This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated.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 combination of moving into the Pac-12 and the addition of Norm Chow to the staff is proving to be a very strong recruiting lure for the Utah Utes.
Just as the Utes had hoped, more and more highly regarded recruits are committing to the Utes over other rival schools.
The latest is Lone Peak quarterback Chase Hansen, who has orally committed to the Utes. Hansen, who is expected to go on a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints before enrolling at Utah, was thought to be a near lock for BYU. Oregon, Oregon State, Washington, Stanford and UCLA also pursued the quarterback.
Hansen is following the pattern of other sought-after players who see Utah in their future.
Recently, Travis Wilson, a 6-foot-6, 205-pound quarterback out of San Clemente, Calif., committed to the Utes.
Wilson was being recruited by Arizona, Colorado, UCLA and other western schools, but the tandem of Utah assistants Aaron Roderick and Chow was enough to get Wilson to commit to the Utes.
A pro-style quarterback, Wilson threw for 2,031 yards and 12 touchdowns with seven interceptions last year. He was named one of the top performers at the Los Angeles NIKE camp in April.
Chow, who joined the Utes' staff as the offensive coordinator, is considered a national recruiter for the Utes to help draw such talent to Utah.
Last summer, Hansen was at the center of controversy when he decided to transfer from American Fork to Lone Peak.
A Utah High School Activities Association panel initially denied the transfer. But at a second hearing, Hansen's family provided documentation that the decision was based on financial hardship, not football.
Hansen started as a sophomore at American Fork in 2009 before being allowed to transfer and play last season.