It’s time! We put out our offensive and defensive snapshots a few days ago, but the hot list is for some key guys you’ll want to focus on at this point in time. Here’s the 2018 season’s first hot list for the class of 2019. We’ve split the planned missionaries in a separate list and we’re also including some committed guys.
Here is who is currently committed:
OL: Marist Talavou, Luke Felix-Fualalo, Falcon Kaumatule
RB: Micah Bernard
S: Aaron Lowe
WR: Darren Jones
Current remaining needs:
QB: 0-1 OL: 2-3 RB: 1-2 WR: 1-2 TE: 0
DT: 0-1 DE: 1-2 LB: 2-3 CB: 2-3 S: 1-2
Upcoming visitors for Washington: Lacarea Pleasant-Johnson, and potentially Kejuan and Keon Markham. The list is fluid.
Here's 20 guys, plus mission-bound recruits to watch:
Jayden Daniels, QB
With four Ute quarterbacks on scholarship, the position isn’t the highest recruiting priority in 2019. Still, if you have an opportunity to add the 106th overall ranked player and 3rd highest quarterback in the nation, you do it. That’s why the Utes are all in on Jayden Daniels (Cajon HS). Utah is being heavily considered by Daniels, and it only helps that they have his favorite 6-foot-8 target, Darren Jones, already on board. UCLA might be the one real threat, but sources from numerous angles believe that Utah is in the lead.
Lolani Langi, LB
Everyone knows Lolani to be the brother of BYU grad Harvey Langi, though hopefully this Langi will give Ute fans what they had hoped to get from his older brother. If you’re an opposing quarterback or running back, could you imagine having to get through Pepa and Tafuna only to have the hard-hitting Langi running full speed at you? No wonder there is so much emphasis on the Bingham Trio—maybe they’ll be the Utah Trio, soon enough. For what it's worth, Langi's family is pushing for Utah and he's another strong Utah lean.
Lacarea Pleasant-Johnson, CB
Cornerbacks coach, Sharrieff Shah, has his eyes set on Lacarea Pleasant-Johnson out of Phoenix to join his ever-growing list of lockdown corners. The 6-foot-2, 175 pound Pleasant-Johnson has a visit to Salt Lake City planned for the Washington game, and has this to say about the Utes, through Rivals.com: "Utah is honestly is a great place. I'd commit there, but I'm not sure yet. I still have to take my official there and see how the coaches are and see how I get along with the players. I'm their No. 1 corner." At this point in time, he should be viewed as a strong Utah lean.
Siaki Ika, DT
A former BYU commit, Siaki Ika is more of a longshot prospect—the rumblings have Alabama as the probable landing spot. The Utes are recruiting the 120th overall ranked player in the nation extremely hard and would love to secure a commitment from him, though Pepa might be the more realistic option for Utah to land. Now, if Leki Fotu has an impressive junior year and then goes pro, Ika might have a more difficult decision on his mind.
Puka Nacua, WR
Although the Orem HS star is committed to Pac-12 foe USC, the Utes are still trying to pry Puka Nacua from the Trojans. Puka has familiarity with the program—his brother is starting receiver Samson Nacua—and his first offer was from the hometown team. Make no mistake, the recruiting battle for the playmaker is far from over. He was even heard saying as much to Utah receivers coach, Guy Holliday at the Utes' All About U Camp.
Sean Rhyan, OL
The 80th overall ranked player in the nation, Sean Rhyan isn't one that relishes the spotlight off of the field. He has suitors from all across the country knocking on his door: Utah is up against Alabama, Notre Dame, Oregon, Stanford, UCLA, USC and Washington to land the four-star tackle. Utah has a tall order ahead of them, but a trip will go a long way for the Utes' chances with the reserved lineman.
Kejuan Markham, S
Take Marcus Williams, clone his high school body and put him in a Long Beach Poly uniform and what do you get? Standout safety Kejuan Markham. Looking at his film is like watching a rerun of the All-Conference Williams in a Ute uniform. Morgan Scalley has his work cut out for him with Markham having 10 Pac-12 offers, though with two senior safeties for the Utes, early playing time will be a massive selling point. As already mentioned, him and his brother are believed to be a package deal and they both could be visiting during the Washington game.
Michael Hollins, RB
The Louisiana product Michael Hollins has 18 offers from Division I schools, including an offer from Alabama and Notre Dame. The Utes are looking to add at least another, possibly two backs to compliment Micah Bernard. Hollins hasn't done many interviews, but him and current Ute, Devin Brumfield, have the same mentor and stay in touch. His running style is similar to Zack Moss.
Sataoa Laumea, OL
A three-star offensive linemen from Southern California, Sataoa Laumea has seen his stock soar as of late. He’s accumulated 21 Division I offers, including seven Pac-12 schools. Getting Laumea to visit Salt Lake City will be imperative to land the big man. He told us recently tht Utah and Cal stand out the most.
Troy Fautanu, OL
One of the better prospects on this list, is Nevada standout Troy Fautanu. In the summer, the 6-foot-4, 260 pound lineman listed the Utes in his Top 8. According to recruiting analyst Adam Gorney, his list has been trimmed to Utah, UCLA, USC and Washington. A decision could come any day now, but he has yet to pick up any of our recent calls. His mom's brother is Utah's Doug Elisaia.
Daniel Fortune, RB
Fortune is the third member of the Cajon Trio—Darren Jones and Jayden Daniels are the others—and is the running back for the So. Cal powerhouse. At the next level, the 5-foot-9 running back will likely be a change-of-pace playmaker in the backfield. His two offers are to Utah and Iowa State--as he's considered a strong Utah lean.
Keon Markham, ATH
An athlete on both sides of the ball, the Utes like Keon Markham of Long Beach Poly HS as either receiver or corner. Markham has 10 Pac-12 offers (Stanford and USC haven’t offered) so the Utes have some stiff competition if they want to land Markham, but giving him the choice between wideout and the secondary should help their cause. Him and his brother, Kejaun, are believed to be a combo deal. Both brothers are not easy to get a hold of over the phone. Though, we’re told that a visit could be coming during the Washington game.
Brandon Yates, OL
Lining up on the other side of Troy Fautanu at Liberty HS (Nevada) is rising offensive tackle, Brandon Yates. Though he needs to add weight to his 6-foot-5, 250 pound frame, Yates’ stock has soared recently, garnering 13 offers.
Jalen Cropper, WR
Jalen Cropper is another product from California that offensive coordinator Troy Taylor has his sights set on. Six of Cropper’s nine offers come from the Pac-12. Although he's listed as an athlete, the Utes are recruiting him as a receiver he's taking time with his recruitment.
Donte Banton, WR
Out of Deerfield Beach, Florida, Donte Banton boasts offers from Auburn, Louisville, Ole Miss along with Utah. The 6-foot-2, 180 pound Banton is will be visiting Utah during the big Washington showdown. We wouldn't be shocked to see a pledge to Guy Holliday and the Utes in the coming weeks.
Tyrone Lewis, S
Louisiana product Tyrone Lewis is another standout safety sitting atop of Utah’s board. The three-star Lewis currently holds 25 offers, including eight SEC schools. Hold on, don’t write him off just yet—after visiting Salt Lake City this summer, the Utes are considered the leader to pry Lewis away from SEC country and gain his commitment.
Dohnovan West,OL
Projected as a center or guard at the next level, Dohnovan West is another top offensive line prospect from So Cal. The 6-foot-3, 285 pound West has an official visit planned to see Utah take on USC on October 20th, so he’ll have a first-hand look at a raucous Rice-Eccles Stadium, in a game that could determine the Pac-12 South.
Julius Buelow, OL
Rated the 27th best OT prospect in the nation, Buelow, out of Kapolei, Hawaii, was considered a Utah lean for quite some time. However, that changed after he took an official visit to Washington, and the belief now is that he favors the Huskies. We expect Buelow will commit to Washington, but the Utes will keep pushing for the talented tackle, and see if they can get a late flip.
Daniel Heimuli, LB
Like Buelow, Heimuli would be near the top of the list, but as of now he’s a longshot for the Utes. With over 24 offers, the Washington Huskies look like the team to beat, but the Utes will keep pushing for an official visit. A convincing win over the Huskies in a week and a half, could open his eyes even more to the Utes.
Jashua Allen, LB
Playing for junior college powerhouse Arizona Western, Allen is one of the top JuCo linebackers in the class of 2019, and one of Utah’s top linebacker targets. Allen committed to Colorado last week, but that won’t stop the Utes from continuing to pursue him. Utah will try to get Allen to Salt Lake City on an official visit, and if Colorado has another mediocre season, perhaps the door will open for the Utes to make their move.
Here is who is currently committed:
OL: Marist Talavou, Luke Felix-Fualalo, Falcon Kaumatule
RB: Micah Bernard
S: Aaron Lowe
WR: Darren Jones
Current remaining needs:
QB: 0-1 OL: 2-3 RB: 1-2 WR: 1-2 TE: 0
DT: 0-1 DE: 1-2 LB: 2-3 CB: 2-3 S: 1-2
Upcoming visitors for Washington: Lacarea Pleasant-Johnson, and potentially Kejuan and Keon Markham. The list is fluid.
Here's 20 guys, plus mission-bound recruits to watch:
Jayden Daniels, QB
With four Ute quarterbacks on scholarship, the position isn’t the highest recruiting priority in 2019. Still, if you have an opportunity to add the 106th overall ranked player and 3rd highest quarterback in the nation, you do it. That’s why the Utes are all in on Jayden Daniels (Cajon HS). Utah is being heavily considered by Daniels, and it only helps that they have his favorite 6-foot-8 target, Darren Jones, already on board. UCLA might be the one real threat, but sources from numerous angles believe that Utah is in the lead.
Lolani Langi, LB
Everyone knows Lolani to be the brother of BYU grad Harvey Langi, though hopefully this Langi will give Ute fans what they had hoped to get from his older brother. If you’re an opposing quarterback or running back, could you imagine having to get through Pepa and Tafuna only to have the hard-hitting Langi running full speed at you? No wonder there is so much emphasis on the Bingham Trio—maybe they’ll be the Utah Trio, soon enough. For what it's worth, Langi's family is pushing for Utah and he's another strong Utah lean.
Lacarea Pleasant-Johnson, CB
Cornerbacks coach, Sharrieff Shah, has his eyes set on Lacarea Pleasant-Johnson out of Phoenix to join his ever-growing list of lockdown corners. The 6-foot-2, 175 pound Pleasant-Johnson has a visit to Salt Lake City planned for the Washington game, and has this to say about the Utes, through Rivals.com: "Utah is honestly is a great place. I'd commit there, but I'm not sure yet. I still have to take my official there and see how the coaches are and see how I get along with the players. I'm their No. 1 corner." At this point in time, he should be viewed as a strong Utah lean.
Siaki Ika, DT
A former BYU commit, Siaki Ika is more of a longshot prospect—the rumblings have Alabama as the probable landing spot. The Utes are recruiting the 120th overall ranked player in the nation extremely hard and would love to secure a commitment from him, though Pepa might be the more realistic option for Utah to land. Now, if Leki Fotu has an impressive junior year and then goes pro, Ika might have a more difficult decision on his mind.
Puka Nacua, WR
Although the Orem HS star is committed to Pac-12 foe USC, the Utes are still trying to pry Puka Nacua from the Trojans. Puka has familiarity with the program—his brother is starting receiver Samson Nacua—and his first offer was from the hometown team. Make no mistake, the recruiting battle for the playmaker is far from over. He was even heard saying as much to Utah receivers coach, Guy Holliday at the Utes' All About U Camp.
Sean Rhyan, OL
The 80th overall ranked player in the nation, Sean Rhyan isn't one that relishes the spotlight off of the field. He has suitors from all across the country knocking on his door: Utah is up against Alabama, Notre Dame, Oregon, Stanford, UCLA, USC and Washington to land the four-star tackle. Utah has a tall order ahead of them, but a trip will go a long way for the Utes' chances with the reserved lineman.
Kejuan Markham, S
Take Marcus Williams, clone his high school body and put him in a Long Beach Poly uniform and what do you get? Standout safety Kejuan Markham. Looking at his film is like watching a rerun of the All-Conference Williams in a Ute uniform. Morgan Scalley has his work cut out for him with Markham having 10 Pac-12 offers, though with two senior safeties for the Utes, early playing time will be a massive selling point. As already mentioned, him and his brother are believed to be a package deal and they both could be visiting during the Washington game.
Michael Hollins, RB
The Louisiana product Michael Hollins has 18 offers from Division I schools, including an offer from Alabama and Notre Dame. The Utes are looking to add at least another, possibly two backs to compliment Micah Bernard. Hollins hasn't done many interviews, but him and current Ute, Devin Brumfield, have the same mentor and stay in touch. His running style is similar to Zack Moss.
Sataoa Laumea, OL
A three-star offensive linemen from Southern California, Sataoa Laumea has seen his stock soar as of late. He’s accumulated 21 Division I offers, including seven Pac-12 schools. Getting Laumea to visit Salt Lake City will be imperative to land the big man. He told us recently tht Utah and Cal stand out the most.
Troy Fautanu, OL
One of the better prospects on this list, is Nevada standout Troy Fautanu. In the summer, the 6-foot-4, 260 pound lineman listed the Utes in his Top 8. According to recruiting analyst Adam Gorney, his list has been trimmed to Utah, UCLA, USC and Washington. A decision could come any day now, but he has yet to pick up any of our recent calls. His mom's brother is Utah's Doug Elisaia.
Daniel Fortune, RB
Fortune is the third member of the Cajon Trio—Darren Jones and Jayden Daniels are the others—and is the running back for the So. Cal powerhouse. At the next level, the 5-foot-9 running back will likely be a change-of-pace playmaker in the backfield. His two offers are to Utah and Iowa State--as he's considered a strong Utah lean.
Keon Markham, ATH
An athlete on both sides of the ball, the Utes like Keon Markham of Long Beach Poly HS as either receiver or corner. Markham has 10 Pac-12 offers (Stanford and USC haven’t offered) so the Utes have some stiff competition if they want to land Markham, but giving him the choice between wideout and the secondary should help their cause. Him and his brother, Kejaun, are believed to be a combo deal. Both brothers are not easy to get a hold of over the phone. Though, we’re told that a visit could be coming during the Washington game.
Brandon Yates, OL
Lining up on the other side of Troy Fautanu at Liberty HS (Nevada) is rising offensive tackle, Brandon Yates. Though he needs to add weight to his 6-foot-5, 250 pound frame, Yates’ stock has soared recently, garnering 13 offers.
Jalen Cropper, WR
Jalen Cropper is another product from California that offensive coordinator Troy Taylor has his sights set on. Six of Cropper’s nine offers come from the Pac-12. Although he's listed as an athlete, the Utes are recruiting him as a receiver he's taking time with his recruitment.
Donte Banton, WR
Out of Deerfield Beach, Florida, Donte Banton boasts offers from Auburn, Louisville, Ole Miss along with Utah. The 6-foot-2, 180 pound Banton is will be visiting Utah during the big Washington showdown. We wouldn't be shocked to see a pledge to Guy Holliday and the Utes in the coming weeks.
Tyrone Lewis, S
Louisiana product Tyrone Lewis is another standout safety sitting atop of Utah’s board. The three-star Lewis currently holds 25 offers, including eight SEC schools. Hold on, don’t write him off just yet—after visiting Salt Lake City this summer, the Utes are considered the leader to pry Lewis away from SEC country and gain his commitment.
Dohnovan West,OL
Projected as a center or guard at the next level, Dohnovan West is another top offensive line prospect from So Cal. The 6-foot-3, 285 pound West has an official visit planned to see Utah take on USC on October 20th, so he’ll have a first-hand look at a raucous Rice-Eccles Stadium, in a game that could determine the Pac-12 South.
Julius Buelow, OL
Rated the 27th best OT prospect in the nation, Buelow, out of Kapolei, Hawaii, was considered a Utah lean for quite some time. However, that changed after he took an official visit to Washington, and the belief now is that he favors the Huskies. We expect Buelow will commit to Washington, but the Utes will keep pushing for the talented tackle, and see if they can get a late flip.
Daniel Heimuli, LB
Like Buelow, Heimuli would be near the top of the list, but as of now he’s a longshot for the Utes. With over 24 offers, the Washington Huskies look like the team to beat, but the Utes will keep pushing for an official visit. A convincing win over the Huskies in a week and a half, could open his eyes even more to the Utes.
Jashua Allen, LB
Playing for junior college powerhouse Arizona Western, Allen is one of the top JuCo linebackers in the class of 2019, and one of Utah’s top linebacker targets. Allen committed to Colorado last week, but that won’t stop the Utes from continuing to pursue him. Utah will try to get Allen to Salt Lake City on an official visit, and if Colorado has another mediocre season, perhaps the door will open for the Utes to make their move.
Last edited:
