This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Utah's big recruiting weekend paid off with two large commitments, with Bingham High's Lowell Lotulelei, a 6-foot-2, 320-pound defensive tackle and Salesi Uhatafe, a 6-5, 315-pound offensive lineman out of Trinity H.S. in Euless, Texas, committing to the Utes. Lotulelei said he and his parents discussed his options before he took his official visit this weekend. Already leaning toward committing to the Utes, Lotulelei said his decision was made easier with the trip. "Utah was one of my top choices and I just had a good feeling about it," he said. Lowell said his older brother, Star, didn't try to sway him to committing to the Utes but his good experience with the Utes did play a part in his future. "He left it up to me to make my own decisions, but all the ties Utah has with my family did make it easier," he said. Lotulelei said he won't take trips to Utah State and Wisconsin as he had planned. "I'm done," he said. "I committed to Utah." Uhatafe is the second player the Utes have snagged from Trinity H.S. Teammate Sam Tevi, a defensive end, committed to the Utes earlier. Utah is also after their teammate Gaius Vaenuku, a 6-6, 260-pound defensive end. He visited during the weekend but has yet to commit. Both Lotulelei and Uhatafe add much needed depth along the lines. However, Uhatafe said he isn't coming to Utah with the thought that anything will be easy. "I don't want anything given to me," he said. "I plan on working for it." - Lya Wodraska