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His last name, in football circles, both lends him instant credibility and issues him a personal challenge.

Being the first cousin of both a first-round NFL Draft pick and an all-conference defensive tackle comes with expectations. But Hunter Lotulelei, a rising junior at Highland High School, accepts it all, committing Friday night to join Utah football where his cousins made their names.

"Having examples like Lowell [Lotulelei] and Star [Lotulelei] has been great," he said. "I really look up to them, and they've helped me a lot. Thinking about how great they are really pushes me."

Lotulelei is the first commitment for the Utes in the 2018 class. While he's a long way behind his cousins in accomplishments, he's not that far behind in stature at 6-foot-3 and 280 pounds.

The oldest brother in his family — his father is brothers with Star Lotulelei Sr. — Hunter plays both ways on defensive line and guard for the Highland Rams. He did enough this weekend at All-Poly Camp in Layton to convince the Utes he was worth a scholarship offer two years away from graduation.

After talking it over with his family and Highland coach Brody Benson, Lotulelei committed quickly. Defensive coordinator (and Highland alum) Morgan Scalley was his chief contact with the Utes — the third pickup Scalley helped engineer this week.

So far, Lotulelei'shttp://www.scout.com/player/208775-hunter-lotulelei/recruiting";> only other DI offer is from Colorado. But his cousins weren't Buffaloes.

Star Lotulelei ishttp://www.sltrib.com/home/3489202-155/super-bowl-ex-ute-star-lotulelei-shining";> currently making a living in the trenches for the Carolina Panthers, but he was a major player at Utah, where he was an All-American. Rising juniorhttp://www.sltrib.com/blogs/3860032-155/utah-football-lowell-lotulelei-appears-in";> Lowell Lotulelei has already been hinted as a potential first-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, http://bit.ly/1OtKBCI";>following in his brother's footsteps after an All Pac-12 year as a sophomore.

Growing up in the shadow of Rice Eccles-Stadium, Hunter said he's long desired to follow his cousins to the U.

"I'm pretty sure this is it for me," he said. "Utah is a program I've always wanted to be a part of. It's close to home, and I want my family to be able to watch my games."

Lotulelei doesn't have a star ranking from any major recruiting website yet, but could pick up steam after the summer. Highland has produced several vaunted defensive linemen in the last few years, including Nate Orchard, Bryan Mone, and current Ute Pita Tonga.

You can view his http://www.hudl.com/athlete/4220196/highlights/163722015";>Hudl highlights (there's not that many yet) by clicking here.

Meanwhile, Utah has made more headway on the recruiting trail in the past 48 hours than the entire spring, with three additions to the 2017 class and now breaking through for the 2018 crop.

These are the other Utes commitments the Tribune has reported on:

2017
http://bit.ly/1XYN4us";>• Texas DB Tristin McCollum
http://bit.ly/1XYN4us";>• Texas DB Zyon McCollum
http://bit.ly/1TTt5JC";>• Snow College DT John Penisini
http://bit.ly/1S9P368";>• American River College RB Armand Shyne

kgoon@sltrib.com
Twitter: @kylegoon