The next man on the countdown is someone you want to line up side by side with, not in front of. Whit 77 days to kickoff, let’s talk Simote Pepa…

https://utah.rivals.com/news/utenation-countdown-to-kickoff-no-77-simote-pepa-1

The list right here:

Nothing wrong with being ranked 7th among 20 very talented quarterbacks. I like the way that Rivals evaluates each throw and ranks the player based on that. It takes away some of the bias present on other sites. I can tell before I even go there that the Georgia commit and the Alabama commit are going to be in the top three or four.

Nice comments on Wilson:

https://n.rivals.com/news/elite-11-pro-day-ranking-the-qbs

I won’t be surprised if it’s BYU…

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Let's discuss one of the pillars of the offensive line:

Davis Andrews gave Matt some great quotes. Give it a read…

https://utah.rivals.com/news/davis-talks-visit-to-dream-school

A look at the group here:

Before kicking in to the article, I’d like to welcome Cole Bagley to our great group of writers. Many of you know, Cole was recently overseeing the SI Utah site. We’re excited to have him join us at UteNation.

He caught up with Washington, who is getting close to making a decision:

https://utah.rivals.com/news/4-star-wr-washington-discusses-utah-visit

Garcia currently holds offers from 17 total programs, but following a great official visit to Utah this past weekend, he's very interested in the possibility of becoming a Ute.

“I’ve been trying to take an official out there, even though I’ve been there so many times, and I’m really glad I did. I got to see some things I didn’t see on my unofficials and I got to see some unique things they did just for me. It was a really good visit.”

As for now, both Utah and USC have separated themselves from the rest of local linemen’s current offers.

Article to come…

We’re into the 70s now, as we discuss OL Alex Harrison with 79 days left until kickoff…

https://utah.rivals.com/news/utenation-countdown-to-kickoff-no-79-alex-harrison-1

i’ve listen to SiriusXM radio discuss the SEC and their eight game conference schedule ad nauseam the past week.

John Wilmer repeated the suggestion that he wrote about it last winter. John Wilmer repeated the suggestion. A PAC 12 conference with 11 teams, with San Diego State be in the 11 teams, could have a TEN game schedule. This change could give the Pac 12 some credibility to the conference and maybe even add a little bit more value to the conference. In some cases, the PAC 12 is playing two more games in conference play than SEC and Big12. Yormark would be hard-pressed to have his 16 team league play 10 conference game per year.

Pac12 needs to regain some momentum, and this might be the best way to do it.

It’s about that time for Utah to unleash one of the greatest playmakers in Utah history, again. With 80 days until kickoff, let’s talk Brant Kuithe…

https://utah.rivals.com/news/utenation-countdown-to-kickoff-no-80-brant-kuithe-1

Andrews grew up as a season ticket holder to Utah football games, so visiting Utah was like "being at home" for him.

He's got several offers, but he's narrowed it down to UCLA, Notre Dame, Utah, and BYU. Growing up as a Ute fan, he said it's, "always been his dream to play at Rice-Eccles Stadium" so playing in front of his hometown crowd is certainly a big factor in making his decision.

He's planning to serve a church mission, so he won't officially be a part of the 2024 class for whichever school he chooses. He intends to be back for spring ball in 2026.

Article to come.

Kana'i Kekahuna-Lopes went from having no offers just six months ago, to seeing his recruitment explode with some nice offers.

He was pleasantly surprised with what he saw on his visit to Utah. He was especially impressed with the Utes player development, using Devin Lloyd as an example.

"Coach Swann didn't just show me (Lloyd) though, he showed me a lot more other guys that have similar body types and similar stories to mine. It's definitely an eye-opener that I could be one of them."

More to come in an upcoming article.

Asiata let me know that he had to move his official due to family graduations. He just told me he’ll be visiting this weekend.

Washington currently holds offers from 26 total programs, but following another great experience visiting Utah this past weekend, he's very interested in the possibility of becoming a Ute.

“They [Utah] just have the ability to win. They’re gonna play good football, they’re gonna play violent football, and they’re gonna win. That’s what I want to be a part of.”

Right now his recruitment is mostly centered around the Pac-12 but Ole Miss is also still in the mix.

Article to come. And I’ll be introducing a new contributor that I’m looking forward to when the article comes out.

Let’s talk about someone who is sure to be in any Caleb Williams nightmares… Connor O’Toole:

https://utah.rivals.com/news/utenation-countdown-to-kickoff-no-81-connor-o-toole-1

We’re 83 days to kickoff. Let’s talk about a game-changer, defensive end Jonah Elliss…

https://utah.rivals.com/news/utenation-countdown-to-kickoff-no-83-jonah-elliss-1

The smoke seems to be spreading that Colorado and/or Arizona are serious about jumping to the Big 12. The usual suspects are saying it of course -- Scheer and Dodd -- but Stewart Mandel has indicated more than once in the past couple of days a PAC-12 team may be departing. The Cats and Buffs fan sites also seem to think something is imminent.

I don't know what to think. Anything is possible at this point. Does one and especially two departures set off musical chairs?

Check out Hallie's article on Utah's recent visitor, tight end Decker DeGraaf: