Signing day for Shanks and Moore

Carson Shanks (left), Jalen Moore (right)... for those who didn't already know.

Signing day has finally arrived, and for two guys who could be among the top prospects Stew has brought into this program, the ink is now dry! Let's run this thing down with the two newest Aggies, Jalen Moore and Carson Shanks.

JALEN MOORE
A local baller from Sky View high school, Moore stayed true to his commitment to USU after a summer where he grabbed a lot of attention in the AAU scene. He is the son of former Aggie Jimmy Moore, and by all accounts, looks to be an incredible talent. He's currently listed at 6'7, and with that kind of height on the wings, should bring the kind of height and athleticism coaches dream of having and opposing coaches fear.

He may not have gotten all sorts of crazy national attention that we see on the major recruiting sites, but that is due to him committing to Utah State a long time ago. Those sites want to pump up players who aren't committed and sell story lines of "who is going where."

Make no mistake though, Moore is a big time prospect! Chances are he'll get the chance to redshirt with it looking like there will be four seniors on the wings next year, which means he'll be that much better as a freshman. Don't rule out the possibility at all of him being a four-year starter and setting a bunch of records.

CARSON SHANKS
Speaking of players who could have entertained plenty of other offers but stayed true to USU, Shanks is an athletic, mobile, coordinated and talented seven-footer. That is a rare mix of attributes to have, and canvass of talent that Stew Morrill might not have had to work with ever before for an incoming freshman.

According to Rivals.com, Shanks had scholarship offers from a handful of other big time schools, including USC, Utah, Colorado State and Nebraska. And if his recruiting had gone on longer, probable a lot more. Still, he apparently wants to be part of making a great thing even greater at Utah State, and with a big man coach like Stew, this kid could be scary good!

Also he apparently has excellent taste in choosing when to take his official visit, as he was in Logan for Utah State's win over Utah. Not bad when you get to storm the field for the most epic win in generations at Romney Stadium.

As for where he'll fit into the rotation of things, Shanks might get the luxury of a redshirt year as well along with Moore. Jarred Shaw will be a senior next season, with Ben Clifford, Jordan Stone and Matt Lopez all as juniors. Sean Harris is a wild card in that mix too. So with a crowded front court, Shanks could be in line for some big minutes as a redshirt freshman. Stay tuned on this though.


IN SUMMARY
While this class is small in number with just these two, each of them could be absolute grand slams of players (because a home run might be understating it). Their size, athleticism and potential, all being developed under a coach who develops talent as well as anyone, could make for two superstars with each of these guys.

I don't wanna get too far ahead of ourselves here (except that I do), but I dare say that if both of these guys buy in 100 percent to Stew Morrill, they could both find themselves in the NBA in a few years.

There I said it!!

Welcome to the Utah State family (officially) for you two dudes!!