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While Utah is a 14-point favorite against Oregon on Saturday afternoon, they have a lot of ground to make up in another key area: recruiting.
Utah's 2017 classhttp://bit.ly/2fHV4x2";> is now down to five players, which isn't going to cut it come February. This weekend, the Utes are hosting seven recruits, some of whom they feel they can reel in soon. Utah has had a strategy of holding off on scholarship offers to be in bigger recruiting battles at the end of the year, but it's a tenuous position to be in — landing a few commitments out of this latest batch of visitors would be welcome news and put fans a little at ease.
Here's a brief description with relevant links to each recruit coming on an official visit this weekend:
JORDAN AGASIVA, OL, Pima Community College (Tucson, Ariz.)
Rivals 3-star/Scout/247 Sports 3-star
Utah might have need of another solid JuCo tackle prospecthttp://blog.seattlepi.com/seahawksdraftblog/2016/11/03/garett-bolles-could-be-a-first-rounder-future-seahawk/";> if Garett Bolles chooses to look at the pro route after a strong Ute debut. Agasiva would fit that bill: He's 6-foot-5 and 310 pounds, also considering Auburn and TCU. A one-time Hawaii signee, he ended up going to junior college. http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/story/sports/college/auburnauthority/2016/09/25/three-star-junior-college-ol-jordan-agasiva-likes-family-atmosphere-auburn/91092786/";>He told the Montgomery Advertiser after an Auburn visit that he loves the run game — so do the Utes. http://www.hudl.com/video/3/3887292/5721db17b019261f80df07c5";>You can view his Hudl highlights here.
CORRION BALLARD, S, Blinn College (Brenham, Texas)
Rivals unranked/Scout unranked/247 Sports unranked
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/nfl-draft-stock-report-utes-safety-marcus-williams-makes-splash-in-return/";>With Marcus Williams drawing increasing buzz for next year's NFL Draft, safety looks like a needed position to recruit. At 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds, Ballard has the makings of a playmaker with some size. His versatility might be his key attribute:http://www.buccaneersports.com/sports/fball/2016-17/players/corrionballardf640";> He has five sacks and three picks this year for Blinn, along with 41 tackles. It's worth noting that Blinn College is where Utah plucked Kyle Fulks. http://www.hudl.com/video/3/2170204/57ebebdf5caa5814204b162d";>You can view his Hudl highlights here.
ENO BENJAMIN, RB, Wylie East High School (Wylie, Texas)
Rivals 4-star/Scout 4-star/247 Sports 4-star
At 5-foot-10 and 190 pounds, this running back has some shiftiness to him. He decommitted from Iowa last month, http://www.hawkcentral.com/story/sports/college/iowa/football-recruiting/2016/10/25/rivals-eno-benjamins-decommit-iowa-nations-biggest-2017-class/92722938/";>a huge blow to that class but potentially a huge gain for others. Maxpreps puts him at 2,182 yards and 23 touchdowns for the year for Wylie East — http://www.scout.com/college/football/recruiting/story/1729433-no-2-rb-in-texas-dominates-playoff-game";>including three touchdowns in a playoff game on Thursday night. He's got offers everywhere, and https://www.landof10.com/michigan/former-iowa-commit-eno-benjamin-tweets-goblue-before-michigan-iowa-game";>Michigan could be a major player. http://www.hudl.com/video/3/3381839/58125514688ec23e746ab663";>You can view his Hudl highlights here.
JHAVONTE DEAN, CB, Blinn College (Brenham, Texas)
Rivals 4-star/Scout 3-star/247 Sports 3-star
At the moment, http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2653684-jhavonte-dean-to-alabama-crimson-tide-land-juco-cb-prospect";>he's listed as an Alabama commit, but he's taking an official visit despite being committed to the top-ranked team in the country. Take that as you will. The 6-foot-1 corner has the size at the position that Utah looks for. A South Florida native, http://www.buccaneersports.com/sports/fball/2016-17/players/jhavontedeanwb6u";>he has 23 tackles and five pass break-ups for the Buccaneers this year. Could Utah sweep the prospects from this Texas junior college? http://www.hudl.com/video/3/3424853/572c2a1d81aabd37dc11e196";>You can view his Hudl highlights here.
CARMONI GREEN, WR, Miami Central High School (Miami, Fla.)
Rivals 4-star/Scout 3-star/247 Sports 3-star
The Illinois commit also has offers from Oregon State, Washington State and UNC among others. The 6-foot-1, 192-pound receiver comes from the samehttp://bit.ly/1JUbfEu";> South Florida powerhouse as Utah linebacker Donavan Thompson. Utah already has a few receivers in the class, buthttp://www.todaysu.com/recruiting/carmoni-green-can-make-an-immediate-impact-for-fighting-illini/";> Green would bring some nice size and extend the Florida-to-Utah pipeline. http://www.hudl.com/video/3/6105486/5803a1af5caa5811807cb159";>You can view his Hudl highlights here.
DEONTE "D.J." JOHNSON, DE, Luther Burbank High School (Sacramento, Calif.)
Rivals 4-star/Scout 4-star/247 Sports 4-star
This Under Armour All American is currently committed to the "other U." but the Utes would love a crack at him. Hailing from Sacramento (http://bit.ly/2d6DrIY";>a recent hot Utah recruiting ground), the 6-foot-5, 240-pound end is a national prospect and holds offers from many, many schoolshttp://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/deonte——-dj-johnson/2HFTkREsEeOZ5AAmVebBJg/default.htm";>. Maxpreps lists him with 68 tackles and 13 sacks — Utah most likely envisions him as a playmaker in the mold of Trevor Reilly and Nate Orchard in the hybrid end-linebacker position. http://www.hudl.com/video/3/4023082/581bb1fcf5605e21dc216bf7";>You can view his Hudl highlights here.
JOE TRYON, DE, Hazen High School (Renton, Wash.)
Rivals 3-star/Scout 3-star/247 Sports 3-star
It would be no easy feat to pry this 6-foot-5 end away from http://www.seattletimes.com/sports/wsu-cougar-football/wsu-gets-fourth-recruit-of-the-week-renton-de-joe-tryon/";>his in-state commitment to Wazzu. But http://www.theeastside.news/newcastlenews/sports/high_school/hazen/hazen-athletes-named-to-fall-all-league-teams/article_c2505bfe-ac44-11e6-9b8f-2b8a76bd1d9c.html";>the all-league defensive lineman of the year definitely has gifts Utah covets: His size combined with reported 4.7 speed and the athleticism to play tight end could conceivably make him a fit in any defense. Utah already pried Tyquez Hampton away from the Cougars' class. http://www.hudl.com/video/3/2762457/57f3d42b7bddf76044b2ca2d";>You can view his Hudl highlights here.
kgoon@sltrib.com
Twitter: @kylegoon