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Not long after he landed in Utah, Jack Tuttle took ride around Salt Lake City.

He liked what he saw.

"I felt really comfortable," he said. "I really liked it there, and I said I could see myself living here for four or five years."

That Tuttle, http://www.scout.com/player/200085-jack-tuttle";>a four-star quarterback in the 2018 class, is from just north of San Diego means he must've been impressed. But in the end, it was just location that made the junior passer https://twitter.com/jacktuttle14/status/809854063361695744";>decide to commit to Utah on Friday afternoon — it was the relationships.

"We developed great relationships with the coaching staff," he said. "I don't think it's ever too early to commit if you know. We felt we fit very well at Utah, and that it was time to pull the trigger."

If Utah's reaction is anything to go by, Tuttle's announcement was as much a celebration for the coaching staff as it was the for teenager. Tweeted tight ends coach Fred Whittingham, https://twitter.com/FWhittinghamJr/status/809923689319804928";>Tuttle's primary recruiter: "Christmas came early today!"

It's easy to understand why: Tuttle is one of the top 15 ranked quarterbacks in his class by both Scout and Rivals, a four-star prospect. He's 6-foot-4 already, and he can sling it. He helped lead Mission Hills to a 7-5 record and an appearance in the Open Division semifinals. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1Ls_TqAVDs&feature=player_embedded";>You can view his junior year highlights here.

"I thought it was a season where we learned a lot," he said. "We'll get back to work and get ready to win a CIF championship."

The Utes beat out big-name schools — including Colorado, LSU, Nebraska and Wisconsin among others — for Tuttle with close ties to the coaching staff. Whittingham was the primary contact, but he talked with quarterbacks coach Aaron Roderick "almost every other day." He also cited a relationship with recruiting assistant Jordan Wynn, who hails from nearby Oceanside California.

Tuttle said on a visit during Utah's game against Washington this season, he was impressed by the players and the passion of the fan base. He also said he likes Utah's offense, which over the years has struggled to match the level of the defensive play.

" I think Utah's offense has the ability to adapt to personnel they get," he said. "They will be able to do that over the next few years. They had a real good year. Next year is looking very good as well."

Tuttle said he's now settling into other concerns with his recruiting set: He's planning on running some track this year, and continue to train with the football team for next season. He also could be on track for Elite 11 next summer, if his status so far is any indication.

He believes the top quality he'll bring to the program is competitiveness.

"I'm gonna work very hard," he said. "No matter what I'm going to compete my butt off, and I'll pull any advice from Coach Roderick, Jordan Wynn, whoever. I feel like I bring that competitive factor and desire to want to win a championship."

Tuttle is the second 2018 commit in Utah's class. Here are the other commits the Tribune has reported on:

2017
Signed
• http://bit.ly/2hPZeCS";>Blinn College safety Corrion Ballard

Committed

• 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