Alabama football opens its 2022 season Saturday versus Utah State at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
For the first time since 2011, the Crimson Tide does not open its season on a neutral site against a marquee opponent.
RELATED: Alabama QB Bryce Young named to 2022 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award watchlist
Nick Saban and Alabama get to play at home under the LED lights at 6:30 p.m. CT via SEC Network.
As we go behind enemy lines, it is time to preview the top players for the Aggies. Utah State finished 11-3 in 2021 and returns several playmakers on offense and defense. The Aggies won its season opener, 31-20, over Connecticut in week zero of the college football season. Utah State forced three turnovers, and Saban wants Alabama not to give it easy opportunities.
Listed below are the top players for the Aggies to watch this weekend.
Logan Bonner, Quarterback
Logan Bonner is one of the top quarterbacks returning to college football.
He guided Utah State’s offense to 32.6 points per game in 2021, including five 40+ point games. Bonner recorded big-time passing numbers as a junior. He completed 61.3 percent of his passes for 3,628 yards and 36 touchdowns. The 6-foot-1, 230-pounder totaled 281 yards and three touchdowns against UConn. Bonner looks to test Alabama’s cornerbacks as Kool-Aid McKinstry and Terrion Arnold get the nod as starters. The Crimson Tide has four players competing for two jobs at corner.
Justin McGriff, Wide Receiver
Justin McGriff brings his 6’6″ frame against the Crimson Tide as a wide receiver.
As a South Florida native, he collected three passes for 53 yards and a touchdown versus the Huskies. McGriff returns as Utah State’s top receiver from last year. The 215-pounder brought in six touchdowns on 35 receptions, averaging 11.8 yards per catch.
RELATED: WATCH: Alabama football wraps up final practice for Utah State
He excels in jump ball situations and wins a lot of contested catches.
Alabama’s cornerbacks and safeties have to shut him down.
Calvin Tyler Jr., Running Back
Calvin Tyler led Utah State in rushing last year.
He tallied 911 yards and seven touchdowns, averaging 76 yards per game. The 5-foot-8, 210-pounder had 161 yards on nearly five yards per attempt (4.8) against UConn. The combination of Tyler and Robert Briggs will be interesting for the Aggies.
Briggs, a freshman, brings more explosiveness. He totaled 85 yards rushing on 10 carries with a touchdown last week.
Alabama’s defensive linemen and linebacker must maintain gap control.
Byron Vaughns, Defensive End
Byron Vaughns, a transfer from Texas, arrived at Utah State in 2021.
He made an immediate impact as a defensive end. Vaughns had 10.5 tackles for loss, four sacks, and a team-high five quarterback pressures. He may be an undersized lineman (6-4/230), but Vaughns will test the quickness and strength of Alabama’s offensive line. He converts speed to power, has edge-bending moves, and returns as one of the Aggies’ best pass rushers.
RELATED: WATCH: Nick Saban previews Utah State, talks freshmen injuries
JC Latham or Tyler Steen will be responsible for neutralizing Vaughns.
Utah State has other studs up front, including Hale Motu’apuaka, Patrick Joyner Jr., AJ Vongphachanh, Ajani Carter, and Poukesi Vakauta. The Aggies are good at forcing turnovers, and its defensive front excels at creating opportunities.
Hunter Reynolds, Safety
Hunter Reynolds was Utah State’s second-leading tackler in 2021 with 86 total stops.
He had four tackles for loss, three pass breakups, and an interception.
The 6-foot, 200-pounder from New Jersey totaled six tackles and an interception against UConn. Reynolds is a hard-hitter on the back end, but he’s also very instinctive breaking on passes in coverage. Bryce Young has to be patient in the passing game for Alabama as Reynolds will look to keep plays from opening.
*Get the BEST Alabama football insider information, message board access, and recruiting coverage today! SIGN UP HERE to unlock our subscriber-only content!*
Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
