This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Bingham four-star Class of 2017 defensive tackle Jay Tufele said Utah and USC are the frontrunners in his recruitment in a recent interview with The Salt Lake Tribune.

Tufele is already considered as one of the top 100 prospects nationally in his class, and is expected to be a five-star recruit by his senior season. At 6-foot-3, 280 pounds, Tufele possesses the three s's: Size, speed and strength. He recorded 63 tackles and six sacks as a sophomore despite opponents dedicating more than one body to slow his destruction.

In the offseason, an assistant coach said Tufele has the potential to be the best player to ever play at Bingham. That statement illustrates Tufele's ability considering the talent that has trickled through the top program in Utah over the years.

The junior currently maintains offers from Arizona, Colorado, Louisville, Oregon State, UCLA, Utah State, Washington and Washington State in addition to Utah and USC.

HELLO AGAIN

When Alex Kuresa was a senior at Mountain Crest in 2010, his Mustangs lost 35-34 to crosstown rival Logan. In that game, a sophomore quarterback named Luke Falk saw the field for the Grizzlies, completing 2 of 6 passes for 48 yards. Falk eventually threw for 1,486 yards and 17 touchdowns that season, while Kuresa led MC to the state championship and put the finishing touches on several UHSAA career records.

The two are scheduled to square off once again, but this time on a much bigger stage. Kuresa is projected to start behind center for Portland State on Saturday against Washington State, where Falk is the starting quarterback.

BEST PROGRAM IN UTAH?

USA Today is holding a contest to determine the best program in Utah. Schools qualify by having won at least one state championship in any sanctioned sport in the last three seasons. The two teams that receive the most votes will be entered into the national championship round in the spring.

Voting started on Aug. 31 and ends on Sept. 11. You can vote here.

—Trevor Phibbs

Twitter: @trevorphibbs