Recruiting Angle: Recapping Utah’s Recruiting Developments From May 30 Visitors
Jun 3, 2025, 11:58 AM
Utah football in week four practice of spring ball. PHOTO courtesy by Utah Athletics.
SALT LAKE CITY – Utah football welcomed a big group of visitors over the weekend, and Kyle Whittingham’s staff has seemingly made a big impression on the entire group.
The Utes secured one commitment from the weekend but have helped themselves considerably with the group. The Utes now have two commits in their 2026 class and hope to add the bulk of their class from the list of visitors this month.
Despite last season’s struggles, the Utes still finished with one of the better recruiting classes in the Big 12. With a refreshed outlook for the 2025 season, the Utes can get off to a good start on the trail this month. Here’s a recap of the developments from the weekend.
Utah Football’s Official Visitors For May 30-31
COMMITTED: LaGary Mitchell – LB, Meridian (ID)
.8470 Three-Star | No. 1235 Overall | No. 107 LB
The Utes were able to get on the board with a commitment from this weekend’s crop of visitors. Mitchell is one of the top linebackers out west and is a promising athlete for the position. He committed to Boise State last fall, but Coach Swan did a fantastic job of building their case to flip him.
Committed❤️@Utah_Football @MHSWarriorFB pic.twitter.com/eBSs4aavvd
— LaGary Mitchell Jr (@LaGaryMitchell8) June 2, 2025
Salesi Moa – ATH, Fremont HS (UT)
.9702 Four-Star | No. 57 Overall | No. 6 Athlete
Utah seems to have made a powerful impression with the state’s top-ranked player this past weekend. Moa told 247 Sports’ Blair Angulo that this was “the best visit” he’s had so far. Checking in at 6-2, 190 pounds, Moa is a dynamic athlete who has two-way potential. Utah is recruiting Moa primarily as a receiver, where Jason Beck and Micah Simon have made a very appealing pitch.
“My relationship with Utah is a great relationship, the coaches are always hitting me up, and I’m always hitting them up,” Salesi Moa shared at the UA Next Camp. “They’re actually recruiting me mainly for receiver, I’ve talked to coach Beck, coach Simon, all those guys.”
This is far from over, though, as Moa will visit Michigan on June 13 and Tennessee on June 20. Utah needs a top-flight talent like Moa, and will continue to make a strong push in his recruitment. Long ways to go and a lot of work to do in his recruitment, but Utah offers a very clear path to making an early impact.
Kelvin Obot – OT, Fruitland HS (ID)
.9414 Four-Star Rating | No. 130 Overall | No. 9 Tackle
At 6’5″ and 295 pounds, Obot is among the top offensive line prospects in the country, and his recruitment reflects that. According to a source close to Obot, the visit went “very, very well.”
Utah prioritizes linemen and has recruited the position at a high level over the past few years. Obot spent the majority of the weekend with Spencer Fano and Caleb Lomu, whom he mirrors as a prospect at this current stage.
Obot will visit Nebraska (June 6), Oregon (June 13), and Michigan (June 20). The Utes have positioned themselves well in his recruitment but this will be a very competitive recruitment.
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Chance Collins – S, Mansfield Timberview (TX)
.8940 Four-Star | No. 373 Overall | No. 34 Safety
Utah needed to provide a good experience, and Collins told KSL Sports that he had a “GREAT” experience on his official visit this past weekend. The opportunity to spend it with his high school teammates, Nathan Tilmon and Dilan Battle—both of whom are enrolled at Utah, was a great experience for Collins. The Utes have made a strong case with Collins, who has visits to Oklahoma State and Texas A&M on tap the rest of the month.
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Pulelei’ite Primus – OL, Midland HS (TX)
.8833 Three-Star | No. 521 Overall | No. 47 Interior Lineman
Another offensive lineman, getting Primus on campus for a visit, was a big deal. Utah competes with Washington, Houston, USC, and TCU for Primus.
Thank you again to everyone at @Utah_Football for having me and my mom down and for letting my family join in on the fun it was a amazing weekend thank you all so much for all of y’all’s hospitality much love!!! #GoUtes #OYB pic.twitter.com/NnF0GRWTaJ
— Pulelei’ite M. Primus (@Primuss73) June 2, 2025
Lopeti Moala – DL, Orem HS (UT)
.8650 Three-Star Rating | No. 928 Overall | No. 96 Defensive Lineman
Utah welcomed the gifted defensive lineman for his official visit. The Utes are in a heated battle with BYU, UCLA, Stanford, and Arizona for Moala.
“It’s been pretty steady, talking a lot with Utah and BYU,” Lopeti Moala previously told KSL Sports. “It’s been great getting to interact with all the coaches and see what their schools are about. I want to go to a school that will respect my decision to serve an LDS mission, while also giving me an opportunity to contribute right away.”
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Kaue Akana – WR, Orem HS (UT)
.8752 Three-Star | No. 682 Overall | No. 44 Athlete
Akana is a dynamic receiver with excellent hands and route-running abilities. Utah has made progress with him over the last couple of months, and the visit provided an opportunity for the Utes to continue that momentum. With a visit to UCLA (May 9) and Utah complete, Akana will now visit USC (June 6) and BYU (June 13).
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Jaxson Gates – CB, Damien HS (CA)
.8675 Three-Star | No. 876 Overall | No. 71 Cornerback
At 6-foot-1, 170 pounds, Gates is an impressive corner prospect thanks to good size and athleticism. The Syracuse commit raved about his relationship with the coaches and the experience on his visit.
“The thing I was looking forward to the most with my official visit was the environment, and I really liked the atmosphere in the program,” Gates shared with KSL Sports. “Getting a better feel for the coaching staff, I feel like they truly fit me and my family, which was another big thing.”
Gates committed to Syracuse back in November but with his Utah visit this past weekend, he’s tripped to Michigan State to start the week and then will head to Syracuse after that. He’ll finalize his decision after that.
Adam Bywater – LB, Olympus HS (UT)
.8600 Three-Star | No. 105 Linebacker
Bywater is a promising defensive athlete with the frame to play linebacker at the next level. His recruitment is centered around Utah, Boise State, and BYU. The Utes have made a strong impression and certainly helped themselves. He’ll head to Boise next weekend and BYU the weekend after that.
“Honestly, those three schools are all pretty much even,” Adam Bywater said of the schools he’s visiting. “It’s been really fun to see all the different coach styles and talk to them to see how they feel they can develop me.”
UTAH OV!!! My family and I had an Incredible time and it exceeded my expectations!! Thank you to @RSNBUtes and @Colton_Swan for great meetings and film study! UBOYZ???@BlairAngulo @kards87 @adamgorney @Utah_Football @CoachAjPatai @MasonYellicoUT pic.twitter.com/25oESkNBOZ
— Adam Bywater-3⭐️ (@AdamBywater22) June 2, 2025
Carter Stewart – S, Shadow Creek (TX)
.8485 Three-Star | No. 1223 Overall | No. 108
Utah has made a big push in Stewart’s recruitment, and the official visit added to their momentum. Arizona State is the other big competitor in his recruitment, but Utah has seemingly put itself in a good spot. Stewart has already visited SMU (May 2) and will officially visit Arizona State (June 6) and UNLV (June 13).
#GoUtes🖤❤️ pic.twitter.com/oHhJGXOq8V
— Carter Stewart (@Sgxae) June 2, 2025
Kohen Brown – WR, Waxahachie (TX)
.8840 Three-Star | No. 512 Overall | No. 84 WR
Receivers coach Micah Simon has built a very strong relationship with Brown, and the Utes have a handful of other relationships working to reel him in. Brown is a very promising Texas product, with the ability to stretch the field. He’d be a great fit in Beck’s offense. Considering the competition includes Texas, Notre Dame, and Ole Miss, this is a daunting recruitment, but the Utes have done a great job of building their case.
How I look??? https://t.co/2KMlke4ikO pic.twitter.com/BUewNzvvbX
— Kohen Brown (@kohenbrown2026) June 2, 2025
Major Hinchen – CB, La Quinta (CA)
Hinchen is exactly the sort of defensive back prospect Utah has been notorious for identifying and developing into a star. His visit allowed the staff to showcase the family atmosphere and culture in the program.
“The visit was really good, they’re like family over there,” Hinchen told KSL Sports.
Great first OV, thank you to all the coaches and players that made my stay!🤞🏽#UBoyz🔛🔛 pic.twitter.com/O8ndwYUYlp
— Major Hinchen (@HinchenMajor) June 3, 2025
Utah has finalized its official visitors list for the weekend, and it’s a pretty exciting list of visitors. Whittingham’s program will put its best foot forward with each prospect and their respective recruitments.
