At 265 pounds, Bojay Filimoeatu was a good defensive end last season. He started slow, but by the end of the season, he very closely resembled the player Utah State drooled over during the recruitment process.
In this, the second week of spring football practice, Filimoeatu is 245 pounds and planning on getting more trim. He's quicker, while not losing much of the power that made him a good down lineman in 2011.
Utah State coaches don't need the rising senior to blend into the crowd this season. The Aggies need him to be a game-changer in the wake of Bobby Wagner's graduation to (likely) the NFL.
"I'm feeling better, quicker," Filimoeatu said. "The defense is starting fresh again. There's so much talent, but we need people to step up. I know that I have to be a leader."
Filimoeatu is in a new role this spring. No longer is he the newcomer trying to soak in the scheme. He's a veteran now. A senior. A guy whom incoming coordinator Dave Aranda will count on heavily.
"Every day is a new challenge, and this is a new challenge for all of us," Filimoeatu said. "This is a team that can go further than last season. We just have to play well and define our roles."
Tony Jones
