Utes' recruiting class filling up
The Salt Lake Tribune
Published: November 20, 2012 05:06AM
Updated: November 20, 2012 05:06AM
Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said Monday that he didn't think recruiting was hurt by Utah's losing record this season. As if to back up his words, the Utes landed a few recruits Monday with Devontae Booker, a 5-foot-11, 200-pound running back out of American River College in Sacramento and Dre'Vian Young, a 5-9, 170-pound running back out of Nimitz H.S., in Houston committing to the Utes.
Booker was headed to Washington State then Cal State University of Fresno out of high school before academic issues prevented him from enrolling at either school. Booker averaged 73 yards a game this year for American River College.
Young rushed 149 times for 1,140 yards and 10 touchdowns this year. He also excels in track and finished second in the state in the 400-meters last year. His older brother, Selvin, played at Texas before he was signed by Denver as a free agent in 2007 and played in 15 games rushing for 729 yards.
Combined with a commitment on Sunday from Tevin Carter, a safety out of Los Angeles Southwest College, the Utes now have 25 players in their 2013 class.
Myron Aiava DE Westminster, Calif. Westminster H.S. 6-4 240 Avid basketball player as well as standout in football
Andrew Ballin RB/CB Fresno, Calif. Hoover H.S. 5-10 175 Could play at running back or corner
Devontae Booker RB Sacramento, Calif. American River College 5-11 200 Academic issues prevented him from fulfilling scholarship at Wash. St.
Tevin Carter S Southwest Los Angeles, Calif. Los Angeles College Still plans to take some visits, including to Oregon St.
Brandon Cox QB Pasadena, Calif., Pasadena H.S. 6-3 200 Originally committed to Arizona, sidelined with a broken foot
D.J. Dean CB Newton, Texas, Newton H.S. 5-10 175 Says his commitment is solid, but hasn't ruled out other visits
Charlie Salesi Eteaki RB Anaheim, Calif., Servite H.S. 6-1 210 Played in just five games last year after breaking collarbone
Haile Falemaka OT Salt Lake City, Utah Cottonwood H.S. 6-4 250 Committed to the Utes following junior day
Harrison Handley TE Sandy, Utah Alta H.S. 6-6 210 Went with the Utes over BYU and Utah State
Dominique Hatfield Los Angeles, Calif., Crenshaw H.S. 5-11 170 Other schools have shown interest but has remained firm with Utes
Carlos Henderson ATH New Orleans, La., McDonogh 35 5-10 170 Versatile player who could play receiver or corner
Vili Leveni DE Hurst, Texas L.D. Bell 6-4 220 Also considered Oklahoma State, Houston
Andre Lewis WR Pleasant View, Calif. Diablo Valley College 6-4 210 Older brother is Buffalo Bills receiver Steve Johnson
Connor Manning QB Lake Forest, Calif., El Toro H.S. 6-2 190 Comfortable in spread offense, recruited by passing game coordinator Roderick
Uaea Masina LB Salt Lake City, Utah Brighton H.S. 6-4 210 Close bond with Utah defensive coordinator Sitake swayed his decision
Filipo Mokofisi LB Woods Cross, Utah Woods Cross H.S. 6-3 210 Could play a year before serving a mission
Davion Orphey CB Santa Ana, Calif., Santa Ana C.C. Switched his commitment from BYU to Utah
Marcellus Pippins CB El Cerrito, Calif., El Cerrito H.S 5-9 165 Good overall athlete who also excels at basketball
Greg Reese TE Yuma, Ariz. Arizona Western C.C. 6-5 236
X'avier Shepherd WR Lakewood, Calif. Lakewood H.S. 5-11 175 Picked the Utes over several Pac-12 schools
Leroy Sitake Tanoai OL Sherman Oaks, Calif. Notre Dame H.S. 6-4 280 Plans to serve a mission before enrolling at Utah
Sam Tevi DE Euless, Texas 6-3 250 Athletic player who chose Utes over several Pac-12 schools
De'Ondre Wesley, OL, Pleasant Hill, Calif., Diablo Valley Community College 6-6, 310 Should bring immediate help to Utah's line, teammates with another recruit, Lewis
Marcus Williams RB Las Vegas, Nev. Durango H.S. 5-11 205 Hopes to maintain Utah's tradition of successful players from Nevada
Dre'Vian Young RB Houston, Texas Nimitz H.S. 5-9 170 Also excels in track, brother Selvin played at Texas
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