It’s been a busy month so far for the Utes on the recruiting front. Their hot start has made Utah football the talk of college football, and has attracted attention from a large number of high profile recruits. Today, UteZone takes a look at our latest big board, which has been expanded to 15 players despite the fact that Utah is quickly running out of spots.
Here’s a look at this week’s big board:
1 - Garrett Bolles
Offensive Line
Snow College (Ephraim, Utah)
6-foot-6 inches, 305 pounds
Four Stars
Considering: Utah, Arizona State, Auburn, Arkansas, Oregon, Ole Miss, BYU
Recruiting Coach: Morgan Scalley, Jim Harding
Notes: Utah is pursuing Bolles hard, and he's listening. He's taken multiple unofficial visits, and is seriously considering staying close to home.
2 - Markell Simmons
Safety
Pima Community College (Tucson, Arizona)
6-foot-1 inches, 200 pounds
Three Stars
Considering: Utah, Oregon State, Colorado State, Washington State
Recruiting Coach: Morgan Scalley
Notes: Simmons is sitting out the year getting his academics in order. Utah is very much in the driver's seat, but Oregon State is making a push.
3 - Melquise Stovall
Wide Receiver/Running Back
Paraclete High School (Lancaster, Calif.)
5-foot-8 inches, 180 pounds
Four Stars
Considering: Utah, Notre Dame, Arizona, Boise State, USC, UCLA
Recruiting Coach: Taylor Stubblefield
Notes: Speedy former USC commit is good friends with Ute commit Davir Hamilton. Could be an immediate difference maker replacing Brittain Covey.
4 - Terrell Burgess
Cornerback
San Marcos (Calif.) High School
6-foot, 180 pounds
Three Stars
Considering: Utah, Arizona, Wisconsin, Oregon State, Colorado State
Recruiting Coach: Sharrieff Shah
Notes: Highly skilled corner visited Utah unofficially in the summer. Will take official visits before his decision. Utes are high on his list.
5 - Isaac Garcia
Defensive End
Bellevue (Washington) High School
6-foot-4 inches, 225 pounds
Three Stars
Considering: Utah, Oregon State, Arizona State, Cal, Washington, USC
Recruiting Coach: John Pease
Notes: Garcia visited SLC last week, and Utah impressed. Utes are his current leader, but Oregon State and Arizona State will get shots as well. Garcia is a former USC commit.
6 - Keaton Bills
Defensive Line
Corner Canyon High School (Draper, Utah)
6-foot-5 inches, 250 pounds
Three Stars
Considering: Utah, BYU, Wisconsin, Oregon State, Arizona State, Vanderbilty, Washington State
Recruiting Coach: Morgan Scalley
Notes: Highly skilled defensive lineman is strongly considering Utah.
*Possible Sign and Send
7 - Johnny Maea
Offensive Line
East High School (Salt Lake City, Utah)
6-foot-4 inches, 298 pounds
Three Stars
Considering: Utah, BYU, Oregon State, Washington State
Recruiting Coach: Morgan Scalley
Notes: Semper Fi All American is best offensive lineman in Utah this year. Utah is among his leaders.
*Possible Sign and Send
8 - Alex Akingbulu
Offensive Tackle
Narbonne High School (Harbor City, Calif.)
6-foot-6 inches, 260 lbs
Four Stars
Considering: Utah, Michigan, UCLA, Cal, Tennessee
Recruiting Coach: Jim Harding
Notes: Skilled offensive line prospect visited Utah unofficially during the summer. Loves Utah's family atmosphere. Will decide after official visits.
9 - Hussein Howe
Running Back
University Christian School (Jacksonville, FL)
5-foot-10 inches, 180 pounds
Three Stars
Considering: Utah, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Mississippi State, Colorado
Recruiting Coach: Dennis Erickson
Notes: Explosive running back is visiting Utah this weekend.
10 - Lamar Jackson
Cornerback
Franklin High School (Elk Grove, CA)
6-foot-2 inches, 205 pounds
Four Stars
Considering: Utah, Arizona, Arizona State, Michigan, Washington, USC, UCLA
Recruiting Coach: Jim Harding, Sharrieff Shah
Notes: One of the best CB prospects in America. Took official to SLC last weekend and was impressed by Utah's gameday atmosphere.
11 - Wayne Kirby
Defensive Tackle
Highland High School (Pocatello, ID)
6-foot-3 inches, 300 pounds
Three Stars
Considering: Utah, Washington State, BYU
Recruiting Coach: John Pease
Notes: Recent BYU decommitment received a Utah offer last week. Was an unofficial visitor in SLC for the Cal game. Utah considered a favorite at this point.
*Possible Sign and Send
12 - Fua Pututau
Defensive Line
Cottonwood High School (Salt Lake City, Utah)
6-foot-3 inches, 230 lbs
Three Stars
Considering: Utah, Colorado, Oregon State, Washington, BYU, Washington State
Recruiting Coach: Morgan Scalley
Notes: Brother of Ute signee and current missionary Howard. Utes among his favorites.
*Possible Sign and Send
13 - Corey Hightower
Cornerback
Huntsville (Texas) High School
6-foot, 175 pounds
Two Stars
Considering: Utah, UCF, SMU
Recruiting Coach: Morgan Scalley
Notes: Interception machine. Looks terrific on film. Was an early offer. Teammate of current Ute commit Jay Griffin.
14 - Daevon Vigilant
Athlete
Downey (Calif.) High School
5-foot-7 inches, 180 pounds
Three Stars
Considering: Utah, Washington State, Colorado, Michigan, San Diego State
Recruiting Coach: Sharrieff Shah
Notes: Has visited SLC unofficially. Nearly committed to Utah during the summer. Is close friends with Davir Hamilton.
15 - Maxs Tupai
Defensive End
Murray (Utah) High School
6-foot-1 inches, 250 pounds
Four Stars
Considering: USC, Utah, UCLA, Washington, Arizona
Recruiting Coach: Morgan Scalley, Justin Ena
Notes: Top rated player in Utah. Reportedly leaning toward out of state schools, but Utes are making inroads.
Missed the Cut: Armunz Matthews, Adewale Omatosho, Jackson Kaufusi, Travis Sailo, Zack Moss, Derrick Willies, Tyree Horton, Loa Kaufusi, Jacob Capra, Hirkley Latu, Calvin Jackson, Eric Briscoe, Jr., Lyric Bartley, Deon Hall, AJ Hotchkins
Remaining Needs:
Defensive End/Linebacker
Cornerback
Offensive Tackle
Wide Receiver
Running Back
Current Commitments:
QB - Tyler Huntley
QB/DE - Kahi Neves
RB - Thomas McDonald
RB - Devontae Henry-Cole
WR - Jay Griffin
WR - Demari Simpkins
WR - Alec Dana
OL - Tucker Scott
OL - Scott Peck
DE - Leka Fotu
DT - Handsome Tanielu
DT - Lorenzo Neal
LB - Kurtis Taufa
LB/WR - Davir Hamilton
CB - Julian Blackmon
CB - Ohaji Hawkins
P - Mitch Wishnowski
Sign and Send Commits:
WR - RJ Hubert (S/S)
TE - Cole Fotheringham (S/S)
DE - Semisi Lauaki (S/S)
LB - Alema Pilimai (S/S)
Returning Missionaries:
LB/DE - Howard Pututau
DT - Pita Tonga
Here’s a look at this week’s big board:
1 - Garrett Bolles
Offensive Line
Snow College (Ephraim, Utah)
6-foot-6 inches, 305 pounds
Four Stars
Considering: Utah, Arizona State, Auburn, Arkansas, Oregon, Ole Miss, BYU
Recruiting Coach: Morgan Scalley, Jim Harding
Notes: Utah is pursuing Bolles hard, and he's listening. He's taken multiple unofficial visits, and is seriously considering staying close to home.
2 - Markell Simmons
Safety
Pima Community College (Tucson, Arizona)
6-foot-1 inches, 200 pounds
Three Stars
Considering: Utah, Oregon State, Colorado State, Washington State
Recruiting Coach: Morgan Scalley
Notes: Simmons is sitting out the year getting his academics in order. Utah is very much in the driver's seat, but Oregon State is making a push.
3 - Melquise Stovall
Wide Receiver/Running Back
Paraclete High School (Lancaster, Calif.)
5-foot-8 inches, 180 pounds
Four Stars
Considering: Utah, Notre Dame, Arizona, Boise State, USC, UCLA
Recruiting Coach: Taylor Stubblefield
Notes: Speedy former USC commit is good friends with Ute commit Davir Hamilton. Could be an immediate difference maker replacing Brittain Covey.
4 - Terrell Burgess
Cornerback
San Marcos (Calif.) High School
6-foot, 180 pounds
Three Stars
Considering: Utah, Arizona, Wisconsin, Oregon State, Colorado State
Recruiting Coach: Sharrieff Shah
Notes: Highly skilled corner visited Utah unofficially in the summer. Will take official visits before his decision. Utes are high on his list.
5 - Isaac Garcia
Defensive End
Bellevue (Washington) High School
6-foot-4 inches, 225 pounds
Three Stars
Considering: Utah, Oregon State, Arizona State, Cal, Washington, USC
Recruiting Coach: John Pease
Notes: Garcia visited SLC last week, and Utah impressed. Utes are his current leader, but Oregon State and Arizona State will get shots as well. Garcia is a former USC commit.
6 - Keaton Bills
Defensive Line
Corner Canyon High School (Draper, Utah)
6-foot-5 inches, 250 pounds
Three Stars
Considering: Utah, BYU, Wisconsin, Oregon State, Arizona State, Vanderbilty, Washington State
Recruiting Coach: Morgan Scalley
Notes: Highly skilled defensive lineman is strongly considering Utah.
*Possible Sign and Send
7 - Johnny Maea
Offensive Line
East High School (Salt Lake City, Utah)
6-foot-4 inches, 298 pounds
Three Stars
Considering: Utah, BYU, Oregon State, Washington State
Recruiting Coach: Morgan Scalley
Notes: Semper Fi All American is best offensive lineman in Utah this year. Utah is among his leaders.
*Possible Sign and Send
8 - Alex Akingbulu
Offensive Tackle
Narbonne High School (Harbor City, Calif.)
6-foot-6 inches, 260 lbs
Four Stars
Considering: Utah, Michigan, UCLA, Cal, Tennessee
Recruiting Coach: Jim Harding
Notes: Skilled offensive line prospect visited Utah unofficially during the summer. Loves Utah's family atmosphere. Will decide after official visits.
9 - Hussein Howe
Running Back
University Christian School (Jacksonville, FL)
5-foot-10 inches, 180 pounds
Three Stars
Considering: Utah, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Mississippi State, Colorado
Recruiting Coach: Dennis Erickson
Notes: Explosive running back is visiting Utah this weekend.
10 - Lamar Jackson
Cornerback
Franklin High School (Elk Grove, CA)
6-foot-2 inches, 205 pounds
Four Stars
Considering: Utah, Arizona, Arizona State, Michigan, Washington, USC, UCLA
Recruiting Coach: Jim Harding, Sharrieff Shah
Notes: One of the best CB prospects in America. Took official to SLC last weekend and was impressed by Utah's gameday atmosphere.
11 - Wayne Kirby
Defensive Tackle
Highland High School (Pocatello, ID)
6-foot-3 inches, 300 pounds
Three Stars
Considering: Utah, Washington State, BYU
Recruiting Coach: John Pease
Notes: Recent BYU decommitment received a Utah offer last week. Was an unofficial visitor in SLC for the Cal game. Utah considered a favorite at this point.
*Possible Sign and Send
12 - Fua Pututau
Defensive Line
Cottonwood High School (Salt Lake City, Utah)
6-foot-3 inches, 230 lbs
Three Stars
Considering: Utah, Colorado, Oregon State, Washington, BYU, Washington State
Recruiting Coach: Morgan Scalley
Notes: Brother of Ute signee and current missionary Howard. Utes among his favorites.
*Possible Sign and Send
13 - Corey Hightower
Cornerback
Huntsville (Texas) High School
6-foot, 175 pounds
Two Stars
Considering: Utah, UCF, SMU
Recruiting Coach: Morgan Scalley
Notes: Interception machine. Looks terrific on film. Was an early offer. Teammate of current Ute commit Jay Griffin.
14 - Daevon Vigilant
Athlete
Downey (Calif.) High School
5-foot-7 inches, 180 pounds
Three Stars
Considering: Utah, Washington State, Colorado, Michigan, San Diego State
Recruiting Coach: Sharrieff Shah
Notes: Has visited SLC unofficially. Nearly committed to Utah during the summer. Is close friends with Davir Hamilton.
15 - Maxs Tupai
Defensive End
Murray (Utah) High School
6-foot-1 inches, 250 pounds
Four Stars
Considering: USC, Utah, UCLA, Washington, Arizona
Recruiting Coach: Morgan Scalley, Justin Ena
Notes: Top rated player in Utah. Reportedly leaning toward out of state schools, but Utes are making inroads.
Missed the Cut: Armunz Matthews, Adewale Omatosho, Jackson Kaufusi, Travis Sailo, Zack Moss, Derrick Willies, Tyree Horton, Loa Kaufusi, Jacob Capra, Hirkley Latu, Calvin Jackson, Eric Briscoe, Jr., Lyric Bartley, Deon Hall, AJ Hotchkins
Remaining Needs:
Defensive End/Linebacker
Cornerback
Offensive Tackle
Wide Receiver
Running Back
Current Commitments:
QB - Tyler Huntley
QB/DE - Kahi Neves
RB - Thomas McDonald
RB - Devontae Henry-Cole
WR - Jay Griffin
WR - Demari Simpkins
WR - Alec Dana
OL - Tucker Scott
OL - Scott Peck
DE - Leka Fotu
DT - Handsome Tanielu
DT - Lorenzo Neal
LB - Kurtis Taufa
LB/WR - Davir Hamilton
CB - Julian Blackmon
CB - Ohaji Hawkins
P - Mitch Wishnowski
Sign and Send Commits:
WR - RJ Hubert (S/S)
TE - Cole Fotheringham (S/S)
DE - Semisi Lauaki (S/S)
LB - Alema Pilimai (S/S)
Returning Missionaries:
LB/DE - Howard Pututau
DT - Pita Tonga
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