This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated.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.
Business is open once again. The recruiting dead period officially concluded at midnight, allowing collegiate coaches to once again make contact with high school prospects across the nation from this point forward until National Signing Day on Feb. 3.
That boils down to 20 days of madness; of seemingly endless tweets of new offers; of coaches fighting to secure recruits for their livelihood; for players mulling over decisions, including swarms of decommitments; of fans claiming each new pledge as a "huge get," which, in large part, is why the world of recruiting has continued to grow in popularity. It allows fans to believe each commitment has the potential to change the entire direction of the program, and, in some cases — that's true.
Coaches are currently pursuing everyone of interest, including underclassmen, but as mentioned before: Commitments are essentially tentative agreements in recruiting, and 20 days is an entirety. Players will change their minds. Coaches will pull offers. Fans will lose their minds. It's a merry-go-round until Feb. 3 when it becomes official.
The Tribune is your destination for all your recruiting news needs. To commence the craziness, here is a comprehensive list of the top local prospects for the Class of 2016. The majority of the these players are ranked nationally by recruiting services, while others are mentioned as possible under-the-radar prospects.
Status: Four-star receiver committed to Stanford.
Offers: Stanford, Arizona State, BYU, Clemson, Colorado, Michigan, Nebraska, Oregon State, Utah, Utah State, Washington, Washington State.
Nitty-gritty: Fehoko, who was a two-time All-Tribune honoree, announced his commitment exclusively with The Tribune in July after narrowing his choices down to the Cardinal, BYU, Washington, Utah and Michigan. At 6-foot-3 and 183 pounds, Fehoko is considered the top overall prospect from Utah for the Class of 2016. He set numerous statewide records throughout his three-year career for the Bengals, and recently participated in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Fehoko caught 59 targets for 1,495 yards and 16 touchdowns this season, and finished as the all-time UHSAA career leader in receiving yards (3,571), tied for first in receiving touchdowns (41), and No. 13 in career receptions (139).
Status: uncommitted four-star defensive end.
Offers: Arizona, BYU, Colorado, Mississippi State, Oklahoma State, Oregon State, Texas Tech, UCLA, USC, Utah, Utah State, Washington, Washington State, Wisconsin.
Nitty-gritty: Tupai, who was named to the All-Tribune team, has kept his recruitment relatively close to his chest. In an earlier interview with The Tribune, he hinted as his desire to leave the state, labeling Texas Tech and Mississippi State as the frontrunners to land his commitment. It's unknown if that remains to be his mindset. Tupai is 6-foot-3 and 250 pounds, and was a finalized for the high school Butkus Award after recording 116 tackles, including 32 tackles for a loss, with 23.5 sacks, five forced fumbles and five passes defensed. Former Murary coach Mike Richmond referred to Tupai as "hnds down the most special player I've ever been around."
Status: four-star kicker committed to BYU.
Offers: BYU.
Nitty-gritty: Another U.S. Army All-American Bowl participant. Southam shattered several state records and was honored on the All-Tribune team. Guarantees in recruiting are very rare, but it would be a massive twist to see Southam sign anywhere but BYU. Southam established the single-season record for made field goals, with 20. He is also the all-time leader in that category, with 34, and he averaged 45.2 yards per punt, which ranks 14th all-time.
Status: three-star defensive end committed to Utah.
Offers: Oklahoma State, USC, Utah.
Nitty-gritty: In terms of physical makeup and raw talent — Fotu might be the best player in this class. In his first season playing football for Herriman, he recorded 82 tackles — 19 behind the line of scrimmage — with 9.5 sacks and forced one fumble and broke up five passes. Herriman coach Dustin Pearce said: The sky is the limit with that kid, being a little bit raw the first of the year as a player, considering he didn't play football last year, but his awareness and athleticism are not coachable. He was outstanding."
Status: three-star defensive end committed to Stanford.
Offers: BYU, Nevada, Oregon State, Stanford, Utah, Utah State.
Nitty-gritty: Kaufusi recently became the eighth local to pledge to Stanford since 2012, joining Fehoko as the second from the Class of 2016. Kaufusi is 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds, and played both ways for the Leopards this season, recording 51 tackles and six sacks. Kaufusi has never wavered about his desire to receive his education in Palo Alto in multiple interviews with The Tribune since August.
Status: three-star tight end committed to Utah State.
Offers: Nevada and Utah State.
Nitty-gritty: Mortenson played receiver for Sky View, which maintained a perfect record before losing to eventual champion, Herriman, in the Class 5A semifinals. At 6-foot-6 and 210 pounds, Mortenson projects as a tight end at the next level, but he's skillful enough to split outside on the hashes. Unless he receives another enticing offer, and even then, as a lifelong Aggies fan — he's a pretty solid commitment.
Status: three-star linebacker committed to Arizona.
Offers: Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Utah, Utah State.
Nitty-gritty: Neves was a longtime Utah commit, but recently flipped to Arizona, where he will reportedly play linebacker — his more natural position. In his first full-season playing quarterback for Timpview this season — Neves displayed his arm strength that originally caught the attention of collegiate suitors. At 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds, Neves has the physical tools for the defensive side of scrimmage.
Status: three-star linebacker committed to BYU.
Offers: BYU, California, Hawaii, Nevada, UNLV, Utah, Utah State, Vanderbilt, Washington State, Wyoming.
Nitty-gritty: Named a Semper Fidelis All-American, Pili played safety for the Thunderbirds, but he is projected to play outside linebacker at the next level. Pili older brother, Trajan, who is serving a two-year LDS Church mission, is also a member of the BYU program.
Status: three-star quarterback committed to BYU.
Offers: BYU and Utah.
Nitty-gritty: Hall struggled to stay healthy during his senior season at Maple Mountain, which directly correlated with the Golden Eagles' failing to qualify for the postseason after lofty preseason expectations. He showcased his exciting playmaking ability in a dramatic win against Corner Canyon early in the season, when he escaped containment and fired game-winning strike with eight seconds remaining. Hall, a three-sport athlete who was also named to the All-Tribune baseball team, has been committed to the Cougars since October of 2014.
Status: three-star safety committed to BYU.
Offers: BYU, California, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon State, Utah, Utah State, Washington State.
Nitty-gritty: Tooley was named to the 2015 All-Tribune team as a defensive back, which is the position he's projected to play in college, but longtime Braves' coach Larry Wall referred to Tooley was the "lifeblood" on both sides of the ball after he led the team in rushing, with 1,125 yards and 12 touchdowns, caught 16 targets for 109 yards, recorded 93 tackles, 5.5 for a loss, two sacks and one interception.
Status: uncommitted three-star defensive end.
Offers: Boise State, BYU, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon State, Utah, Utah State, Washington, Washington State.
Nitty-gritty: Pututau's publicity was somewhat overshadowed by the lack of team success at Cottonwood, but he continually disrupted opposing offenses at his defensive end position. Pututau recently tweeted out his top five preferred destinations in this order: Utah, Washington, Oregon State, Washington State and Colorado.
Status: uncommitted three-star defensive end.
Offers: Arizona State, BYU, Colorado, Missouri, Nevada, Oregon State, Utah, Utah State, Washington, Washington State, Wisconsin, Wyoming.
Nitty-gritty: Maka was the other rush end for Cottonwood this season after transferring from Woods Cross. He, too, narrowed his list to his top five on Twitter recently in this order: Utah, Colorado, Washington State, Arizona State and BYU.
Status: three-star offensive lineman committed to Utah.
Offers: BYU, Nevada, Oregon State, Utah, Utah State, Washington State.
Nitty-gritty: Maea was named a Semper Fidelis All-American after helping the Leopards capture their first state championship since 1996. He was one of the leaders on an offensive line that paved way for 5,765 yards on the ground.
Status: uncommitted three-star athlete.
Offers: BYU, California, Utah, Washington State.
Nitty-gritty: Kaufusi recorded 100 tackles, one sack and one interception for the Bengals this season.
Status: three-star receiver committed to Utah State.
Offers: Utah State.
Nitty-gritty: Rector snagged 67 receptions for 888 yards and 10 touchdowns this season to help the Grizzlies capture the Class 3AA championship.
Brighton's Doug Taumoelau
Status: three-star defensive end committed to Oregon State.
Offers: Oregon State.
Nitty-gritty: Relatively unknown entering the season, and somewhat overshadowed by his highly-recruited teammates, Taumoelau was solid the entire year for the Bengals, recording 77 tackles, eight tackles for a loss, six sacks, and recovered three fumbles. He committed to Oregon State while current BYU coach Kalani Sitake was still in Corvallis, so the potential for a flip is obviously an option here if an offer is extended.
Status: three-star defensive back committed to Utah.
Offers: Idaho, Utah.
Nitty-gritty: A versatile athlete who was an essential piece to Layton's championship run in boys' basketball missed virtually the entire season his year on the gridiron after fracturing his wrist. The Lancers were undefeated at the time of the injury, but finished 2-4 afterward and failed to qualify for the postseason.
Status: three-star tight end committed to Oregon State.
Offers: Air Force, Nevada, Oregon State, UNLV.
Nitty-gritty: Sharp was one of the few bright spots for Skyline this season on both sides of the ball, although his numbers decreased from his junior to senior year as opponents schemed around him. He still finished with 33 receptions for 568 yards and six touchdowns, 73 tackles, 11 for a loss, two sacks and three interceptions.
Status: three-star defensive end committed to Washington State.
Offers: Nevada, Purdue, Utah, Vanderbilt, Washington State,Wyoming.
Nitty-gritty: Another player overshadowed by lack of team success this season, but Bartley still finished with 61 tackles, 18 for a loss, 13.5 sacks and five rushing touchdowns.
Corner Canyon's Keaton Bills
Status: uncommitted three-star defensive end.
Offers: Arizona State, BYU, Nevada, Oregon State, Utah, Utah State, Vanderbilt, Washington State, Wisconsin, Wyoming.
Nitty-gritty: Bills is a massive specimen who set the tone upfront on both sides of the ball for the Chargers, who played a pro-style offensive.
Status: uncommitted three-star running back.
Offers: Air Force, Army, BYU, Navy, Ohio, Vanderbilt, Wyoming.
Nitty-gritty: Miller rushed for 3,117 yards and 35 touchdowns in two seasons in Dixie's backfield, leading the Flyers to two championship game appearances, including winning the title in 2014.
Status: three-star defensive back committed to BYU.
Offers:
Nitty-gritty: Plagued with health problems throughout his entire high school career, fans were deprived of seeing his true potential on the field. Glimpses, however, showed his capabilities as an athlete.
Status: three-star athlete committed to Oregon State.
Offers: BYU, Nevada, Oregon State.
Nitty-gritty: It's only a matter of time before Finau flips his commitment from Oregon State to BYU, which recently extended an offer. Kearns' coach Matt Rickards told The Tribune Finau has built rapport with BYU defensive coordinator Illaisa Tuiaki and he believes the flip is imminent.
OTHER TOP PROSPECTS:
Bingham's uncommitted three-star quarterback, Keaton Torre.
Salem Hills' uncommitted two-star athlete, Cooper Smith.
Sky View's uncommitted two-star linebacker, Max Christensen.
Riverton's two-star linebacker, Simeon Page, committed to Air Force.
Box Elder's two-star defensive end, Darius McFarland, committed to BYU.
Woods Cross' two-star defensive back, Braxton Gunther, committed to Utah State.
Bingham's two-star linebacker, Parker Workman, committed to Air Force.
Judge Memorial's two-star receiver, Xavier Price, committed to Air Force.
Logan's two-star defensive end, Troy Murray, committed to Nevada.
Spanish Fork's two-star linebacker, Solofa Funa, committed to BYU.
Timpview's two-star athlete, Samson Nacua, committed to Utah.
Kearns' uncommitted two-star offensive lineman, Kiko Faamausili.
— Trevor Phibbs
Twitter: @trevorphibbs