This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
That's all folks. Utah has completed its 2015 signing class. But what of Britain Covey and Cody Barton, you ask? Covey and Barton will be "push-forwards," meaning they will receive scholarships Aug. 1 that will count toward Utah's 2016 signing class. Same deal for Kendall Huey.
So for 2016, the count to 25 national letters of intent is actually — if all goes according to plan — the count to 22.
Cody Barton — 6-2, 210-pound linebacker from Brighton HS (Utah) • He's the brother of freshman offensive lineman Jackson and son of Utah quarterback/pitcher Paul and basketball/volleyball legend Mikki Kane-Barton, so his commitment is the furthest thing from a surprise. Barton recorded 72 tackles this year as a safety for Brighton and also caught 27 passes for 334 yards. Rivals rating: three stars.
Britain Covey — 5-9, 165-pound wide receiver/return specialist from Timpview HS (Utah) • One of the most electric high school players in recent memory, Covey quarterbacked Timpview to its third consecutive state title in 2014 while playing for Cary Whittingham, brother of Utah head coach Kyle. He projects as a slot receiver and returner at the U., where he last planned on playing one year before serving an LDS mission. Rivals rating: two stars.
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5:05 p.m. • Utah received an NLI from George Wilson, who made his announcement earlier today.
George Wilson — 6-3, 180-pound wide receiver/safety from Tustin HS (Calif.) • Holding onto Wilson is a coup for the Utes after facing late pressure from Boise State. Wilson has the skills to play a couple places on the field, but may turn into a receiving threat to help build the future of Utah's offense with Dres Anderson gone and Kenneth Scott entering his senior season.
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3:19 p.m. • Pima CC's Kendall Huey, a defensive end thought to be a potential replacement edge rusher for Nate Orchard, is expected to join the Utes for fall camp, and will not sign an NLI today. That means we're just waiting on Britain Covey, Cody Barton and George Wilson, all avowed Utes who should fax in their NLIs shortly.
Kendall Huey — 6-4, 245-pound defensive end from Pima College (Ariz.) • This under-the-radar prospect had 6.5 sacks and fumble recovery for a touchdown in a total of six quarters before an MCL injury put a stopper on his sophomore season. Since he missed enough games for a medical redshirt, Huey should have three years to play three seasons with the Utes. Utah's next star pass rusher of the future? Maybe. Rivals rating: three stars.
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2:38 p.m. • The day's most likely pleasant surprise for Ute fans, Calif. cornerback Jaylinn Hawkins, committed to Cal on Fox Sports Southwest and has probably ending the signing day drama in Salt Lake. Stay tuned for still more updates and analysis, however, and for Kyle Whittingham's press conference at 4 p.m.
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1:39 p.m. • Utah has received a letter of intent from L.A. Harbor's Cory Butler.
Cory Butler — 5-9, 175-pound cornerback/wide receiver from L.A. Harbor CC (Calif.) • Originally committed to Utah in June, then committed to Kansas, and finally to Utah again. Had 46 tackles and five interceptions as a sophomore and returned kicks and punts. As a freshman caught 42 passes for 583 yards and seven touchdowns and rushed 66 times for 327 yards. Has three years to play two. Rivals rating: four stars.
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1:21 p.m. • Four-star Calif. Equanimeous St. Brown will ... not be a Ute. St. Brown, after thanking his German mother in fluent German and thanking his French friends (he lived in Paris for six months) in French, chose a Notre Dame hat from a table that included Utah, UCLA, USC and Stanford caps.
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12:15 p.m. • The Orange County Register's Dan Albano reports from the scene at Tustin High that George Wilson will honor his commitment to the U. after a hat ceremony including Washington State and Boise State. We'll have more on Wilson when the U. announces it has received his NLI.
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11:48 a.m. • Utah has an NLI from Joseph Williams. That leaves Brighton linebacker Cody Barton, Timpview return specialist/slot receiver Britain Covey, Pima defensive end Kendall Huey and L.A. Harbor cornerback/wide receiver Cory Butler among those expected to submit an NLI later, and Calif. wideout George Wilson, Calif. corner Jaylinn Hawkins and longshot Calif. wideout Equanimeous St. Brown yet to announce their choice.
Joseph Williams — 5-11, 205-pound running back from ASA College (Brooklyn) • The speedy Williams flew under the radar before his commitment last weekend, garnering little attention despite rushing for 1,093 yards and seven touchdowns while leading ASA to the Northeast Football Conference championship game. He originally attended UConn, but was dismissed for a violation of team rules, and has two years of eligibility remaining. Rivals rating: two stars.
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11:35 a.m. • A handful of future Utes won't sign NLIs today because they intend to serve an LDS mission and count toward the 2017 class, as Austin Lee, Vaha Vainuku and Jake Jackson did two years ago (see WAY down at the bottom). Those players are:
James Empey — 6-5, 275-pound offensive guard from American Fork HS (Utah) • Empey helped pave the way for Oregon State commit Zach Katoa to rush for 25 touchdowns this year. On the defensive side of the ball, Empey contributed 62 tackles and 3.5 sacks as a senior. Empey will serve an LDS mission before enrolling at the U. Rivals rating: three stars.
Quinn Fabrizio — 6-3, 210-pound safety from Alta HS (Utah) • As one Alta safety — Austin Lee — returns from an LDS mission, Utah signs another who will soon embark on one. Fabrizio was limited by injury as a senior but totaled 94 tackles and one pick as a junior. Notes. Rivals rating: three stars.
Chad Hekking — 6-4, 215-pound athlete from Vacaville HS (Calif.) • The younger brother of Nevada standout Brock Hekking, the versatile dual-threat quarterback could wind up in any one of five position groups by the time he joins the Utes. Chief among his concerns was how Utah handles its LDS missionaries. He's a Jim Harding recruit who won't join the program until 2017. Rivals rating: three stars.
Chayden Johnston — 6-0, 160-pound kicker from Bingham HS • Another early commit to the Utes felt good about his connection with Utah's current specialists. He was a two-time state champion with the Miners, and kicked 210 points throughout his high school career. He earned a national player of the week nod last year when he kicked a 47-yarder to push Bishop Gorman into overtime. Mission first kid. Rivals rating: two stars.
T.J. Kautai — 6-0, 210-pound safety/linebacker from Trinity HS (Texas) • Kautai truly popped up on the radar only after he committed to the U., the first school to offer him, but he continues a rich pipeline from a well-regarded Texas power. Maxpreps lists him with 23 tackles and a fumble recovery, but the Utes are investing in his potential. The younger brother of a BYU linebacker, Kautai will go on his mission first. Rivals rating: two stars.
Also • Utah has asked Arizona offensive lineman Jake Grant to grayshirt and join the team in 2016.
Jake Grant — 6-4, 280-pound offensive lineman from Horizon HS (Ariz.) • One of the long-tenured commits in the class, Grant pledged to the Utes last March. The Utes didn't exactly reward his loyalty, asking him to gray shirt his first semester, according to the Arizona Republic. Grant's only other offer was from Montana, so he's obliging Utah's request. He told the Republic he should move to guard or center with the Utes' influx of offensive linemen in the class. Rivals rating: three stars.
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11:24 a.m. • A name that wasn't on our list previously, but not exactly a surprise, Utah has received an NLI from Tyrone Smith.
Tyrone Smith — 6-4, 170-pound wide receiver from Edison HS (Calif.) • Smith is a member of the 2014 class who required another year to complete his academic requirements. He is expected to enroll in spring and participate in camp, per the U.'s release. Rivals rating: not rated.
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10:15 a.m. • With the addition of Philip Afia, Utah has the makings of not only a top-20 football team, but a solid indoor soccer lineup. Andy Phillips and Tom Hackett, take note.
Philip Afia — 6-0, 175-pound safety from Ayala HS (Calif.) • Afia played safety, wideout, kicker and punter while in high school, but at the next level he will play safety, where he recorded 58 tackles and snagged three interceptions this year. His first love was soccer and he had never watched a football game until trying out for the high school team. Rivals rating: three stars.
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9:45 a.m. • One of Utah's biggest scores, literally and figuratively, Darrin Paulo has faxed in his NLI.
Darrin Paulo — 6-5, 315-pound offensive lineman from Grant HS (Calif.) • A much sought-after recruit who chose the Utes over Nebraska and Oregon, among others, Paulo was a stalwart on the line for a team that was 14-1. He was second-team all-state and also was a shotput and discus standout. He played tackle in high school but may move to the inside at the next level. Rivals rating: three stars.
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9:03 a.m. • They're rolling in now. Deniko Carter and Marcel Brooks-Brown brings the total to 10 today.
Deniko Carter — 6-2, 173-pound wide receiver from Gavilan CC (Calif.) • Carter went from Baltimore to Dean College in Massachusetts, to California and now to Utah in pursuit of the next level. Gavilan coach Spencer Gilford said he can run the 40-yard dash in the "mid- to upper-4.3" range, and Carter caught 50 passes for 796 yards and six touchdowns last season. Rivals rating: three stars.
Marcel Brooks-Brown — 6-0, 205-pound running back from Rio Linda High (Calif.) • Mentored by 2004 Fiesta Bowl-winning running back Marty Johnson, Brooks-Brown rushed for 5,457 yards and 70 touchdowns in a powerhouse high school rushing attack, averaging an outlandish 10.2 yards per carry as a senior. The Sacramento native is LDS but has no plans to serve a mission at this time. Rivals rating: three stars.
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8:30 a.m. • Two more: Keven Dixon and Alfred Smith.
Keven Dixon — 6-4, 272-pound offensive tackle from Buena Park HS (Calif.) • Named Buena Park's most improved player as a senior, Dixon adds another big frame for strength coach Doug Elisaia to pack muscle onto. Dixon also played defensive line in high school and had 43 tackles — 11 for loss — an interception and a blocked field goal as a senior. Rivals rating: three stars.
Alfred Smith — 5-9, 175-pound wide receiver from Destrehan HS (La.) • He's hoping to hook up with former teammate Donovan Isom, who helped Smith have 873 receiving yards as a junior. Nicknamed "Tarzan," Smith was more limited as a junior but helped guide Destrehan to a 14-1 mark last year. Rivals rating: three stars.
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8:28 a.m. • Utah has received an NLI from Caleb Repp.
Caleb Repp — 6-4, 202-pound athlete from Los Osos HS (Calif.) • He caught 34 passes for 498 yards and five touchdowns during an injury-shortened season, and he plays basketball and runs track. But Utah may want to try him in a Nate Orchard-style role, bulking him up to defensive end. Rivals rating: three stars.
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8:12 a.m. • Utah has received an NLI from Johnny Capra.
Johnny Capra — 6-6, 288-pound offensive tackle from Placer HS (Calif.) • One of a handful of January commitments that new co-offensive coordinator Jim Harding forged a strong bond with, Capra is an athletic tackle who also played defensive tackle in high school. His Placer team lost to fellow commit Marcel Brooks-Brown's Rio Linda in the CIF playoffs. Rivals rating: three stars.
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8:03 a.m. • Kyle Fulks' letter has been received from Blinn College, where Utah also found quarterback Terrance Cain and wideout Dexter Ransom in recent years.
Kyle Fulks — 5-8, 168-pound receiver/defensive back from Blinn College (Texas) • The one-time Baylor signee had trouble with academics that sent him down the JuCo route. But he may be the speediest addition to the Utes, clocking in with a 10.21-second 100-meter dash out of Katy High School. He redshirted after spraining his PCL, giving him three years to play three seasons. He committed to Utah over Texas Tech, and seems a likely candidate to wind up on defense. Rivals rating: two stars.
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7:29 a.m. • Utah has received an NLI from Tempe, Ariz.'s Nick Carman
Nick Carman — 6-3, 273-pound offensive lineman from Mountain Pointe HS (Arizona) • Carman packed on the weight during high school to become honorable mention all-state as a junior and first-team all-state as a senior. Described by high school coach Norris Vaughan as the ultimate high-character grinder, Carman also earned all-academic honors with a 3.81 GPA as a senior. Rivals rating: three stars.
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6:30 a.m. • Utah's first signees are a package deal from powerhouse St. Thomas Aquinas High:
Tyson Cisrow — 6-0, 180-pound safety from St. Thomas Aquinas HS (Florida) • Along with fellow commit Chris Hart, Cisrow helped lead St. Thomas Aquinas to a state title and No. 8 national ranking from MaxPreps. Cisrow, who totaled 31 tackles and four interceptions as a junior, will join a predominantly young safety corps at the U., tasked with filling the shoes of Brian Blechen and, in 2016, Tevin Carter. Rivals rating: three stars.
Chris Hart — 6-1, 238-pound outside linebacker from St. Thomas Aquinas HS (Fla.) • Hart is one of two signees from the South Florida powerhouse. He won the state title with the Raiders, and looks to add some versatility to Utah's linebacking corps — he played as a down lineman in some defensive packages. He was ranked the No. 13 player in talent-rich Broward County, and the Utes hope he helps continue the program's pipeline into Florida. Rivals rating: three stars.
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5:47 a.m. • Utah is fighting for its right to compete. To win.
And should Utah receive a commitment from one or two more 17- and 18-year-old football prodigies, the Fourth of February will no longer be known as an important recruiting date, but as the day when Utah Football declared in 25 faxes: "We will not go quietly into spring ball. We will not vanish from popular top-40 recruiting rankings without a fight.
"We're going to play on. We're going to survive.
"Today, we celebrate, our Signing Day."
*Hearty applause*
... Or not. Probably not.
It's pre-dawn Wednesday and while the continued existence of the human race isn't at stake (see: "Independence Day"), it is an important day for the future of Utah's football team.
First, a look at a few key times today:
12:03 p.m. MT • Utah wide receiver commit George Wilson announces his choice between Utah, Boise State and Washington State.
2 p.m. MT • Wide receiver Jaylinn Hawkins will announce his decision on Fox Sports Southwest, weighing a handful of Pac-12 schools, including Utah, and Boise State.
4 p.m. MT • Kyle Whittingham will speak at a press conference for the first time not only about Utah's 25 newest players, but about the coaching moves the school announced earlier this week.
Now is also a good time to note five players who have already enrolled this semester and who will be added to the roster:
Ahmad Christian — transfer cornerback from South Carolina • Christian looked poise to start at South Carolina before leaving due to acknowledged differences between he and the coaching staff. The 46th-round pick of the Milwaukee Brewers in the 2010 MLB Draft, Christian played baseball at South Carolina and last year at Seminole State College. The former Trinity Christian Academy standout will stick to football at the U., where he will have one year to play one and is expected to have an immediate impact. He is enrolled and will participate in spring ball.
Jake Jackson — returned missionary linebacker • The son of two parents who attended BYU, the San Diego product nonetheless chose Utah in 2012 after a stat sheet-stuffing senior year that included 103 tackles, 11 sacks, and 362 yards receiving as a tight end. He is enrolled and will participate in spring ball.
Austin Lee — returned missionary safety • Back from a mission to Tulsa, the two-time first-team all-state safety returns to the school where his grandfather, Gordon Lee, was a player and coach, and where his father was a baseball player. He is enrolled and will participate in spring ball.
Sunia Tauteoli — transfer linebacker from Snow College • It's been a long journey for the 6-foot linebacker, who graduated from East in 2009, served an LDS mission, walked on at Snow, and then committed to Utah State before the 2014 season. But unable to get his associate degree the summer beforehand due to time constraints (he was working two jobs, he said, to help his family), he decommitted and finished his coursework last fall at Salt Lake Community College. Tauteoli is now enrolled and on scholarship at the U., with three years to play three.
Vaha Vainuku — returned missionary defensive tackle • All all-state offensive lineman for two seasons, Vainuku served an LDS mission in Oakland after starring at East High. He is enrolled and will participate in spring ball.
Stay tuned for further updates throughout the day.