LOGAN, Utah – With the graduation of wide receivers Ron'quavion Tarver, Jalen Greene and Aaren Vaughns from Utah State's recording-setting team in 2018, the Aggies were in desperate need of bodies at that position heading into the new season.
 
They got a shot in the arm in the form of graduate transfer Siasoi Mariner, who joined Utah State for the 2019 campaign after spending his first four seasons at Utah.
 
"During my second recruiting process, I wanted to go for more of a familiar territory, with people and coaches I knew – where it would be an easier transition for me," Mariner said. "It ended up coming down to BYU and Utah State. I ended up choosing Utah State and it was really easy."
 
Easy for one reason: Utah State head coach Gary Andersen.
 
"Coach Andersen is an easy guy to love," Mariner said. "It was really easy to follow him to Utah State, and it was a no-brainer for me."
 
Andersen, who coached the Aggies for four seasons from 2009-12, officially returned to Utah State on Dec. 9, 2018. He spent the 2018 season at Utah as an associate head coach/defensive line coach.
 
In joining the Aggies, Mariner followed in the footsteps of former Ute Caleb Repp, who also spent his first four seasons at Utah.
 
"It was Caleb that first decided to come to Utah State," Mariner said. "I know that BYU was after him, too. He told me that he was going to come to Utah State and I knew what position he was in, and it was a really good decision for him to make. Caleb pulled the trigger to come to Utah State first and I kind of waited a little bit."
 
Another former Ute, linebacker Nick Heninger, also joined the Aggies as a grad transfer. Unlike Mariner and Repp, though, he has two years of eligibility remaining.
 
"I believe they all trusted me and it's awesome to have them here," Andersen said. "If they were to go anywhere, I would've wanted them to be here. They're good players, great kids and they've adjusted so well to the system. And, our kids let them jump right in to be a part of this football team. I want them to be successful and I hope in January, they get all they want out of their senior years. They're special kids and I'm happy we could give them an opportunity and I'm happy they decided to come with us."
 
Mariner earned his bachelor's degree in sociology from Utah and is now pursuing a master's in physical education. While with the Utes, he appeared in 36 games with 22 starts, recording 52 catches for 712 yards and four touchdowns. He had 11 career receptions of 20 yards or longer.
 
"The biggest thing Siaosi brings to the table here is his maturity," said Utah State passing game coordinator/wide receivers coach Jason Phillips. "He is a veteran guy that has been playing college football for the last four years. He has been a great leader in our room, a quiet leader, but his work speaks for itself. He is going to be a solid contributor for us. His role will be no different than any other receiver's role in the room, and that is to go out and play hard every play, and make plays."
 
Phillips has been impressed with the way Mariner has taken some of the younger Aggie receivers under his wing.
 
"He is encouraging and teaching those guys what it is like to play college football," Phillips said. "It is way different than high school and he understands that. He is helping those guys tremendously. He is a solid and funny guy, a true warrior, and I am happy to have him here."
 
In his final season at Utah, Mariner recorded 17 catches for 209 yards and a 24-yard touchdown against Weber State. He helped lead the Utes to the Pac-12 Championship game against Washington and a berth in the Holiday Bowl against Northwestern.
 
Now, Mariner, who is back to wearing No. 80 on his jersey after switching to No. 8 last season, just wants to lead the Aggies to their first-ever Mountain West title in football.
 
"I wear No. 80 because of Jerry Rice," Mariner said. "When I first got to college, I was promised a number in the recruiting process. I was No. 27 and when they put that on my name plate, I read it and didn't like it, so I made a last-minute switch to No. 80. I saw all of the great receivers who wore No. 80 in the past and I fell in love with it.
 
"Last year, I thought it would be cool to get back to my high school number, which was 8. I didn't have my best season, so maybe God is telling me that 80 is meant for me."
 
Through the first two games of the season, Mariner currently leads the Aggies in receptions (13) and receiving yards (191), and is tied for the team lead in receiving touchdowns (2). He is averaging 14.7 yards per catch and 95.5 yards per game.
 
Once his collegiate career is officially over at the end of this season, the son of Anna Mariner will look to take his talents to the next level.
 
"I have dreams of playing at the next level and I feel like I will play at the next level," he said. "That's one of the reasons why I made the move from Utah to Utah State, to better my chances of getting to the next level. I want to show more of what I have to offer."
 
So far, so good.
 
"He is a heady kid and he understands defenses and offenses," Phillips said. "He asks all of the right questions, so he is learning to be a better player along the way and help elevate his game moving forward. His biggest attribute is the way he thinks. He thinks the game, he understands the game and he plays the game the right way."
 
If Mariner wasn't playing football, he would be taking his talents to the hardwood.
 
"I am the best football player that plays basketball in the nation," Mariner said. "Football is actually my second love; basketball is my first love. I chose football because I'm a little bit taller and I know my height right now is probably good for a point guard. I do love basketball and if anyone wants to take me up on that, we can have a one-on-one challenge."
 
Except during the current football seasons.
 
"Coach Andersen said we couldn't play, so I am going to follow the boss man's rules," Mariner said with a laugh.
 
Mariner, who recently died his hair blond because "it was a saucy thing to do and I go by Sauce," also enjoys watching boxing videos, hanging out with friends and touching base with his family. Some of his favorite boxers include Floyd Mayweather and Adrien Broner.
 
"I like the way boxers prepare for a fight," Mariner said.
 
For Aggie football ticket information, fans can contact the USU Athletics Ticket Office over the phone by calling 1-888-USTATE-1 or 435-797-0305 during regular hours of operation. Fans can also buy their tickets in person at the USU Ticket Office inside the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum or online by clicking on the "Buy Tickets" tab at www.UtahStateAggies.com.
 
Fans can follow the Aggie football program at twitter.com/USUFootball. Aggie fans can also follow the Utah State athletic program at twitter.com/USUAthletics or on Facebook at Utah State University Athletics.
 
-USU-