This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Provo • It appears Utah addressed a major need on Saturday evening when Timpview receiver Samson Nacua announced his verbal pledge to the Utes.

Nacua was honored on the 2015 All-Tribune Team, which recognizes the top 24 players in the state, after leading the Thunderbirds with 1,359 yards and nine touchdowns on 64 receptions during his senior season. Nacua is the brother of Kai, who currently plays safety for BYU, and Isaiah, who left the BYU program last summer. Samson Nacua said Utah is recruiting him as an athlete, with an option of either playing receiver or safety.

"He was our go-to option that we had if we needed to get that third-and-long or needed a clutch catch," Timpview coach Cary Whittingham said of Nacua in an earlier interview with The Tribune. "We relied heavily on him to keep our offense rolling. He comes down with most balls that are thrown his way. As far as receiver on our team — he was the premier guy."

Nacua was not highly-coveted on the recruiting trail after falling behind in the classroom following the death of his father, only maintaining offers from Weber State and Snow College in addition to Utah. He has since improved dramatically in the classroom. The Tribune chronicled his improvement with his studies in a story published before Timpview lost in the Class 4A state championship in November, breaking its three-year run atop the classification.

"Now I've got to get ready to play for the U. and focus on graduating," Nacua said. "Right now, I'm on schedule to graduate. As long as I pass all of my classes — I'll be good to go."

One high school coach told The Tribune he believed Nacua was every bit as talented as Brighton All-American receiver Simi Fehoko, but collegiate programs shied away after learning of his academic struggles.

"Maybe just a little," Nacua said if he felt he was flying under the radar. "I understand why coaches and schools didn't want to look at me because I screwed up with grades and everything."

The Utes are in serious need of production at the receiver position, with Kenneth Scott graduating and Britain Covey —a former teammate of Nacua's at Timpview — leaving for a two-year LDS Church mission. Nacua, however, said he has no preference of playing offense or defense.

"Whatever they put me at, I just hope to play my best and do whatever I can for the team," Nacua said.

tphibbs@sltrib.com

Twitter: @trevorphibbs