“Tough, Physical, and Seasoned”: Bronco Mendenhall On Gabe Iniguez

SALT LAKE CITY – With 87 new players coming into the Utah State Football program this season, defensive tackle Gabriel Iniguez Jr. brings some familiarity and an edge that will set the tone for the Aggies in the trenches.

USU’s head coach Bronco Mendenhall highlighted Iniguez’s experience as well as the toughness he brings on the gridiron.

“Gabe Iniguez is tough, physical, and seasoned,” Mendenhall said. “He’s just relentless in his passion for the game. I love his vocal and physical presence. He’s played so much football and he gives us a maturity and a consistency (on the) interior that kind of anchors our front seven.”

Last season, Iniguez was ranked 60th in our 60 in 60 list.

See where he gets placed on this year’s list after the 2025 College Football season.

About Utah State’s Gabe Iniguez

Iniguez is a junior defensive tackle from Pittsburg, California.

Coming out of high school, Iniguez was a two-star prospect and the 53rd-ranked defensive tackle in the nation. In 2019 as a senior, he posted 41 tackles, 5 sacks, 12.5 tackles for loss, eight quarterback hurries, and one fumble recovery.

Following his senior season, he earned California Interscholastic Federation honorable mention North Coast Section honors and first-team all-league accolades.

Iniguez spent two years at Hawai’i. After not playing in the COVID-shortened 2020 season and redshirting in 2021, he moved on to play junior college ball at City College of San Francisco.

Big play on national TV by @ccsffootball alum Gabriel Iniguez #100PercentRam #NoPlaceLikeCity | 🐏 pic.twitter.com/fpVHNj6r9q

— City College of San Francisco Football (@CCSFFootball) October 5, 2023

Iniguez had a solid season with the Rams which made him a hot commodity in the transfer market. He used this momentum to join the Mountain West with the New Mexico State Aggies.

In 2023, Iniguez recorded 24 tackles, two sacks, five tackles for loss, and one pass breakup. He was named to the College Football Network Conference USA second team and Phil Steele fourth-team all-conference.

In his junior campaign with Utah State, Iniguez started in all 12 games and posted 29 tackles (four solo), 0.5 sacks, and 1.5 tackles for loss.

What is the 60 in 60?

Hans and Scotty highlight college football players in the state of Utah with their annual 60 in 60 watchlist.

Check back after the 2025 College Football season to see the final 60 in 60 list.

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