This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated.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.
Harvey Langi is going to be a Ute.
The Bingham High School senior and star running back verbally committed to Utah on Saturday on national television, picking the hometown school over his other finalist, the University of Southern California.
"Well, sir, I've got to stay home," Langi told NBC's Lewis Johnson, before flashing the "U" hand sign.
The 6-foot-1 back, who was The Tribune's 2010 Class 5A MVP, made his selection during the first quarter of the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.
The East won 13-10 and Langi played sparingly for the West squad; he rushed once for a loss of 2 yards and in the first half was overthrown on a fade route in the end zone.
American Fork offensive tackle Ryker Mathews started for the West and recovered a fourth-quarter fumble, but the line allowed 12 sacks, which essentially took the West out of the game.
While Mathews was generally rated Utah's best college prospect, his August commitment to Brigham Young made Langi's recruitment far more dramatic.
For Bingham last season, Langi rushed for 1,399 yards and 17 touchdowns, despite usually sitting out the fourth quarter. Bingham finished 13-0 and won its second straight 5A championship, spending much of the year in the top five of national rankings.
Langi figures to contend for playing time immediately at Utah.
The Utes' top two rushers last year, Matt Asiata and Eddie Wide, were both seniors, creating a need at the position.
boram@sltrib.comTwitter: @oramb —