LOGAN, Utah (Wednesday, Dec. 15) – Utah State head football coach Blake Anderson announced portions of his second signing class on Wednesday, as part of the NCAA Early Signing Day. The class, which includes 14 total players, is comprised of 11 high school athletes and three four-year transfers. “It’s a great foundation for what we’re trying to do,” Anderson said. “We’ll focus more with the back half of this class on veteran-type bodies that could fill in key, veteran departures. On the front of this, we wanted to make a big emphasis on building the fronts and we wanted to stay close to home. Six guys from the state is huge. We have another one from right down the road in Idaho Falls with Paul Fitzgerald. We get a built-in family member in Sione (Motu’apuaka), Hale’s big, little brother. Then, we have a guy like Anthony Switzer who we already know, spent time with and recruited. It’s a great foundation for what we’re wanting to do with key positions on the offensive and defensive line and skill positions such as a quarterback and running back. We’ll just continue to build around that. It’s a great start.” Of the 14 players, seven

Patrick Joyner a defensive on the Utah State wears one of his Positive Journey shirts with a medallion of his nephew that has passed away. Joyner stands near a USU statue on Wednesday Dec. 1, 2021. LOGAN – Patrick Joyner, a 6’2’’, 230 lbs. junior defensive end on Utah State University’s football team, is making a mark off the field as well as on it. The Miami South Dade High School graduate is member of Hard Knocks Foundation, an organization that uses football as a catalyst to keep youth off the streets and on the playing field. Patrick Joyner wears one of his Positive Journey shirts with a medallion of his nephew that passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021. Derrick Lester started the foundation 2007. Joyner learned the fundamentals of football, discipline, dedication and teamwork from being a part of the foundation. They claim to have helped approximately 3,000 student athletes reach their full potential. The foundation takes underserved athletes to football camps at major universities to showcase their talents. “We knock on doors to get money,” Lester said. “We go to individuals, mom and pop shops, and even large corporations and ask for money.” Then they pay the