War Room - January 31, 2016
THE RULES: The contents of this War Room are confidential. Our goal is to supplement our normal content with a forum that allows us to talk about unconfirmed rumors and insider reports. We think this new feature adds value to your subscription, but if the contents of this War Room are leaked on other message boards or websites it cheapens what you pay for. Please do not share this on other message boards or websites. Anybody found to be violating these rules will be blacklisted from this board.
War Room for January 31, 2016: The final visit weekend is done, and Utah football has hit the stretch run for the recruiting class of 2016. With signing day three days away, Utah has three more spots to fill and several candidates to fill them. Let’s get to today’s War Room.
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Visit Weekend Recap:
Utah hosted 10 official visitors over the weekend (in addition to Miami Central LB Donavan Thompson, who visited SLC mid-week). All 10 visitors made the trip (there was some doubt about whether Himphill would make the trip). The following players were on the visit:
Bradlee Anae
Kaelin Himphill
Wayne Kirby
Johnnie Lang
Alec Dana (Utah commit)
Cole Fotheringham (Utah commit)
Leki Fotu (Utah commit)
Johnny Maea (Utah commit)
Alema Pilimai (Utah commit)
Tucker Scott (Utah commit)
Although we’re still trying to reach a majority of this week’s visitors to get their comments on the visit, sources tell us that the weekend went well. We’re told that the Utes made an especially good impression on Anae, Kirby, and Lang. We’ll discuss more details for each individual visitor as they become available.
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UteZone Top Remaining Prospects:
With two commitments in the past week, very few spots are still open for the class. The Utes are still looking for help at linebacker (1-2 spots) and defensive line (1 spot). Here are the remaining players on the board as well as our predictions for where everyone ends up:
1 - Maxs Tupai (DE)
Considering: Utah, Oklahoma, USC
The Latest: Tupai visited USC last weekend and Oklahoma this weekend, but we’ve heard from sources close to him that he may not be ready to make a decision yet. Don’t be surprised if he delays his choice until after signing day. If that happens, Utah will be in the mix.
Prediction: Toss-up
Confidence Level: N/A
2 - Fua Pututau (DE)*
Considering: Utah, BYU, Colorado
The Latest: Pututau was at Colorado this weekend with friend Pookie Maka (who committed to the Buffs over the weekend). He’s visited BYU and Utah in consecutive weeks as well. He’s been a heavy Utah lean throughout the process, and his brother Howard is still expected to be at Utah. That will likely be enough to push the Utes over the top.
Prediction: Utah
Confidence Level: 55%
3 - David Luafatasaga (LB)
Considering: Utah, Ole Miss
The Latest: Luafatasaga visited Ole Miss over the weekend, but as we have discussed earlier this week on the board there are a lot of reasons for him to flip his commitment to Utah, including cultural fit and academics.
Prediction: Utah
Confidence Level: 70%
4 - Keaton Bills (DT)*
Considering: Utah, Stanford, BYU
The Latest: Bills is down to Utah, Stanford and BYU, and he took his last visit to Provo over the weekend. He’s been a Utah lean for weeks, and unless something significant happened over the weekend, that’s unlikely to change.
Prediction: Utah
Confidence Level: 60%
5 - Donovan Thompson (LB)
Considering: FIU, Utah
The Latest: Thompson visited Utah mid-week, and we’re told things went very, very well. He tripped to FIU immediately afterward. He declined an interview request this afternoon because he’s looking to make a final decision in the next day or so. We expect an announcement soon. Don’t be surprised if he flips to the Utes.
Prediction: Utah
Confidence Level: 80%
6- Bradlee Anae
Considering: Utah, BYU, Oregon State, Vanderbilt
The Latest: We’re told Anae had a great time in SLC. BYU has made a strong push as well (Bronco had asked him to grayshirt, but Kalani is all in). It will most likely be the Utes or Cougars at this point, and Utah had the last shot at him.
Prediction: Utah
Confidence Level: 30%
7 - Kaelin Himphill (LB)
Considering: Utah, Arizona, Oregon State, West Virginia
The Latest: Himphill is a fine linebacker candidate, but given how we expect things to go with the others on the board, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him go to another Pac-12 program due to space.
Prediction: Arizona
Confidence Level: 60%
8 - Wayne Kirby (DT)
Considering: Utah, BYU, Oregon, Washington State
The Latest: Kirby split the weekend at BYU and Utah after taking a visit to Oregon last weekend. The Utes made a strong impression, but it’s a little fuzzy if they’ll
Prediction: Oregon
Confidence Level: 50% (If it’s not Oregon, we predict Utah).
* Sign and send
-----------------------------------
Currently Signed and Enrolled:
QB - Troy Williams
QB - Tyler Huntley
OL - Jake Grant
OL - Scott Peck
WR - Demari Simpkins
P - Mitch Wishnowski
Current Unsigned Commitments:
RB - Zack Moss
RB - Thomas McDonald
RB - Devontae Henry-Cole
WR - Alec Dana
OL - Garett Bolles
OL - Tucker Scott
DE - Leki Fotu
LB - Kurtis Taufa
LB - Davir Hamilton
CB - Julian Blackmon
CB - Nygel King
CB - Terrell Burgess
FS/ATH - Samson Nacua
Sign and Send Commits:
WR - RJ Hubert (S/S)
TE - Cole Fotheringham (S/S)
DE - Semisi Lauaki (S/S)
LB - Alema Pilimai (S/S)
OL - Johnny Maea (S/S)
Returning Missionaries:
LB/DE - Howard Pututau
DT - Pita Tonga
-----------------------------------
Playing Defense
Utah has several commitments that other schools are still pursuing, and coaches will have to fight to hang onto until signing day. The following committed recruits are still being pursued by other programs:
Zack Moss
Considering: Utah, Tennessee
The Latest: Moss told us on Sunday afternoon that he had a good time at his visit to Tennessee. They gave him a few things to think about, and he’s going to mull it over for the next day or two before announcing what his signing day plans are. Utah still thinks they have the inside track to hang on to him.
Prediction: He sticks with the Utes
Cole Fotheringham
Considering: Utah, BYU
The Latest: Fotheringham visited SLC over the weekend, but BYU is making a push. We’ve heard from some sources that there’s a lot of pressure from family and friends of the family for him to flip to BYU. Other sources have downplayed that pressure and said it’s 100% his choice.
Prediction: This one looks like a coin flip, at least right now. Don’t be surprised in the least bit if he flips to BYU.
Alema Pilimai
Considering: Utah, BYU
The Latest: Pilimai visited Utah this weekend, but the buzz on the street is that the combination of LDS church and Polynesian coaching ties
Prediction: He’s going to flip to BYU. Be prepared. Let him go.
Leki Fotu
Considering: Utah, BYU, USC
The Latest: Fotu visited campus this weekend. We heard from a reliable source late this week that BYU was likely out. Although USC is still in hot pursuit, there are a lot of factors behind the scenes that make Utah an especially compelling choice.
Prediction: We predict that he sticks with the Utes.
Johnny Maea
Considering: Utah, BYU
The Latest: Maea cancelled his planned visit to BYU this week and took his official to Utah. BYU is out of the picture at this point.
Prediction: He’s a Ute through and through
-----------------------------------
There are a lot of things going on tonight with a last flurry of activity from coaches. We’re also hearing rumors of a commitment that’s about to land, so we’re following up on that. The thread will be open all night and we’ll get to questions as we can. Please post your questions in the thread below.
THE RULES: The contents of this War Room are confidential. Our goal is to supplement our normal content with a forum that allows us to talk about unconfirmed rumors and insider reports. We think this new feature adds value to your subscription, but if the contents of this War Room are leaked on other message boards or websites it cheapens what you pay for. Please do not share this on other message boards or websites. Anybody found to be violating these rules will be blacklisted from this board.
War Room for January 31, 2016: The final visit weekend is done, and Utah football has hit the stretch run for the recruiting class of 2016. With signing day three days away, Utah has three more spots to fill and several candidates to fill them. Let’s get to today’s War Room.
-----------------------------------
Visit Weekend Recap:
Utah hosted 10 official visitors over the weekend (in addition to Miami Central LB Donavan Thompson, who visited SLC mid-week). All 10 visitors made the trip (there was some doubt about whether Himphill would make the trip). The following players were on the visit:
Bradlee Anae
Kaelin Himphill
Wayne Kirby
Johnnie Lang
Alec Dana (Utah commit)
Cole Fotheringham (Utah commit)
Leki Fotu (Utah commit)
Johnny Maea (Utah commit)
Alema Pilimai (Utah commit)
Tucker Scott (Utah commit)
Although we’re still trying to reach a majority of this week’s visitors to get their comments on the visit, sources tell us that the weekend went well. We’re told that the Utes made an especially good impression on Anae, Kirby, and Lang. We’ll discuss more details for each individual visitor as they become available.
-----------------------------------
UteZone Top Remaining Prospects:
With two commitments in the past week, very few spots are still open for the class. The Utes are still looking for help at linebacker (1-2 spots) and defensive line (1 spot). Here are the remaining players on the board as well as our predictions for where everyone ends up:
1 - Maxs Tupai (DE)
Considering: Utah, Oklahoma, USC
The Latest: Tupai visited USC last weekend and Oklahoma this weekend, but we’ve heard from sources close to him that he may not be ready to make a decision yet. Don’t be surprised if he delays his choice until after signing day. If that happens, Utah will be in the mix.
Prediction: Toss-up
Confidence Level: N/A
2 - Fua Pututau (DE)*
Considering: Utah, BYU, Colorado
The Latest: Pututau was at Colorado this weekend with friend Pookie Maka (who committed to the Buffs over the weekend). He’s visited BYU and Utah in consecutive weeks as well. He’s been a heavy Utah lean throughout the process, and his brother Howard is still expected to be at Utah. That will likely be enough to push the Utes over the top.
Prediction: Utah
Confidence Level: 55%
3 - David Luafatasaga (LB)
Considering: Utah, Ole Miss
The Latest: Luafatasaga visited Ole Miss over the weekend, but as we have discussed earlier this week on the board there are a lot of reasons for him to flip his commitment to Utah, including cultural fit and academics.
Prediction: Utah
Confidence Level: 70%
4 - Keaton Bills (DT)*
Considering: Utah, Stanford, BYU
The Latest: Bills is down to Utah, Stanford and BYU, and he took his last visit to Provo over the weekend. He’s been a Utah lean for weeks, and unless something significant happened over the weekend, that’s unlikely to change.
Prediction: Utah
Confidence Level: 60%
5 - Donovan Thompson (LB)
Considering: FIU, Utah
The Latest: Thompson visited Utah mid-week, and we’re told things went very, very well. He tripped to FIU immediately afterward. He declined an interview request this afternoon because he’s looking to make a final decision in the next day or so. We expect an announcement soon. Don’t be surprised if he flips to the Utes.
Prediction: Utah
Confidence Level: 80%
6- Bradlee Anae
Considering: Utah, BYU, Oregon State, Vanderbilt
The Latest: We’re told Anae had a great time in SLC. BYU has made a strong push as well (Bronco had asked him to grayshirt, but Kalani is all in). It will most likely be the Utes or Cougars at this point, and Utah had the last shot at him.
Prediction: Utah
Confidence Level: 30%
7 - Kaelin Himphill (LB)
Considering: Utah, Arizona, Oregon State, West Virginia
The Latest: Himphill is a fine linebacker candidate, but given how we expect things to go with the others on the board, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him go to another Pac-12 program due to space.
Prediction: Arizona
Confidence Level: 60%
8 - Wayne Kirby (DT)
Considering: Utah, BYU, Oregon, Washington State
The Latest: Kirby split the weekend at BYU and Utah after taking a visit to Oregon last weekend. The Utes made a strong impression, but it’s a little fuzzy if they’ll
Prediction: Oregon
Confidence Level: 50% (If it’s not Oregon, we predict Utah).
* Sign and send
-----------------------------------
Currently Signed and Enrolled:
QB - Troy Williams
QB - Tyler Huntley
OL - Jake Grant
OL - Scott Peck
WR - Demari Simpkins
P - Mitch Wishnowski
Current Unsigned Commitments:
RB - Zack Moss
RB - Thomas McDonald
RB - Devontae Henry-Cole
WR - Alec Dana
OL - Garett Bolles
OL - Tucker Scott
DE - Leki Fotu
LB - Kurtis Taufa
LB - Davir Hamilton
CB - Julian Blackmon
CB - Nygel King
CB - Terrell Burgess
FS/ATH - Samson Nacua
Sign and Send Commits:
WR - RJ Hubert (S/S)
TE - Cole Fotheringham (S/S)
DE - Semisi Lauaki (S/S)
LB - Alema Pilimai (S/S)
OL - Johnny Maea (S/S)
Returning Missionaries:
LB/DE - Howard Pututau
DT - Pita Tonga
-----------------------------------
Playing Defense
Utah has several commitments that other schools are still pursuing, and coaches will have to fight to hang onto until signing day. The following committed recruits are still being pursued by other programs:
Zack Moss
Considering: Utah, Tennessee
The Latest: Moss told us on Sunday afternoon that he had a good time at his visit to Tennessee. They gave him a few things to think about, and he’s going to mull it over for the next day or two before announcing what his signing day plans are. Utah still thinks they have the inside track to hang on to him.
Prediction: He sticks with the Utes
Cole Fotheringham
Considering: Utah, BYU
The Latest: Fotheringham visited SLC over the weekend, but BYU is making a push. We’ve heard from some sources that there’s a lot of pressure from family and friends of the family for him to flip to BYU. Other sources have downplayed that pressure and said it’s 100% his choice.
Prediction: This one looks like a coin flip, at least right now. Don’t be surprised in the least bit if he flips to BYU.
Alema Pilimai
Considering: Utah, BYU
The Latest: Pilimai visited Utah this weekend, but the buzz on the street is that the combination of LDS church and Polynesian coaching ties
Prediction: He’s going to flip to BYU. Be prepared. Let him go.
Leki Fotu
Considering: Utah, BYU, USC
The Latest: Fotu visited campus this weekend. We heard from a reliable source late this week that BYU was likely out. Although USC is still in hot pursuit, there are a lot of factors behind the scenes that make Utah an especially compelling choice.
Prediction: We predict that he sticks with the Utes.
Johnny Maea
Considering: Utah, BYU
The Latest: Maea cancelled his planned visit to BYU this week and took his official to Utah. BYU is out of the picture at this point.
Prediction: He’s a Ute through and through
-----------------------------------
There are a lot of things going on tonight with a last flurry of activity from coaches. We’re also hearing rumors of a commitment that’s about to land, so we’re following up on that. The thread will be open all night and we’ll get to questions as we can. Please post your questions in the thread below.
