Utah State Aggies: Player Watch – Ike Larson

The Player Watch, highlighting Utah State Aggies safety Ike Larson.

• Ike Larson
• Position: Safety
• Utah State Aggies
• 5’10” 185 lbs

Who is Ike Larsen?

Ike Larsen was a 3⭐️  in the composites. He attended Sky View High in Utah and was a three sport athlete, playing varsity guard on the basketball court and running track and field. Larsen grew up in Cache Valley and was an insulated prospect. The services might have missed out on him, as he was unranked in a couple of the composites.

Ike Larsen was part of the 2021 class, but committed to Utah State in 2019. A lot of times, prospects that commit to their local program early and close off their commitment will get overlooked in the services. That’s because these prospects have already committed and there is no real point for those services to look at the prospect. You find that often, especially with players like Larsen who grew up near Logan and committed to the school that is close to them well before his Senior season in High School.

At Sky View High, Larsen was a three year producer and a consistent performer. As a Junior, Larsen played both sides of the ball. On offense, he recorded 35 receptions for 548 yards and six touchdowns as a receiver. Meanwhile on defense he added 42 tackles, seven interceptions and pass deflections and two fumble recoveries. Larsen built upon that season and as a Senior, Larsen posting 24 receptions for 565 yards, five touchdowns and carried the ball 19 times for 197 yards and four touchdowns. Defensively, Larsen had 55 tackles, four interceptions, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. Larsen also blocked nine kicks in a single season.

Growing up in Cache Valley, it was important for Utah State to grab an athlete that grew up in their backyard. When Larsen came to campus at Logan in 2021, he spent time in the strength and conditioning program.

Larsen was a depth piece as a true Freshman, appearing in one game. He was essentially given time to grow as a football player and immerse himself into the playbook. That would pay dividends for Utah State.

Larsen was asked to be a contributor in 2022 as a redshirt Freshman. He appeared in 11 games, starting four of them. There, he became a dependable barrier for the defense, compiling 34 tackles, two sacks, four interceptions (including a pick six) and added two pass deflections. Larsen proved himself against the best competition, too. Against Alabama, Larsen had seven tackles and an interception.

He also proved himself to be a ballhawk later in the season. Against Hawaii he had two interceptions including his pick six. Larsen also continued his innate ability to block kicks by blocking three of them in the 2022 season.

This past season Larsen was a full-time starter for Utah State and became a leader on the defense. He accumulated 102 tackles (58 solo), a forced fumble, four interceptions (including a pick six), six pass deflections and another two blocked kicks. His five blocked kicks in two seasons is already a Utah State record.

Strengths

Larsen had a tremendous season for Utah State last year. There was some concern that Larsen would enter the portal and look for a better opportunity, but the Aggie NIL collective was able to come up with funds and help secure Larsen for another season. Being a local product, it was important to the University as well as the athlete to stay home and be rewarded for his on field play.

It must be mentioned that Ike Larsen has an innate ability to block kicks. No, that’s not a joke, as he’s done it every year. With nine blocked kicks as a Senior in high school, he came to the Aggies as someone that would be a key contributor on special teams. And, he’s more than lived up to that potential. After all, he did have a game sealing field goal block against UConn this past season that helped secure an important road win for Utah State. In just two years, Larsen is already the leader in blocked kicks in program history. With potentially two more years to go, Larsen will add to his record that might hold for decades.

Ike Larsen is an eraser for Utah State and had helped fix a lot of the secondary’s mistakes by being a ballhawk. He’s secured eight interceptions the past two seasons, and a lot have come when there’s been an opportunity for the opposing team. However, Larsen is able to come from center field to take the ball away and help out his corner as the last line of defense.

Larsen has great range for a defensive back. He can close in to deliver an interception or break up the pass and cause an incompletion. He’s a very instinctive player and will react before the ball has left the quarterback’s hands. Between his range and instincts, Larsen has become a key playmaker for the Aggies in the secondary.

Larsen’s background as a wide receiver has helped him track the ball in the secondary. He’s also a physical player and will come into the box to support in the run defense. Simply put, Larsen is an all-around playmaker. He will be an integral part in turning Utah State’s defense around in 2024.

Areas of Improvement & Concern

Ike Larsen has great range helping out in the secondary and is a willing participant as a run stopper. However, I’d like to see him add on an additional five pounds to become more of a thumper.

Larsen is a very instinctive player. He will react quickly to help out on the back end, but that does lead to veteran quarterbacks using that aggressiveness against him. At times it would cause Larsen to react to a fake or being manipulated out of an area. That would create big plays by the opposing team due to that manipulation. However, it’s a give and take. Coaches love the instinctive nature that Larsen brings and you don’t want to handcuff that freedom. However, there could be a time where a quarterback can use that against Larsen.

Statistically, Larsen has been credited with a 17.2% missed tackle rate during his time in Logan. Becoming a more sure-handed tackler on the back end will help alleviate big plays. That comes with coaching, and Utah State has a new DC and a new secondary coach that should be able to help Larsen with that.

Positional Outlook

Ike Larsen played 970 snaps last year with 484 pass coverage snaps and 7 pass rush snaps. In those mere seven pass rush snaps, Larsen accumulated two QB hits and one hurry. In pass coverage, Larsen was given 23 missed tackles or a 17.3% rate. He was targeted (nearest defender) 52 times while allowing 34 receptions. Both stats are a little misleading, however.

As a safety, Larsen isn’t really in man coverage but more charge of an area. If he’s the closest defender, even if it’s not his man, it counts as a stat against him. The missed tackle rate can also be a little misleading. This is where the tape and analytical stats don’t line up at times.

On film, Larsen was an important piece on the back end. He helped in coverage and was a playmaker for the Utah State defense, but these stats show otherwise. It is important to take these stats with a grain of salt for now.

In alignment, Larsen switched from being the deep safety and being in the box to support the run and short area passes. Going into 2024, he will once again be the lead safety for the Aggies, where he’ll be asked to help on the back end and contribute to protecting the corners while playing in the box to help support the run defense.

Pathway to Success

The Aggies hired Nate Dreilling who was at New Mexico State to become their new defensive coordinator. The 33-year old turned around New Mexico State’s defense, moving from 127th in total defense to 29th in a single season. And it was because of him that the other Aggies defense was able to beat Auburn last year.

Dreiling comes from the Mario Cristobal defensive tree and that shows with his teachings. The Aggies also brought in a new secondary coach in Jalen Ortiz. He was the secondary coach at Nevada the past two seasons who also learned under the Mario Cristobal tree. I expect a vast improvement on the defensive side with these coaching additions. Ortiz will be helping Larsen with new techniques and a different outlook at the position. Meanwhile, Dreilling will be the guy responsible to put Larsen in a situation to be even more successful.

2024 Outlook

Larsen was named First-Team All Mountain West in 2023 and more will be expected out of him in 2024. He will be asked to become a leader on defense, as the Aggies will have a lot of turnover on that side of the ball. Larsen already has an innate sense of being a playmaker. The upcoming season will be one where Utah State is looking to improve, and Larsen will be a key contributor.