Utah Utes National Signing Day Commitments
Feb 6, 2019, 3:04 PM | Updated: Feb 7, 2019, 10:58 am
(Photo by Getty Images)
(Photo by Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The University of Utah announced their recruiting class ahead of the 2019 season.
Kyle Whittingham and his staff had 12 recruits sign during the early period in December with 7 new recruits on National Signing Day. The seven players include two offensive linemen, three defensive backs, one running back and one quarterback.
Simote Pepa, Defensive Lineman
Pepa will help bolster Utah’s defensive line as he joins the Utes from Bingham High School. He was rated the No. 4 prospect in the state of Utah. Pepa was the 6A MVP in 2017 and a two-time first team all-state. The three-star recruit received offers from Wisconsin, Washington, Air Force, Arizona, BYU, Navy, Nebraska, Oregon, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Virginia and Utah State.
Another #HometownHero, @SimotePepa is joining the Utah Football Family 🙌#UBoyz #UtahNSD19 pic.twitter.com/PTKDvTmLWP
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) February 7, 2019
2017 6A MVP & 2-time first-team all-state DL Simote Pepa is the newest Ute! Helped Bingham HS win Utah state titles in 2016 and 2017. 11 career sacks. Learn more https://t.co/TCWo6tADgN. #UtahNSD19 #goutes pic.twitter.com/ylYppQ6tYK
— Utah Athletics (@utahathletics) February 7, 2019
Junior Tafuna, Linebacker
The Bingham High School product won two state championships with the Miners. The three-star recruit was named second team all-state and played in the 2019 Polynesian Bowl. Tafuna is rated as the 5th best recruit from the state of Utah. He had offers from BYU, Nebraska, Oregon and Utah State.
Utes land prototype LB Junior Tafuna (6-3, 235) out of two-time Utah state champion Bingham HS. 2nd-team all-state & 3-star recruit played in the 2019 Polynesian Bowl. Learn more https://t.co/TCWo6tADgN. #UtahNSD19 #goutes pic.twitter.com/B8W2zZXIvr
— Utah Athletics (@utahathletics) February 7, 2019
Done deal. #GoUtes🔴⚫️ pic.twitter.com/hnMW5b70Z2
— Junior Miles Tafuna (@LingChing42) November 6, 2018
Jordan Wilmore, Running Back
Wilmore is a four-star running back from Lawndale High School in California. He previously committed to USC before deciding to switch to Utah. The decision was down to Utah, UCLA and Arizona State before choosing Salt Lake City. Wilmore rushed for over 2,000 yards the last three seasons and had 32 career games of over 100 yards on the ground. He was named first team All-CIF and All-Area Player of the Year.
The tradition of great RBs at the U continues with @thee5ivester! #UBoyz #UtahNSD19 pic.twitter.com/DiEgPOulA0
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) February 7, 2019
Ground game gold! Utes land four-star running back Jordan Wilmore. First-team All-CIF and All-Area Player of the Year rushed for over 2,000 yards the last 3 seasons. 32 career 100 yd games (15 200 yd games). Learn more https://t.co/TCWo6tADgN. #UtahNSD19 #goutes pic.twitter.com/zPoDrVXPPI
— Utah Athletics (@utahathletics) February 7, 2019
Yessir issa done deal!! pic.twitter.com/LdOMd27RpA
— Jordan Wilmore (@thee5ivester) February 7, 2019
Sione Vaki, Safety
Vaki was a defensive back, wide receiver and return specialist at Liberty High School in California. During his senior season, he had four interceptions, 65 recptions for 1,359 yards and 20 touchdowns. He is a three-star recruit that had offers from Utah State, Washington State, Boston College, BYU, Howard, Illinois, Nevada, Oklahoma State, San Jose State, Tennessee and USC. Vaki will join the Utes after he serves a two-year LDS mission.
ANOTHER ONE! Welcome @sione_vaki 🙌#UBoyz #UtahNSD19 pic.twitter.com/PDOm5wg6TS
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) February 7, 2019
Bay Valley Athletic League MVP Sione Vaki is bringing his game to Utah. DB, WR & RET at Liberty HS will play safety for the Utes. 4 INT, 65 rec./1,359 yards/20 TD in 2018. Learn more https://t.co/TCWo6tADgN. #UtahNSD19 #goutes pic.twitter.com/zHZUnMwkQO
— Utah Athletics (@utahathletics) February 7, 2019
After I serve a 2 year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints..I will then further my education and football career at a place that I will live and start a family long after football and that will be at..The University of Utah #GoUtes#MLUYFI #TeamPala#Lions🇹🇴 pic.twitter.com/LzsMOky4LG
— Sione Taufa Vaki (@sione_vaki) February 7, 2019
Bamidele Olaseni, Offensive Lineman
Olaseni is a standout offensive lineman that will join Utah as a junior college transfer from Garden City Community College. He is a four-star prospect and the 10th ranked offensive lineman in the country. The London, England native is 6-7, 332 lbs. Olaseni had offers from Auburn, Arkansas, Kansas State, Minnesota, Mississippi State, Nebraska, Ohio State, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, Tennessee and Texas.
Welcome to the fam, Bam! @BamideleOlaseni #OBLOCK#UBoyz #UtahNSD19 pic.twitter.com/Hn0qU4Bk3i
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) February 6, 2019
Big Bam! Celebrated OT Bamidele Olaseni (#10-ranked offensive tackle in the country) has signed with the Utes! First-team NJCAA All-American and four-star recruit. Learn more https://t.co/TCWo6tADgN. #UtahNSD19 #goutes pic.twitter.com/DalYv6zSQs
— Utah Athletics (@utahathletics) February 6, 2019
Committed #GoUtes #JUCOPRODUCT pic.twitter.com/pyB5xLDw71
— Bamidele Matthew Olaseni (@BamideleOlaseni) February 6, 2019
JaTravis McCloud, Defensive Back
McCloud is a fast defensive back, who finished second in the 100 and 200 meter at the 2017 USATF National Youth Outdoor Championships. The three-star prospect was an honorable mention all-state cornerback from Tulsa, Oklahoma. He had offers from Army, Oregon, Rice, Stephen F. Austin and Texas Tech.
Excited to welcome CB @JT4LIFE4EVA to the #UtahFootballFamily!#UBoyz #UtahNSD19 pic.twitter.com/Tck6UM2mAh
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) February 6, 2019
New Ute JaTravis McCloud of Tulsa, OK is an HM all-state cornerback with blazing speed. 400 champ was 2nd in the 100 & 200 at the 2017 USATF National Youth Outdoor Championships. 3 state titles in the sprint relays. Learn more https://t.co/TCWo6tADgN. #UtahNSD19 #goutes pic.twitter.com/CXsJRSVvgW
— Utah Athletics (@utahathletics) February 6, 2019
100% Committed🤐……#GoUtes⚪️⚫️🔴 @Utah_Football @SafetyPride @UteReef33 @ReggieDunnJr pic.twitter.com/bEeO2BooXg
— JaTravis McCloud💦 (@JT4LIFE4EVA) January 21, 2019
Cameron Rising, Quarterback
Rising will be eligible in 2020 after he transferred from the University of Texas. He was a four-star prospect coming out of Newbury High School in California. Rising was rated the No. 8 pro-style quarterback in the country by Rivals. When he was being recruited out of high school, Rising received 25 offers from top programs in the country that include Oklahoma, Alabama, LSU, Michigan, Oregon, Penn State and Washington State among others.
Welcome QB @crising7 to the #UtahFootballFamily! He is also already on campus. #UBoyz #UtahNSD19 pic.twitter.com/WG3A1IAgbj
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) February 6, 2019
A big Utah welcome to Texas transfer Cameron Rising! 4-star recruit and #8 pro-style QB in the nation by Rivals out of Newbury HS in Calif. Redshirted at Texas in 2018. Learn more https://t.co/TCWo6tADgN. #UtahNSD19 #goutes pic.twitter.com/m4GjJtUNmr
— Utah Athletics (@utahathletics) February 6, 2019
“I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.” Go Utes! pic.twitter.com/HRu18tDZCQ
— Cameron Rising (@crising7) January 17, 2019
Luke Felix-Fualalo, Offensive Lineman
Felix-Fualalo is a three-star recruit from Australia before moving to the United States to play football. He attended Mater Dei High School in Los Angeles, California. The offensive lineman received offers from Arizona State, Colorado, Oregon State and Washington State.
.@FelixFualalo is already on campus. We’re excited to have him as part of the #OBLOCK 🙌#UBoyz #UtahNSD19 pic.twitter.com/xnfVBbs3NG
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) February 6, 2019
The Aussie pipeline delivers again! Big offensive lineman Luke Felix-Fualalo (6-7, 302) moved to the U.S. to play football for Mater Dei HS in L.A. and became a three-star recruit. Learn more https://t.co/TCWo6tADgN. #UtahNSD19 #goutes pic.twitter.com/IYZtVK6OUA
— Utah Athletics (@utahathletics) February 6, 2019
100% Committed to the University of Utah!! Thank you everybody!! @Utah_Football @UtahCoachWhitt @FWhittinghamJr @coachjharding @ConquestCQ @sapoluMITT @AllegianceAth #GoUtes #UBoys pic.twitter.com/zKKrnqwL0G
— Luke Felix-Fualalo (@FelixFualalo) June 15, 2018
Drew Rawls, Defensive Back
Rawls is a three-star recruit from West Brook High School in Beaumont, Texas. He is 6-0, 184 pounds and was named first team 21-6 All-District as a safety. Rawls received offers from Tulsa, Incarnate Word and Sam Houston State.
Starting the morning off with @drew_rawls11! A Safety out of West Brook Senior High School.#UBoyz #UtahNSD19 pic.twitter.com/IBzlIfdA9D
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) February 6, 2019
There’s safety in numbers and Utes love their new commit—first-team 21-6A All-District safety Drew Rawls out of Beaumont, Texas. Three stars by 247Sports and Rivals. Learn more https://t.co/TCWo6tADgN. #UtahNSD19 #goutes pic.twitter.com/XADjFPoMD9
— Utah Athletics (@utahathletics) February 6, 2019
AGTG! Blessed to say I am 110% committted! This is for you dad❤️ pic.twitter.com/av73yYM3wD
— Drew🦅 (@drew_rawls11) February 6, 2019
