Harrison Taggart’s recovery brings encouraging news as Aggies rally around captain
Sep 21, 2026, 3:40 PM | Updated: Sep 22, 2026, 4:32 pm
Utah State head coach updated the status of linebacker Harrison Taggart at his Monday afternoon press conference. (Photo courtesy Brian Preece)
(Photo courtesy Brian Preece)
LOGAN – Utah State linebacker Harrison Taggart is walking with assistance and making progress in rehabilitation after leaving Saturday’s game against Utah in an ambulance, coach Bronco Mendenhall said Monday.
Mendenhall opened his afternoon news conference with an encouraging update on the former Corner Canyon High School and BYU linebacker: Taggart’s scans were clean, his spirits were up, and he had shared a video message with teammates.
For the Aggies, the news offered reassurance after a frightening injury to one of their captains. As Taggart begins his recovery, his teammates are working to fill the leadership void left by a linebacker whose influence extends beyond the field.
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“He sent a message to our team this morning for the team meeting with a video. He’s moving; he’s walking with a walker,” Mendenhall said, noting the video reflected Taggart’s progress as of Sunday. “His parents just say he was doing a great job in rehab today. His spirits were up, and scans were clean, which is great.”
Mendenhall visited Taggart on Sunday.
“We miss him already, but just positive news, so far, in terms of his recovery,” he said.
Fellow linebacker Asher Cunningham said Taggart’s absence is felt throughout the team, not just among the linebackers.
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“Harrison Taggart’s a real team captain for our team. He means a lot to all of us, not just linebackers, but everyone on this team. We’re a brotherhood, and we’re grateful that he is feeling a lot better than he was,” Cunningham said. “Harry’s kind of a guy who is a big character, also produces on and off the field. He binds us together as a defense, as a team.”
That influence leaves teammates with a shared responsibility to communicate and lead in his absence.
“We’re about to step up the communication a lot and leadership a lot,” Cunningham said.
Morgan Scalley visited Harrison Taggart in the hospital yesterday morning.
“I’ve known his mom, have a very good relationship with him. I think he’s going to be here today. Depending on how the rehab goes, he’ll be tonight or tomorrow. He was in good spirits, just never want to…
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) September 21, 2026
For now, the most encouraging development is Taggart’s progress away from the field. After leaving Saturday’s game in an ambulance, he sent teammates a video showing him walking with a walker — an update Mendenhall welcomed as he awaited further progress.
“We’re really grateful for him and that he’s okay,” Cunningham said.
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About Harrison Taggart
Harrison Taggart was voted as a team captain entering his first season in Logan after playing the 2025 season at Cal.
The 6-foot-1, 235-pound athlete began his college career by redshirting at Oregon in 2022. He transferred to BYU the following season and spent two seasons in Provo.
He played 24 games with the Cougars, making 16 starts. Taggart recorded 97 tackles, one sack, and an interception in his BYU career.
Thoughts to Utah State’s Harrison Taggart as he’s taken off in an ambulance after a scary hit.
He gives a thumbs up while surrounded by his entire team. pic.twitter.com/ooFt8wklSg
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 19, 2026
Taggart transferred to Cal in 2025 and made one start in 13 games. He recorded 38 tackles, two tackles for a loss, and one pass break-up.
His presence in the middle of a stout Aggie defense has been undeniable through three games.
Taggart had 13 tackles in his first two games as an Aggie, and had made five stops before exiting with the injury against Utah.
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Brian Preece is a sports.ksl.com insider covering Locals in MLB and the Salt Lake Bees. Follow Brian’s Bees and Beehive baseball here. Find Brian on X, Instagram, and BlueSky at @bpreece24.
Parts of this article were generated with the assistance of large language models and reviewed by our editorial team.
