Up until six weeks ago, Utah State was out of the running for Jordan Loveridge, the senior forward to be at West Jordan High and one of the top 100 recruits in the upcoming class of 2012, according to several scouting services.

But that's changed.

Loveridge, a 6-foot-6 intruiging combination of power, finesse and skill, is at the Logan campus today on an unofficial visit. This should go down as huge and exciting news for any Utah State fan. As this blog previously wrote, the Aggies were out of contention for Loveridge. Until recently, BYU, Utah and Colorado State were thought to be the three leaders for Loveridge, the top ranked recruit in the state.

Here's why.

When Marcel Davis and Quincy Bair committed to USU last summer, Loveridge wasn't offered. That was in part because he's 6-6, and in part because Loveridge was a pure power forward 12 months ago. His perimeter skillset, since then, has improved immeasurably. Loveridge now has three-point range on his jumper. He's slimmed up, gotten quicker and gotten much better off the dribble going to the basket.

That, and the fact that he's still by far the best rebounder in Utah high school basketball, has improved his stock. He's now tabbed as a four star recruit by some guru's.

However, Utah State's lack of an offer last summer offended some in the Loveridge camp, particularly because he's best friends with Bair and Davis, the two cornerstone recruits for USU's 2012 class. The Aggies, at the time, thought Bair and Loveridge were both projected small forwards in college, and offered Bair because he looked to have more upside at the time. The thinking was that Loveridge projected as a "tweener", someone two short for the power forward position, and two slow to play on the perimeter.

Bair has improved to the point where it looks as if he could actually play a little shooting guard. Loveridge has improved and now it looks like he can play both the small and power forward position in college.

Still, the thought that Loveridge would end up at USU seemed not likely to impossible. As recently as March, a member of Loveridge's family told Aggieville that USU wasn't in contention, and that the two sides were not communicating.

Recently, Loveridge told his family that he wants to play college basketball with his two best friends. That sentiment put USU back in play.

Loveridge, this weekend, tweeted that would be visiting campus today.

Those in the know at Utah State say that a formal offer still hasn't been made, but that one would "probably" be forthcoming, sooner rather than later.

There are still concerns over Loveridge's position and the role he would have in USU's offense. But the staff clearly see's Loveridge as an elite talent, particularly when he plays with Davis. The thinking is that they have to add a talent like Loveridge and see where it shakes out.

With Bair and Davis in the fold, USU already has two of the best three instate players in the class of 2012 locked up. Sweeping all three would be a significant get for the Aggies. Without Loveridge, USU already has arguably the best recruiting class in the Western Athletic Conference. If Loveridge were to somehow end up in a Utah State uniform, an argument can be made that the Aggies will have secured one of the top classes in all of the mountain west.

Tony Jones