Utah assistant coach Aaron Roderick evidently had a good recruiting weekend, as two athletes he has been after gave oral commitments to the Utes after visiting Salt Lake City.
Craig Payne, a 6-foot-3, 297-pound defensive tackle out of Colony High School in Ontario, Calif., and Ray Magee, a 6-3, 220-pound receiver out of Fullerton College, said they are headed to Utah. Both said their commitments were solid.
Payne had committed to Colorado State earlier but changed his mind.
"I liked the coaches," he said for going with the Utes instead of CSU. "Coach A-Rod, I love that dude."
Payne, who didn't play in 2008 because of a transfer rule that made him ineligible, said Utah's Sugar Bowl win played a small part in his decision.
"Utah is up-and-coming and I want to be a part of that," he said.
Magee has been on Utah's radar since he was a high school player at Valencia, Calif.
"It felt too good for me not to go to Utah," he said. "The whole team was great. It was just meant to be."
Magee said he hopes to join the Utes in time for spring practice.
Signing day is Feb. 4.
