With early signing day out of the way, there’s still more questions than answers, although our sources close to the program are mostly happy with how things have shaken out. The team left for the bowl the day after signing day, so we’re told there still needs to be meetings assessing the landscape.
That being said, here’s a breakdown of what still remains:
Defense: 2-4 spots
CB: 1, DL: 1, LB: 0-1
Offense: 4-5 spots
RB: 1-2, WR: 1-2, OL: 1
While a lot could change after everyone gets back from the holiday break—and they assess what surprises are out there—here’s a look at key recruits to follow:
Penei Sewell, OL- The top prospect from Utah, the Utes face some stiff competition for the behemoth from St. George, with it likely coming down to: Oregon, Alabama, USC and Utah. Both Penei and his family raved about his recent official visit to Utah, but with Oregon retaining Cristobal and Salave’a, it could be a dog fight. The fact that USC was out of it and then all of the sudden back in after he decided to wait until February should also cause a bit of unease. Still, the fact remains that the Sewell’s love Jim Harding and know that him, out of anyone, would maximize Penei’s potential.
Jackson Cravens- Coached by Kyle’s brother Cary,he’s one of the most highly sought-after local prospects. Cravens recently said that Utah was one of the five schools which have been recruiting him hardest. The battle will likely come down to Utah, Michigan State, and Washington. However, indications are the Utah is the heavy favorite. Cravens is not a mission kid.
Solomon Enis- The son of Penn St. legend Curtis Enis, he recently was seen in a Penn St. promotional video. That was deemed an error, due to the fact that he didn’t sign with them in December. The belief was that Penn St. was Utah stiffest competition, as he was once believed to be a Utah lean. He’ll be one to follow, it should be taken as a positive sign that he didn’t sign with the Nittany Lions the early period.
Chris Olave- After visiting the Utes three times, once with one of his best friends, Jack Tuttle, Olave would be a huge recruiting win for the Utes. His recruitment got a late start due to the fact that he was ruled ineligible for his HS junior year, due to Cali transfer rules. It’s coming down to: Ohio State, Michigan, Utah, UCLA, and USC, but never under estimate the pull of Tuttle and the Utes hometown feel.
Michael Ezeike, WR - Hailing from our buddy K. Scott’s old high school, the Utes were on Ezeike early, before he really made a name for himself. Ezeike has a great relationship with Shah and, because of that, Utah was going to be the only other team along with Oregon to get an in-home visit. The problem? Ezeike decommitted from the Ducks after their coaching change and opened up his recruitment to everyone. Because of this, while the Utes still have a shot, we view him as the least likely of him, Enis, and Olave.
Tennessee Pututau, DE/DT- Despite a recent visit to Michigan State, we remain as confident in him being a Ute, as we were in his teammate Paul Maile. Tennessee will serve a mission first, so he won’t sign, but expect a commitment from towards the end of the recruiting process. Anything different would be a jaw-dropper.
Dayven Coleman, LB- A one-time UCLA commit, he decommitted before Mora was let go. Since then he’s visited Illinois, Arizona, and Kansas St—a visit to Utah should be coming. The Utes' recent commitment from Andrew Mata’afa might make Coleman less likely, but he’s still one to keep an eye on.
Zidane Thomas, RB- Thomas is a physical runner, one who may not outrun everyone in the open field but who can explode through a hole and run over would-be tacklers. He loved his visit to Utah and was very close to making the call right before the December signing period, but decided to hold off until February. Thomas was committed to Boise State for a while, and is also being recruited by Louisville and Iowa State.
Matthew Tago, OLB/DE- Tago was a long-time UCLA commit but decommitted when Jim Mora was let go. Even before he committed to UCLA, the Utes were high on his list, and now that he's opened his recruitment again, our sources close to the program feel confident about their chances of landing the talented athlete. The Utes are currently in the lead, but some other notable schools pursuing Tago are: USC, Washington State, and Colorado.
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That being said, here’s a breakdown of what still remains:
Defense: 2-4 spots
CB: 1, DL: 1, LB: 0-1
Offense: 4-5 spots
RB: 1-2, WR: 1-2, OL: 1
While a lot could change after everyone gets back from the holiday break—and they assess what surprises are out there—here’s a look at key recruits to follow:
Penei Sewell, OL- The top prospect from Utah, the Utes face some stiff competition for the behemoth from St. George, with it likely coming down to: Oregon, Alabama, USC and Utah. Both Penei and his family raved about his recent official visit to Utah, but with Oregon retaining Cristobal and Salave’a, it could be a dog fight. The fact that USC was out of it and then all of the sudden back in after he decided to wait until February should also cause a bit of unease. Still, the fact remains that the Sewell’s love Jim Harding and know that him, out of anyone, would maximize Penei’s potential.
Jackson Cravens- Coached by Kyle’s brother Cary,he’s one of the most highly sought-after local prospects. Cravens recently said that Utah was one of the five schools which have been recruiting him hardest. The battle will likely come down to Utah, Michigan State, and Washington. However, indications are the Utah is the heavy favorite. Cravens is not a mission kid.
Solomon Enis- The son of Penn St. legend Curtis Enis, he recently was seen in a Penn St. promotional video. That was deemed an error, due to the fact that he didn’t sign with them in December. The belief was that Penn St. was Utah stiffest competition, as he was once believed to be a Utah lean. He’ll be one to follow, it should be taken as a positive sign that he didn’t sign with the Nittany Lions the early period.
Chris Olave- After visiting the Utes three times, once with one of his best friends, Jack Tuttle, Olave would be a huge recruiting win for the Utes. His recruitment got a late start due to the fact that he was ruled ineligible for his HS junior year, due to Cali transfer rules. It’s coming down to: Ohio State, Michigan, Utah, UCLA, and USC, but never under estimate the pull of Tuttle and the Utes hometown feel.
Michael Ezeike, WR - Hailing from our buddy K. Scott’s old high school, the Utes were on Ezeike early, before he really made a name for himself. Ezeike has a great relationship with Shah and, because of that, Utah was going to be the only other team along with Oregon to get an in-home visit. The problem? Ezeike decommitted from the Ducks after their coaching change and opened up his recruitment to everyone. Because of this, while the Utes still have a shot, we view him as the least likely of him, Enis, and Olave.
Tennessee Pututau, DE/DT- Despite a recent visit to Michigan State, we remain as confident in him being a Ute, as we were in his teammate Paul Maile. Tennessee will serve a mission first, so he won’t sign, but expect a commitment from towards the end of the recruiting process. Anything different would be a jaw-dropper.
Dayven Coleman, LB- A one-time UCLA commit, he decommitted before Mora was let go. Since then he’s visited Illinois, Arizona, and Kansas St—a visit to Utah should be coming. The Utes' recent commitment from Andrew Mata’afa might make Coleman less likely, but he’s still one to keep an eye on.
Zidane Thomas, RB- Thomas is a physical runner, one who may not outrun everyone in the open field but who can explode through a hole and run over would-be tacklers. He loved his visit to Utah and was very close to making the call right before the December signing period, but decided to hold off until February. Thomas was committed to Boise State for a while, and is also being recruited by Louisville and Iowa State.
Matthew Tago, OLB/DE- Tago was a long-time UCLA commit but decommitted when Jim Mora was let go. Even before he committed to UCLA, the Utes were high on his list, and now that he's opened his recruitment again, our sources close to the program feel confident about their chances of landing the talented athlete. The Utes are currently in the lead, but some other notable schools pursuing Tago are: USC, Washington State, and Colorado.
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