Recruits soak in Spectrum

When it comes to convincing a potential Aggie that Utah State is the place to be, Stew Morrill has 4,000 of the best salesmen he could hope for — the USU student section.

During Saturday’s regular season finale, Utah State had a pair of potential Aggies in the building and the ear-splitting, heart-pounding atmosphere made a big impression on at least one of them.

Zach Nelson, a 6-foot-8, 215-pound senior from northern California’s Yuba City High was on an unofficial visit to USU with his father, Brad. Nelson is an explosive scorer who led the Honkers (yes, that’s the real mascot for Yuba City) all season and had a monster game of 56 points, 17 rebounds and five blocked shots recently.

Brad Nelson found the USU fan message board and posted the following message. “That game atmosphere was pretty cool, the place was rockin’ and you guys are Crazy, especially your Wild Bill.”

A source close to the USU basketball program said Nelson, who is LDS, is a definite target for the Aggies, but with limited scholarships to give, Utah State may sign Nelson but not have him enroll in Logan until after he serves a church mission.

The other recruit in town to check out the Aggies is a more immediate prospect.

Steven Thornton, listed as a 6-6 swingman playing at Stoneridge Prep in Simi Valley, California, sat on the same row at the Spectrum as Nelson. After graduating from Golden Valley High in California in 2009, Thornton has attended Stoneridge and is a full qualifier, meaning he is eligible to play next season.

According to one recruiting web site, Thornton is an “agile swingman (who) is capable of knocking down three-point shots with regularity as well as finishing his acrobatic drives to the basket.”

No scholarship offers have been extended yet to either plater, the source said, but depending on how USU’s roster shakes out after the current season ends, there may be a spot available.