This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated.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.
When asked earlier this month which was a bigger priority — winning new recruiting battles or maintaining current commitments — Kyle Whittingham didn't hesitate: "All of the above."
With the way Utah's 2016 class is shaping up, holding on would be a major achievement. Adding a few extra commitments would sew up one of the Utes' best classes in the online rankings era.
Among the major recruiting sites, the Utes are hovering between No. 32 on Rivals (their best ranking since No. 28 in 2012) and No. 42 on Scout with a chance to boost themselves further with less than a week to go. It's a class that addresses some of Utah's offensive skill position issues — four wide receivers, three running backs and two quarterbacks — while also getting a few trench players who could be future stars.
Rivals analyst Adam Gorney said it's not a surprise to see the Utes — traditionally a program that sacrifices Signing Day splash to get lesser-known prospects they can develop — on the rise following a 10-win season. But it's telling that the Utes were able to follow up on that success by hitting the recruiting trail hard.
"They had such a tremendous season, that put them on the radar a lot," Gorney said. "But the staff is doing a great job continuing that interest through the fall, going the JuCo route to get some guys, and getting some guys from out of state."
The Utes' headliner recruits, at least on paper, are a pair of junior college players. Snow College offensive lineman Garett Bolles, rated between four and five stars, is a 6-foot-6 tackle who could play right away. Quarterback Troy Williams is also expected to compete for a starting job after leaving his first Pac-12 stop in Washington for a year in junior college.
There's also some certainty in this class: Six of Utah's recruits are enrolled and participating in winter conditioning, including Williams. Also on campus are three-star recruits quarterback Tyler Huntley, lineman Scott Peck and athlete Demari Simpkins.
Utah is looking to hold on to several players who committed early but are being pursued by other Pac-12 powers. Gorney points to defensive linemen Leki Fotu (Herriman) and Semisi Lauaki as prospects that USC in particular is still trying to flip.
Utah has also seen more competition from BYU, now coached by former Utes defensive coordinator Kalani Sitake. While Whittingham said recruiting is more about the institutions competing than the coaches, the Cougars have pushed hard for Fotu, East offensive lineman Johnny Maea and California tight end Cole Fotheringham, among others.
Sitake sparred for some Utah recruits last season at Oregon State, but brings a potential threat to the Utes for years to come by moving into their backyard. Utah made an effort to flip one of BYU's prized recruits, four-star receiver Jonah Trinnaman, after hiring ex-Cougar Guy Holliday, but Trinnaman reaffirmed his BYU pledge this week.
There could be more additions late: The Utes are believed to be involved in battles for JuCo linebacker David Luafatasaga (an Ole Miss commit), Highland HS (Idaho) defensive tackle Wayne Kirby, Kahuku HS (Hi.) lineman Bradley Anae, Murray defensive lineman Maxs Tupai and Cottonwood defensive lineman Fua Pututau among others.
Twitter: @kylegoon —
Utah recruits
Name Position Hgt/Wgt School
Julian Blackmon WR/CB 6-1/175 Layton HS
Brings versatility to the table and likely ends up on defense
Garett Bolles OL 6-6/300 Snow College
Some grade Westlake alum as the top JuCo prospect this year
Terrell Burgess ATH 6-0/180 San Marcos HS (Calif.)
Committed this week over Cal, Arizona and San Diego State
Alec Dana WR 6-3/190 Chaffey College
Missed last season for his JC, but had 39 receptions in first year
Cole Fotheringham TE 6-4/215 San Clemente HS (Calif.)
From Travis Wilson's high school, he's getting push from BYU
Leki Fotu DL 6-6/255 Herriman HS
Pro-caliber build has boosted his stock late in the cycle
Jake Grant* OL 6-4/279 Horizon HS (Ariz.)
Remained patient through a grayshirt year
Davir Hamilton ATH 6-2/205 Long Beach Poly HS (Calif.)
One of Utah's most vocal loyalists, attempting to sway other recruits
Devonta'e Henry-Cole RB 5-8/180 S.T. Aquinas HS (Fla.)
Rejoins teammates C.J. Hart and Tyson Cisrow
R.J. Hubert** WR/CB 6-0 Moapa Valley HS (Nev.)
Starred both ways with 41 receptions and 6 picks last year
Tyler Huntley* QB 6-1/180 Hallandale HS (Fla.)
Gatorade Florida Player of the Year threw 42 TDs last season
Nygel King CB 6-2/175 Klein Oak HS (Texas)
Utes drew rangy prospect out of Houston, beat out Virginia Tech
Semisi Lauaki** DL 6-4/240 Leuzinger HS (Calif.)
USC wanted him bad, but he tweeted he's firmly a Ute last week
Johnny Maea OL 6-5/300 East HS
Was a stalwart for state champ Leopards' rushing attack
Thomas McDonald RB 5-10/195 Grossmont Coll. (Calif.)
Led team with 6.7 yards per carry and 5 TDs on the ground
Zack Moss RB 5-9/205 Hallandale HS (Fla.)
One of top RBs in Florida is getting looks from Tennessee
Samson Nacua WR 6-3/175 Timpview HS
Sneaky good pickup had 1,359 receiving yards as a senior
Scott Peck* OL 6-6/312 Central Valley HS (Wash.)
Top tackle out of Washington brings big frame to trenches
Alema Pilimai** LB 6-4/205 Tustin HS (Calif.)
BYU has long been involved in the sign-and-send's recruiting
Tucker Scott OL 6-5/250 S.Clemente HS (Calif.)
Son of ex-Ute Lance Scott has been committed since last March
Demari Simpkins* WR 5-10/176 Hallandale HS (Fla.)
Huntley's HS teammate had 38 catches for 506 yards
Kurtis Taufa LB 6-2/235 Snow College
One of Utah's first 2016 commits decommitted but rejoined fold
Troy Williams* QB 6-2/197 Santa Monica Coll. (Calif.)
After leaving UW, passed for 2,750 yards and 31 TDs in the fall
Mitch Wishnowsky* P 6-3/225 Santa Barbara Coll. (Calif.)
Utes hopeful stocky Aussie will be replacement for Tom Hackett
*Signed and enrolled; **LDS Church Mission