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News Release LOGAN -- Utah State football head coach Gary Andersen announced Friday that the Aggies have signed two more student-athletes, adding a pair of linebackers in Connor Williams and Devin Johnson to the signing class.
These two additions give Utah State a total of 26 signings to Andersen's 2009 signing class, and this pair make six that inked after Signing Day on Feb. 4.
"Recruiting is a year-round process and it is never over," Andersen said. "We're very fortunate to be able to sign these two talented linebackers. They provide us with added speed and talent, and also establish a talented linebacker corps on our defense."
A 6-3, 240-pounder, Johnson will have two years of eligibility for the Aggies while Williams, a 6-3, 226-pounder will be a freshman in the fall. Johnson is expected to arrive on campus in mid-June, joining the Aggies' summer workouts, while Williams will come to USU in late summer.
Williams' uncle, Shane Ireland, played linebacker for the Ottawa Rough Riders of the Canadian Football League from 1984 - 1987, while his cousin, Brian Wise, played defensive end for Utah from 1986 - 1988, where he was teammates with Andersen, when the current Aggie head coach was an offensive lineman for the Utes.
Williams is the first Canadian football player to play for the Aggies since back-up placekicker Darryl Wheeler (2005-06), who was also from Ontario (Stoney Creek).
Johnson chose USU over other offers including Iowa State, while Williams picked the Aggies after other offers including Rice, Buffalo and Toledo.
Johnson, a Glendora, Calif., native, will have two years of eligibility for the Aggies after he redshirted last season to pursue his associate's degree, coming to USU from Citrus College, where he was a two-year letterwinner and a two-time all-Western States Conference honoree after he earned first-team honors as a sophomore after collecting all-WSC honorable mention accolades his freshman season.
In 2007, he recorded 64 tackles, five tackles for loss and two quarterback sacks in helping Citrus to the Orange County Bowl, finishing with a 6-5 record. In his freshman season of 2006, he logged 22 tackles, seven tackles for loss and three and half sacks. He was named Western States Conference Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 17, 2006 after recording four tackles, one tackle for loss and one sack. Johnson is fifth on Citrus' single-season solo tackles list with 32 in 2007 and is tied for fourth on the career list with 46 during his two years there.
Johnson and current USU assistant coach T.J. Woods were both at Citrus in 2006, when Woods was the Owls' offensive line coach.
Johnson attended Rancho Cucamongo HS, where he was a Rivals Top 100 recruit, being ranked as the 11th-best defensive end in the country and the 48th-best player in California. He was a two-time first-team all-Baseline League selection as a junior and senior. At RCHS he also formed a dominating defensive line duo with current USC defensive tackle Averell Spicer.
At Rancho Cucamongo HS, Johnson led the Cougars to a 6-5 record both as a junior and senior. He posted 79 tackles with 11 sacks and one fumble recovery his senior season while registering 77 stops with eight sacks along with two fumble recoveries as a junior. Johnson also saw limited action at running back, tallying five rushes for 21 yards along with seven carries for 64 yards with one TD as a senior after posting three carries for 16 yards along with one catch for six yards his junior season.
Rancho Cucamongo HS also produced one of the most notable quarterbacks in Utah State history, Jose Fuentes (1998-2002), who holds several of the Aggies' season and career passing records including career passing yards (9.168) and career TD passes (60), as well as career total offense (8.791 yards).
Williams, who also plays defensive end, is a native of Kanata, Ontario, Canada. He comes to USU from Holy Trinity High School, where he was a two-time first-team all-region honoree. Williams also participated in the All Canada Gridiron Ottawa May Showcase, as well as playing in the Athletes in Action East/West Bowl, where he was the only junior selected, and then again as a senior. He was Holy Trinity's defensive MVP his sophomore, junior and senior seasons, as well as team captain all three years.
As a junior, he helped the Tornados win the National Capital Secondary School Athletic Association tier 2 football championship.
He also plays for the Kanata Knights and the Myers Riders of the Ontario Varsity Football League, where he set a league record for single-season tackle assists with 80 as a junior. As a senior, he had 80 total tackles (35 solo, 45 assists) with 10 total sacks (five solo, five assists) along with two forced fumbles and one interception. He was also the Riders' team MVP as a senior and was a two-time team captain.
The Aggies, who have 21 starters returning (10 offense, seven defense and four special teams) as part of 46 returning lettermen, will open fall camp in early August.
Andersen and Utah State open the 2009 season against a familiar foe for Andersen, as the Aggies tangle with the Utes of Utah on Thursday, Sept. 3. After a bye and a road game at Texas A&M on Saturday, Sept. 19, USU hosts in-state foe Southern Utah in the Aggies' home opener on Saturday, Sept. 26.
Utah State football season ticket renewal applications are currently available online at www.utahstateaggies.com. General Admission season tickets are also available for purchase. Orders for both West and East side reserved seats are also being taken with payment, though seat locations will not be available until after June 1.
For more ticket information, contact the USU Ticket Office at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum, or by phone by calling 1-888-USTATE-1 or (435) 797-0305.
