by his man. He has shown he can run most of the routes in the route tree. He is also a very physical player who can take a beating going over the middle.
H-Receiver (SLOT)
BRADY BOYD
Brady Boyd is a transfer from Texas Tech University and will use his final season of eligibility at Utah State.
Last season, Boyd saw action in 11 games and caught 1 pass for 7 yards.
During his 4-year career with the Red Raiders and the University of Minnesota, he played in 35 games with 3 starts, snagging 21 passes for 191 yards and a touchdown.
According to 247sports, Boyd was rated as the 1,594th-best transfer portal player in the country and the 275th-best wide receiver in the transfer portal. He originally held offers from Arkansas State, boise state, Columbia, Dartmouth, Illinois State, Kansas, Liberty, Louisiana-Monroe, Louisiana Tech, Minnesota, New Mexico, North Texas, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, Tulane, Tulsa, and utah. Once he entered the transfer portal a second time, it appears that the Aggies were his only offer.
Boyd has strong hands, which allow him to make difficult receptions look easy. His fluid change of direction gives him a step or two advantage on defensive backs and allows him to get open. His good footwork with his route-running helps him fake out cornerbacks and gives his quarterback an easy target. He is ball-location aware and knows how to adjust on the fly. His long speed is strong, and he stretches the field vertically. He shows the top-end speed to outrun the secondary in the open field.
COREY THOMPSON JR
Corey Thompson Jr. is a transfer from UNLV who will enter the 2025 season as a junior with two years of eligibility remaining, plus a redshirt year if he ever needed one.
Last season, Thompson saw action in 12 games with 3 starts and caught 4 passes for 60 yards.
During his 2-year career with the Rebels, he played in 20 games with 7 starts, snagging 8 passes for 115 yards and a touchdown.
According to 247sports, Thompson Jr. was rated as the 1,792nd-best transfer portal player in the country and the 308th-best wide receiver in the transfer portal. He originally held offers from Colorado, Grambling State, Idaho State, and UNLV. He chose the Aggies over an offer from Sacramento State.
Thompson Jr is great at high-pointing the ball in the air, using his impressive vertical jump to regularly win 50/50 balls against defenders. He has impressive straight-line speed and can outrun opposing defenders with no issue. He looks comfortable playing out in space near the sidelines and has the footwork to run most of the routes. He will add a downfield dynamic to the offense, who can get over the top of the defense
KAHANU DAVIS
Senior Kahanu Davis will battle for the second-team spot at this position.
Last season, Davis saw action in 8 games but did not catch a pass.
During his 4-year career at Utah State and Southwestern Community College (CA), he has played in 30 games with 18 starts, catching 38 passes for 597 yards and 5 touchdowns.
Davis chose the Aggies over offers from Illinois State, Missouri State, Morehead State, San Diego, South Dakota School of Mines, and Wagner.
Davis is a skilled receiver who has honed his skill by setting up cornerbacks and making one or two moves to get wide open. He is very good at the intermediate and deep routes. Once the ball is in his hands, he is capable of making every play explosive with his yards after the catch. He tracks the ball well in the air and does a good job of making the catch in stride to maximize the potential of each play. I believe that Davis has a very good chance of cracking the rotation in 2025.
TATE KJAR
Redshirt freshman Tate Kjar will battle for reps in fall camp.
Kjar spent the 2024 season as a member of the Aggie practice squad while redshirting.
During his 3-year high school career, he played in 35 games with 28 starts and caught 225 passes for 3,585 yards and 35 touchdowns.
According to 247sports, coming out of Corner Canyon High (UT), Kjar was rated as the 2,443rd-best player nationally, the 283rd-best wide receiver, and the 28th-best prospect overall in Utah. He chose the Aggies over offers from Southern Utah, Utah Tech, and Weber State.
Kjar is a tactician at route-running. His quick feet and ability to change direction at top speed enable him to easily pick up a step or two on opposing defensive backs. He shows a fearlessness over the middle of the field and is patient enough to sit in a zone and work himself open. Once the ball is in his hands, his sprinter speed will help him pile up the yards-after-the-catch. Tate will be behind Utah State’s returning wide receivers to start with, but learning from a seasoned NFL assistant such as Coach McGhee will be a huge advantage.
SLASH
I’ve learned that quarterback Anthony Garcia would like to see the field in any capacity. Garcia will be featured in wildcat-type offensive packages. That opportunity will make him especially dangerous, in large part due to his ability to throw the football.
There is also a strong indication that Garcia will see some time at wide receiver. The coaching staff likes Garcia’s ability to operate out in space. They want to utilize his quick feet and surprising open-field speed. Garcia is a natural athlete who has been around football his entire life, so catching the ball isn’t an issue. And as a student of the game at quarterback, he already knows many of the route combinations.
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.
PROJECTED 2025 PRESEASON DEPTH CHART
X – RECEIVER (LEFT)
00 Demick Starling (6-0, 195, Sr., TR, 3*)
00 Carlos Orr-Gillispie (6-3, 200, RsFr., TR, 3*)
00 Ty Olsen (6-2, 190, Fr., HS, 3*)
00 Nikko Boncore (6-0, 175, Fr., HS, 3*)
Z – RECEIVER (RIGHT)
3 Braden Pegan (6-4, 200, Jr., TR, 4*)
18 Jackson Olsen (6-4, 190, So., SQ, 3*)
00 Kaleb Mitchell (6-6, 185, Fr, HS, 3*)
00 Cade Baker (6-3, 185, So., JC, NR)
Z – RECEIVER (SLOT)
00 Brady Boyd (6-1, 195, Sr., TR, 3*)
13 Corey Thompson Jr. (6-0, 180, Jr., TR, NR)
11 Kahanu Davis (5-10, 180, Sr., 1L, NR)
20 Tate Kjar (5-9, 160, RsFr., RS, 3*)
Coming Up On Tuesday: Tight End