Bronco Mendenhall Aims For Sustained Success Through High School Recruiting
Feb 4, 2026, 6:03 PM | Updated: 6:08 pm
Maverik Stadium, home of the Utah State Aggies. (Brian Preece)
(Brian Preece)
LOGAN, Utah – Utah State football took its next steps into the new-look Pac-12 on Wednesday, announcing its 2026 National Signing Day class as the program prepares for a pivotal transition this summer.
While the December early signing period has been put on the back burner for many programs, head coach Bronco Mendenhall believes the evolving landscape presents an opportunity for Utah State—particularly at the high school level.
As Power Four leagues increasingly rely on the transfer portal, Mendenhall sees value in identifying and developing prep prospects who may be overlooked elsewhere.
“My sense right now is that the quality of high school players available for Utah State is higher, and the demand is lower around the country,” Mendenhall said in an exclusive interview with the Voice of the Aggies, Scott Garrard, on the KSL Sports Zone.
Mendenhall joined Garrard as the Aggies put the finishing touches on the February 4 signing day haul. He emphasized a dual-track recruiting approach that emphasizes the transfer portal in the short term and long-term stability through prep recruiting.
“I really see, for Utah State and our program, a chance to continue getting really good high school football players, especially from our own state, and leveraging that over time,” Mendenhall revealed. “While I’m in the portal enough to continue winning and building momentum. But the future of the program being sustained through the consistency of high school recruiting.”
Mendenhall credited his staff for doing well considering the tight timeline.
“I think we did really well under all the circumstances,” he concluded.
Utah State announces 2026 National Signing Day class
The Aggies added 20 players on defense and 16 on offense, with a clear emphasis on interior line help.
USU brought in six defensive linemen and five offensive linemen with hopes of shoring up two units that struggled with attrition late in the season.
Safeties (4) …………………………….Hometown
David Kabongo ………………………….. Fort Worth, Texas
Chapman Lewis …………………………. Fort Worth, Texas
Steven Sannieniola ………………………………. Bowie, Md.
Kye Stokes ………………………………………….. Tampa, Fla.
Cornerbacks (3) ……………………….Hometown
Antonio Bluiett ………………………………… Buffalo, Minn.
Markie Grant …………………………………. Houston, Texas
Marcus McKenzie …………………………. St. George, Utah
Inside Linebackers (2) ………………Hometown
Asher Cunningham …………………………. Asheville, N.C.
Harrison Taggart ……………………………….. Draper, Utah
Outside Linebackers (5) ………………Hometown
BJ Diakite …………………………………… Birmingham, Ala.
Jeremiah Holmes ……………………………… Durham, N.C.
Adonis Jackson …………………………….. Las Vegas, Nev.
James Jennette ………………………………… Durham, N.C.
Jordan Pendleton ………………………… Memphis, Tenn
Defensive Line (6) ……………………Hometown
Jesse King ………………………………………….. Orem, Utah
Kasen Long ……………………………………. Lubbock, Texas
Ronnie Mageo …………………………………… Daphne, Ala.
Ifo Pili Jr. …………………………….. West Valley City, Utah
Ta’avili Tuitama ………… Mapusaga, American Samoa
Quincy Wright …………………………………… Dallas, Texas
Quarterbacks (2) ……………………….Hometown
Grady Brosterhous …………………………. Charlotte, N.C.
McCae Hillstead …………………………………….. Lehi, Utah
Running Backs (1) ……………………….Hometown
Sesi Vailahi ……………………………… Salt Lake City, Utah
Fullbacks (2) …………………………….Hometown
Tyler Masdea …………………………………….. Carnegie, Pa.
Collin Remenowsky ………………… Pleasant Plain, Ohio
Wide Receivers (5) ……………………….Hometown
Rex Haynes ………………………………….. San Diego, Calif.
LJ Johnson Jr. ……………………….. Madisonville, Texas
Javon Robinson ……………………………. Florida City, Fla.
Kaina Watson ……………………………….. Las Vegas, Nev.
Eli Wood ……………………………………….. Lynchburg, Va.
Offensive Line (5) ……………………….Hometown
Chantz Chargualaf ……………………. Ewa Beach, Hawaii
Kadin Lynch ……………………………………. Asheville, N.C.
John Randle Jr. ……………………………. Horn Lake, Miss.
Chewy Wade ………………………………….. Edmond, Okla.
Seth Wilfred …………………………………. Las Vegas, Nev
Kickers (1) ………………………………….Hometown
Kian Afrookhteh …………………….. Laguna Niguel, Calif.
Four of USU’s signees have been rated four-star recruits at some points in their career. 20 players have been considered three-star prospects before joining the Aggies.
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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.
