Nine Utah State Football Players Named To Phil Steele’s Preseason All-MWC Teams

LOGAN, Utah – Nine Utah State football players were named to Phil Steel’s preseason All-Mountain West teams in his college football preview magazine.

One player was named both the first and second teams. Two players landed on the third team and five players made it to the fourth team.

Can’t catch lightning!

⚡️ @SavonScarver
5 KO Return TDs
1,980 KO Return Yards#AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/k3WnTb7tCu

— USU Football (@USUFootball) July 3, 2020

First Team

Senior kick returner Savon Scarver was named to the first team after a fantastic career at Utah State. Scarver was a consensus All-American in 2018 and received first team All-MWC honors as a junior in 2019.

He led the conference and second nationally in kickoff returns for touchdowns last season with two.

Second Team

Safety Shaq Bond received second team honors after earning honorable mention All-Mountain West honors in 2019. Bond ended the season fourth on the team with 83 tackles including 3.5 tackles for loss. He also led the Aggies with three interceptions.

Third Team

Offensive lineman Demytrick Ali’ifua started all 13 games last year and played the most offensive snaps overall with 901 at center.

Safety Troy Lefeged Jr. led the Aggies with 104 tackles last season and was tied for second with 2 sacks while also racking up 6 tackles for loss.

Fourth Team

Running back Jaylen Warren played 12 games last season and finished behind Gerold Bright with 569 yards on 112 carries and five touchdowns. Warren also caught 15 passes for 182 yards.

Wide receiver Deven Thompkins hauled in 40 receptions for 536 yards and four touchdowns last season. Thompkins ran the ball six times for 77 yards and one touchdown.

Offensive lineman Andy Koch started the first three games for Utah State last season before suffering a season ending injury.

Linebacker Kevin Meitzenheimer finished the 2019 season third on the team with 89 tackles including 2.5 tackles for loss, one interception, one forced fumble and one pass breakup.

Defensive end Justus Te’i recorded 51 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks last season.

Utah State was scheduled to open the season at home against Washington State before the Pac-12 moved the football season to a conference-only schedule, cancelling the Aggies games against the Cougars and the Washington Huskies.