This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Technically, the Utah Utes don't become a member of the Pac-10 until July 1, but the competition between Utah and its future conference opponents is already raging.

With football signing day just a few days away, the Utes are battling several future foes for some of the top recruits in the West.

High on the Utes' want list going into the final days are Michael Eubank, a quarterback out of Corona, Calif., who has committed to Arizona State but is still considering the Utes; receiver Devin Lucien, of Encino, Calif., who is considering Miami and UCLA along with the Utes; and tight end Junior Pomee of Moreno Valley, Calif.

Pomee is a priority not only because of his talent, but also because he and current Utah commit Ryan Henderson want to play together in college — just as they did at the high school level.

USC is Utah's biggest competition for the duo.

The decisions of those players will go a long way in determining just how good the Utes did going up against the established teams in the Pac-10. Although, as always, Utah coach Kyle Whittingham cautions he never judges a class until after the players get a chance to prove themselves on the field, he was optimistic Friday about the commitments the Utes have and the school's chances of landing some of the prospects high on the recruiting board.

"We still have several guys out there who are undecided, but so far, with the bulk of our class, we have filled many of our needs," said Whittingham, who can't talk about specific recruits due to NCAA regulations.

The Utes can go into signing day with the comfort of knowing their biggest need has been filled. They have already signed two running backs in junior-college transfer John White and Bingham star Harvey Langi. Langi has enrolled, while White is expected to be enrolled in time to participate in spring ball, helping the Utes get a jump-start in the task of replacing senior backs Matt Asiata and Eddie Wide. The Utes expect to sign another back, too, in Jarrell Oliver, of Sugar Land, Texas.

"Running back was our biggest need, and we feel like we addressed that," Whittingham said. "After that, we just needed good players across the board. It is a matter of taking the best players available and finding homes for them."

Whittingham said the Utes increased their efforts to recruit the Pac-10 strongholds of Texas and California. Bringing former UCLA offensive coordinator Norm Chow onto the staff "had an immediate impact" in those efforts, Whittingham said.

"We had players from California contacting us who were interested in exploring their options," he said.

Chow has visited many of the California recruits on Utah's want list, helping the Utes make some inroads, Whittingham says.

"It's what we expected, a very competitive situation," Whittingham said of recruiting against the Pac-10. "It's full of good schools, and it's a competitive environment. In the past, when we would go up against one or two of the Pac-10 schools for a recruit, now it's half the Pac-10."

The Utes have lost their share, with quarterback Derrick Brown switching his commitment from the Utes to Washington; California receivers Quinton Pedroza (Arizona State) and Larry Scott (Oregon State) sticking with their commitments; and Arizona lineman Mo Latu (Arizona State) staying close to home.

However, if the Utes can snag some on their want list, Whittingham will call Utah's first foray into Pac-10 competition a success. —

Utah 2011 football commitments

Player Pos. Hometown School Ht/Wt

Siaosi Aiono OL West Covina, Calif. South Hills H.S. 6-3/290

Stock rose after he performed very well at summer camps.

Isaac Asiata OL Spanish Fork Spanish Fork H.S. 6-4/295

The Asiata name has served the Utes well; he's already enr.olled.

Tevita Bloomfield LB/H-back West Valley City Hunter H.S. 6-1/230

Could play both ways; very physical player.

Joseph Bryant S Bryan, Texas Bryan H.S. 6-3/205

Has height, range and skills to be converted to LB.

Nate Fakahafua WR Salt Lake City Highland H.S. 6-4/195

Skill player has the height the Utes love to recruit.

Viliseni Fauonuku DT West Jordan Bingham H.S. 6-0/290

Another standout player on Bingham's defense.

Charles Henderson WR New Orleans McDonogh 35 H.S. 5-10/175

Playmaker runs a 4.4 in the 40.

Ryan Henderson CB Moreno Valley, Calif. Rancho Verde H.S. 5-10/170

Known for his great quickness and leaping ability.

Daniel Kristensen OL Salt Lake City Cottonwood H.S. 6-5/253

From a family of longtime Utah fans.

Harvey Langi RB South Jordan Bingham H.S. 6-1/215

Highly touted back has enrolled, taking classes.

Keith McGill S Norwalk, Calif. Cerritos C.C. 6-4/210

Talented player has a reputation of being a ball hog — in a good way.

Daniel Nielson OL Hurricane Hurricane H.S. 6-6/280

Was state Class 3A heavyweight wrestling champ.

Jared Norris LB Bakersfield, Calif. Centennial H.S. 6-2/228

Reputation of Utah assistant John Pease was a big selling point for family.

Jarrell Oliver RB Sugar Land, Texas Dulles H.S. 5-9/195

Explosive runner with good vision; also has good hands.

Jordan Robles DL Salem Salem Hills H.S. 6-5/225

Brother Griff already playing for Utes.

Eric Rowe S Klein, Texas Klein H.S. 6-1/175

Draws comparisons to former Utah standout Robert Johnson.

Travis Still WR Spanish Fork Spanish Fork H.S. 6-1/180

Potential of Utes' offense a deciding factor.

John White RB Wilmington, Calif. Harbor C.C. 5-9/190

Already signed and expected to be with team in spring.

Nila Kasitati TE Euless, Texas Trinity H.S. 6-4/250

Committed to Baylor, but Utes still in the picture.