Utah State Football Has 10 Players Named To Phil Steele’s All-Mountain West Teams
Jun 14, 2023, 11:19 AM

A Utah State Aggies helmet before the game between the LSU Tigers and Utah State Aggies at LSU Tiger Stadium on October 5, 2019 in Baton Rouge, LA. (Photo by Andy Altenburger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
(Photo by Andy Altenburger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LOGAN, Utah – Sportswriter and football analyst Phil Steele placed ten Utah State Football players on his preseason All-Mountain West Teams.
Utah State’s 11 all-conference selections are the third-most in the Mountain West.
𝙊𝙣𝙚 𝘿𝙚𝙜𝙧𝙚𝙚 𝘽𝙚𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧 🔥#AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/km8qNAFDXV
— USU Football (@USUFootball) June 12, 2023
Seven of the Aggies on Steele’s rankings also made Athlon Sports’ preseason all-Mountain West teams this summer.
Senior defensive tackle Hale Motu’apuaka, senior wide receiver Terrell Vaughn, and junior long snapper Jacob Garcia were all named to Steele’s All-Mountain West first team.
𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗔𝗴𝗴𝗶𝗲𝘀 for Phil Steele’s Preseason All-Mountain West 🤘@hale_676 @Terrell_Vaughn6 @_jacob_garcia__
📰 https://t.co/fxcr1KJv2l#AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/NNdVmXbWiT
— USU Football (@USUFootball) June 13, 2023
Senior punt returner Cooper Jones, senior linebacker MJ Tafisi, and sophomore safety Ike Larsen were the second-team selections for USU.
Senior cornerback Michael Anyanwu, senior punter Stephen Kotsanlee, and junior offensive lineman Cole Motes made the third team. Senior offensive lineman Falepule Alo was the sole fourth-team selection for Utah State.
𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗔𝗴𝗴𝗶𝗲𝘀 for Phil Steele’s Preseason All-Mountain West 🤘@IkeLarsen19 @Jooper_Cones @tfs1luv
📰 https://t.co/fxcr1KJv2l#AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/jko0m1GQbu
— USU Football (@USUFootball) June 13, 2023
In a recent ranking of Mountain West teams, Steele spoke highly of Utah State head coach Blake Anderson and what he was able to do with the Aggies roster.
“(Blake Anderson) did a remarkable job,” Steele wrote. “He brought his QB, a key WR, and top LB with him from Arkansas State. They have nine returning starters and should be in contention for a bowl. ”
RELATED: Phil Steele Ranks Utah State Among Mountain West Teams In Early Analysis
𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗿𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗔𝗴𝗴𝗶𝗲𝘀 for Phil Steele’s Preseason All-Mountain West 🤘@michaelanyanwu8 @kingcole44 @SKotsy17 @Pulealo_ https://t.co/DYp7kcHHPP#AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/2Vu0plvjAa
— USU Football (@USUFootball) June 13, 2023
Chandler Holt is a Digital Sports Producer for KSLSports.com, specializing in all things basketball and football. Follow Chandler on Twitter at @ChandlerHoltKSL.