With the December signing period approaching, it’s important to realize that Friday’s loss won’t hurt the Utes’ recruiting momentum as much as some might think (Advice: Breathe). Below is a list of what Utah currently has committed, what they still need, and key guys to watch. Also keep in mind that there’s likely going to be 2-4 more transfers to the program over the coming months. We’ll break down the returning missionaries in another post.
Two quick things to note: Tevita Fotu (Leki’s brother) likely has one more year before he’s a Ute. Former UCLA linebacker Mique Juarez is still an unknown, so don’t plan on him currently because it’s an interesting situation.
Here you folks go...
COMMITS:
QB: 1, RB: 1, WR: 1, TE: 0, OL:
DL: 1, LB: 2, CB: 2, S: 2
STILL NEED:
QB: 1, RB: 0-1, WR: 0-1, TE: 0-1, OL: 1
DL: 4-6, LB: 1-2, CB: 1-2, S: 1
HOT BOARD—
Edgerinn Cooper, LB
“Edge” visited Utah during the UCLA game and then decommitted from Oklahoma not long after. He recently shot up to no. 11 among inside linebackers, and it looks to be down to Utah and Texas A&M. He was a high school teammate of current Ute, Devin Brumfield.
Nate Richie, S
Although he grew up in Utah County as a BYU fan, Richie says him and his family weren’t necessarily diehards. The Utes are battling the Cougars, USU, and Arizona State. That being said, his parents want him to stay in state and Utah gives him everything he’s looking for: close to home, potential early playing time, and a top tier program. The sense is he’s a Utah lean.
Van Fillinger, DE
Fillinger is one of Utah's priority targets, and his commitment would go a long way towards replacing Bradlee Anae and helping the Utes ensure that the cupboard at defensive end is well-stocked well into the future. Fillinger was recently committed to Texas, though he decommitted just a couple of weeks ago. Since then things have trended towards Utah, though he still hasn't taken an official visit. However, being a local prospect, Fillinger is already very familiar with Utah's program and staff, and it wouldn't be at all surprising to see a commitment from him soon.
Xavier Carlton, DE
The legacy-Ute moved back to Utah for his senior season and has garnered plenty of national interest. Back before the season even started, his family insisted there were no favorites, but Xavier told us that Utah is his dream school and that he wanted to stay close to his little brother.
Alex Harrison, OL
Harrison has long been the biggest priority of the Utes’ offensive line targets. Harrison currently plays tackle, though he may be better suited for guard at the next level. Nonetheless, it's too early to tell where he will land, and we'll have a better idea once he's had some time in Utah's strength and conditioning program. He's someone who has long been a Utah lean, and will be announcing his commitment on December 12. Harrison will be taking his official visit to Utah just two days after announcing his commitment, in which we anticipate Utah to be the place. They’ve felt comfortable enough with their standing, that they’ve continued to build their relationship with him, while not placing a ton of urgency on other offensive line targets.
Darryl Porter Jr., CB
At one considered a Utah lean, Porter Je. tripped West Virginia this weekend and then put on Twitter that he would be announcing this week. As Utah’s top cornerback on their board, he’s a huge need with all of the graduations, but it looks as though Utah has lost ground to West Virginia, with only a few days to change his mind.
Connor O’Toole, WR
The Utes are recruiting O’Toole as a wide receiver, although he has the frame that could possibly grow into an elite tight end. When he was on his Utah official during the Colorado game, all he cared about was watching practice, watching film, watching the game, and conversations with the coaches. It was all business. He’s taken officials to: Utah, Wyoming, Arkansas, and Washington State. Baylor is also in the mix. The Utes made a great impression, and Baylor is likely to be their main competition in the end.
Ty Jordan, RB
The current Texas commit recently shot up the Rivals position rankings. He visited Utah during the Colorado game and his commitment is currently not viewed as solid. Utah has some work to do, but flipping his commitment is a real possibility.
Tate Rodemaker, QB
After initially cancelling his Utah visit, the current South Florida commit had a change of heart, or actually his family did. They have preferred for him to play close to home, but Rodemaker has been insistent to his family that he really wants to get out to Utah. Look for that to happen before the December signing day.
Chance Nolan, QB
After initially going to Middle Tennessee, Nolan transferred to Saddleback CC, where he’s put up big numbers, leading to offers from Utah, Oregon State, and Oklahoma. He’d be a redshirt sophomore.He visited Oregon State over the weekend.
Tuli Tuipulotu, DT
Tuipulotu is another defensive line target that the staff is trying to get on campus soon. With two senior DTs graduating and another three slated to graduate after 2020, DT is a huge need over the next two years. Tuipulotu, along with Tanuvasa, would go a long ways towards helping the Utes build their depth back up at that spot and not have to try to find instant impact players at DT in 2021. Rivals has him as the no. 22 strongside defensive end, but he’ll find a home at defensive tackle. His brother Marlon, plays at USC.
Continued...
Two quick things to note: Tevita Fotu (Leki’s brother) likely has one more year before he’s a Ute. Former UCLA linebacker Mique Juarez is still an unknown, so don’t plan on him currently because it’s an interesting situation.
Here you folks go...
COMMITS:
QB: 1, RB: 1, WR: 1, TE: 0, OL:
DL: 1, LB: 2, CB: 2, S: 2
STILL NEED:
QB: 1, RB: 0-1, WR: 0-1, TE: 0-1, OL: 1
DL: 4-6, LB: 1-2, CB: 1-2, S: 1
HOT BOARD—
Edgerinn Cooper, LB
“Edge” visited Utah during the UCLA game and then decommitted from Oklahoma not long after. He recently shot up to no. 11 among inside linebackers, and it looks to be down to Utah and Texas A&M. He was a high school teammate of current Ute, Devin Brumfield.
Nate Richie, S
Although he grew up in Utah County as a BYU fan, Richie says him and his family weren’t necessarily diehards. The Utes are battling the Cougars, USU, and Arizona State. That being said, his parents want him to stay in state and Utah gives him everything he’s looking for: close to home, potential early playing time, and a top tier program. The sense is he’s a Utah lean.
Van Fillinger, DE
Fillinger is one of Utah's priority targets, and his commitment would go a long way towards replacing Bradlee Anae and helping the Utes ensure that the cupboard at defensive end is well-stocked well into the future. Fillinger was recently committed to Texas, though he decommitted just a couple of weeks ago. Since then things have trended towards Utah, though he still hasn't taken an official visit. However, being a local prospect, Fillinger is already very familiar with Utah's program and staff, and it wouldn't be at all surprising to see a commitment from him soon.
Xavier Carlton, DE
The legacy-Ute moved back to Utah for his senior season and has garnered plenty of national interest. Back before the season even started, his family insisted there were no favorites, but Xavier told us that Utah is his dream school and that he wanted to stay close to his little brother.
Alex Harrison, OL
Harrison has long been the biggest priority of the Utes’ offensive line targets. Harrison currently plays tackle, though he may be better suited for guard at the next level. Nonetheless, it's too early to tell where he will land, and we'll have a better idea once he's had some time in Utah's strength and conditioning program. He's someone who has long been a Utah lean, and will be announcing his commitment on December 12. Harrison will be taking his official visit to Utah just two days after announcing his commitment, in which we anticipate Utah to be the place. They’ve felt comfortable enough with their standing, that they’ve continued to build their relationship with him, while not placing a ton of urgency on other offensive line targets.
Darryl Porter Jr., CB
At one considered a Utah lean, Porter Je. tripped West Virginia this weekend and then put on Twitter that he would be announcing this week. As Utah’s top cornerback on their board, he’s a huge need with all of the graduations, but it looks as though Utah has lost ground to West Virginia, with only a few days to change his mind.
Connor O’Toole, WR
The Utes are recruiting O’Toole as a wide receiver, although he has the frame that could possibly grow into an elite tight end. When he was on his Utah official during the Colorado game, all he cared about was watching practice, watching film, watching the game, and conversations with the coaches. It was all business. He’s taken officials to: Utah, Wyoming, Arkansas, and Washington State. Baylor is also in the mix. The Utes made a great impression, and Baylor is likely to be their main competition in the end.
Ty Jordan, RB
The current Texas commit recently shot up the Rivals position rankings. He visited Utah during the Colorado game and his commitment is currently not viewed as solid. Utah has some work to do, but flipping his commitment is a real possibility.
Tate Rodemaker, QB
After initially cancelling his Utah visit, the current South Florida commit had a change of heart, or actually his family did. They have preferred for him to play close to home, but Rodemaker has been insistent to his family that he really wants to get out to Utah. Look for that to happen before the December signing day.
Chance Nolan, QB
After initially going to Middle Tennessee, Nolan transferred to Saddleback CC, where he’s put up big numbers, leading to offers from Utah, Oregon State, and Oklahoma. He’d be a redshirt sophomore.He visited Oregon State over the weekend.
Tuli Tuipulotu, DT
Tuipulotu is another defensive line target that the staff is trying to get on campus soon. With two senior DTs graduating and another three slated to graduate after 2020, DT is a huge need over the next two years. Tuipulotu, along with Tanuvasa, would go a long ways towards helping the Utes build their depth back up at that spot and not have to try to find instant impact players at DT in 2021. Rivals has him as the no. 22 strongside defensive end, but he’ll find a home at defensive tackle. His brother Marlon, plays at USC.
Continued...
