In Cache Valley, the cleats have been clacking and the pads have been popping as football prepares to shine under the Maverick Stadium lights. In preparation for Utah State’s 2018 season, and tipoff at Michigan State on Aug. 31, here are three things to know in three different categories.

Players to watch

Jordan Love. Yes, Chuckie Keeton is on the sideline, but this time with a visor and a clipboard, so don’t mind him. Rather, pay attention to sophomore Love, who will be lining up under center as the quarterback for the Aggies. Love took over the starting QB job midseason last fall, ending with eight touchdowns to six interceptions, but is hoping a summer of workouts,fall camp as “the guy,” and the experience of a year will accelerate his growth and improvement. A key luxury Love will enjoy in 2018 is that all five starting offensive linemen will return to form a veteran wall.
Ron’Quavion Tarver, Jordan Nathan, Dax Raymond. This is the returning trio who combined for nearly 1,400 yards and 10 touchdowns last year. Tarver is the big, physical receiver on the outside while Nathan is the speedy, all-purpose, slot-like athlete. Raymond, a tight end, is a guy to especially monitor because of his size (6-foot-5) but also his speed and athleticism. By the end of 2017, whispers of an NFL prospect started to gain traction for Raymond. Helping his cause is that Matt Wells’ offense has loved deploying tight ends in the middle of the field, so it’s easy to foresee Raymond becoming Love’s best friend.
Tipa Galeai. Admittedly, it’s the defensive side of the ball that will provide the question marks, specifically a secondary that is young. A decent linebacking core returns, but it’s Galeai that offers the intrigue. Galeai is a transfer from TCU, where he recorded 24 total tackles, including 3.5 sacks and 5.5 tackles for loss in his sophomore season as a Horned Frog. Out of high school, Galeai was ranked as the No. 5 defensive end for the state of Texas, so the potential is there to be a pass rushing specialist. As a side note, his brother, Salanoa, was a long snapper for the Aggies in 2014.