By Lya Wodraska

| The Salt Lake Tribune

The Utah Utes got some big news Monday night as Hiva Lutui, a 6-foot-2, 285-pound lineman out of Trinity High School in Euless, Texas, committed to the Utes. Lutui had offers from USC and UCLA.

Lutui was a highly sought-after recruit known for his solid play. He’ll likely play at guard or center for the Utes.

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Trinity H.S. also produced current Utes and defensive linemen L.T. Tuipulotu and Seni Fauonuku. Fauonuku played for Trinity before transferring to Bingham.

Lutui said Tuipulotu and his cousin, Tauni Vakapuna, helped recruit him to Utah, but ultimately it was recruiting coordinator Morgan Scalley and a recent visit from coach Kyle Whittingham that really made his decision an easy one.

"They recruited me hard core from Day 1 and it wasn’t like they fell off and then jumped back on the boat again," he said. "They made me feel really wanted in the program and the vibe was right. It feels like a tight-knit family and the program is on the rise in the Pac-12."

Lutui said his commitment is firm.

With less than two days to go until signing day, the Utes remain in play for several sought-after recruits, including Carlos Lozano, a 6-foot-7, 375-pound tackle out of East Los Angeles College, Brandon Fanaika, a defensive lineman out of Pleasant Grove H.S. who has committed to Stanford but is considering signing with the Utes, and Moana Ofahengaue, a linebacker out of Lehi.

The Utes are after several cornerbacks as well, including Alphonso Marsh and Brandon Beaver, who are high school teammates out of Dominquez High School in Compton, Calif.; Raymond Ford, out of Gardena, Calif.; and Darion Monroe, a cornerback out of Louisiana who has committed to Texas A&M but is keeping his options open.

Pasoni Tasini, a 6-foot-3, 240-pound defensive end out of Baldwin H.S. in Wailiku, Hawaii, committed to the Utes on Sunday after a visit.

He also had offers from Hawaii, UNLV and Oregon State.

Tasini, who visited Oregon State last weekend, plans to go on a mission before enrolling at Utah.