The Live Chat is locked, so I wanted to post the hot board in an open thread so that you can ask some questions or offer your own thoughts on our list. The content here is fresh and updated as of 5 o'clock yesterday.
The Hot List--
1) Jay Tufele - The number one recruit in the state of Utah by a mile, and perhaps the best prospect since Haloti Ngata. He recently visited BYU, and upon his return from Provo, the entire Utah defensive staff—including Kyle Whittingham—paid him an in-home visit. Tufele is visiting the Utes on January 27th. The Utes are the team to beat in this one.
2) Bryan Thompson - The four-star wide receiver had a short-lived commitment to Boise State. He had always said that Utah was his favorite visit, but the thing that hindered the Utes was the school’s lack of a track team. It appears to be a two horse race against Nebraska, though Nebraska is still waiting word from some guys higher up on their list of prospects and their commitment from Tyjon Lindsey, is likely a big boost for the Utes.
3) Jordan Lolohea - The three-star defensive end from East HS will visit the Utes on January 27th. Tragedy struck the Lolohea household with the passing of Jordan’s father. Initial reaction to his loss was to stay home at Utah, but don’t count out Washington who is pushing hard for his services and Oregon is also pushing hard for him to steal him from his Utah visit. He’s a sign and send prospect.
4) Daniel Green - Four-star linebacker visited the Utes over the weekend with his mom, who has gotten more involved in his recruiting process following his decommitment from USC. Utah had some ground to make up on Oregon State (where his mom is pushing) this weekend. According to our sources, Utah is now the leader for Green.
5) Noah Elliss - The legacy Ute has been radio silent throughout the recruiting process, but sources close to Ute Nation have stayed firm in saying that Utah is near the top of schools in consideration for Elliss. He’s planning an official visit to Utah on January 27th and will make a decision soon after.
6) Reggie Roberson - The three-star prospect has become a top priority at wideout. It’s long been thought he was an Illinois lock, but the Utah offer gave him a little more to think about. He’s scheduling a visit to Utah in the coming weeks. Roberson has great playmaking ability and brings a fierce attitude to the field.
7) Kevaughn Dingle - Another priority wide receiver recruit that has an impressive offer sheet from the SEC, ACC, Big 12 and Pac-12. He has great body control, can catch in traffic and has a solid frame to work with at 6-foot-1, 185 pounds. He's a recent Miami decommit and will be visiting before signing day.
8) George Moore - With Bolles declaring for the draft, the Utes are looking for one more capable JuCo linemen. Enter, George Moore. It’s looking like Utah will be battling it out with Oregon State, Arizona State, and Oklahoma for his services. Before the avalanche of offers came in, it was believed that he would commit to the Utes, if offered.
9) Nick Ford - The 6-foot-6, 286 pound prospect might have his choice to play either offensive or defensive tackle if he were to commit to Utah. He officially visited over the past weekend and has told Ute Nation that it’ll take a lot for any school to sway him from the Utes. He also mentioned that he will be deciding soon after his Washington visit. We like where the Utes stand in this one.
10) Javelin Guidry - Three-star cornerback Javelin Guidry officially visited Utah this past weekend. He was a one-time commit to Houston under Tom Herman. Once Herman took the Texas gig, his staff offered Guidry a scholarship. The Longhorns look to be the favorite here (Guidry grew up in Texas) but Guidry is taking in Utah’s pitch and nows he can come in and immediately contribute for the Utes.
11) Cyrus Habibi-Likio - Cyrus has told Ute Nation for months now that it’ll come down to Utah and Oregon for his services, despite what his final lists may indicate. The key with Cyrus is that Oregon is recruiting him as a linebacker (they already have two committed running backs). Utah still likes him at running back, and Cyrus has been receptive to Troy Taylor’s offense and catching out of the backfield.
12) Dominic Williams - Williams is a four-star running back committed to Kansas. He goes to Independence HS in Frisco, Texas and is friends with Utah commits Jason Shelley and Jaylen Dixon. With Benjamin off the board, look for the Utes to make a strong push for Williams. He’s got great breakaway speed in open space and pass-catching ability. The connection to the Frisco commits and Utah’s track record with running backs is giving Williams a lot to think about as Signing Day nears.
13) Jhavonte Dean - Corrion Ballard’s teammate at Blinn College is all but certain to not stick with his commitment to Alabama. He’s visiting Miami next week, the school he grew up cheering for. After that visit, he’ll likely be deciding between Miami and Utah. Our sources are cautiously optimistic in this one.
14) Isaiah Dunn - A name we’re hearing more and more of is cornerback Isaiah Dunn from Antioch, California. The three-star prospect was offered early by Utah and wants to visit the Utes in the coming weeks. Dunn is a real possibility at corner and has a solid frame to grow into at 6-foot-1.
15) Levani Damuni - The four-star linebacker has Utah in his final three with Stanford and Virginia. He recently visited Stanford and plans on visiting the Utes on January 27th. However, it looks like the Cardinal made quite the impression on Damuni, and he’ll be announcing his commitment this weekend at the Polynesian Bowl in Hawai’i (prior to his visit to Utah). Sign and send.
16) Taniela Pututau - Brothers with Utes Hauati (DT) and Fua (DE), Taniela (TE/DE) may be the most athletic of the Pututau brothers. His senior season ended abruptly with a torn ACL. He’s embarking on a mission right out of graduation, so his injury shouldn’t affect any school he might play for. Oregon State has made a recent push, as has BYU, but Ute Nation projects Taniela to sign with Utah.
17) Alden Tofa - Recently visited Utah over the past weekend. He was all but a lock to BYU before his official visit, but was absolutely blown away by Utah and now has the Utes at least neck and neck with the Cougars, if not the outright leader. Tofa, who is cousins with Derek, recently told him he was initially leaning toward BYU because he felt like he had the quickest route to playing time post-mission. He’s a sign and send prospect and also has UCLA and Oregon in his final list, but it’ll come as a surprise if he leaves the state of Utah.
18) Miki Suguturaga - Cousins with starting defensive tackle Filipo Mokofisi. Suguturaga has a massive base at 6-foot-5 and looks more solid than his listed 250 pounds indicates. He’ll be visiting Utah on January 27th and is a sign and send. With Utah getting the last look and the family familiarity, they can be viewed as the team to beat.
19) Aliki Vimahi - The three-star defensive end went on record saying that USC was his dream offer. Our sources tell us that he’ll grow into a defensive tackle at the next level. He’s visiting Utah on the 27th and is a sign and send, but the Utes have their work cut out for them if they wish to land the Hawai’ian prospect.
20) Mo Unutoa - The offensive lineman recently visited BYU over the weekend. He’s a legacy BYU recruit that is raw but has massive potential. A mission is not a sure thing with him and he joins the growing list of Utah visitors on January 27th and according to our sources he is a Utah lean.
21) Cartrell Thomas - Thomas is a new wide receiver prospect out of Lancaster HS in Lancaster, Texas. He’s a Boise State commit, but the Utes are pushing for the three-star wide receiver. What stands out about Thomas is his ability to beat defenders one-on-one and toughness in traffic.
The Hot List--
1) Jay Tufele - The number one recruit in the state of Utah by a mile, and perhaps the best prospect since Haloti Ngata. He recently visited BYU, and upon his return from Provo, the entire Utah defensive staff—including Kyle Whittingham—paid him an in-home visit. Tufele is visiting the Utes on January 27th. The Utes are the team to beat in this one.
2) Bryan Thompson - The four-star wide receiver had a short-lived commitment to Boise State. He had always said that Utah was his favorite visit, but the thing that hindered the Utes was the school’s lack of a track team. It appears to be a two horse race against Nebraska, though Nebraska is still waiting word from some guys higher up on their list of prospects and their commitment from Tyjon Lindsey, is likely a big boost for the Utes.
3) Jordan Lolohea - The three-star defensive end from East HS will visit the Utes on January 27th. Tragedy struck the Lolohea household with the passing of Jordan’s father. Initial reaction to his loss was to stay home at Utah, but don’t count out Washington who is pushing hard for his services and Oregon is also pushing hard for him to steal him from his Utah visit. He’s a sign and send prospect.
4) Daniel Green - Four-star linebacker visited the Utes over the weekend with his mom, who has gotten more involved in his recruiting process following his decommitment from USC. Utah had some ground to make up on Oregon State (where his mom is pushing) this weekend. According to our sources, Utah is now the leader for Green.
5) Noah Elliss - The legacy Ute has been radio silent throughout the recruiting process, but sources close to Ute Nation have stayed firm in saying that Utah is near the top of schools in consideration for Elliss. He’s planning an official visit to Utah on January 27th and will make a decision soon after.
6) Reggie Roberson - The three-star prospect has become a top priority at wideout. It’s long been thought he was an Illinois lock, but the Utah offer gave him a little more to think about. He’s scheduling a visit to Utah in the coming weeks. Roberson has great playmaking ability and brings a fierce attitude to the field.
7) Kevaughn Dingle - Another priority wide receiver recruit that has an impressive offer sheet from the SEC, ACC, Big 12 and Pac-12. He has great body control, can catch in traffic and has a solid frame to work with at 6-foot-1, 185 pounds. He's a recent Miami decommit and will be visiting before signing day.
8) George Moore - With Bolles declaring for the draft, the Utes are looking for one more capable JuCo linemen. Enter, George Moore. It’s looking like Utah will be battling it out with Oregon State, Arizona State, and Oklahoma for his services. Before the avalanche of offers came in, it was believed that he would commit to the Utes, if offered.
9) Nick Ford - The 6-foot-6, 286 pound prospect might have his choice to play either offensive or defensive tackle if he were to commit to Utah. He officially visited over the past weekend and has told Ute Nation that it’ll take a lot for any school to sway him from the Utes. He also mentioned that he will be deciding soon after his Washington visit. We like where the Utes stand in this one.
10) Javelin Guidry - Three-star cornerback Javelin Guidry officially visited Utah this past weekend. He was a one-time commit to Houston under Tom Herman. Once Herman took the Texas gig, his staff offered Guidry a scholarship. The Longhorns look to be the favorite here (Guidry grew up in Texas) but Guidry is taking in Utah’s pitch and nows he can come in and immediately contribute for the Utes.
11) Cyrus Habibi-Likio - Cyrus has told Ute Nation for months now that it’ll come down to Utah and Oregon for his services, despite what his final lists may indicate. The key with Cyrus is that Oregon is recruiting him as a linebacker (they already have two committed running backs). Utah still likes him at running back, and Cyrus has been receptive to Troy Taylor’s offense and catching out of the backfield.
12) Dominic Williams - Williams is a four-star running back committed to Kansas. He goes to Independence HS in Frisco, Texas and is friends with Utah commits Jason Shelley and Jaylen Dixon. With Benjamin off the board, look for the Utes to make a strong push for Williams. He’s got great breakaway speed in open space and pass-catching ability. The connection to the Frisco commits and Utah’s track record with running backs is giving Williams a lot to think about as Signing Day nears.
13) Jhavonte Dean - Corrion Ballard’s teammate at Blinn College is all but certain to not stick with his commitment to Alabama. He’s visiting Miami next week, the school he grew up cheering for. After that visit, he’ll likely be deciding between Miami and Utah. Our sources are cautiously optimistic in this one.
14) Isaiah Dunn - A name we’re hearing more and more of is cornerback Isaiah Dunn from Antioch, California. The three-star prospect was offered early by Utah and wants to visit the Utes in the coming weeks. Dunn is a real possibility at corner and has a solid frame to grow into at 6-foot-1.
15) Levani Damuni - The four-star linebacker has Utah in his final three with Stanford and Virginia. He recently visited Stanford and plans on visiting the Utes on January 27th. However, it looks like the Cardinal made quite the impression on Damuni, and he’ll be announcing his commitment this weekend at the Polynesian Bowl in Hawai’i (prior to his visit to Utah). Sign and send.
16) Taniela Pututau - Brothers with Utes Hauati (DT) and Fua (DE), Taniela (TE/DE) may be the most athletic of the Pututau brothers. His senior season ended abruptly with a torn ACL. He’s embarking on a mission right out of graduation, so his injury shouldn’t affect any school he might play for. Oregon State has made a recent push, as has BYU, but Ute Nation projects Taniela to sign with Utah.
17) Alden Tofa - Recently visited Utah over the past weekend. He was all but a lock to BYU before his official visit, but was absolutely blown away by Utah and now has the Utes at least neck and neck with the Cougars, if not the outright leader. Tofa, who is cousins with Derek, recently told him he was initially leaning toward BYU because he felt like he had the quickest route to playing time post-mission. He’s a sign and send prospect and also has UCLA and Oregon in his final list, but it’ll come as a surprise if he leaves the state of Utah.
18) Miki Suguturaga - Cousins with starting defensive tackle Filipo Mokofisi. Suguturaga has a massive base at 6-foot-5 and looks more solid than his listed 250 pounds indicates. He’ll be visiting Utah on January 27th and is a sign and send. With Utah getting the last look and the family familiarity, they can be viewed as the team to beat.
19) Aliki Vimahi - The three-star defensive end went on record saying that USC was his dream offer. Our sources tell us that he’ll grow into a defensive tackle at the next level. He’s visiting Utah on the 27th and is a sign and send, but the Utes have their work cut out for them if they wish to land the Hawai’ian prospect.
20) Mo Unutoa - The offensive lineman recently visited BYU over the weekend. He’s a legacy BYU recruit that is raw but has massive potential. A mission is not a sure thing with him and he joins the growing list of Utah visitors on January 27th and according to our sources he is a Utah lean.
21) Cartrell Thomas - Thomas is a new wide receiver prospect out of Lancaster HS in Lancaster, Texas. He’s a Boise State commit, but the Utes are pushing for the three-star wide receiver. What stands out about Thomas is his ability to beat defenders one-on-one and toughness in traffic.
