SPECIAL TEAMS
LONG SNAPPER
Returning players: None
2024 players not returning: Jacob Garcia (graduation), Alexander McDougall (transfer portal)
2025 post-spring ball attrition: None
2024 total production lost: 12 games, 12 starts
2024 total production returning: None
2024 total production transferring in (transfer portal/junior college): 21 games, 21 starts
New Faces in 2025:
Owen Edwards 6’0″ 200 (4.5*) – Hampton University – (4 years to play 3)
2024 (Fr.) Stats: Played in 9 games at Hampton University
Offers from: None
Primary recruiter: Brett Arkelian
https://www.hudl.com/profile/14547407/Owen-Edwards?_gl=1*13um3cg*_ga*ODU0ODYxOTgyLjE2OTMzMjY4MjY.*_ga_29LPHS2HWC*MTczNDcxMjY3MS40Ny4wLjE3MzQ3MTI2NzEuMC4wLjA.
Hyrum Hatch 6’0″ 196 (4.5*) – University of New Mexico – (3 years to play 3)
2024 (RsFr.) Stats: Played in all 12 games at the University of New Mexico
2023 (Fr.) Stats: Redshirted at Snow Junior College (UT)
Offers from: Florida Atlantic
Primary recruiter: Brett Arkelian
https://www.hudl.com/profile/10737350/Hyrum-Hatch
2025 OUTLOOK
HYRUM HATCH
Hyrum Hatch is a transfer from the University of New Mexico who will enter the 2025 season as a sophomore with three years of eligibility remaining.
Last season with the Lobos, Hatch started at the long snapper in all 12 games.
During his 2-year career at New Mexico and Snow Junior College (UT), Hatch has played in 12 games with 12 starts.
Hatch was rated as the 80th-best long snapper in the country by Rubio Long Snapping. He chose the Aggies over an offer from Florida Atlantic.
Hatch is a very strong long snapper who is built really well. He is quick on his feet and with his snaps. His snapping is smooth, and he delivers a tight spiral. The ball is super easy to catch. He is a tremendous athlete who is flat-out good in all aspects of his long snapping and downfield kick coverage.
OWEN EDWARDS
Owen Edwards is a transfer from Hampton University who will enter the 2025 season as a sophomore with three years of eligibility remaining, with a redshirt season available if needed.
In his first year of collegiate action last season, Edwards played in 9 games with 9 starts.
Edwards was rated as the 68th-best long snapper in the country by Rubio Long Snapping. Once he entered the transfer portal, Utah State was his first offer, and he accepted not long after being offered.
Edwards is built very well and has a good, strong lower body. His spiral is tight. The more speed he gets on the ball, the more explosive he is out of the gate. He is a super smooth long snapper with a very catchable ball back to the punter. He is a pure athlete who is able to fly on the field and will undoubtedly be a factor on the punt coverage team.
PROJECTED 2025 PRESEASON DEPTH CHART
LONG SNAPPER
5 Hyrum Hatch (6-0, 195, So., TR, 4.5*)
36 Owen Edwards (6-0, 200, So., TR, 4.5*)
PUNTER
Returning players: None
2024 players not returning: Stephen Kotsanlee (graduation), Ryan Marks (transferred to Utah Tech)
2025 post-spring ball attrition: Will Safris (transfer portal)
2024 total production lost: 20 games, 12 starts, 55 punts, 42.5 yards per punt, 6 50+ yard punts, 18 punts inside the 20
2024 total production returning: None
2024 total production transferring in (transfer portal/junior college): 14 games, 11 starts, 39 punts, 34.3 yards per punt, 0 50+ yard punts, 11 punts inside the 20, 3 fair catches
New Faces in 2025:
Landon Rehkow 6’1″ 190 (2*) – byu – (3 years to play 3)
2024 (RsFr.) Stats: 5 punts 36.0 yards per punt
2023 (Fr.) Stats: Redshirted at byu
Offers from: UNKNOWN
Original offers from: byu (PWO), Idaho
Primary recruiter: Brett Arkelian
https://www.hudl.com/profile/8149212/Landon-Rehkow/highlights
Zach Robbins 6’3″ 210 (6*) – Payson HS, UT
2021 (Sr.) Stats: 29 punts 38.7 yards per punt 7 inside the 20; 8 of 14 field goals; 25 of 29 PATs
2020 (Jr.) Stats: Did not play during COVID
2019 (So.) Stats: 2 of 4 field goals; 10 of 10 PATs
Offers from: Weber St
Primary recruiter: Brett Arkelian
https://www.hudl.com/profile/13264041/Zach-Robbins
Dylan Sprague 6’0″ 175 (NR) – Saddleback CC, CA – (2 years to play 2)
2024 (So.) Stats: 34 punts 34.0 yards per punt 11 inside the 20 3 fair catches.
2023 (RsFr.) Stats: Did not see any action
2022 (Fr.) Stats: Redshirted at Saddleback Community College
Offers from: None
Primary recruiter: Brett Arkelian
https://www.hudl.com/profile/13720718/Dylan-Sprague
2025 OUTLOOK
LANDON REHKOW
Landon Rehkow is a transfer from byu who will enter the 2025 season as a sophomore with three years of eligibility remaining.
Last year, Rehkow played in 3 games and punted 5 times, averaging 36.0 yards per punt.
During his 2-year career with the cougars, Rehhow played in 5 games and punted 5 times, averaging 36.0 yards per punt.
According to 247sports, coming out of Central Valley High (WA), Rehkow was rated as the 18th-best punter nationally, and the 196th-best player in Washington. Once he entered the transfer portal, Utah State was his first offer, and he accepted not long after being offered.
Rehkow has good size for this position and is a quality athlete. He has the ability to create a backspin on the ball to pin teams deep. He is flexible and has good athletic leg extension. He is unbothered by an intense rush from the opposing team and remains focused and calm. The ball pops off his foot. His older brother, Ryan Rehkow is the starting punter for the Cincinnati Bengals.
ZACH ROBBINS
True freshman Zach Robbins has the talent to really make a push to be the starter at this position.
As a high school senior at Payson High (UT) in 2021, Robbins played in 9 games with 9 starts and recorded 29 punts for an average of 38.7 yards per punt, with 7 punts inside the 20.
During his 3-year career with the Lions, Robbins played in 16 games with 16 starts and totaled 29 punts for an average of 38.7 yards per punt, with 7 punts inside the 20.
Robbins was rated as the 2nd-best punter in the country by Chris Sailer Kicking. Robbins chose the Aggies over an offer from Weber State.
Robbins possesses a big, powerful leg. He is tall, strong, and athletic. He has the ideal body type for a collegiate punter. He boots a huge ball. Once it leaves his foot, it soars into the sky and seems to levitate in mid-air before the ball begins its descent. He just oozes raw power when he kicks. His hang time and distance are already FBS-ready. He is also an excellent kicker, and I could see him eventually getting an opportunity to fill a dual role. I think he will likely handle kick-off specialist duties for the Aggies as well.
DYLAN SPRAGUE
Dylan Sprague is a preferred walk-on transfer from Saddleback Community College (CA) who will enter the 2025 season as a junior with two years of eligibility remaining.
Last season, Sprague played in 11 games with 11 starts and recorded 34 punts for an average of 34.0 yards per punt, with 11 punts inside the 20, and forcing 3 fair catches.
During his 3-year career with the Bobcats, Sprague totaled 11 games with 11 starts and recorded 34 punts for an average of 34.0 yards per punt, with 11 punts inside the 20, and forcing 3 fair catches.
Sprague was rated as the 60th-best punter in the country by Chris Sailer Kicking. It appears that Utah State was his first preferred walk-on offer, and he accepted not long after being offered.
Sprague is a very good junior college punting prospect. He is a good athlete, and he is able to generate a lot of power in his kicks thanks to having a live leg. He produces punts for a nice combination of distance and hang time. He seems to have a lot of upside and should only get better in an FBS program.
PROJECTED 2025 PRESEASON DEPTH CHART
PUNTER
00 Landon Rehkow (6-1, 190, So., TR, 2*)
00 Zach Robbins (6-3, 215, Fr., HS, 5*)
00 Dylan Sprague (6-0, 175, Jr., JC, NR)
KICKER
Returning players: None
2024 players not returning: Tanner Cragun (transferred to UTEP), Elliott Nimrod (graduation)
2025 post-spring ball attrition: None
2024 total production lost: 20 games, 12 starts, 10 FGs, 45 PATs, 69 kickoffs, 61.6 average of yards per kick, 36 touchbacks
2024 total production returning: None
2024 total production transferring in (transfer portal/junior college): 13 games, 13 starts, 13 FGs, 54 PATs
New Faces in 2025:
Carter Brown 6’0″ 198 (5*) – University of Cincinnati – (2 years to play 2)
2024 (Jr.) Stats: 3 of 5 FGs, 8 of 8 PATs
2023 (So.) Stats: 15 of 19 FGs, 30 of 30 PATs
2022 (Fr.) Stats: 11 of 14 FGs, 33 of 33 PATs at Arizona State University
Offers from: None
Original offers from: Arizona St, Navy
Primary recruiter: Brett Arkelian
https://www.hudl.com/profile/11879224/Carter-Brown
Tanner Rinker 6’2″ 195 (4.5*) – Garden City CC, KS – (Preferred walk-on; 3 years to play 2)
2024 (So.) Stats: 10 of 13 FGs, 46 of 51 PATs
2023 (Fr.) Stats: 7 of 13 FGs, 29 of 31 PATs at Grambling State University
Offers from: UNKNOWN
Primary recruiter: Brett Arkelian
https://www.hudl.com/profile/12867873/Tanner-Rinker
2025 OUTLOOK
CARTER BROWN
Carter Brown is a transfer from the University of Cincinnati who will enter the 2025 season as a redshirt junior with two years of eligibility remaining.
Last year, Brown played in 2 games with 2 starts and hit 3 of 5 field goals and all 8 of his PATs before an injury ended his season.
During his 3-year career at Cincinnati and Arizona State, Brown played in 26 games with 26 starts and totaled 29 field goals on 38 attempts and 71 of 71 PATs.
According to 247sports coming out of Dawson High (TX), Brown was rated as the 1,825th-best player nationally, the 9th-best kicker, and the 241st-best player in Texas. He originally held offers from Arizona State and Navy. Once he entered the transfer portal, Utah State was his first offer, and he accepted not long after being offered.
Brown is looking forward to getting back to work now that he is fully recovered from his injury. He is a good athlete who kicks with excellent technique and consistency. He has the ability to be an outstanding field goal kicker. He approaches the ball swiftly and has a smooth flow to his follow-through. He gets the ball up well off the ground and easily has 55+ yard range. His kickoffs are also strong, and he drives the ball into the end zone with great hang time. He thrives under pressure.
TANNER RINKER
Tanner Rinker is a transfer from Garden City Community College (KS) who will enter the 2025 season as a junior with two years of eligibility remaining, plus a redshirt year if needed.
Last year, Rinker played in 11 games with 11 starts and connected on 10 of his 13 field goal attempts and 46 of his 51 PATs.
During his 2-year career with Garden City Community College and Grambling State University, Rinker has played in 22 games with 22 starts and totaled 17 field goals on 26 attempts, and 75 of 82 PATs.
Rinker was rated as the 100th-best kicker in the country by Kohl’s Kicking School. It appears that Utah State was his first preferred walk-on offer, and he accepted not long after being offered.
Rinker is a good athlete with a live leg. He does an excellent job on field goals. He has a strong leg and hits a clean, accurate ball off the ground and has 45+ yard range. His kickoffs are strong and FBS competition-ready. He drives the ball deep into the endzone with 4.0+ hang time. He kicks for a nice combination of distance and hang time.
PROJECTED 2025 PRESEASON DEPTH CHART
KICKER
33 Carter Brown (6-0, 200, RsJr., TR, 5*)
00 Tanner Rinker (6-2, 195, Jr., JC, 4.5*)
PUNT RETURN
Returning players: Kahanu Davis
2024 players not returning: None
2025 post-spring ball attrition: Robert Freeman (transferred to Idaho State)
2024 total production lost: 4 returns, 10.8 yards per return
2024 total production returning: 12 returns, 8.0 yards per return
2024 total production transferring in (transfer portal/junior college): 9 returns, 5.3 yards per return
New Faces in 2025:
Javen Jacobs 5’9″ 190 (3*) – University of New Mexico – (2 years to play 2)
2024 (RsSo.) Stats: 3 punt returns 0 yards
2023 (So.) Stats: 2 punt returns 15 yards
2022 (Fr.) Stats: 7 punt returns 18 yards
Offers from: None
Original offers from: Arizona St, Air Force, Army, Colorado, Colorado St, Idaho, New Mexico, Northern Arizona, Portland St, Yale
Primary recruiter: Kirk Garner
https://www.hudl.com/profile/5069367/Javen-Jacobs
Titan Saxton 5’11” 198 (NR) – Snow JC, UT – (3 years to play 3)
2024 (RsFr.) Stats: 6 punt returns 48 yards
2023 (Fr.) Stats: Redshirted at Utah State University
Offers from: New Mexico
Primary recruiter: Charles Mack
https://www.hudl.com/profile/9763415/Titan-Saxton
2025 OUTLOOK
KAHANU DAVIS
Senior Kahanu Davis will enter fall camp as the leading punt returner from last season.
Last season, Davis saw action in 8 games and returned 12 punts for an average of 8.0 yards per return.
During his 4-year career at Utah State and Southwestern Community College (CA), he has played in 30 games and totaled 22 punt returns for an average of 6.8 yards per return.
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 in 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.
JAVEN JACOBS
Javen Jacobs 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, Jacobs saw action in 7 games during an injury-shortened season and returned 3 punts for an average of 0.0 yards per return.
During his 3-year career at New Mexico and Arizona State University, he has played in 22 games and totaled 12 punt returns for an average of 2.7 yards per return.
According to 247sports, coming out of Saguaro High (AZ), Jacobs was rated as the 1,670th-best player nationally, the 127th-best athlete, and the 26th-best prospect overall in Arizona. He originally held offers from Arizona State, Air Force, Army, Colorado, Colorado State, Idaho, New Mexico, Northern Arizona, Portland State, and Yale. Once he entered the transfer portal, it appears the Aggies were his intended destination.
Jacobs is a dynamic player who has a ton of versatility to his game. He can line up in the backfield, in the slot, or out wide and his a threat no matter where he is on the field. His talents are best utilized in space, getting outside the tackles and blowing by defenders with his speed. He has nice vision on the field, finding the hole and bursting through for chunk yardage. He is a skilled route-runner and has solid hands. His crisp routes and good footwork leave him wide open to pick up big yardage running after the catch. I see Jacobs being one of the Aggies primary backs in 2025.
TITAN SAXTON
Titan Saxton is a transfer from Snow Junior College (UT) who will enter the 2025 season as a sophomore with three years of eligibility remaining.
Last year, Saxton played in 11 games with 11 starts and returned 6 punts for an average of 8.0 yards per return.
During his 2-year career at Snow Junior College and Utah State, Saxton has played in 11 games with 11 starts and totaled 6 punt returns for an average of 8.0 yards per return.
Saxton chose the Aggies over an offer from New Mexico.
Saxton is a versatile player; he can play both safety spots and could play the nickel spot if needed. He has great footwork and is very mobile, which allows him to roam the field. He displays solid zone coverage close to the line of scrimmage. He is disciplined in executing his assignment. He has shown great field vision and scans around to see where he is needed. He has become a skilled blitzer, showing a great burst of speed after the snap to take the offense by surprise.
PROJECTED 2025 PRESEASON DEPTH CHART
PUNT RETURN
11 Kahanu Davis (5-10, 180, Sr., 1L, NR)
8 Javen Jacobs (5-10, 190, Jr., TR, 3*)
1 Titan Saxton (5-11, 195, So., JC, NR)
KICK RETURN
Returning players: None
2024 players not returning: Nick Floyd (transfer portal), Jalen Royals (NFL Draft Round 4, Kansas City Chiefs), Kyrese White (NFL Undrafted Free Agent, Denver Broncos)
2025 post-spring ball attrition: Robert Freeman (transferred to Idaho State)
2024 total production lost: 23 returns, avg. 20.7 yards per return
2024 total production returning: None
2024 total production transferring in (transfer portal/junior college): 8 returns, avg. 27.8 yards per return
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
Javen Jacobs 5’9″ 190 (3*) – University of New Mexico – (2 years to play 2)
2024 (RsSo.) Stats: 3 kick returns 139 yards
2023 (So.) Stats: 2 kick returns 23 yards
2022 (Fr.) Stats: 5 kick returns 108 yards
Offers from: None
Original offers from: Arizona St, Air Force, Army, Colorado, Colorado St, Idaho, New Mexico, Northern Arizona, Portland St, Yale
Primary recruiter: Kirk Garner
https://www.hudl.com/profile/5069367/Javen-Jacobs
DJ Mayes 6’2″ 172 (NR) – University of New Mexico – (4 years to play 3)
2024 (Fr.) Stats: 5 kick returns 83 yards
Offers from: None
Original offers from: New Mexico, Utah Tech
Primary recruiter: Charles Mack
https://www.hudl.com/profile/16373995/DAngelo-Mayes
Demick Starling 6’0″ 194 (3*) – Western Kentucky University – (1 year to play 1)
2024 (RsJr.) Stats: Did not return any kicks
2023 (Jr.) Stats: No stats recorded and redshirted
2022 (So.) Stats: 14 kick returns 306 yards
2021 (Fr.) Stats: 1 kick return 21 yards
2020 (Fr.) Stats: Did not return any kicks
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
2025 OUTLOOK
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 returned 5 kicks for 83 yards for an average of 16.6 yards per return.
During his 2-year career at Syracuse High (UT), Mayes played 22 games with 22 starts, totaling 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.
JAVEN JACOBS
Javen Jacobs 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, Jacobs saw action in 7 games during an injury-shortened season and returned 3 kicks for 139 yards for an average of 46.3 yards per return.
During his 3-year career at New Mexico and Arizona State University, he has played in 22 games, totaling 10 kick returns for 270 yards for an average of 27.0 yards per return.
According to 247sports, coming out of Saguaro High (AZ), Jacobs was rated as the 1,670th-best player nationally, the 127th-best athlete, and the 26th-best prospect overall in Arizona. He originally held offers from Arizona State, Air Force, Army, Colorado, Colorado State, Idaho, New Mexico, Northern Arizona, Portland State, and Yale. Once he entered the transfer portal, it appears the Aggies were his intended destination.
Jacobs is a dynamic player who has a ton of versatility to his game. He can line up in the backfield, in the slot, or out wide, and his a threat no matter where he is on the field. His talents are best utilized in space, getting outside the tackles and blowing by defenders with his speed. He has nice vision on the field, finding the hole and bursting through for chunk yardage. He is a skilled route-runner and has solid hands. His crisp routes and good footwork leave him wide open to pick up big yardage running after the catch. I see Jacobs being one of the Aggies primary backs in 2025.
DEMICK STARLING
Demick Starling is a transfer from Western Kentucky University and will use his final season of eligibility at Utah State.
Last season he saw action in 8 games with 1 start but did not return any kicks with Western Kentucky.
During his 5-year career with the Hilltoppers and the University of Virginia, he played in 36 games with 5 starts and totaled 15 kick returns for 327 yards for an average of 21.8 yards per return.
According to 247sports, Starling was rated as the 1,853rd-best transfer portal player in the country and the 310th-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 will also aid him as a kick returner.
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.
Barnes does not currently have a collegiate kick return to his credit. However, He is blessed with sprinter speed. In high school, he recorded track times of a wind-aided 10.69 100 and a wind-legal time of 10.76 as a junior in the Spring of 2022. Also ran 200-meter times of 21.67, 21.86, and 21.87. He just has too much speed to ignore and leave standing on the sideline.
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.
PROJECTED 2025 PRESEASON DEPTH CHART
KICK RETURN
00 DJ Mayes (6-2, 170, So., TR, 3*)
8 Javen Jacobs (5-10, 190, Jr., TR, 3*)
00 Demick Starling (6-0, 195, Sr., TR, 3*)
00 D’Andre Barnes (6-0, 195, So., TR, 3*)