This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated.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.
Utah's 2017 recruiting class is still a small one, but the Utes got their most lauded prospect yet on Friday night.
Jaylon Johnson, a consensus 4-star cornerback from Central High East (Fresno, Calif.) committed to the Utes in a ceremony at his high school game — complete with cardboard cutouts spelling "UTAH."
Johnson may have showed his enthusiasm for the Utes, but the Utes have to be excited to get a commitment from a cornerback ranked among the top 10 in the country.
http://bit.ly/2d9wk12";>Making his official visit during the Arizona game, Johnson is an Army All-American who has offers from just about everywhere, including USC, Oklahoma and Nebraska.http://www.scout.com/college/football/recruiting/story/1722244-commitment-analysis-jaylon-johnson";> Scout.com reported that Johnson was swayed by the opportunity to play early — with three seniors graduating out of the starting unit, playing time will certainly open up next year.
Johnson is 6-foot-2 and 185 pounds.http://247sports.com/Article/Analysis-Jaylon-Johnson-commits-to-Utah-Utes-48574354";> 247Sports reports that he tested among the best in the country at his position this summer during The Opening camp, running a laser-timed 4.47 40-yard dash.
The Utes now have seven players in the 2017 class, with three added this month. Picking up steam?
Here's a list of the commits The Tribune has reported on so far:
2017
• http://bit.ly/2dwMpf3";>Texas WR Jaylen Dixon
• http://bit.ly/2dJjczi";>Texas WR Tyquez Hampton
• http://bit.ly/1XYN4us";>Texas DB Tristin McCollum
http://bit.ly/1XYN4us";>• Texas DB Zyon McCollum
• http://bit.ly/1TTt5JC";>Snow College DT John Penisini
• http://bit.ly/2aqwekI";>Texas QB Jason Shelley
2018
• http://bit.ly/1V3R5qi";>Highland DT Hunter Lotulelei
kgoon@sltrib.com
Twitter: @kylegoon