Editor's note: Leading up to the start of Idaho State's fall camp Aug. 1, we're previewing the Bengals' top five impact players, top five players poised to break out and top five under-the-radar talents in 2018. The players are listed in no particular order.

IMPACT

Tanner Gueller, redshirt senior quarterback

6-3, 235 pounds

2017 stats: 188-235 passing, 2,754 yards, 22 TD, 9 INT

Overview: Gueller enters 2018 looking to leave an impact on the program he joined five years ago.

He'll be ISU's full-time starter behind center for the third consecutive season, and this year's offensive arsenal is the best Gueller has had at his disposal, including two all-conference running backs (James Madison, Ty Flanagan) and two all-conference wide receivers (Mitch Gueller, Michael Dean).

Tanner set career highs in yards passing, touchdown tosses and yards per attempt last season, all while throwing 79 fewer passes than the season prior. An improved running game took pressure of Gueller, and a frequent brother-to-brother connection on deep downfield passes shortened scoring drives and stretched defenses. Key variables this season will be two new starters on the right side of ISU's offensive line, and Mike Ferriter, the team's new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.

“I like what he brings to the table, especially for us quarterbacks,” Gueller said of Ferriter on the first day of spring ball. “It's never bad to get another set of eyes on you. I think it's been seamless as it could be.”

Though Gueller has weathered an array of ups, downs, coaching changes and culture shifts during his time at ISU, his mastery of the Bengals' offense and rapport with returning playmakers clear him to be one of the premier signal callers in the Big Sky Conference.

BREAKOUT

Paea Moala, senior linebacker

6-1, 242 pounds

2017 stats: 56 tackles, 4 sacks, 3.5 tackles for loss

Overview: Moala's debut season featured a little bit of everything in the middle of ISU's defense.

The transfer linebacker from Butte College led the defense with four sacks and was fourth with 6.2 tackles per game last season. He added 3.5 tackles for loss, one pass breakup, one pass deflection, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries as the team's top defensive newcomer.

In the base 3-4 defense installed by first-year defensive coordinator Roger Cooper, Moala can provide crucial pressure off the edge as an outside linebacker. With fellow linebacker Joe Martin's timetable to return from last year's season-ending knee injury still unclear, Moala can establish himself as the star of ISU's revamped defense early in the season.

Moala notched a career-high 12 tackles last season against Portland State and recorded six or more tackles in six of nine games.

“I like how many reps Paea Moala has played,” Cooper said at an ISU football media event June 18 at the Orthopedic Center next to Holt Arena.

Though Cooper said no position on the Bengals' depth chart has been claimed, Moala has a chance to ease the void left by the departed Mario Jenkins and, potentially, by Martin.

“I've got to step up to the plate and be that guy,” Moala said June 18. “I have to be a leader on this team.”

UNDER THE RADAR

Matt Peterson, redshirt sophomore wide receiver

6-3, 187 pounds

2017 stats: 3-3 extra points, 1-1 FG

Overview: Though Peterson has never caught a pass in a game at ISU, his athleticism and proven versatility aren't lost on Idaho State's coaches.

The 6-foot-3 Peterson, who was a first-team all-Idaho wide receiver as a high school senior in 2014, led Blackfoot High to a 10-1 record while hauling in 52 catches for 780 yards and eight touchdowns.

But so far at Idaho State, Peterson's only stats are in the kicking column.

When injuries sidelined ISU's first- and second-string kickers last season, Peterson was called into duty. The results? A perfect 3 for 3 on extra-point tries and a make on his only field-goal attempt — a 25-yarder against UC Davis.

Peterson is also among the veterans of ISU's receiving corps and earned some first-team reps this spring when the unit was hit with injuries.

ISU's receiving lineup is stocked with playmakers, but Peterson provides depth and experience.

“Things like that happen, guys get hurt,” quarterback Tanner Gueller said during spring ball. “It's always good to get the younger guys some reps, and they're doing great.”