CORNERBACK
Returning players: EJ Fisk, Noah Flores, Courage Ugochukwu
2024 players not returning: Avante Dickerson (transferred to Arkansas State), JD Drew (transferred to University of Tulsa), Mason Edwards (transferred to McNeese State), Jaiden Francois (transferred to Duke University), Davon Graham (transferred to University of Kansas), Torren Union (graduation)
2025 post-spring ball attrition: None
2024 total production lost: 58 games, 35 starts, 174 tackles, 11.5 tackles-for-loss, 1.0 sack, 6 interceptions, 9 pass breakups, 1 quarterback hurry, 5 forced fumbles, 1 touchdown
2024 total production returning: 12 games, 0 starts, 9 tackles, 3.0 tackles-for-loss, 1 interception
2024 total production transferring in (transfer portal/junior college): 55 games, 45 starts, 225 tackles, 8.5 tackles-for-loss, 5 interceptions, 28 pass breakups, 1 forced fumble, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 blocked kick, 1 touchdown
New Faces in 2025:
Bobby Arnold 5’9″ 179 (NR) – University of New Mexico – (2 years to play 2)
2024 (Jr.) Stats: 21 tackles 2.5 tackles-for-loss Redshirted at New Mexico
2023 (So.) Stats: 49 tackles 5.0 tackles-for-loss 1.0 sacks 1 INT 1 pass breakup 2 forced fumbles 1 fumble recovery 2 blocked kicks
2022 (Fr.) Stats: 33 tackles 2 INTs 1 pass breakup
Offers from: None
Primary recruiter: Charles Mack
https://www.hudl.com/profile/13111762/Bobby-Arnold-III
Noah Avinger 6’0″ 186 (3*) – University of New Mexico – (1 year to play 1)
2024 (RsJr.) Stats: 91 tackles 2.5 tackles-for-loss 1 INT 5 pass breakups 1 fumble recovery
2023 (Jr.) Stats: Redshirted at San Diego State University
2022 (So.) Stats: 36 tackles 1.5 tackles-for-loss 1 INT 3 pass breakups 1 forced fumble
2021 (Fr.) Stats: 15 tackles 0.5 tackles-for-loss 1 INT 2 pass breakups 1 fumble recovery
Offers from: None
Original offers from: Arizona, Arizona St, boise st, Boston College, byu, Colorado St, Kansas, Oregon, Oregon St, San Diego St, UNLV, utah, Utah State
Primary recruiter: Charles Mack
https://www.hudl.com/profile/11016667/Noah-Avinger
Jack Hadfield 5’10” 175 (NR) – Skyridge HS, UT – (Preferred Walk-on)
2021 (Sr.) Stats: 1 tackle
2020 (Jr.) Stats: 1 tackle
2019 (So.) Stats: 3 tackles 1 forced fumble
Offers from: None
Primary Recruiter: DJ Tialavea
https://www.hudl.com/profile/11305284/Jack-Hadfield
Abe Jager 6’2″ 170 (3*) – Lehi HS, UT
2024 (Sr.) Stats: 38 tackles 0.5 tackles-for-loss 3 INTS 9 pass breakups 1 fumble recovery
2023 (Jr.) Stats: 108 tackles 1 INT 30 pass breakups 4 fumble recoveries
2022 (So.) Stats: 74 tackles 1.0 tackles-for-loss 1.0 sacks 1 INT 4 pass breakups 2 forced fumbles 2 fumble recoveries
Offers from: Iowa St, New Mexico
Primary recruiter: Charles Mack
https://www.hudl.com/profile/8169268/Abe-Jager
DJ Mayes 6’2″ 172 (NR) – University of New Mexico – (4 years to play 3)
2024 (Fr.) Stats: 2 tackles
Offers from: None
Original offers from: New Mexico, Utah Tech
Primary recruiter: Charles Mack
https://www.hudl.com/profile/16373995/DAngelo-Mayes
John Shepard 6’3″ 200 (NR) – San Diego Mesa CC, CA – (3 years to play 2)
2024 (So.) Stats: 22 tackles 1.0 tackles-for-loss 3 interceptions 1 touchdown return 7 pass breakups 1 forced fumble 1 blocked kick.
2023 (Fr.) Stats: 4 tackles
Offers from: Olivet Nazarene
Primary recruiter: Charles Mack
https://www.hudl.com/profile/19815316/john-shepard
Bryson Taylor 6’0″ 175 (NR) – University of New Mexico – (2 years to play 1)
2024 (Jr.) Stats: 58 tackles 1.5 tackles-for-loss 11 pass breakups
2023 (So.) Stats: 8 tackles
2022 (Fr.) Stats: 2 tackles 0.5 tackles-for-loss
Offers from: Eastern Michigan
Original offer from: New Mexico
Primary recruiter: Charles Mack
https://www.hudl.com/profile/11677654/Bryson-Taylor
Dylan Tucker 5’11” 193 (3*) – Elon University – (1 year to play 1)
2024 (Jr.) Stats: 30 tackles 1.0 tackles-for-loss 1 INT 5 pass breakups 1 fumble recovery
2023 (RsSo.) Stats: 16 tackles 2.0 tackles-for-loss 1.0 sacks 1 pass breakup
2022 (So.) Stats: Redshirted
2021 (Fr.) Stats: 35 tackles 3.0 tackles-for-loss 6 pass breakups 2 forced fumbles 1 fumble recovery
2020 (Fr.) Stats: 15 tackles 1.0 tackles-for-loss 1 INT 3 pass breakups
Offers from: Ball St, Kent St, Mercer, Missouri St
Primary recruiter: Charles Mack
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PVDLsoXp5E
2025 OUTLOOK
FIELD CORNERBACK
NOAH AVINGER
Noah Avinger is a transfer from the University of New Mexico who will enter the 2025 season as a senior and finish his career at Utah State.
Last season, Avinger played in 12 games with 12 starts and racked up 91 tackles, 2.5 tackles-for-loss, 1 interception, 5 pass breakups, and a fumble recovery. For his effort, he earned honorable mention All-Mountain West honors.
During his 4-year career at New Mexico and San Diego State, Avinger has played in 37 games with 20 starts and totaled 142 tackles, 4.5 tackles-for-loss, 3 interceptions, 10 pass breakups, 1 forced fumble, and 2 fumble recoveries.
According to On3 Sports, Avinger was rated as the 326th-best transfer portal player in the country and the 40th-best cornerback in the transfer portal. He originally held offers from Arizona, Arizona State, boise state, Boston College, byu, Colorado State, Kansas, Oregon, Oregon State, San Diego State, UNLV, utah, and Utah State. Once he entered the transfer portal, Utah State was his first offer, and he accepted not long after being offered.
Avinger is a great man-cover guy thanks to his ability to provide tight coverage. He has next-level closing speed, and he times his strides perfectly to make a play on the ball. He sees the field with ease, and that allows him to flock to the ball. He reacts to the ball as if he knows what route the opposing receiver is running. He excels at tracking the ball in the air. He has a physical style, and he likes to bully opposing wide receivers beginning at the line of scrimmage and continuing to do so downfield.
DYLAN TUCKER
Dylan Tucker is a transfer from Elon University who will enter the 2025 season as a senior and finish his career at Utah State.
Last season, Tucker played in 10 games with 9 starts and pulled down 30 tackles, 1.0 tackles-for-loss, 1 interception, 5 pass breakups, and 1 fumble recovery.
During his 5-year career with the Phoenix, Tucker has played in 32 games with 23 starts and totaled 96 tackles, 7.0 tackles-for-loss, 1.0 sack, 2 interceptions, 15 pass breakups, 2 forced fumbles, and 2 fumble recoveries.
According to 247sports, Tucker was rated as the 2,236th-best transfer portal player in the country and the 252nd-best cornerback in the transfer portal. He chose the Aggies over offers from Ball State, Kent State, Mercer, and Missouri State.
Tucker uses good technique, moving backward with ease and making a smooth transition to open his hips and take off running. He has the ability to change directions fluidly and move in and out of breaks with opposing wide receivers. He has a good understanding of shading his coverage to where the play is moving, so he is a step ahead of the pass. He uses angles well and has a good sense of where a play may develop in front of him.
NOAH FLORES
Sophomore Noah Flores will battle for a spot higher on the depth chart.
Last year, Flores played in all 12 games and logged 9 tackles, 3.0 tackles-for-loss, and an interception.
During his 2-year career with the Aggies, Flores played in 12 games and totaled 9 tackles, 3.0 tackles-for-loss, and an interception. He has also spent one season redshirting.
Flores chose the Aggies over offers from Black Hills State, Montana Tech, Snow Junior College, and Southern Utah.
Flores is not only a defensive back, but he was a very accomplished wide receiver as well. He excels at watching the eyes of an opposing quarterback and baiting him into throwing the ball his way. He then speeds up and snatches the ball out of the air. He is a tough player who isn’t afraid to mix it up with larger players. When the opportunity arises, he is a sound tackler, making sure that he gets low enough to make the play and wrapping up well.
ABE JAGER
True freshman Abe Jager will come into fall camp looking to turn some heads.
Last season, as a high school senior at Lehi High (UT) in 2024, Jager played in 11 games with 11 starts and rolled up 38 tackles, 0.5 tackles-for-loss, 3 interceptions, 9 pass breakups, and 1 fumble recovery.
During his 3-year career with the Pioneers, Jager played in 36 games with 36 starts and totaled 220 tackles, 1.5 tackles-for-loss, 1.0 sack, 6 interceptions, 43 pass breakups, 2 forced fumbles, and 7 fumble recoveries.
According to 247sports, coming out of Lehi High School (UT), Jager was rated as the 2,085th-best player nationally, the 137th-best cornerback, and the 17th-best player in Utah. He chose the Aggies over offers from Iowa State and New Mexico.
Jager loves to play tight man-coverage, and that allows him to be in a prime position to get a hand on a pass. Opposing quarterbacks learn real quick not to test his ball skills. He has a huge vertical leap that helps him out-jump opposing wide receivers in the endzone for jump balls. His time as a top wide receiver helps him diagnose and anticipate which route is coming at him. He has nice closing speed to flock to the ball and complete the tackle. He is a strong tackler in the open field and targets the opposing ball carriers’ midsection to ensure he wraps up and finishes off the play.
BOUNDARY CORNERBACK
BRYSON TAYLOR
Bryson Taylor is a transfer from the University of New Mexico who will enter the 2025 season as a senior, plus a redshirt season if needed.
Last year, Taylor played in 12 games with 12 starts and compiled 58 tackles, 1.5 tackles-for-loss, and 11 pass breakups.
During his 3-year career with the Lobos, Taylor played in 31 games with 14 starts and totaled 68 tackles, 2.0 tackles-for-loss, and 11 pass breakups.
According to On3 Sports, Taylor was rated as the 1,332nd-best transfer portal player in the country and the 131st-best cornerback in the transfer portal. He originally held an offer from New Mexico. He chose the Aggies over an offer from Eastern Michigan.
Taylor is a converted safety who plays well in man or zone coverage. He has the sound footwork and the quickness to stick with slot receivers. He has nice rotation with his hips, and that allows him to get a step or two on opposing wide receivers. His top-shelf athleticism gives him the ability to recover quickly in the event he falls behind his coverage responsibility. Thanks to his experience as a safety, he can sit back and play zone and roam around the field, swatting away passes that are thrown in his direction. He has found his calling at cornerback.
JOHN SHEPARD
John Shepard is a transfer from the San Diego Mesa Community College (CA)who will enter the 2025 season as a junior with two years of eligibility remaining, plus a redshirt season if needed.
Last season, Shepard played in 9 games with 9 starts and logged 22 tackles, 1.0 tackles-for-loss, 3 interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown, 7 pass breakups, 1 forced fumble, and 1 blocked kick. He earned first-team and third-team all-American honors from a couple of national junior college publications
During his 2-year career with the Olympians, Shepard played in 13 games with 9 starts and totaled 26 tackles, 1.0 tackles-for-loss, 3 interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown, 7 pass breakups, 1 forced fumble, and 1 blocked kick.
Shepard chose the Aggies over an offer from Olivet Nazarene University.
Shepard does a great job matching the speed of opposing wide receivers on the sidelines. He is almost always in a position to get his hands on the ball and make things difficult. He is extremely skilled at coming down with interceptions, so opposing quarterbacks should think twice about throwing in his direction. He can also be a weapon on special teams units; his aggressive nature has led to a number of punt blocks over his young career.
COURAGE UGOCHUKWU
Redshirt junior Courage Ugochukwu will be competing hard to get on the field.
Last year, Ugochukwu suffered an injury in fall camp and was forced to miss the season and use his redshirt designation.
During his 3-year career at Utah State and Blinn Community College (TX), he played in 18 games with 9 starts and totaled 15 tackles, 2 interceptions, and 10 pass breakups.
According to 247sports, coming out of Blinn Community College (TX), Ugochukwu was rated as the 232nd-best junior college player nationally, the 30th-best junior college cornerback, and the 29th-best junior college prospect overall in Texas. He chose the Aggies over offers from Abilene Christian, Akron, Albany, Austin Peay, Coastal Carolina, Connecticut, Houston Christian, Jacksonville State, Lindenwood, Massachusetts, New Mexico, New Mexico State, North Dakota State, Samford, Southern Mississippi, Stephen F. Austin, Temple, Texas Southern, and UTEP.
Ugochukwu plays with high confidence and is often able to back it up with his talent. He likes to do his damage being physical at the line of scrimmage. He can get up and press the opposing wide receiver, and thanks to his active hands, he can re-route his man with ease. His fluid hips help him maintain a low center of gravity, so he can turn in and out of his breaks. He gets his head around quickly, and his quick reaction skills allow him to bat a pass down. Having started playing the game later in life than most, Ugochukwu is still fairly new to the game of football, and his upside is huge.
DJ MAYES
DJ Mayes is a transfer from the University of New Mexico who will enter the 2025 season as a sophomore with three years of eligibility remaining, plus a redshirt season if needed.
In his first season of collegiate football last season with the Lobos, Mayes played in 8 games and was credited with 2 tackles.
During his 2-year career at Syracuse High (UT), Mayes played in 22 games with 22 starts, and totaled 123 receptions for 1,645 yards and 20 touchdowns.
According to On3 Sports, Mayes was rated as the 3,200th-best transfer portal player in the country and the 511th-best cornerback in the transfer portal. He originally held offers from New Mexico and Utah Tech. Once he entered the transfer portal, Utah State was his first offer, and he accepted not long after being offered.
Mayes is a big-bodied, physical dude. He is very versatile and could potentially play anywhere in the secondary. His size allows him to be a very competitive player once the ball is in the air. He does a great job tracking the ball out of the quarterback’s hand and out-jumping opposing wide receivers on corner and fade routes. He has great feet and is disciplined when it comes to knowing his assignments. He will factor into the return game, where he can use his speed and shiftiness to help his team win the hidden yardage battle.
JACK HADFIELD
Adding depth to the position is true freshman preferred walk-on Jack Hadfield. Hadfield joined the Aggies in January following his return from serving a church mission.
During his 3-year career at Skyridge High (UT), Hadfield played in 36 games with 36 starts, although much of his time was on the offensive side of the ball. He totaled 5 tackles and 1 forced fumble.
Hadfield was a two-way player in high school, but it appears he will play defensive back in college. He is dynamic, no matter where he lines up, and has the speed and ball skills to excel at cornerback. He reacts quickly once the ball is snapped, and thanks to his time at wide receiver, he can stay with opposing players easily. He is a physical defensive back, and he gives max effort every play. He will bring a lot of athleticism to the table.
NICKEL CORNERBACK
BOBBY ARNOLD
Bobby Arnold is a transfer from the University of New Mexico who will enter the 2025 season as a junior with two years of eligibility remaining.
Last season, Arnold played in 4 games with 3 starts and tallied 21 tackles and 2.5 tackles-for-loss, before an injury forced him to redshirt and miss the rest of the season.
During his 3-year career with the Lobos and Dodge City Community College (KS), Arnold played in 23 games with 22 starts and totaled 103 tackles, 7.5 tackles-for-loss, 1.0 sack, 3 interceptions, 2 pass breakups, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, and 2 blocked kicks.
According to On3 Sports, Arnold was rated as the 975th-best transfer portal player in the country and the 119th-best cornerback in the transfer portal. Once he entered the transfer portal, Utah State was his first offer, and he accepted not long after being offered.
Arnold is a speedy cornerback who makes an impact on the field in any way that he can. He has a great eye for reading opposing quarterbacks. He is decisive and deliberate once he makes a move and finds ways to jump routes and get his hands on the ball. He is a strong tackler and isn’t afraid to make a move from the slot into the backfield to slow down the opposing run game. He is physical for his size and packs a ton of force behind his tackles when bringing down opposing ball carriers.
EJ FISK
Redshirt junior EJ Fisk will be battling for the top spot on the depth chart.
Last year, Fisk suffered an injury in fall camp and was forced to miss the season and use his redshirt designation.
During his 3-year career at Utah State, East Central Community College (MS), and Northeast Mississippi Community College (MS), he played in 17 games with 9 starts and totaled 46 tackles, 3.0 tackles-for-loss, 1 interception, and 6 pass breakups.
According to 247sports, coming out of East Central Community College (KS), Fisk was rated as the 114th-best junior college player nationally, the 12th-best junior college cornerback, and the 40th-best junior college prospect overall in Mississippi. He chose the Aggies over offers from Temple, Tennessee-Martin, and Troy State.
Fisk has a gritty determination about his style of play that will endear him to Aggie fans. His physical nature serves him well in press coverage, and he likes to bully opposing wide receivers. He has great high-end speed, which allows him to run stride for stride with opposing players. He has tremendous instincts for the game, and that always keeps him close enough to get his hands on the ball and deflect a pass.
PROJECTED 2025 PRESEASON DEPTH CHART
CORNERBACK
FIELD
00 Noah Avinger (6-0, 185, Sr., TR, 3*)
00 Dylan Tucker (5-11, 195, Sr., TR, 3*)
25 Noah Flores (5-9, 180, So., 1L, NR)
00 Abe Jager (6-2, 170, Fr., HS, 3*)
BOUNDARY
00 Bryson Taylor (6-0, 175, Sr., TR, NR)
00 John Shepard (6-3, 200, Jr., JC, NR)
23 Courage Ugochukwu (6-1, 180, RsJr., RS, 3*)
00 DJ Mayes (6-2, 170, So., TR, 3*)
00 Jack Hadfield (5-10, 175, Fr., HS, NR)
NICKEL
0 Bobby Arnold (5-9, 180, RsJr., TR, 3*)
13 EJ Fisk (5-10, 175, RsJr., RS, 3*)
Coming Up On Wednesday: Boundary Safety