FIELD SAFETY
Returning players: Ike Larsen
2024 players not returning: Chase Davis (transferred to Texas State), Simeon Harris (transferred to Fresno State), Teeg Slone (transferred to UC-Davis)
2025 post-spring ball attrition: Malik McConico (transferred to Arkansas State)
2024 total production lost: 19 games, 2 starts, 27 tackles, 1 interception, 2 pass breakups, 1 forced fumble
2024 total production returning: 12 games, 11 starts, 80 tackles, 1.5 tackles-for-loss, 1 interception, 9 pass breakups
2024 total production transferring in (transfer portal/junior college): 1 game
New Faces in 2025:
D’Andre Barnes 6’0″ 190 (3*) – University of Nebraska – (3 years to play 3)
2024 (RsFr.) Stats: Did not record any stats
2023 (Fr.) Stats: Redshirted at University of Nebraska
Offers from: Wyoming
Original offers from: Air Force, Bowling Green, byu, Nebraska, Nevada, Wyoming
Primary recruiter: Jordan Pulou
https://www.hudl.com/profile/13240940/dandre-barnes
Breaker Mendenhall 6’3″ 185 (2*) – Western Albamarle HS, VA
2019 (Sr.) Stats: No Stats Available
2018 (Jr.) Stats: No Stats Available
Offers from: None
http://www.hudl.com/profile/9346284/Breaker-Mendenhall
Lava Vailahi 6’1” 175 (247 3*) – West HS, UT
2024 (Sr.) Stats: 123 tackles 3.0 tackles-for-loss 3 INTs 28 pass breakups 2 forced fumbles 2 fumble recoveries; 25 receptions 491 yards 4 TDs
2023 (Jr.) Stats: 82 tackles 2.0 tackles-for-loss 2 INTs 15 pass breakups; 6 receptions 184 yards 1 TD
2022 (So.) Stats: 20 tackles 1.0 tackles-for-loss 3 pass breakups
2021 (Fr.) Stats: 1 tackle
Offers from: Hawaii, Iowa St
Primary recruiter: DJ Tialavea
https://www.hudl.com/profile/18776822/Lava-Vailahi
2025 OUTLOOK
IKE LARSEN
Senior Ike Larsen returns in 2025 as the undisputed starter at this position.
Last year, Larsen played in 12 games with 11 starts, racking up 80 tackles, 1.5 tackles-for-loss, 4 interceptions, and 9 pass breakups.
During his 4-year career at Utah State, he has played in 37 games with 28 starts, totaling 217 tackles, 9.0 tackles-for-loss, 2.0 sacks, 3 quarterback hurries, 9 interceptions, 17 pass breakups, 1 forced fumble, 5 blocked kicks, and 2 touchdowns.
According to 247sports, coming out of Sky View High (UT), Larsen was rated as the 2,089th-best player nationally, the 186th-best cornerback, and the 25th-best prospect overall in Utah. He committed early and chose the Aggies over an offer from Weber State.
Larsen is an athletic player who makes big plays on defense and special teams. He analyzes plays quickly and flocks to the ball in a hurry. He is a big hitter in the open field, coming in and out of his backpedal smoothly. His time as a wide receiver has been an advantage for him. He also has a ball hawk mentality and a physical nature. He is an extremely aggressive tackler. He has a feel for reading opposing quarterbacks and baiting them to throw in his direction, and that has led to several pass breakups and interceptions throughout his career.
D’ANDRE BARNES
D’Andre Barnes is a transfer from the University of Nebraska who will enter the 2025 season as a sophomore and will have three years of eligibility remaining.
Last season, Barnes played in 1 game but did not record any stats.
During his 2-year career with the Huskers, Barnes played in 1 game but did not record any stats and redshirted his first season.
According to 247sports, Barnes was rated as the 2,730th-best transfer portal player in the country and the 278th-best safety in the transfer portal. He originally held offers from Air Force, Bowling Green, byu, Nebraska, Nevada, and Wyoming. Once he entered the transfer portal, he chose the Aggies over an offer from Wyoming.
Barnes is blessed with elite speed, which allows him to cover a lot of ground and flow sideline to sideline. He has fluid hips and is capable of providing man-to-man coverage. He does a great job of taking the proper angle to break on the ball, and once he gets there, he does a good job of high-pointing the ball, snatching it out of the air, and taking it the other way. He is a willing tackle and rarely allows opposing ball carriers to get by him.
BREAKER MENDENHALL
After 4 years away from the program, redshirt sophomore Breaker Mendenhall returns to the Aggies.
Mendenhall spent the past four years serving a church mission and taking some time away from football.
During his 1-year stint with the Aggies in 2019, Mendenhall played in 3 games but did not record any stats.
As a senior at Western Albemarle High (VA) in 2019, Mendenhall earned All-Central Virginia second-team as a defensive back. He was also versatile enough to earn first-team all-Jefferson District honors as a wide receiver. Unfortunately, career high school stats for Mendenhall were not available at press time. Despite several requests from the Western Albemarle High Head Coach, I was unable to secure a response.
According to 247sports, coming out of Western Albemarle High (VA), Mendenhall was rated as the 285th-best athlete nationally, and the 89th-best prospect overall in Virginia. The Aggies were his first offer, and he committed soon after taking an official visit to campus.
Mendenhall was a two-way player with a strong ability to high point the ball in the air, and that helped him substantially on defense. He has long strides and gets downfield in a hurry. He brings nice length to the safety position that will help cover bigger wide receivers. He has no fear when making tackles, often belting opposing players much bigger than him. He has the ability to be a game-changing player at the safety position.
LAVA VAILAHI
True freshman Lava Vailahi will come into fall camp looking to turn some heads.
Last season, Vailahi played in 12 games with 12 starts and amassed 123 tackles, 3.0 tackles-for-loss, 3 interceptions, 28 pass breakups, 2 forced fumbles, and 2 fumble recoveries.
During his 4-year career at West High (UT), Vailahi played in 39 games with 22 starts and totaled 226 tackles, 6.0 tackles-for-loss, 5 interceptions, 46 pass breakups, 2 forced fumbles, and 2 fumble recoveries.
According to On3 Sports, coming out of West High (UT), Vailahi was rated as the 2,126th-best player nationally, the 182nd-best cornerback, and the 29th-best prospect overall in Utah. He chose the Aggies over offers from Hawaii and Iowa State.
Vailahi is an outstanding athlete who could play any spot in the secondary. He has the speed to go stride for stride with receivers on routes and outleap them despite his size. He plays with blazing speed but still maintains great balance and footwork that allows him to change directions smoothly. Thanks to being a very good offensive player as well, he has solid hands and tracks the ball well on passes. He is a hard worker who doesn’t give up on plays, chasing ball carriers down no matter where he is on the field.
PROJECTED 2025 PRESEASON DEPTH CHART
FIELD SAFETY
6 Isaac Larsen (5-10, 195, Sr., 3L, 3*)
00 D’Andre Barnes (6-0, 195, So., TR, 3*)
00 Breaker Mendenhall (6-3, 185, RsSo., 3*)
00 Lava Vailahi (6-1, 175, Fr., HS, 3*)
Coming Up On Friday: Quarterback