This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated.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.

Last year, Sione Houma wasn't even the top running back on Highland's depth chart. Now, he might just be the most recruited back in the state. In the last two weeks, Houma, a 6-foot, 205-pound back, has received offers from Michigan and Washington, Rams coach Brody Benson said. Houma was, in many ways, an under-appreciated hero for Highland last year. He rushed for 1,064 yards on a team led by the 4A MVP, receiver and defensive end Nate Fakahafua, as well as flashy junior quarterback Anthony "Fish" Smithson. Benson, however, suspected colleges would eventually notice the strong running back, too. "I thought he had the potential, just how he finished the season last year," Benson said. "I'm kind of susrprised it took as long as it did, and I'm surprised some other schools haven't come through yet."Houma came on strong midseason for the eventual 4A champions. He rushed for 661 yards and five touchdowns in the Rams' final three playoff games, including a 288-yard, two-touchdown performance at Pine View on Nov. 6. Benson said Michigan and Washington have both recruited Houma with the intention of moving him to fullback, but other schools, such as UCLA, are interested in him as a tailback. "To be honest with you," Benson said, "he has the potential to be that type of runner, just with the speed that he has, I think that he has that chance." Houma started last year second on the depth chart behind senior Toi Taufa. Taufa rushed for 611 yards and five touchdowns, but missed considerable time with stomach pains, clearing a path for Houma.

• The most recruited player out of Utah is unquestionably Davis defensive end Troy Hinds, who has a shopping list of offers from big-time national football programs. To date, Hinds has received offers from Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, BYU, Georgia Tech, Michigan, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Stanford, UCLA, Washington, and Weber State

In a May 4 interview with Buff Scoop, a Colorado-focused blog (subscription required), Hinds said he had narrowed his choices to BYU, Utah, Stanford, Nebraska and Notre Dame.

Said Hinds:

I am very humbled by all of the offers and I really appreciate the interest from all of these great schools that are recruiting me. I guess if I had to pick a top five right now it would probably be, in no particular order, BYU, Utah, Stanford, Nebraska, and Notre Dame. I know the BYU and Utah coaches the most because they are close and I like the Huskers and Irish programs just because of their storied football and academic traditions. I like what Stanford has done in the past few years and, of course, a Stanford education speaks for itself.

Hinds went on to say that he does not expect to commit to a school until after playing his final season at Davis.

— Bill Oram