Air Force
QB Ryan Brand, 5-9, 190 – The Falcons are making a big push for the defensive side with several prospects for the back seven, and there are a few interesting skill prospects like 6-4 WR Nolan Thompson out of California, but it’s Brand who’ll end up being the one who pilots the offense with the right size, the right quickness, and the right smarts to be the exact recruit-to-a-type quarterback for the program. Several Power 5 schools wanted him for another position, but he fits with Air Force. 
Boise State
QB Brett Rypien, 6-2, 195 – It’s a good overall recruiting class with S Kameron Miles and DE Ben Moa two JUCO transfers who’ll be in the rotation right away at their respective positions, but it’s Rypien who brings the name – nephew of Mark Rypien – and the ability to take over the Bronco offense. He fits the Boise State quarterback mold, undersized but skilled, with good mobility along with a live arm. Washington, Washington State and Oregon State made a push, Mississippi State was interested, but he’ll soon be the leader of the attack. 

Colorado State
WR Olabisi Johnson, 6-0, 170 – A bad class coming in because of the coaching change, there are a few decent prospects who need to step up and shine to keep this recruiting season from being a total disaster. Johnson committed early and stuck with the call even after Jim McElwain left, and that all but ended the push for him. He has the quickness to grow into a dangerous slot receiver and gets the ball in his hands in a variety of ways. 

New Mexico
QB Austin Apodaca, 6-3, 195 – For a program that doesn’t throw the ball all that much, getting WR Savon Rollison out of Texas was a good pickup, but it was Apodaca who’ll be the one who makes or breaks the class. The JUCO transfer out of Colorado started out his career at Washington State, and while he has good running skills, his signing might bring in more of a passing element to the Lobos. Smart, Vanderbilt wanted him, but New Mexico got him. 

Utah State
RB Gerold Bright, 5-11, 175 – He’s a perfect fit for the Aggie offense. Several excellent prospects are coming in on defense, including LB Daniel Langi and end Tommy Woo, but Bright is the bolt of lightning who might be able to change games around by himself. Mostly wanted by several Conference USA and Sun Belt schools, the Florida native was also given an offer from Tennessee. However, he should be the right guy for the Utah State backfield, or he could be used as a receiver if given a little time to adjust. 

Wyoming
CB Dameon Baber, 5-10, 170 – Head coach Craig Bohl is mostly gearing up on offensive skill players, but there aren’t many big stars who look like sure things. Baber should be the one exception. The California native had his chance to go to Oregon State, Arizona or Nevada – he originally appeared destined to become a Beaver – but he should be the most talented defensive back in the Cowboy secondary in the near future. 

Mountain West – West Stars of the Class 

’ Fresno State
QB Chason Virgil, 6-2, 175 – The secondary got a few excellent prospects in A.J. Greeley and Mike Bell, and the offensive line is getting some key parts, but can Virgil turn into the guy who can run the attack and make the offense shine? He might not be all that big, and he’s not going to throw the ball through a wall, but he has the maturity and the passing skills to be exactly what the offense was missing last year. With just enough mobility to get by, and the experience to be ready from the start, he could be an intriguing part of the picture sooner than later. The Texas native was wanted by Florida, Auburn, Clemson, Oklahoma, and other top schools, but he was part of Fresno State early in the process. 

Hawaii
OG Jordan Agasiva, 6-4, 280 – It might not be an exciting signing for a program that needs to find its offensive groove again and needs defensive playmakers, but keeping Agasiva at home was a big win for the program. Versatile, he could play tackle or guard with the talent to be considered by BYU and in the potential mix for Oregon, but he committed to Hawaii very, very early and was done. He’ll eventually be a key starter and cog for a line that has to be better than it’s been over the last few years. 

Nevada
LB Gabe Sewell, 6-0, 225 – The linebackers are the stars of the class, and Sewell is the best prospect of the lot with decent size and good upside and pop. The Pac-12 was right there for him, but he liked Nevada early on, appears to have found a home, and soon should be one of the team’s leading tacklers – he’s a guided missile to the ball with good skills when on pass plays. Colorado was the main Power 5 school that wanted him, but he’ll be a terror on the Wolf Pack outside. 

San Diego State
RB Jatory Sparks-Brown, 5-10, 220 – The tight ends brought in – Hasani Smith and John Carroll – could become the key players, and the O line and receivers are getting in some nice talents, but considering the way the Aztecs pound the ball under Rocky Long, Sparks-Brown fits with good power and the right size to turn into a bit of a workhorse. Minnesota was going to make him a part of the backfield, and other Mountain West programs were interested, but he’s an Aztec. 

San Jose State
QB Cameron Burston, 6-3, 185 – RB Malik Roberson should turn out to be the leader of the backfield even with his 5-6 size, but Burston will be the one the fans get interested in right away. He has decent size with great mobility and a live arm able to get it all over the field – he can do it all. There was a chance for several Pac-12 schools to get into the hunt, and Michigan was on the radar, but he became a Spartan right away and ended the drama. San Jose State got a great prospect. 

UNLV
DT Salanoa Alo-Wily, 6-2, 260 – The coaching situation hasn’t been a plus for the recruiting season, but the Rebels were still able to land a great prospect for the defensive interior. He needs to get a bit bigger, but as is he’s a great interior pass rushing prospect with tremendous quickness off the ball and the toughness to someday anchor the run. An absolute rock-solid lock to commit to Hawaii, and with Colorado and Oregon State both interested, he flipped to UNLV, making him the key component for the new staff’s first class.