With official visits underway, it's the perfect time to start taking a look at some of the he elite recruits, the Utes are after in 2018. When all is said and done, we expect this to more defensive heavy, but obviously that situation will remain fluid, throughout the recruiting cycle. When all is said and done, we expect this to be a big recruiting year and getting this year's in-state kids, is a huge priority. It's the most stacked class the UHSAA scene has seen in while. It's early enough that we're choosing not to rank them specifically, but the below order is close to how it would currently shake out:
Talanoa Hufanga—
Listed as an athlete, but being recruited by the Utes at safety, Hufanga is one of the top recruits in the nation. The Utes were first to offer him and because of that, they received his first visit this past weekend. Ute Nation is currently trying to reach him, but sources tell us the visit was extremely positive. We’ll see how the trip resonates with him as he continues his official visits.
Penei Sewell—
The top prospect from Utah, Sewell is currently battling through a nagging shoulder injury that will likely require surgery. The Utes face some stiff competition for the behemoth from St. George, going up against the likes of Alabama, Oregon, USC, and Nevada (due to his brothers). He recently took an unofficial visit to Utah and Ute Nation has been told that the trip made a huge impression.
Chris Murray—
The Utes were in on Murray extremely early, well before he made a name for himself on the national scene. His offensive coordinator once played football with Utah assistant Fred Whittingham Jr. The talented lineman thinks highly of Coach Harding and was recently quoted as saying, “Loyalty is a big thing for me.” A commitment will likely be put off until the US Army All-American Game.
Junior Angilau—
This year’s in-state talent is absolutely stacked in Utah, when in most years, Angilau would likely be rated no. 1. The Utes will have to fight off the likes of Alabama for the athletic beast who still has loads of untapped potential. However, Ute Nation has heard from multiple angles that it’ll be tough for him to leave the state. Angilau pops in frequently to the Utah football facility. The Utes are recruiting him for the offensive line.
Sam Taimani—
Here’s another East Leopard that’s viewed highly on the national scene. Ute Nation has gotten the sense from speaking with him that while he likes the Utes, he could be the toughest of the “East Four” to keep home. However, we also have sources that are around that group frequently that think that Taimani is more likely than Angilau. Expect the Utes to have to battle it out hard with Alabama, Notre Dame, and Washington.
Cam Latu—
After recently breaking Ute fans’ hearts by committing to Alabama, Latu left them with a glimmer of hope, as he still plans on taking official visits. Immediately after his commitment, he hits social media by saying how difficult it was to turn down the Utes and his recruiting coach, Morgan Scalley. This battle is far from over and multiple sources feel confident that the Utes efforts could pay huge dividends, come signing day.
Brandon Kaho—
Despite being a BYU commit, you can call it “soft” at best. Kaho has already came out indicating that he’s still open and will be taking official visits. Along with Utah and BYU, he’s also still considering Stanford, Notre Dame, UCLA, Cal, Washington, and Oregon. Kaho has family in Utah, loves the state, and also loves the Utes’ coaching staff.
Drue Jackson—
Once considered an early favorite for Jackson, the Ute will have a fight on their hands from Washington State and Texas Tech. Over the summer, he admitted to Ute Nation that Utah was the one standing out the most and they will be getting one of his official visits. He plans to commit at his homecoming game on October 27th.
Michael Ezeike—
Hailing from our buddy K Scott’s old high school, the Utes were on Ezeike early, before he really made a name for himself. The massive target who will either play tight end or wide receiver at the college level, has visits lined up to Texas A&M, Michigan, and Oregon. The Utes will battle it out with UCLA, Nebraska, and USC to be one of his last two visits.
Tommy Togiai—
A big mystery so far in the 2018 recruiting cycle, expect it to remain that way as Togiai rarely talks to the media. Regardless of when he makes his call, the Utes were in on him from the very beginning and they’ll remain in the mix, leading up to his decision. They have a tough crowd to beat out, including: Michigan, Ohio State, Washington, and USC. That being said, never underestimate the lure of Utah’s Poly culture and Sack Lake City.
Salua Masina—
With a laundry list of elite offers, Masina has chosen to be selective when talking with media—and likely even going silent. It’s going to be a battle for the youngest Masina, but the Utes have put themselves in a great position and he knows he’s a priority. While he recently slipped a little in the Rivals’ rankings for various reasons, he’s remained in high demand, nationally. Don’t expect a decision from him until close to signing day.
Delon Hurt—
Being recruited as an “athlete,” Hurt visited Utah this past weekend and so far, he hasn’t answered our calls. That being said, our sources close to the program feel confident in Utah’s pitch to him. The Utes will have to battle it out with Washington State, and the wild card could be UCLA--as he’s on record saying if he got a late offer from the Bruins, he’d visit there. Unless he holds out for that offer, this battle could be over in the near future.
Jaren Kump—
Another BYU commit, Kump committed to the Cougars in his sophomore year. He’s more raw than the other top in-state linemen, but he has the tools to turn out to be the best of all of them. Kump’s recently been spotted up at Utah practice in Utes gear. He has been very receptive to the Utes and a trusted source with no ties to the Utah program has said he expects him to look around.
Tennessee Pututau--
Can he make the call, already? Three of Pututau’s cousins have committed to the Utes in recent years and Tennessee might not be far behind. UteNation has been told that he even has conversations where he speaks as though he’s already a Ute. Despite that, Pututau could go late into the process before making the call.
Tyler Manoa--
The Utes are right in the thick of it for Manoa, the one-time BYU commit. Manoa recently came out with a final four that includes: Utah, Cal, Arizona, and UCLA. How high is he on the Utes, sources close to him informed Ute Nation that he was hoping for a Utah offer, even while he was committed to the Cougars.
Talanoa Hufanga—
Listed as an athlete, but being recruited by the Utes at safety, Hufanga is one of the top recruits in the nation. The Utes were first to offer him and because of that, they received his first visit this past weekend. Ute Nation is currently trying to reach him, but sources tell us the visit was extremely positive. We’ll see how the trip resonates with him as he continues his official visits.
Penei Sewell—
The top prospect from Utah, Sewell is currently battling through a nagging shoulder injury that will likely require surgery. The Utes face some stiff competition for the behemoth from St. George, going up against the likes of Alabama, Oregon, USC, and Nevada (due to his brothers). He recently took an unofficial visit to Utah and Ute Nation has been told that the trip made a huge impression.
Chris Murray—
The Utes were in on Murray extremely early, well before he made a name for himself on the national scene. His offensive coordinator once played football with Utah assistant Fred Whittingham Jr. The talented lineman thinks highly of Coach Harding and was recently quoted as saying, “Loyalty is a big thing for me.” A commitment will likely be put off until the US Army All-American Game.
Junior Angilau—
This year’s in-state talent is absolutely stacked in Utah, when in most years, Angilau would likely be rated no. 1. The Utes will have to fight off the likes of Alabama for the athletic beast who still has loads of untapped potential. However, Ute Nation has heard from multiple angles that it’ll be tough for him to leave the state. Angilau pops in frequently to the Utah football facility. The Utes are recruiting him for the offensive line.
Sam Taimani—
Here’s another East Leopard that’s viewed highly on the national scene. Ute Nation has gotten the sense from speaking with him that while he likes the Utes, he could be the toughest of the “East Four” to keep home. However, we also have sources that are around that group frequently that think that Taimani is more likely than Angilau. Expect the Utes to have to battle it out hard with Alabama, Notre Dame, and Washington.
Cam Latu—
After recently breaking Ute fans’ hearts by committing to Alabama, Latu left them with a glimmer of hope, as he still plans on taking official visits. Immediately after his commitment, he hits social media by saying how difficult it was to turn down the Utes and his recruiting coach, Morgan Scalley. This battle is far from over and multiple sources feel confident that the Utes efforts could pay huge dividends, come signing day.
Brandon Kaho—
Despite being a BYU commit, you can call it “soft” at best. Kaho has already came out indicating that he’s still open and will be taking official visits. Along with Utah and BYU, he’s also still considering Stanford, Notre Dame, UCLA, Cal, Washington, and Oregon. Kaho has family in Utah, loves the state, and also loves the Utes’ coaching staff.
Drue Jackson—
Once considered an early favorite for Jackson, the Ute will have a fight on their hands from Washington State and Texas Tech. Over the summer, he admitted to Ute Nation that Utah was the one standing out the most and they will be getting one of his official visits. He plans to commit at his homecoming game on October 27th.
Michael Ezeike—
Hailing from our buddy K Scott’s old high school, the Utes were on Ezeike early, before he really made a name for himself. The massive target who will either play tight end or wide receiver at the college level, has visits lined up to Texas A&M, Michigan, and Oregon. The Utes will battle it out with UCLA, Nebraska, and USC to be one of his last two visits.
Tommy Togiai—
A big mystery so far in the 2018 recruiting cycle, expect it to remain that way as Togiai rarely talks to the media. Regardless of when he makes his call, the Utes were in on him from the very beginning and they’ll remain in the mix, leading up to his decision. They have a tough crowd to beat out, including: Michigan, Ohio State, Washington, and USC. That being said, never underestimate the lure of Utah’s Poly culture and Sack Lake City.
Salua Masina—
With a laundry list of elite offers, Masina has chosen to be selective when talking with media—and likely even going silent. It’s going to be a battle for the youngest Masina, but the Utes have put themselves in a great position and he knows he’s a priority. While he recently slipped a little in the Rivals’ rankings for various reasons, he’s remained in high demand, nationally. Don’t expect a decision from him until close to signing day.
Delon Hurt—
Being recruited as an “athlete,” Hurt visited Utah this past weekend and so far, he hasn’t answered our calls. That being said, our sources close to the program feel confident in Utah’s pitch to him. The Utes will have to battle it out with Washington State, and the wild card could be UCLA--as he’s on record saying if he got a late offer from the Bruins, he’d visit there. Unless he holds out for that offer, this battle could be over in the near future.
Jaren Kump—
Another BYU commit, Kump committed to the Cougars in his sophomore year. He’s more raw than the other top in-state linemen, but he has the tools to turn out to be the best of all of them. Kump’s recently been spotted up at Utah practice in Utes gear. He has been very receptive to the Utes and a trusted source with no ties to the Utah program has said he expects him to look around.
Tennessee Pututau--
Can he make the call, already? Three of Pututau’s cousins have committed to the Utes in recent years and Tennessee might not be far behind. UteNation has been told that he even has conversations where he speaks as though he’s already a Ute. Despite that, Pututau could go late into the process before making the call.
Tyler Manoa--
The Utes are right in the thick of it for Manoa, the one-time BYU commit. Manoa recently came out with a final four that includes: Utah, Cal, Arizona, and UCLA. How high is he on the Utes, sources close to him informed Ute Nation that he was hoping for a Utah offer, even while he was committed to the Cougars.
