Brennon Scott, linebacker, UNLV

In a lot of respects, the Rebels are starting over on the defensive side of the ball, but new head coach was able to bring a wealth of talent through his first recruiting class, none bigger than Scott.

According to 247Sports, Scott arrives in Las Vegas as the program’s third-highest-ranked recruit ever, choosing UNLV over a whopping 34 other offers. If competition everywhere is to be the name of the game in the early going, he could find his way into the linebacker rotation pretty quickly with only Farrell Hester II as a truly proven commodity in the unit.

John Gentry, running back, Utah State

Jaylen Warren looks set to be the Aggies’ lead back in 2020, but if head coach Gary Andersen wants to continue the committee that has worked so well over the past few years, who will pick up the slack left by the departed Gerold Bright?

Gentry, the highest-ranked recruit in Utah State’s most recent class, could be an option. After prying him away from in-state rival Utah, the 5-foot-10, 186-pound Houstonian could be the lightning that the offense missed at times last fall.

Dean Rice, defensive lineman, Utah State

After playing both ways in high school, the 6-foot-2, 295-pound Rice could be an integral part of a defensive front that will have to replace a lot of lost production from 2019. He didn’t see any action last fall, but he’s also one of just four defensive tackles listed on the current roster, meaning that he could easily see a lot of playing time inside.

Michael Washington, cornerback, Hawaii

Though he only saw playing time in three games last season, Washington was definitely thrown into the fire more than anyone else on this list, playing a healthy portion of the 2019 SoFi Hawaii Bowl alongside Cortez Davis and Zach Wilson. He held his own, recording four tackles, and should be in line to compete for a starting role now that Rojesterman Farris has graduated to the NFL ranks.

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