It’s TBD on where he’ll ultimately play. Initially he wants to be on offense:

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I have no idea what the duties or responsibilities are for a GM of a college basketball team.

The Swiss Army knife of an offensive lineman could be the anchor to the trenches this season:

Some good one again this week with some late additions:

Milz Asiata, from Australia. He’s an under-the-radar guy that Utah is looking at for DT or OT. There’s no immediate relationship to Isaac or Matt Asiata.

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With 71 days until kickoff, it’s time to discuss one of the biggest bright spots of spring ball, Caleb Lomu:

https://utah.rivals.com/news/utenation-countdown-to-kickoff-no-71-caleb-lomu

Ueland commitment from a massive offensive lineman.

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The latest on a lot of big names here:

While I won’t say that I’m really confident, there’s plenty of noise I’m hearing from multiple sources that lead me to believe the trip and conversations are starting to resonate with Myles. We’ll see if Utah can maintain the momentum and take it home.

72 days until kickoff. Let’s talk about the true freshman Isaiah Garcia, who was here for spring ball.

https://utah.rivals.com/news/utenation-countdown-to-kickoff-no-72-isaiah-garcia

It’s a loaded weekend with five 4-star recruits, plus two brothers of Utes currently on missions:

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With 73 until kickoff, let’s talk Tanoa Togiai:

https://utah.rivals.com/news/utenation-countdown-to-kickoff-no-73-tanoa-togiai-2

I think this is an intriguing hire and Evans has built up a lot of connections over the years. I do see this and say, “Why wasn’t it him or something like this last year?” The promotion of Barnes at the time was a head-scratcher. We’ll see how this all goes, but it should help on the recruiting trail. Smith has three intriguing hires, but with everything I hear, it’s still going to take a prayer to not have the boosters continue to push to buy him out after next year.

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This is the decommit that I have been alluding to:

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It’s official. I absolutely love this pickup:

https://utah.rivals.com/news/what-it-means-4-star-lb-thatcher-is-a-ute

74 days until kickoff. Time to talk about offensive lineman Keith Olson.

https://utah.rivals.com/news/utenation-countdown-to-kickoff-no-74-keith-olson-1

Right here:

With the two defensive line commitments this week, that’s not a surprise.

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I’ve been told that Iose Epenesa has told people close to the program that Utah is his favorite visit so far. He’ll visit Miami next weekend, it sounds as though Utah is in a really good spot.

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The brother of Brock Fonoimoana has commit to Utah on his visit. Max will likely serve an LDS mission first like his brother.

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A great person with a good future, but Barnes was a surprise promotion that happened with the chaotic uncertainty of Tim Morris.

For the next hire, you either need somebody with a lot of assistant coaching experience or someone with familiarity with the program.

Part of me wonders if there is some behind-the-scenes compromise, trying to be worked out for the administration in the boosters to get one of their preferences in there after the Andre hiring went south. Josh Grant has expressed recent interest, so that’s one that would check those boxes, although not on the level of Andre.

He might not be one that sees a lot of playing time this season on the offensive line, but Alderman could develop into good one now that he has his weight up:

Is he on schedule to start? Maybe sit out SUU and start at Baylor or all in all the way?

Williams was tending to an injury for all of 2023, so this season could be his chance to break out on the two-deep:

The Utes get an athletic tight end out of rate recruiting ground in Kansas City:

Ok, it’s no secret that I kinda hate what NIL and the transfer portal is doing to college football. It’s mostly sad.

But yesterday my 10 year son went to the Cam Rising football camp and got to train with the players he idolizes. Cam was teaching him with a small one on one conversation on how to drop back with your feet. Jaylon Glover took a picture with him. Dorian Singer signed his hat. Junior Taufuna raced my son’s friends in a 20 yard dash. Money Parks signed my son’s poster. They were all kind and accommodating to all the kids there!

It was such a positive event in my son’s life, one he’ll never forget. He walked away and said “I’m going to this EVERY year…best day of my life!!”

I know the players are getting paid for this. I’m ok with it. This is what NIL was SUPPOSED to be about. Those players made Ute fans for life. I LOVED NIL last night and am happy pay the $75 entrance fee for that experience.

So….for as much I despise rich old men “buying” players under NIL, I loved what happened last night. So a huge thank you to those players that were there (there were probably 20-30 players) and to the Utah football team for making that night possible.