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Texas, Washington swoop in to sign East linemen

Courtesy Carson Gautuavai East linemen Sam “Taki” Taimani, left and Junior Angilau pose for a photo after signing their National Letters of Intent on Wednesday morning. Taimani signed his with the University of Washington and Angilau signed his with the University of Texas.

East High four-star recruits Junior Angilau and Sam “Taki” Taimani lined up side-by-side Wednesday morning, but not on the offensive line this time.

Their motto has been, “East guards for life,” but they sat down in the high school commons in front friends and family to sign the National Letters of Intent that would send them in opposite directions. Angilau signed with the University of Texas and Taimani with the University of Washington when the early signing period opened Wednesday morning.

“It was great,” Taimani said about having his signing day with Angilau. “We’re really good friends, and we’re family, too.”

Angilau and Taimani were highly recruited members of a strong East offensive line. The Leopards offense relied heavily on the run game, averaging 398.6 yards rushing per game last season.

“There’s no question the success of our run game is completely and totally predicated on the success of our offensive line,” East coach Brandon Matich said.

The Leopards advanced to the Class 6A state title game this year, where they lost to Bingham 27-14.

Both Angilau and Taimani stood out for their athleticism. The 6-foot-2, 315-pound Taimani played wide receiver his freshman year before growing into a lineman.

“He was an athlete before he was a lineman, and that shows on the field,” Matich said. “It shows how explosive and fast he is because of what he was before. And so his point of collision, or point of contact, is so explosive because he’s so athletic.”

Taimani said Washington plans to use him on the other side of the ball.

As for Angilau, the 6-6, 297-pound tackle’s source of agility is his long legs.

“He’s got athletic, almost basketball legs,” Matich said. “So he’s so athletic and moves so well down the field that that is such a unique quality to a lineman that he’s moving down the field at a high rate of speed.”

Both linemen plan to finish the school year at East before parting ways.

At least two other four-star recruits from Utah signed Wednesday. Lehi quarterback Cammon Cooper penned an NIT to play at Washington State, while Olympus defensive end Cameron Latu stayed true to his commitment to Alabama. Cooper is set to graduate from Lehi early and start college in the spring, while Latu said he will stay at Olympus through next semester.

Highly sought-after Desert Hills lineman Penei Sewell decided to wait to make his decision. He had tweeted Dec. 12 that he planned to sign Wednesday, but he changed his mind.

He tweeted that he would wait to make his decision, but his final four options are Oregon, USC, Alabama and Utah.

In other Power 5 conference signings by Utah prep standouts, the University of Washington also signed Alta inside linebacker MJ Tafisi. Stanford signed two Utah natives Wednesday, former Brighton wide receiver Simi Fehoko and former East tight end/defensive end Tangaloa Kaufusi while they were on their LDS missions.

Utah signees with out of state FBS schools

Washington • Sam Taimani, East, OL; MJ Tafisi, Alta, LB

Stanford • Simi Fehoko, Brighton, WR; Tangaloa Kaufusi, East, TE/DE

Alabama • Cameron Latu, Olympus, DE

Washington State • Cammon Cooper, Lehi, QB

Texas • Junior Angilau, East, OL

Wyoming • Jesse Hooper, Summit Academy, LS