The Utah Utes might have found their replacement for senior Shaky Smithson, who earned a reputation as being one of the most dangerous return players in the country in 2010.
The Utes picked up a commitment from Philander Moore, a 5-foot-9, 185-pound receiver out of Blinn Community College in Brenham, Texas.
Moore was named a first-team junior college All-American after finishing the season with 811 total yards on kick and punt returns with six touchdowns. He had 182 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
Moore, who has three years to play three, said he picked Utah over Ole Miss, Texas Tech and Boise State after a visit in which he enjoyed meeting his future teammates.
"The coaches there and the team there are really bonded together," he said. "It's a great place to be."
Moore was hosted by Smithson and receiver Dexter Ransom, another Blinn Community College product along with Utah quarterback Terrance Cain.
"He's like an older brother to me," Moore said. "I'm looking forward to having the opportunity to playing there."
Moore landed at Blinn after breaking his collarbone in high school, which led schools to lose interest in him, he said. He went to Blinn in hopes of earning a scholarship and now looks forward to playing in the Pac-10 next year with the Utes.
"Being on a bigger stage definitely contributed to my decision," he said. "I thought it was going to be a great opportunity."
Utah 2011 football commitments
Siaosi Aiono*6-3*290*OL*South Hills H.S.*West Covina, Calif.*Stock rose after he performed very well at summer camps
Isaac Asiata*6-4*295*OL*Spanish Fork H.S.*Spanish Fork, Ut.*Asiata name has served the Utes well
Tevita Bloomfield*6-1*230*LB/H-back*Hunter H.S.*West Valley City, Ut.*Could play both ways, very physical player
Derrick Brown*6-3*237*QB*Vista Murrieta H.S.*Murrieta, Calif.*Dual threat QB has a big strong body
Joseph Bryant*6-3*205*S*Bryan H.S.*Bryan, Texas*Has height and range, has skills to be converted to LB
Nate Fakahafua*6-4*195*WR*Highland H.S.*Salt Lake City, Ut.*Skill player has the height the Utes love to recruit
Viliseni Fauonuku*6-0*290*DT*Bingham H.S.*West Jordan*Ut.*Another standout player on Bingham's defense
Charles Henderson*5-10*175*WR*McDonogh 35*New Orleans, La.*Playmaker runs a 4.4 in the 40
Ryan Henderson*5-10*170*CB*Rancho Verde H.S.*Moreno Valley, Calif.*Known for his great quickness and leaping ability
Daniel Kristensen*6-5*253*OL*Cottonwood H.S.*Salt Lake City, Ut.*Family has been long-time Utah fans
Keith McGill*6-4*210*S*Cerritos C.C.*Norwalk, Calif.*Talented player has a reputation of being a ball hog, in a good way
Philander Moore*5-9*185*WR*Blinn C.C.*Austin, Texas*Led the country in return yardage while at Blinn C.C.
Daniel Nielson*6-6*280*OL*Hurricane H.S.*Hurricane, Ut.*Was state 3-A heavyweight wrestling champ
Jared Norris*6-2*228*LB*Centennial H.S.*Bakersfield, Calif.*Reputation of Utah assistant John Pease was a big selling point for family
Jarrell Oliver*5-9*195*RB*Dulles H.S.*Sugar Land, Texas*Explosive runner with good vision, also has good hands
Jordan Robles*6-0-5*225*DL*Salem Hills H.S.*Salem, Ut.*Brother Griff already playing for Utes
Eric Rowe*6-1*175*S*Klein H.S.*Klein, Texas*Draws comparisons to former Utah standout Robert Johnson
Travis Still* 6-1*180*WR*Spanish Fork H.S.*Spanish Fork, Ut.*Potential of Utes' offense a deciding factor
John White*5-9*190*RB*Harbor C.C.*Wilmington, Calif.*Failed to qualify for Syracuse as a high school senior
&n
