Month: August 2025

Ranking Idaho’s top five teams in every high school classification entering 2025 originally appeared on The Sporting News

Predicting Idaho high school football rankings in August is a bit like trying to forecast the weather in October — you might get lucky, but you’ll probably be wrong.

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We kept it pretty chalk at the top of each division, starting with the defending state champion in each of the six divisions, starting with 6A powerhouse Rigby all the way down to 1A Carey.

Here are our top-five preseason teams in each classification going into the year, with full expectations that this list will look ridiculous by November.

STREAM:Idaho high school football, live on NFHS Network

6A (Largest Schools)

1. Rigby – The Trojans are the defending state champions, having won four of the last six state titles. Highland is the only other team in the classification to achieve that feat.

2. Rocky Mountain – The Grizzlies are a perennial power and should be once again with four Division I FBS recruits on the roster and counting.

3. Eagle – Fresh off their first state championship game since 2009, the Mustangs return two-time, first-team all-state running back Noah Burnham and a defense filled with three-year starters.

4. Coeur d’Alene – The Vikings are another perennial contender with 13 consecutive playoff appearances from 2009-2021 and have most recently made back-to-back state semifinal appearances.

5. Timberline – Might be an odd inclusion with the Wolves having not posted back-to-back winning seasons in a decade, but they have five Division I commits.

MORE: Where every Idaho D-1 commit in Class of 2026 is playing next year

5A

1. Hillcrest – The Knights are the defending state champions and bring back a lot of talent from that team, including reigning Class 5A Player of the Year Tyson Sweetwood.

2. Bishop Kelly – The Knights are one of the most storied programs in the state with seven state titles and are back this year with 12 returning starters.

3. Skyline – The Grizzlies are going to have their least experienced team in years, but it’s still hard to bet against a program that’s played in four of the last five state championship games and has nine state titles to its name.

4. Minico – The Spartans graduated 16 starters, but they’ve only lost one conference game over the last four years and have made the final four in two of the last three seasons.

5. Lakeland – The Hawks had a 14-point lead over Hillcrest in the semifinals last season and bring back several players from that team.

4A

1. Sugar-Salem – The Diggers are the reigning state champions, having won six of the last seven state titles — only the second team in Idaho history ever to do so.

2. Homedale – The Trojans have made seven consecutive state semifinal appearances and played in five state championship games over the last seven seasons.

3. Fruitland – The Grizzlies return the state’s top recruit, five-star lineman Kelvin Obot, a University of Utah commit, and all-state quarterback Titus Vidlak, who led the classification in passing last season with 2,649 yards and 35 total touchdowns.

4. Kimberly – The Bulldogs outscored conference opponents 210-27 and bring back several returners, including junior Titus Osterman, who picked up an offer from Washington in May.

5. Weiser – Since winning the state championship in 2021, the Wolverines have been to the semifinals every year and are led by Tom Harrison, whose 11 state titles are the most in Idaho history.

MORE:Idaho’s 6 biggest coaching changes to watch in 2025

3A

1. West Side – The Pirates became just the third team in Idaho history to win five state championships in six years last season and bring back several contributors, including all-state linebacker Drake Sage.

2. Aberdeen – The Tigers had one of the best seasons in program history a year ago with a state semifinal appearance and return two all-state players from that team.

3. Firth – The Cougars have played in four of the last five state championship games, so it’s hard not to like them again.

4. Declo – The Hornets lost eight starters, including five all-state players from a team that made back-to-back state finals, but you still have to give them the benefit of the doubt.

5. Grangeville – The Bulldogs have lost in the playoffs to a team that went on to play for a state title each of the last two seasons. Is it finally their time?

2A (8-man)

1. Kendrick – The Tigers became the first team in 22 years to win four consecutive state championships last season, so there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight.

2. Butte County – The Pirates return plenty of talent to a team that’s made back-to-back state championships, including winning it all in 2023.

3. Hagerman – First-team all-state quarterback Wyatt Mavencamp, who led the entire state in yards (3,080) and touchdowns (49), returns to a team that made a run to the semifinals last season.

4. Valley – The Vikings will look to improve from a team that won the Snake River Conference championship and made the quarterfinals last year.

5. Logos – The Knights have gone 18-3, including handing Kendrick its first loss in nearly three years, and made back-to-back trips to the semifinals over the last two seasons.

1A (8-man)

1. Carey – To be the man, you have to beat the man. The Panthers are just that after cruising to the state championship last season with every win coming by double digits.

2. Dietrich – The Blue Devils lost seven all-state players, but have proven they’re able to reload with three state championship game appearances and four semifinal appearances over the last five seasons.

3. Tri-Valley – The Titans only lost one senior and bring back four all-state players from a team that advanced to the state semifinals.

4. Council – The Lumberjacks are fresh off a 7-2 year and a state quarterfinal appearance — their best season in a decade — and bring back the Long Pin Conference’s reigning Player of the Year in quarterback Owen Hatfield.

5. Rockland – The Bulldogs dealt with a depleted roster from injuries, but still found a way to win a third straight league title and qualify for the playoffs, so imagine what they could do when healthy

More high school football news

Utah lawmakers have given their initial signoff on each public college and university’s proposal for cutting millions from their budgets under the state’s mandate — and leaders of those schools promised the cuts would only be the start for how they plan to scrutinize programs and spending.

Overall, across the eight institutions, the cuts slashed $60.5 million — discontinuing 271 degrees and certificates, and eliminating 412 positions.

Several legislators said they were “impressed” by the plans, and applauded school presidents for following their direction under a pair of bills passed during the most recent legislative session this spring.

Sen. Chris Wilson, R-Logan, said it was “the right direction that we need to go for higher ed.” Sen. John Johnson, R-North Ogden, called it “an outstanding job.”

“This was a big lift for all the institutions,” added Rep. Jon Hawkins, R-Pleasant Grove. The restructuring for schools to cut “inefficient” programs, he said, will “better prepare our people for the job market.”

The Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee voted 13-1 to approve the plans; one Democrat voted against. The plans will go to the Legislature’s main executive budget group for a final vote — with a hearing expected for next month.

Under the base budget bill this year, lawmakers slashed 10% based on the tax dollars the Legislature appropriates to each school to spend on public instruction. The University of Utah had the biggest cut at $19.6 million. Snow College had the smallest figure at $1.7 million.

Schools were told they could cut from any part of their budget, but were specifically asked to look at ways to reduce “administrative bloat.” They were also told to analyze data and cut academic programs that have low enrollment, few graduates or lead to lower paying jobs.

Each institution could then earn its share of the money back under provisions in HB265, if they showed how the funds will be reinvested in degrees that lead to high-wage jobs the state needs.

On Tuesday, after just five months to come up with their plans, the presidents of the schools presented their proposals — which have all received preliminary approval from the overarching Utah Board of Higher Education — and their hopes for “strategic reinvestment.”

The point, lawmakers said, was for all eight schools to be more accountable when spending state funding and student tuition dollars, as well as to shift to be more relevant for the future.

An overview of the plans

The University of Utah is cutting 81 academic programs that it says have just one or two students each enrolled; it also is merging several departments.

Southern Utah University is eliminating 24 academic programs, largely in the liberal arts — including art history, French and philosophy.

Many faculty across the state had feared metrics used to make cuts would disproportionately affect the humanities and social sciences — and that has happened at every school where those programs have been the most affected.

But SUU President Mindy Benson stressed: “This was not just going to the arts.” She said she looked first at the her office for cuts, slashing 1.5 positions there.

At Salt Lake Community College, faculty looked through the course catalog to see what classes had remained on the books but had not been offered in a long time. President Greg Peterson said they found one that had not been taught since 2002. Trimming those doesn’t necessarily add up to big savings, but it was healthy to do, he added.

Similarly, Utah Valley University cut a business program that was meant to train administrative assistants with typing skills — which “really should have been eliminated decades ago,” said Jim Mortensen, UVU’s vice president of finance.

Some institutions said they mainly cut already vacant positions or came up with money through voluntary retirements. Overall, while more than 400 positions were cut, 362 jobs were added. Faculty and staff were repositioned or encouraged to reapply, presidents noted, though they acknowledged the pain of losing employees.

Many of the institutions noted that they are planning to reinvest in academic advising to help support students and get them to graduation. Utah State University said it wants to put its money back into “jobs and technologies of the future.”

“I do see wisdom in the legislative approach where we’re reinvesting,” said interim President Al Smith.

USU’s plan was approved by lawmakers Tuesday, with the caveat that it will be reviewed and agreed on by the next president of the institution, when that person is appointed.

University of Utah President Taylor Randall, who was traveling and addressed lawmakers remotely, talked about how the school will shift spending to bolster engineering, artificial intelligence and nursing to be “very, very much workforce-aligned.”

Every school leader said going through the process was helpful, and all now plan to annually review their spending and programs — without the Legislature’s push. One school said it will no longer fill all open positions automatically, and will instead review if a job is needed first.

Most said they want to be able to pivot more quickly to the needs of the workforce and what students want. “This is not a one-time exercise,” said Snow College President Stacee McIff. “We are committed to continuous improvement.”

Pushback on the purpose of education

Most of the lawmakers at Tuesday’s presentations signaled their support for the plans.

Sen. Ann Millner, R-Ogden, who cosponsored the legislation on the higher education budget cuts, said it’s in “the best interests of our students, graduates and the state of Utah.”

When Millner first proposed the bill, she said the goal was simply to slash funding for schools. But Millner said the state wanted to give schools a change to shift and restructure to meet demands.

Not all legislators were enthusiastic. Sen. Kathleen Riebe, D-Cottonwood Heights, voted against the proposals.

Riebe said she has heard from faculty who have lost their positions or programs and felt the cuts were arbitrary. “I think it’s odd you say it’s working,” she said.

Riebe, who works in education, also questioned why there was so much reinvestment by universities and colleges in business and science, and not in teaching — even though 23 of the state’s 29 counties have schools as their No. 1 employer.

The senator was a vocal opponent of the measures during the legislative session, saying she was worried about the effect to the liberal arts. That concern played out, she said, as she anticipated.

She was joined in that defense by Sen. Karen Kwan, D-Salt Lake City, who voted for the plans — but spoke out against college being defined only as a means to create a workforce.

Kwan said students should have an opportunity to study the arts, and said she hopes those degrees are not eliminated at every college in the state.

In response, UVU President Astrid Tuminez surprised lawmakers with an impassioned defense of the humanities.

The purpose of higher education, Tuminez argued, is “to make us more human.” And that comes from learning how to read and communicate, skills often picked up in the liberal arts classroom.

As part of this cutting and reallocating process, she added, UVU decided to reinvest in the general education classes that all students are required to take. Those classes, she said, expose students to literature and philosophy and deep thinking — which make them better citizens and more well-rounded people.

“They’re better engineers. They’re better scientists,” she said. “They’re better mothers. They’re better fathers.”

She said the state needs to balance its desire for a strong workforce “with how to create a society that is decent.”

Tuminez noted that she majored in Russian literature when she was in school, and now she is president of a university. “Nobody would say, ‘That’s a good major’ or ‘You can get a job with that.’” But she did, she said, and wouldn’t change it.

After Tuminez spoke, everyone in the meeting room Tuesday fell silent for a moment. Kwan responded: “I’m going to let President Tuminez’s mic drop stand.”

According to the Utah Jazz, they have signed Oscar Tshiebwe to a two-way contract.

Tuesday marked a key moment in the state’s historic and often divisive strategic reinvestment effort for Utah’s higher education institutions.

For the first time, the leaders of the state’s eight degree-granting colleges and universities formally presented their respective reallocation plans for the next three years to lawmakers.

The Legislature’s Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee got the first shot at examining each institution’s plans. After listening to Tuesday’s presentations from each of the school presidents, the appropriation subcommittee, by majority vote, accepted their respective reallocation proposals.

The eight strategic reinvestment plans are now in the hands of the Legislature’s Executive Appropriations Committee for final approval, which will vote in the coming weeks.

There’s much on the line.

If each of the school’s strategic reinvest plans gets a thumbs-up from the committee, they can reclaim the 10% of their annual budget that was cut during the recent legislative session.

The eight strategic reinvestment plans each received prior approval from the Utah Board of Higher Education.

Utah Commissioner of Higher Education Geoffrey Landward, who addressed the subcommittee at Tuesday’s school presentations, saluted the institution presidents and their teams for the “exceptional amount of work … that they put into producing these plans and executing on these plans.”

“As well as having to go through a process that required a careful scrutiny of the programs that they offer — and making some very difficult decisions.”

Rep. Karen Peterson, R-Clinton, who co-sponsored House Bill 265 — the so-called “Strategic Reinvestment Bill” — said that Tuesday’s subcommittee meeting has been “a long time coming.”

“We’ve been talking about higher education and the importance and value of higher education in our state — not just for our students, but for our communities, for our families, for our industries and for keeping our state strong.

“Higher education is the most important economic driver we have in our state, and we need to continue to keep our higher education system strong to keep our state strong.”

Difficult decisions demanded by HB265

The “growing pains” exacted by HB265 are being felt by institutions — and by individuals.

People have lost, or will lose, jobs.

Meanwhile, instructional programs and courses are being eliminated so funds can be reallocated to programs deemed more valuable.

“This process was not easy on our college campuses … there were real impacts for individuals,” said Peterson.

Sen. Kathleen Riebe, D-Cottonwood Heights, has been a vocal critic of HB265 since its inception.

The longtime educator made clear Tuesday that she remains opposed to the state-mandated higher education reallocations and cuts.

She pushed back on suggestions that the reallocation legislation is “a massive success.”

“I have not really gotten a lot of great emails about (how this) is working,” said Riebe.

“I have had a lot of emails from professors that say it’s not working — that their programs have been cut, that they have lost their tenure and that they feel like it’s arbitrary and capricious in the ways things have happened.”

Responding to Riebe, Landward acknowledged that the reallocation process “is not without its pain points — and that there are real impacts on individuals that work at our institutions.”

But the commissioner added that Utah’s education leaders are required to justify every tax dollar sent to higher education. So it’s appropriate, he said, to scrutinize each program being funded at a public Utah college — and then make data-driven decisions about if it’s providing sufficient returns and worth preserving.

There are valid criticisms regarding the institutions’ reallocation decisions, Landward acknowledged.

“But making the wrong choice, based on the data in front of us, is different from making an arbitrary choice based on no data,” he said.

“And I am confident in the fact that all of our institutional presidents … made decisions based on the best information they had in front of them, and not arbitrarily.”

Riebe argued that there is danger in making the sort of “occupational optimization” pivots being prioritized by HB265. She pointed to efforts in recent years to educate more people in computer coding — a job skill that’s now being claimed by artificial intelligence.

“I think the changes we are making are shortsighted,” she said. “And I think that the humanities and social services are taking a brunt that they shouldn’t be taking.”

She added that such educational shifts could undermine efforts to remedy societal challenges such as loneliness and suicide.

Peterson countered that one of the largest “reinvestments” happening across Utah colleges is in health care.

Highlights of each school’s strategic reinvestment plan

University of Utah

The state’s flagship institution of higher learning has the largest HB265 reallocation burden: more than $19.5 million.

The University of Utah’s reinvestment plan includes reallocation investments in engineering; advancing responsible AI and biotechnology; boosting programs that address the critical nursing shortage; and strengthening general education by focusing on civic responsibility and building durable skills such as critical thinking and conflict resolution.

The university’s disinvestments will come, in part, by implementing improved efficiencies in administration and administrative support areas and terminating the lease on the school’s St. George Center.

Meanwhile, scores of courses and programs at the University of Utah are being sunset across a variety of colleges — including programs in educational psychology, bioengineering, modern dance, Middle East studies, sociology/criminology and neurobiology.

Ninety-nine positions at the University of Utah are being eliminated — while 129 are being created as part of the reallocation effort.

Utah State University

The state’s sole land-grant university, USU is required by HB265 to reallocate approximately $12.6 million.

School leaders are concentrating their changes on three broad categories: technologies and careers for the future (i.e., addressing critical needs in engineering, artificial intelligence, computing, and analytics); health and well-being workforce; and improving student access, success and outcomes.

Proposed reallocations include new faculty positions in AI and data science, a new school of computing, a new chemical engineering program and the expansion of the school’s aviation program.

In health care, USU is looking to expand mental health and well-being programs and its nursing program — while creating a new College of Health and Human Sciences and a new doctor of physical therapy program.

Investments are also planned in student success support programming and USU’s online enterprise.

Seventy new positions are being created.

USU’s proposed plan does include significant personnel costs.

Approximately 120 full-time equivalent positions are slated for elimination — including positions in school administration, staff and faculty.

(Note: Full-time equivalent positions do not represent, number-to-number, full-time employees.)

Several USU programs, degrees and certificates are slated to be discontinued — including bachelor’s degrees in American studies, agriculture communication and deaf education; master’s degrees in financial economics and fitness promotion; and an associate’s degree in theatre offered at the school’s Price, Utah, campus.

Salt Lake Community College

The state’s largest community college, SLCC is required by HB265 to reallocate approximately $5.2 million.

SLCC is focusing on three “major outcomes” in support of the bill’s goals to align funding to evolving student and workforce needs:

1. Reinvesting in workforce and high-demand transfer programs — including over $2 million reinvested in technical programs, almost $1 million in the Gail Miller Business School and $586,000 in the School of Health Sciences.

2. Reducing administrative overhead costs to reinvest in instruction programs by, in part, eliminating five administrator positions and through consolidation.

3. Centering student outcomes in the decision-making process — prompting almost $600,000 in additional reductions that went beyond HB265’s budget reduction requirements.

SLCC’s proposal would result in decreasing the number of instructional offerings from 195 to 147 total certificate and degree programs, while also consolidating the School of Arts, Communication and Media.

The changes are expected to impact 50 full-time and part-time employees. Fifteen are vacant positions — 35 are slated for layoffs.

Many employees impacted by layoffs will have opportunities to transfer to another position at the school — or pursue a retirement option, according to the school.

Snow College

The Ephraim-based community college is required by HB265 to reallocate $1.7 million over the next three years.

Strategic reinvestment plan highlights include expanding the school’s prison education program, the elementary education program, the respiratory therapy program — and the creation of several new programs, including pre-architecture and drafting, strategic communication and public relations, commercial driver’s license, and rural entrepreneurship.

Meanwhile, several academic programs/courses are slated for disinvestment — including French, Italian and media studies.

There will be 11 jobs eliminated — including positions in information technology and student affairs. However, there were no involuntary separations or forced layoffs.

One vice president position was eliminated at Snow.

Utah Tech University

Located in St. George, Utah Tech University is required by HB265 to reallocate $2.5 million over the course of its implementation.

UT’s plan aims to meet workforce demands, while increasing enrollment — including adding 17 faculty and instructional staff positions in high-demand areas such as business, engineering, psychology, health sciences and digital media programs.

The school also plans to add an associate dean for arts.

Reductions are being made, in part, by eliminating several staff, faculty and administrative positions — including the school’s executive director of strategic partnerships, one Spanish education and one theater directing faculty member; and one school dean and five administrative support positions.

The direction of HB265, said president Shane Smeed, helps UT “strengthen and accelerate UT’s pursuit of polytechnic mission and value.”

Southern Utah University

Cedar City’s SUU is required to reallocate $3.1 million.

The school’s plan focuses primarily on Utah’s workforce needs and identifying emerging student opportunities.

Multiple faculty positions, for example, are being added to the school’s business, STEM, health care and innovative tech programs.

Several new positions are also being created to enhance student support as they prepare for careers.

Meanwhile, 25 positions are being eliminated in several fields — including chemistry, biology, history and math.

Twenty-four academic programs are being eliminated.

Majors slated for elimination include philosophy, French, French education and art history. The arts administration (face-to-face) and athletic training master’s programs are also being cut.

Several associate degree programs — including many which were already slated for eventual elimination — are also being dropped.

Also, SUU’s College of Engineering & Computational Sciences will be combined with the College of Natural Sciences.

Weber State University

The Ogden-based institution, which has experienced record growth in recent years, is required by HB265 to reallocate approximately $6.7 million.

Forty-nine positions are being cut: 11 administrative positions, 10 staff positions and 28 salaried faculty — with most of the faculty cuts coming from the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences and the Lindquist College of Arts & Humanities.

Several administrative slots are also being reduced — including the school’s assistant vice president for regional partnerships and the executive director for Academic Support Centers and Programs.

Meanwhile, dozens of majors, certificates and minors are being eliminated — including majors in applied physics, dance education, geography, and computer science teaching.

Areas of reinvestment at WSU include: innovation, AI and emerging technologies; health professions and behavioral health; energy, aerospace and defense; digital economy, social media and forensics; creative industries and digital content; course fee replacement; academic advising; recruitment/enrollment; classroom technology; open education resources

WSU also plans to establish a new associate dean position within the Dumke College of Health Professions, specifically focused on nursing.

In harmony with HB265, WSU will also be providing a few three-year bachelor’s degree programs.

Utah Valley University

The state’s largest university, UVU is required by the state to reallocate approximately $8.9 million.

UVU had been implementing efficiency-focused decisions long before HB265 — reducing, in recent years, a number of academic schools/colleges and discontinuing the English Language Learning Program.

And last October, the school implemented a campus-wide hiring freeze to manage budgets.

Still, this year’s legislative actions are taking a toll at the Orem institution.

Fifty positions are being eliminated. Several of those jobs were already vacant.

Meanwhile, several specific academic programs are slated for cuts — including a specialized associate’s degree in business; certificates in woodworking/cabinetry and administrative information support; and a nursing education master’s degree.

Expenditures are also being reduced in UVU’s Academic Affairs departments — including the Innovation Academy and Program Assessment budgets.

Other highlighted areas of UVU’s reinvestment plan include:

• Expanding resources for emerging occupations such as AI.
• Increasing engineering-related initiatives in mechanical engineering, computer science and IT.
• Expanding health and wellness opportunities in occupational therapy and behavioral health.
• And further investing in general education to develop critical thinking, communication and durable skills.

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — President Donald Trump said he will lead a “movement” to eliminate mail-in ballots and voting machines nationwide, but in a post to X Monday, Utah’s chief election officer appeared to disagree with that plan, arguing that states’ election methods are up to them.

“The constitutional right of individual states to choose the manner in which they conduct elections is a fundamental strength of our system,” wrote Utah Lt. Governor Deidre Henderson in a brief statement on X after President Trump’s comments.

Utahns have been voting by mail since 2014, and polling has found that it’s wildly popular and that most voters in the Beehive State trust it.

MORE LOCAL POLITICS: Democrats call for Utah Senate President to resign after reports that he abused power in child rape case

“I am going to lead a movement to get rid of MAIL-IN BALLOTS, and also, while we’re at it, Highly ‘Inaccurate,’ Very Expensive, and Seriously Controversial VOTING MACHINES, which cost Ten Times more than accurate and sophisticated Watermark Paper, which is faster, and leaves NO DOUBT, at the end of the evening, as to who WON, and who LOST, the Election,” Trump wrote in his social media post.

“Remember, the States are merely an ‘agent’ for the Federal Government in counting and tabulating the votes. They must do what the Federal Government, as represented by the President of the United States, tells them, FOR THE GOOD OF OUR COUNTRY, to do,” Trump wrote.

During a press event with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the White House later Monday, Trump said that the Republican Party was “going to do everything possible that we get rid of mail-in ballots.”

“We’re going to start with an executive order that’s being written right now by the best lawyers in the country to end mail-in ballots because they’re corrupt,” Trump said.

Utah has made some attempts to get rid of voting by mail in the past, but it’s never had enough support because Utahns largely like it.

Earlier this year, Utah did, however, make some major changes to its vote-by-mail processes and by-mail ballot deadlines, which include:

• Requiring voters to place the last 4 digits of their driver’s license, state ID, or social security number on their ballot return envelopes

• Mandates that clerks will begin phasing out signature verification by 2029

• Those who cannot provide these identifications to vote in person, with exceptions

• Ballots must arrive at the clerk’s office no later than 8 p.m. on Election Day to be counted

• Requiring voters to opt in for mail-in ballots when they register to vote to receive one

• Voters will stop receiving a mail-in ballot by default in 2029

Critics of that bill, including county clerks who largely opposed the changes, argued that the new rules would disenfranchise voters.

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In the same amount of time that the original “Star Trek” series was on air and the DeLorean car was manufactured, you can now get a bachelor’s degree in Utah.

Weber State University, just north of Salt Lake City, received the approval needed last week to move forward with an accelerated three-year degree. That means it can start offering the program this fall semester.

The official sanction is a milestone. It marks the first public university in the state to offer a 90-credit bachelor’s program. The specialized path is meant to get interested students in and out of school faster than the traditional 120 credit hours, or four years.

That’s been a major push from Utah lawmakers, who have grown increasingly vocal about the growing costs of higher education. Students, too, have repeatedly asked for faster options.

“We know they’re eager to earn that degree and transition into their careers,” said Weber State President Brad Mortensen in a statement announcing the green light.

The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities — the accrediting body for the school — signed off the proposed degree. Mortensen serves as one of its 21 commissioners.

The first accelerated offering will be a bachelor’s of applied politics, philosophy and economics. The interdisciplinary degree is designed for students looking for careers in politics, public policy and law, according to the school’s announcement, with a particular focus on positions in state and local government or at nonprofits.

“This is a unique proposal that draws from three disciplines from which government agencies frequently recruit their professional staff,” according to Utah Board of Higher Education documents.

It’s expected to attract 10 students in the first year and build up to 40 in the following years. No additional faculty are needed to teach the program.

An accelerated degree works sort of like a fast pass at an amusement park. Students who sign up are fast-tracked for a specific list of career-focused classes.

They still take the required general education classes that teach important foundations in writing and math that all students must complete. But overall, they take fewer electives in their degree field, Mortensen told the Utah Board of Higher Education last month.

The board gave its unanimous approval for the proposal at that time.

“We need to move quicker and faster,” said board member Steve Neeleman.

Geoff Landward, Utah’s commissioner over public higher education, called the effort “pioneering” to save students money, while still providing a quality learning experience. At Weber State, for instance, one year of tuition and fees is about $7,000.

Weber State is also seeking approval for a second accelerated degree in sound production and recording. It’s centered on students who want to go into audio engineering or work at media studios. That one has not yet received approval from the accrediting body.

The hope would be to launch it in fall 2026. That program will require hiring more staff.

Looking at jobs, salaries

The Utah Board of Higher Education first pushed for public colleges and universities to explore curriculum for possible 90-credit degrees last year.

Weber State’s proposal is the first to come out of that, but state lawmakers have said they’re interested in seeing more efforts like this — to cut costs and save students time.

State leaders this year passed an effort slashing $60.5 million from the budgets of Utah’s eight public colleges and universities. They called on schools to cut “inefficient” degrees from their rosters that lead to lower-paying jobs or few students graduate from.

Each institution can eventually earn their share back if they show that the money will be reinvested in high-wage programs that lead to in-demand Utah jobs, such as nursing, business and engineering.

The schools will present those plans to the Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee on Tuesday.

As part of its proposal for accelerated degrees, Weber State had to prove a demand for jobs in the field and their salary rates.

The school’s analysis found “strong demand” in Utah for policy analysts, campaign consultants and paralegals that would be a natural trajectory for the applied politics, philosophy and economics program; there were at least 50 unique job postings with 40 employers in the state over the last month.

The average salary range for those was $70,000, Weber State reported.

For its second proposal in sound production, the university found hundreds of job openings in the state in related fields. The median salaries are in the $50,000 to $60,000 range.

“We have found that there are many jobs in technical support areas for the musical, theatrical, dance, and cinematic arts in Utah (and in other states),” the Utah Board of Higher Education also concluded.

The abbreviated degrees could limit where students can go after graduation, such as to a graduate program. Some universities outside the state don’t accept those credentials. It was one of the risks brought up by the Utah Board of Higher Education in its review.

But Mortensen said more schools are starting to change their stance on that, including several hundred universities and colleges nationwide.

“We’re seeing more and more accelerated programs popping up across the country, because universities like Weber State are taking a hard look at the future of higher education and doing what’s best for students,” he added.

As they become more popular, he said, they also become more accepted.

Other schools and other efforts

Another school, Utah Valley University in Orem, has also moved forward with two options for 90-credit programs.

Those are in emergency services supervision and professional advancement. And it’s considering about 10 other possibilities, UVU President Astrid Tuminez told the Utah Board of Higher Education.

“We’ve been looking at this for a long time,” she said.

UVU is slightly behind Weber State. Its board of trustees recently signed off on the proposal, and it’s been submitted to the accreditor. Tuminez said the idea is to provide “flexible, career-focused pathways.”

One other Utah school has already been offering three-year bachelor’s. That’s the private Ensign College in Salt Lake City that’s owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The school, along with the church’s Brigham Young University-Idaho, got the first approval from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities to “pilot” their proposal starting in April 2024. Those degrees are in applied business management; family and human services; software development; applied health; and professional studies.

And more states are joining the list. After Utah passed its policy for schools to study shortened degrees, Indiana followed suit.

There’s also a consortium of schools called the College-in-3 Exchange that’s been looking at how to offer bachelor’s at 90 credit hours.

Mortensen said he’d also like to come up with more options for Weber State, depending on how much interest there is with students.

Already, he said, many come to the university with credit from taking college classes in high school or through prior learning credits, including knowing a foreign language — all looking to complete college faster.

Utah State’s Fall camp is in full swing as the Aggies prepare for the 2025 season with their season opener against UTEP less than a month out. There are still some questions about the depth chart, especially at receiver and at offensive line, but there are other position groups where the starters are clearer. So, who are the predicted starters and who are the backups that could make a difference and potentially see the field? Let’s get into it!

This article in the series will cover the defensive line.

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Defensive End #1

Starting Defensive End #1: Tyree Morris (Junior): Tyree Morris is a junior who has spent the past two seasons at Lafayette, appearing in 22 games with 12 starts and recording 77 tackles, three sacks, 6.5 tackles for loss, four pass breakups, and a forced fumble. With the opportunity to play alongside defensive end Enoka Migao, the two could turn into a very productive pass rush package.

Other Names to Consider for Defensive End #1: #1 Carson Tujague (Redshirt Freshman); #2 Tanner Jolley (Sophomore)

Carson Tujague played at BYU in 2024, redshirting his freshman season and making no appearances on the field as he served on the scout team. In high school, Tujague attended Western Albemarle High School in Virginia and was rated as a three-star prospect by 247Sports before going on a two-year LDS mission.

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Tanner Jolley redshirted his 2023 season with the Aggies and did not appear in any games. During the 2024 season, Jolley played in one game against San Diego State and did not record any statistics. During his senior year of high school (Fruita Monument High School, Colorado), Jolley made 44 tackles, four sacks, and nine tackles for loss in addition to forcing a fumble and recovering a fumble.

Starting Defensive End #2

Enoka Migao (Senior): Enoka Migao has spent his entire career with Utah State, and throughout his career, he has played in 22 games with five starts. At Utah State, Migao has made 27 tackles, one sack, and three tackles for loss.

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Other Names to Consider for Defnesive End #2: #1 Carl Nesmith (Senior); #2 Zion Andreasen (Sophomore); #3 William Holmes (Sophomore)

Carl Nesmith played in three games and had two tackles and one sack in his junior year in 2024. Before coming to Utah State, Nesmith played for Fullerton College his sophomore year, recording 31 tackles, nine sacks, 13 tackles for loss, three pass breakups, and one forced fumble. Carl Nesmith redshirted at Florida A&M before coming to Fullerton College. Nesmith will have the opportunity to see the field more this season in relief of Enoka Migao.

Zion Andreasen redshirted the 2023 season and appeared in one game against Idaho State, making one tackle. During his redshirt freshman season in 2024, Andreasen appeared in five games and made one tackle against Washington State. As a senior at East High School in Salt Lake City, Andreasen had 93 tackles, 18.5 sacks, and 11 pass breakups.

William Holmes appeared in nine games and had six tackles and 1.5 sacks during his freshman year in 2024. An interesting fact about Holmes is that he was selected in the fifth round of the 2018 MLB Draft by the Los Angeles Angels.

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Nose Tackle

Starting Nose Tackle: Gabriel Iniguez Jr. (Senior): Besides playing at Utah State in 2024, Gabriel Iniguez Jr. has played for Hawaii (2020-2021) and New Mexico State (2023) and over his Division 1 collegiate career, Iniguez Jr. has played in 27 games with 16 starts and has made 53 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and 6.5 tackles for loss. During the 2024 season, Gabriel Iniguez Jr. started all 12 games for the Aggies and finished the season with 29 tackles, 0.5 sacks, and 1.5 tackles for loss. Gabriel Iniguez Jr. finished the 2023 season with New Mexico State with 24 tackles, two sacks, and five tackles for loss through 15 games. Before New Mexico State, he played his redshirt freshman season at City College of San Francisco, playing in 10 games and making 37 tackles, six sacks, eight tackles for loss, and forcing and recovering one fumble. Gabriel Iniguez Jr. began his collegiate career at Hawaii and did not appear on the field in 2020 before redshirting the 2021 season.

Backup Nose Tackle: #1 Naki Fahina (Senior); #2 Kone Aumua-Uiagalelei (Junior); #3 Joshua Papu (Redshirt Freshman)

Naki Fahina is in his first season with Utah State after spending the 2023 season with New Mexico State, starting in 12 games as a junior and finishing the season with 29 tackles and one tackle for loss. Before coming to New Mexico State, Fahina spent the 2019 to 2023 seasons with UNLV, appearing in 27 games with seven starts and making 36 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 5.5 tackles for loss, one pass breakup, and forcing one fumble. In 2023, Naki Fahina redshirted and appeared in four games, and in 2022, Fahina was granted a medical redshirt. As a true freshman in 2019, Naki Fahina appeared in seven games and had five tackles and 0.5 tackles for loss.

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Kone Aumua-Uiagalelei is in his first year with Utah State after playing for Mt. San Antonio College in California as a sophomore, recording 22 tackles and 1.5 sacks. Kone Aumua-Uiagalelei spent his freshman season at Independence Community College in Kansas and prepared at Auburn Riverside High School, recording 25 tackles as a senior.

Joshua Papu redshirted at Snow College in Ephraim, Utah, and did not play during the 2024 season. In high school, Papu prepped at Tafuna High School in Fagatogo, American Samoa, and was ranked as the #1 defensive lineman in American Samoa as he recorded three sacks, 10 tackles for loss, and forced three fumbles with one recovery.

Defensive Tackle

Starting Defensive Tackle: Bo Maile (Senior): Bo Maile, in his career with Utah State, has played in 33 games and has started one. Maile has 40 career tackles, 1.5 sacks, and three tackles for loss. Bo Maile played in 11 games in 2024, finishing the season with 19 tackles, 0.5 sacks, and 1.5 tackles for loss. During his sophomore season in 2023, Maile again played in 11 games, finishing the season with 14 tackles and 0.5 sacks for loss. In his redshirt freshman season, Bo Maile played in 11 games and finished the season with seven tackles. During his redshirt season in 2021, Maile did not appear in any games. While he has made just one start in his career, Bo Maile is going to be an important piece of the defensive line this season. If he can stay healthy, he should make quite a few starts this season.

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Backup Defensive Tackles: #1 Nu’uletau Sellesin (Senior); #2 Iverson Report (Freshman); #3 Bryan Vogl (Sophomore)

Nu’uletau Sellesin is in his first year with Utah State after spending the past two seasons with BYU (2023-2024). With the Cougars, Sellesin appeared in two games and recorded one tackle in 2023 and did not appear in any games in 2024. Before attending BYU, Nu’uletau Sellesin spent three seasons with Weber State (2020-2022) and appeared in 13 games during that time, making 24 tackles, four sacks, six tackles for loss, and forcing one fumble. Nu’uletau Sellesin prepped at Woods Cross (Utah) High School, and in his prep career, he made 88 tackles, 13 sacks, 28 tackles for loss, a pass breakup, and forced one fumble. Before attending Weber State, Sellesin went on a two-year LDS mission.

Iverson Report is a freshman who played at Layton (Utah) Christian Academy and had 206 tackles and 40 sacks during his prep career. In his senior season, Report had 48 tackles, 14 sacks, and 20 tackles for loss. As a junior, Report had 88 tackles and had nine sacks. As a sophomore, Iverson Report had 42 tackles, including 12 sacks, and had 28 tackles and five sacks as a freshman.

Bryan Vogl arrived at Utah State in 2023 and redshirted both the 2023 and 2024 seasons as he did not appear in any games. Vogl attended Cedar Valley High School in Utah and finished his high school career with 196 tackles, including 31 sacks, 62 tackles for loss, eight pass breakups, six forced fumbles, and four fumble recoveries. During his senior year, Bryan Vogl had 50 tackles, seven sacks, and 17 tackles for loss in addition to adding two pass deflections and two fumble recoveries with one forced fumble.

Two police officers were fatally shot and one deputy was wounded following an incident in Tremonton, Utah, according to police.

An officer with the Tremonton Garland Police responded to a report of a disturbance at a home late Sunday night, Aug. 17, according to a news release from the Brigham Police Department obtained by USA TODAY.

As the officer was speaking to an occupant, “a male emerged from the residence with a firearm” and fatally shot the officer, according to police. When the second officer arrived to assist, police said the suspect opened fire, killing them.

Brigham Police Detective Crystal Beck said at a news conference shared by local outlet KSL that the officers stopped answering their radios after calling additional units.