This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
The University of Utah's historic 2011 football recruiting class likely includes next season's starting running back.
The Utes signed 19 recruits Wednesday. They are first group of players at Utah who will spend their entire careers in the Pac-12.
Among the signees are running backs Harvey Langi, of Bingham High, Jarrell Oliver, of Dulles High in Sugar Land, Texas, and John White IV from Los Angeles Harbor College. According to coach Kyle Whittingham, Utah's losses at running back after last season translates into a golden opportunity for the newcomers.
"That was our most pressing need," Whittingham said. "... I thought we came away with three good ones."
Langi is already enrolled in school and White should enroll in the next few weeks. They will participate in spring practice, which could give them an advantage over Oliver.
Still, Whittingham said the competition at running back will be "wide-open" because the Utes have "nobody with any experience at all" on the roster. In all, Utah ended up signing three junior college transfers and nine in-state players, including Langi's Bingham High teammate, defensive tackle Seni Fauonuku.
"We did very well in Utah," Whittingham said. "We were very balanced across the state."
He pointed out that only five of his nine in-state recruits are from "north of Point of the Mountain."
Meanwhile, the Utes' 10 out-of-state recruits come from California (six), Texas (three) and Louisiana (one).
By position, five of the newest Utes are offensive linemen and four are defensive backs.
Utah's history-making recruiting class includes one unexpected member. Quinton Pedroza, a receiver-defensive back from Chino, Calif., signed with the Utes after originally committing to Arizona State.
Whittingham called him "an all-around athlete" who is "very versatile. He can play receiver, safety, return kicks — maybe even grow into a linebacker.
"He's a big kid with a lot of athletic ability. ... That was a pleasant surprise."
Obviously, Utah didn't get every recruit it coveted.
Michael Eubank, ranked as the No. 13 quarterback prospect in the country by Rivals.com, stuck with a December commitment and signed with Arizona State.
Eubank (6-5, 220) made late visits to Utah and Pittsburgh. He passed for 2,831 yards and 25 touchdowns last season. He also rushed for 1,320 yards and 18 touchdowns. Meanwhile, four-star tight end Nila Kasitati, of Trinity High School in Euless, Texas, picked Oklahoma over Utah and Baylor, where he had committed in March.
Reporter Lya Wodraska contributed to this story —
Utah signees
Name Pos. Hometown School Ht/Wgt
Siaosi Aiono OL West Covina, Calif. South Hills H.S. 6-3/290
Stock rose after he performed very well at summer camps.
Isaac Asiata OL Spanish Fork Spanish Fork H.S. 6-4/295
The Asiata name has served the Utes well; he's already enrolled.
Tevita Bloomfield LB/H-back West Valley City Hunter H.S. 6-1/230
Could play both ways; very physical player.
Joseph Bryant S Bryan, Texas Bryan H.S. 6-3/205
Has height, range and skills to be converted to LB.
Anthony Denham WR Monterey Park, Calif. East L.A. College 6-4/231
Four-star recruit by Rivals and Scout
Nate Fakahafua WR Salt Lake City Highland H.S. 6-4/195
Skill player has the height the Utes love to recruit.
Viliseni Fauonuku DT West Jordan Bingham H.S. 6-0/290
Another standout player on Bingham's defense.
Charles Henderson WR New Orleans McDonogh 35 H.S. 5-10/175
Playmaker runs a 4.4 in the 40.
Daniel Kristensen OL Salt Lake City Cottonwood H.S. 6-5/253
From a family of longtime Utah fans.
Harvey Langi RB South Jordan Bingham H.S. 6-1/215
Highly touted back has enrolled, taking classes.
Daniel Nielson OL Hurricane Hurricane H.S. 6-6/280
Was state Class 3A heavyweight wrestling champ.
Jared Norris LB Bakersfield, Calif. Centennial H.S. 6-2/228
Reputation of Utah assistant John Pease was a big selling point for family.
Jarrell Oliver RB Sugar Land, Texas Dulles H.S. 5-9/195
Explosive runner with good vision; also has good hands.
Quinton Pedroza DB Chino, Calif. Chino H.S. 6-2/211
Could play receiver and return kicks as well
Jordan Robles DL Salem Salem Hills H.S. 6-5/225
Brother Griff already playing for Utes.
Eric Rowe S Klein, Texas Klein H.S. 6-1/175
Draws comparisons to former Utah standout Robert Johnson.
Travis Still WR Spanish Fork Spanish Fork H.S. 6-1/180
Potential of Utes' offense a deciding factor.
John White RB Wilmington, Calif. Harbor C.C. 5-9/190
Already signed and expected to be with team in spring.