The Ricky Heimuli suspense will go down to the wire.
The 6-foot-4, 294-pound defensive tackle out of Brighton High, the highest rated uncommitted player in the state, is still deciding between Utah, Oregon, UCLA and Washington, and will make his choice official at 10:30 this morning in what will be the highest profile signing day ceremony.
Heimuli is a four-star recruit, one of the top 100 players in the country, and is thought of as an instant impact player.
On Tuesday night, Heimuli told The Salt Lake Tribune no matter which school he chooses, he plans on playing one year and then going on an LDS Church mission.
"That's important to me," Heimuli said.
What's also important is that he plays right away. Heimuli said that a major factor in his decision will be which school he can come in and play as a true freshman.
"That's what all the coaches are offering," Heimuli said. "They have all told me that if I come in and work hard, that I can play. I just want to go to the place where I'm most comfortable. Wherever that is, that's the place that I'll pick."
Heimuli has family at Utah, where his cousin, Latu Heimuli, who played at Highland, has just finished up a redshirt season and will have four years of eligibility starting in the fall.
Another of Heimuli's cousins, Anthony Heimuli, just finished his freshman season at BYU and will embark on a mission, which is expected to start soon.
"The coaches at Utah are saying that I can come in and play next to my cousin," Heimuli said. "I like that."
Heimuli is one of the most sought-after prospects in the West this season. Playing on both the offensive and defensive lines at Brighton, he was instrumental in leading the Bengals to a surprisingly successful season. He led Brighton to a 6-3 record after the Bengals had struggled in previous seasons.
Along the way, Heimuli was the driving force behind a defense that pitched shutouts in each of its first three games.
Heimuli isn't the only local high-profile recruit, though.
BYU has its share of in-state prospects, including Bingham's Tuni Kanuch, Alta's Ai Ho-Ching, and Jordan Black, also from Alta.
Tanner Hinds, The Tribune 's Class 5A player of the year is expected to sign with Weber State. Trevor Brown, the 6-5 quarterback who led Timpview to the Class 4A state championship, is expected to commit to Utah State coach Gary Andersen.
