War Room - January 11, 2015
THE RULES: The contents of this War Room are confidential. Our goal is to supplement our normal content with a forum that allows us to talk about unconfirmed rumors and insider reports. We think this new feature adds value to your subscription, but if the contents of this War Room are leaked on other message boards or websites it cheapens what you pay for. Please do not share this on other message boards or websites. Anybody found to be violating these rules will be blacklisted from this board.
War Room for January 11, 2015: It's been an eventful offseason for the Utes, and things are about to heat up with three active coaching searches and the dead period ending this week. Without further ado we present this week's War Room.
----------------------------------
Recruiting Position Needs:
Not counting returned missionaries and incoming transfers joining the program this spring, the Utes have 17 total commits for the class. The Utes are looking to bring another four to five more commits before signing day. Here is a breakdown of the current commits and needs for each position group:
Quarterback
Needs:[/B] None
Commits:[/B] Chase Hansen (RM)
Remaining Needs:[/B] Utah is not actively recruiting quarterbacks for the class. Chase Hansen will start classes this week and will enter spring football as a redshirt freshman.
Running Back
Commits:[/B] Marcel Brooks-Brown, Taylor Thomas
Targets:[/B] Patrick Brooks, Paul Lucas (ASU commit), Mystery Guy
Remaining Needs:[/B] Utah has two very good running backs already committed, but will need to fight to hang on to Taylor Thomas. There is one "Mystery" running back recruit that Utah is looking at that could be added to the list. He is a big time playmaker that is expected to visit in the next couple of weeks. If he does, we'll talk more about him once he's visited.
Offensive Line
Commits:[/B] Vaha Vaenuku (RM), Nick Carman, Jake Grant
Targets:[/B] Darren Paulo, Johnny Capra (Cal commit), Keven Dixon
Remaining Needs:[/B] The Utes have already filled their minimum allotment in terms of need, but are still actively looking for offensive tackles. Look for Utah to take one to two more tackles in this class.
Wide Receiver
Commits:[/B] Chris Barr, Justice Murphy, George Wilson
Targets:[/B] Deniko Carter, Equanimeous St. Brown, Lavan Alston, Britain Covey, Dominique Reed, Keon Stevens
Remaining Needs:[/B] This position is probably the most in flux, with two commits (Barr and Wilson) being actively pursued by other programs. Look for the Utes to take at least two more receivers in this class, with one JUCO transfer (Carter is VERY close to committing) and another high schooler. We wouldn't be surprised to see at least one, or possibly two receivers on the commit list decommit before signing day, but that's not a sure thing. Utah is very actively recruiting the position right now.
Tight End
Commits:[/B] None
Targets:[/B] Noah Togiai
Remaining Needs:[/B] Utah isn't actively recruiting any tight ends this class. There's a small possibility they may try to take Noah Togiai if he decides not to play basketball, but that isn't looking likely right now.
Defensive End
Commits:[/B] Caleb Repp
Targets:[/B] Simi Moala, Chris Hart, Gabe Reid (Sign and Send), Lukas Hendricks, Ben Humphreys (Duke commit)
Remaining Needs: Utah is looking to take one or two more defensive end prospects for this class. Repp is a nice athletic DE prospect that played WR in high school. Moala is a VERY strong Utah lean. Chris Hart will be a prospect to watch.
Defensive Tackle
Commits:[/B] None
Targets:[/B] None
Remaining Needs:[/B] Utah is loaded at DT, and won't take any more players this class. JUCO transfer Pasoni Tasini is unlikely to qualify, and if he does is most likely to play at Oregon State next fall.
Linebacker
Commits:[/B] Cody Barton, Jake Jackson (RM), Sunia Tauteoli (Transfer)
Targets:[/B] Osa Masina, Porter Gustin, Jay Jay Wilson
Remaining Needs:[/B] The Utes are off to a good start at LB, with freshmen Barton and Jackson entering the program, and Tauteoli coming in as a three to play three. Utah is still actively recruiting in-state prospects Osa Masina and Porter Gustin, but they're probably an extreme long shot for both. Jay Jay Wilson is one of the top recruits remaining on Utah's board and could play a number of positions.
Cornerback
Commits:[/B] Corey Butler, Kyle Fulks, Ahmad Christian (Transfer), Tyrone Smith (Grayshirt)
Targets:[/B] Jaylinn Hawkins, Nate Dalton
Remaining Needs:[/B] Utah will have another influx of corners this class, but would like to take another high school corner if possible. Hawkins and Dalton are the two best players remaining on the board.
Safety
Commits:[/B] Phillip Afia, Michael Jacques, Austin Lee (RM)
Targets:[/B] Tyson Cisrow
Remaining Needs:[/B] Utah is mostly done at safety for this class. There's a chance they take Tyson Cisrow if the two insist on being a package deal, but it's not a sure thing.
Sign and Sends:[/B]
Chad Hekking (DE)
T.J. Kautai (LB)
Quinn Fabrizio (LB)
Chaden Johnston (K)
----------------------------------
Recruiting Big Board: UteZone Top 10
1 - Jaylinn Hawkins
Athlete - Buena Park High School (Buena Park, CA)
Four Stars
2 - Equanimeous St. Brown
Wide Receiver - Servite High School (Anaheim, CA)
Four Stars
3 - Jay Jay Wilson
Linebacker/Defensive End - Valencia High School (Valencia, CA)
Four Stars
4 - Darren Paulo
Offensive Line - Grant High School (Sacramento, CA)
Three Stars
5 - Chris Hart
Linebacker/Defensive End - St. Thomas Aquinas High School (Ft. Lauderdale, FL)
Three Stars
7 - James Empey
Offensive Line - American Fork High School (American Fork, UT)
Three Stars
8 - Simi Moala
Defensive End - Cathedral High School (Los Angeles, CA)
Two Stars
9 - Britain Covey
Wide Receiver - Timpview High School (Orem, UT)
Two Stars
10 - Christian Folau
Linebacker - East High School (Salt Lake City, UT)
Three Stars
----------------------------------
Visitors for Next Weekend (January 16):
Utah is expected to host at least six official visitors during the weekend of January 16. Here's the early list of who we expect to be on campus next weekend when the dead period lifts:
Deniko Carter - WR
Darren Paulo - OL
Johnny Capra - OL
James Empey - OL
George Wilson - WR
Justice Murphy - WR
This list is subject to change, and there could be a few surprise additions before the weekend hits. It looks like Taylor Thomas, Chris Barr and the remaining commits will likely visit the weekend of the 24th.
----------------------------------
Coaching Search:
Here are a few notes on the ongoing coaching search on The Hill:
- We're hearing that Utah is close to announcing at least some of its coaching appointments. A source close to the program told us that Coach Whittingham interviewed a number of candidates during the past week. We confirmed that John Baxter spent a significant amount of time in the Utah facility on Wednesday and was close to accepting an offer to be Utah's new special teams coordinator/TE coach.
- A source we talked to early this week made us believe that most of the interview process would be done over the course of the past week. The AFCA convention is this weekend, and we expect at least some of the remaining staff announcements go public this week once the fallout from the meetings at the convention is done.
- Based on conversations we've had with people with knowledge of the selection process, we still believe that at least one, and possibly both coordinator positions could be filled by internal candidates.
- We've been told by a source that there is a team meeting tomorrow as players return to classes, and it wouldn't be surprising to see any internal promotions announced at that time. (That said, the players are also kicking off the offseason conditioning program, so it's not strange that there will be a team meeting).
- We expect at least two Polynesian coaches to be hired on the staff. Lewis Powell, Tosh Lupoi, Justin Ena, Kurt Gouveia and Steve Fifita remain the most likely candidates.
----------------------------------
Miscellaneous:
- Cornerback transfer Ahmad Christian arrived in Salt Lake City late last week and is enrolled to begin classes. There was some concern that he wouldn't stick with Utah after Kalani Sitake left, but Christian is onboard and excited to make a push to make the NFL with a final season at Utah.
- We're told returned missionary Vaha Vaenuku received offers from Oklahoma State and Oregon State when he returned home from his mission, and both schools made strong pushes to land him. However, he wanted to continue his college career at Utah and rebuffed his new offers.
- Returned missionaries Jake Jackson, Austin Lee, Vaha Vaenuku and Chase Hansen, and transfers Ahmad Christian, and Sunia Tauteoli, and grayshirt Tyrone Smith are expected to be the new scholarship players that join the football program for spring football.
- We mentioned the potential addition of grayshirt cornerback Tyrone Smith to the roster in the position needs breakdown above. Smith is a big defensive back prospect from Edison High School in Fresno. He's listed at 6'4" 180, and will likely start out as a big corner like Sean Smith. He still has one more item to get cleared up with his academics before he joins the team, but if that gets taken care of in the next couple of weeks, he'll participate in spring football.
- Several sources have confirmed to us that running back Devontae Booker is planning on returning for his senior season. He has until the January 15 filing deadline to finalize his decision.
----------------------------------
Please ask any questions you have in the thread below.
This post was edited on 1/11 7:32 PM by D. Sorensen
This post was edited on 1/11 7:34 PM by D. Sorensen
This post was edited on 1/11 7:37 PM by D. Sorensen
THE RULES: The contents of this War Room are confidential. Our goal is to supplement our normal content with a forum that allows us to talk about unconfirmed rumors and insider reports. We think this new feature adds value to your subscription, but if the contents of this War Room are leaked on other message boards or websites it cheapens what you pay for. Please do not share this on other message boards or websites. Anybody found to be violating these rules will be blacklisted from this board.
War Room for January 11, 2015: It's been an eventful offseason for the Utes, and things are about to heat up with three active coaching searches and the dead period ending this week. Without further ado we present this week's War Room.
----------------------------------
Recruiting Position Needs:
Not counting returned missionaries and incoming transfers joining the program this spring, the Utes have 17 total commits for the class. The Utes are looking to bring another four to five more commits before signing day. Here is a breakdown of the current commits and needs for each position group:
Quarterback
Needs:[/B] None
Commits:[/B] Chase Hansen (RM)
Remaining Needs:[/B] Utah is not actively recruiting quarterbacks for the class. Chase Hansen will start classes this week and will enter spring football as a redshirt freshman.
Running Back
Commits:[/B] Marcel Brooks-Brown, Taylor Thomas
Targets:[/B] Patrick Brooks, Paul Lucas (ASU commit), Mystery Guy
Remaining Needs:[/B] Utah has two very good running backs already committed, but will need to fight to hang on to Taylor Thomas. There is one "Mystery" running back recruit that Utah is looking at that could be added to the list. He is a big time playmaker that is expected to visit in the next couple of weeks. If he does, we'll talk more about him once he's visited.
Offensive Line
Commits:[/B] Vaha Vaenuku (RM), Nick Carman, Jake Grant
Targets:[/B] Darren Paulo, Johnny Capra (Cal commit), Keven Dixon
Remaining Needs:[/B] The Utes have already filled their minimum allotment in terms of need, but are still actively looking for offensive tackles. Look for Utah to take one to two more tackles in this class.
Wide Receiver
Commits:[/B] Chris Barr, Justice Murphy, George Wilson
Targets:[/B] Deniko Carter, Equanimeous St. Brown, Lavan Alston, Britain Covey, Dominique Reed, Keon Stevens
Remaining Needs:[/B] This position is probably the most in flux, with two commits (Barr and Wilson) being actively pursued by other programs. Look for the Utes to take at least two more receivers in this class, with one JUCO transfer (Carter is VERY close to committing) and another high schooler. We wouldn't be surprised to see at least one, or possibly two receivers on the commit list decommit before signing day, but that's not a sure thing. Utah is very actively recruiting the position right now.
Tight End
Commits:[/B] None
Targets:[/B] Noah Togiai
Remaining Needs:[/B] Utah isn't actively recruiting any tight ends this class. There's a small possibility they may try to take Noah Togiai if he decides not to play basketball, but that isn't looking likely right now.
Defensive End
Commits:[/B] Caleb Repp
Targets:[/B] Simi Moala, Chris Hart, Gabe Reid (Sign and Send), Lukas Hendricks, Ben Humphreys (Duke commit)
Remaining Needs: Utah is looking to take one or two more defensive end prospects for this class. Repp is a nice athletic DE prospect that played WR in high school. Moala is a VERY strong Utah lean. Chris Hart will be a prospect to watch.
Defensive Tackle
Commits:[/B] None
Targets:[/B] None
Remaining Needs:[/B] Utah is loaded at DT, and won't take any more players this class. JUCO transfer Pasoni Tasini is unlikely to qualify, and if he does is most likely to play at Oregon State next fall.
Linebacker
Commits:[/B] Cody Barton, Jake Jackson (RM), Sunia Tauteoli (Transfer)
Targets:[/B] Osa Masina, Porter Gustin, Jay Jay Wilson
Remaining Needs:[/B] The Utes are off to a good start at LB, with freshmen Barton and Jackson entering the program, and Tauteoli coming in as a three to play three. Utah is still actively recruiting in-state prospects Osa Masina and Porter Gustin, but they're probably an extreme long shot for both. Jay Jay Wilson is one of the top recruits remaining on Utah's board and could play a number of positions.
Cornerback
Commits:[/B] Corey Butler, Kyle Fulks, Ahmad Christian (Transfer), Tyrone Smith (Grayshirt)
Targets:[/B] Jaylinn Hawkins, Nate Dalton
Remaining Needs:[/B] Utah will have another influx of corners this class, but would like to take another high school corner if possible. Hawkins and Dalton are the two best players remaining on the board.
Safety
Commits:[/B] Phillip Afia, Michael Jacques, Austin Lee (RM)
Targets:[/B] Tyson Cisrow
Remaining Needs:[/B] Utah is mostly done at safety for this class. There's a chance they take Tyson Cisrow if the two insist on being a package deal, but it's not a sure thing.
Sign and Sends:[/B]
Chad Hekking (DE)
T.J. Kautai (LB)
Quinn Fabrizio (LB)
Chaden Johnston (K)
----------------------------------
Recruiting Big Board: UteZone Top 10
1 - Jaylinn Hawkins
Athlete - Buena Park High School (Buena Park, CA)
Four Stars
2 - Equanimeous St. Brown
Wide Receiver - Servite High School (Anaheim, CA)
Four Stars
3 - Jay Jay Wilson
Linebacker/Defensive End - Valencia High School (Valencia, CA)
Four Stars
4 - Darren Paulo
Offensive Line - Grant High School (Sacramento, CA)
Three Stars
5 - Chris Hart
Linebacker/Defensive End - St. Thomas Aquinas High School (Ft. Lauderdale, FL)
Three Stars
7 - James Empey
Offensive Line - American Fork High School (American Fork, UT)
Three Stars
8 - Simi Moala
Defensive End - Cathedral High School (Los Angeles, CA)
Two Stars
9 - Britain Covey
Wide Receiver - Timpview High School (Orem, UT)
Two Stars
10 - Christian Folau
Linebacker - East High School (Salt Lake City, UT)
Three Stars
----------------------------------
Visitors for Next Weekend (January 16):
Utah is expected to host at least six official visitors during the weekend of January 16. Here's the early list of who we expect to be on campus next weekend when the dead period lifts:
Deniko Carter - WR
Darren Paulo - OL
Johnny Capra - OL
James Empey - OL
George Wilson - WR
Justice Murphy - WR
This list is subject to change, and there could be a few surprise additions before the weekend hits. It looks like Taylor Thomas, Chris Barr and the remaining commits will likely visit the weekend of the 24th.
----------------------------------
Coaching Search:
Here are a few notes on the ongoing coaching search on The Hill:
- We're hearing that Utah is close to announcing at least some of its coaching appointments. A source close to the program told us that Coach Whittingham interviewed a number of candidates during the past week. We confirmed that John Baxter spent a significant amount of time in the Utah facility on Wednesday and was close to accepting an offer to be Utah's new special teams coordinator/TE coach.
- A source we talked to early this week made us believe that most of the interview process would be done over the course of the past week. The AFCA convention is this weekend, and we expect at least some of the remaining staff announcements go public this week once the fallout from the meetings at the convention is done.
- Based on conversations we've had with people with knowledge of the selection process, we still believe that at least one, and possibly both coordinator positions could be filled by internal candidates.
- We've been told by a source that there is a team meeting tomorrow as players return to classes, and it wouldn't be surprising to see any internal promotions announced at that time. (That said, the players are also kicking off the offseason conditioning program, so it's not strange that there will be a team meeting).
- We expect at least two Polynesian coaches to be hired on the staff. Lewis Powell, Tosh Lupoi, Justin Ena, Kurt Gouveia and Steve Fifita remain the most likely candidates.
----------------------------------
Miscellaneous:
- Cornerback transfer Ahmad Christian arrived in Salt Lake City late last week and is enrolled to begin classes. There was some concern that he wouldn't stick with Utah after Kalani Sitake left, but Christian is onboard and excited to make a push to make the NFL with a final season at Utah.
- We're told returned missionary Vaha Vaenuku received offers from Oklahoma State and Oregon State when he returned home from his mission, and both schools made strong pushes to land him. However, he wanted to continue his college career at Utah and rebuffed his new offers.
- Returned missionaries Jake Jackson, Austin Lee, Vaha Vaenuku and Chase Hansen, and transfers Ahmad Christian, and Sunia Tauteoli, and grayshirt Tyrone Smith are expected to be the new scholarship players that join the football program for spring football.
- We mentioned the potential addition of grayshirt cornerback Tyrone Smith to the roster in the position needs breakdown above. Smith is a big defensive back prospect from Edison High School in Fresno. He's listed at 6'4" 180, and will likely start out as a big corner like Sean Smith. He still has one more item to get cleared up with his academics before he joins the team, but if that gets taken care of in the next couple of weeks, he'll participate in spring football.
- Several sources have confirmed to us that running back Devontae Booker is planning on returning for his senior season. He has until the January 15 filing deadline to finalize his decision.
----------------------------------
Please ask any questions you have in the thread below.
This post was edited on 1/11 7:32 PM by D. Sorensen
This post was edited on 1/11 7:34 PM by D. Sorensen
This post was edited on 1/11 7:37 PM by D. Sorensen
