USU returns 19 starters (O-8, D-6, S-5) and 44 lettermen (O-19, D-20, S-5) from a 2011 team that won its final five regular season games to finish with a 7-6 record and a 5-2 WAC mark to tie for second in the league.
Of its 47 academic all-WAC selections, Utah State had 16 student-athletes from football honored, along with 11 student-athletes from soccer, eight from volleyball, and six each from both men's and women's cross country.
HONORS: Academic All-WAC (2011).
UTAH STATE: A big corner with good speed... Has a high football IQ and will see a lot of playing time in nickel and dime coverages.
2011 (JR): Played in 11 games... Mostly saw action on special teams, but also played on defense in passing situations... Posted four tackles on the season... Logged one stop each in Auburn, Wyoming, Hawai`i and Idaho games.
2010 (RS): Medically redshirted the season.
2009 (SO): Played in first four games of season, mostly on special teams, before suffering season-ending injury... Made five tackles (one solo, four assists), with one pass break-up.
JUNIOR COLLEGE: Was teammates at Eastern Arizona JC, with former Aggie running back Michael Smith... Earned second-team all-region and second-team all-Western States Football League accolades after snaring three interceptions... Helped the Gila Monsters to an 8-3 record... Part of defense that ranked third in WSFL in total defense and scoring defense... Earned junior college Academic All-American honors.
PREVIOUS SCHOOL: Played one season at Montana, registering 32 tackles, including one for loss, as well as six pass break-ups with two forced fumbles, helping Grizzlies to I-AA playoffs.
HIGH SCHOOL: Earned first-team all-state and first-team all-district accolades at Jesuit (Ore.) High School, helping Crusaders to state championship his junior and senior seasons... Also a three-year letterwinner in track & field, earning first-team all-state honors in the 4x100m relay team, as well as all-state in the 200m, helping Jesuit HS to state title... A member of the Jesuit HS honor roll.
PERSONAL: Born Feb. 1, 1989... Son of Rayelle Olson... Graduated in summer of 2011 with degree in interdisciplinary studies and is pursuing his master's in education.
