USU football: Quarterback position 'wide open' for USU

LOGAN — The Utah State University football team will have more depth this year than last.

Now all they need is an improvement over last year's 2-10 record, an aspiration that began Wednesday with the first day of spring drills.

This year will be USU's fourth under head coach Brent Guy, who started his tenure with a plan to build depth through high school recruits. With 97 players on the Romney Stadium field Wednesday, it's evident that plan is working.

"I had 64 scholarship guys here today when the first spring we had 56 total, including walk-ons," said Guy.

The biggest question mark heading into 2008 is at quarterback, which was vacated by four-year starter Leon Jackson III. Four players have a shot to win a race that Guy called "wide open." Competing for the spot are freshman Ben Longshore, sophomore Diondre Borel, junior Jase McCormick and senior Sean Setzer.

McCormick has the most experience according to Guy, who also commended Setzer for his offseason work of changing his body and getting into better shape.

"We're gonna have a lot of live reps and get those guys equal reps, and see who can win the job," said Guy.

The Aggies return 18 starters from last year's squad, which won its final two games to avoid a winless campaign.

"I definitely think there's a little momentum," said senior linebacker Jake Hutton. "It feels good to win and we know what feels like to win, but by the time this year rolls around it's a whole new ballgame."

The Aggies begin this season Aug. 30 at UNLV and will have six home games for the first time since 1998.