This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated.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 is a commit not just a commit? When it's accompanied by a letter of intent.

The Utes got not just a commitment on Wednesday night, but a new signee when Blinn College safety Corrion Ballard put his chips in with the program.

Ballard came to visit the weekend of the Oregon game, which apparently made an impression. A four-star recruit by Scout and Rivals, Ballard was a late riser who picked the Utes over Oklahoma State, Nebraska and Texas Tech.

"I feel as if Coach Whittingham along with Coach Scalley and the Utah staff will have the best chance of developing me as a player and a man as well as helping me fulfill my long life dream," https://twitter.com/corrionballard/status/809223476292808705";>he wrote in an announcement on Twitter.

At 6-foot-3 and 202 pounds, Ballard has the kind of frame Utah has crafted into NFL caliber talent in the secondary. http://bit.ly/2ge66JE";>Utah may be losing junior safety Marcus Williams to the NFL this season, and needs another play to step up at the position.

Ballard could be an answer. http://www.buccaneersports.com/sports/fball/2016-17/bios/ballard_corrion_jypw?view=bio";>Playing for the Buccaneers this season, he totaled 41 tackles, 5 sacks, 3 interceptions, 8 pass break-ups and a forced fumble. A Humble, Texas, native, he played high school ball at Summer Creek near Houston.

In signing, Ballard became the first player to sign with the Utes in the 2017 class. Utah has nine others committed so far. But Ballard will be in for spring ball.

https://twitter.com/SafetyPride/status/809223774960652288";>Morgan Scalley tweeted not long after: "Welcome big man!! Time to get to work!! See you soon enough!!!"

2017
• http://bit.ly/2dwMpf3";>Texas WR Jaylen Dixon
• http://bit.ly/2dJjczi";>Texas WR Tyquez Hampton
• http://bit.ly/2fqQm9P";>California DB Jaylon Johnson
• http://bit.ly/2gPgMlr";>Riverside City College CB Tareke Lewis
• http://bit.ly/2h23q2w";>Washington TE Ben Moos
• http://bit.ly/1TTt5JC";>Snow College DT John Penisini
• http://bit.ly/2g2UdWv";>American Fork OL Michael Richardson
• http://bit.ly/2hybHiR";>California OL Orlando Umana
• http://bit.ly/2aqwekI";>Texas QB Jason Shelley

2018
• http://bit.ly/1V3R5qi";>Highland DT Hunter Lotulelei

kgoon@sltrib.com
Twitter: @kylegoon