Live Updates As Utah Football Signs their class of 2021
Go Utes! (Abu Asib for the Daily Utah Chronicle)
December 15, 2020
The early signing period is finally here for the University of Utah football team. The team will be signing tons of new faces who will be suiting up for the Utes starting next season. This story will be updating as the newest Utes put ink to paper and sign their National Letters of Intent.
[7:29 a.m. MST]
Offensive Tackle
Phoenix, AZ
6’8 248 pounds
Williams is one of two offensive linemen who will sign with Utah during the early period. Williams plays at Mountain Pointe High School and is the No. 12 player in the state. While he is relatively new to the sport, Williams’ size gives him the potential to be a great lineman later in his career at Utah.
Utah beat out the likes of Arizona State, Florida State and Oregon State for Williams.
[9:12 a.m. MST]
Linebacker
Queen Creek, AZ
6’2 235 pounds
Reynolds is a three-star commit from Queen Creek High School. He is the No. 11 prospect in the state of Arizona. In his high school career, he recorded 372 total tackles, 108 of which were solo. His junior season was the most productive with 159 tackles. This year he recorded 157 tackles.
Reynolds intends to be an early enrollee and will be on campus this coming spring.
[9:13 a.m. MST]
Defensive Tackle
Ephraim, UT
6’4 299 pounds
Fotu is the younger brother of former Utah player Leki Fotu. Tevita comes to the Utes after a brief stint at Snow College. Last season at Snow, Fotu accounted for 17 tackles, 2.5 TFLs and 2.5 sacks. Before playing at Snow College, Fotu played locally at Herriman High School where, as a defensive tackle, he had 96 total tackles, eight sacks and 10.5 TFLs.
Fotu is ranked the No. 13 junior college transfer in this class. He is the No. 2 JuCo product in the state of Utah and the No. 4 DT transfer in this class. Fotu intends to enroll at Utah in the spring.
[11:01 a.m. MST]
Running Back
Tampa, FL
5’10 192 pounds
The Florida to Utah connection continues as Parks brings his speed to the U. The Gaither High School running back was able to have a senior season this fall and put up some impressive numbers. He put up 688-yards and 11 touchdowns during the season.
Parks is a two-sport athlete who also participates in track. His 100m time is 11.30 seconds. Parks also intends to enroll early and will be here in Salt Lake this coming spring.
[11:02 a.m. MST]
Athlete
Fresno, CA
6’4 230 pounds
Even though he is listed as an athlete, Jefferson will join the Utes as a linebacker. The Edison High product was originally a USC commit before flipping to Utah. Jefferson’s size makes him a very interesting prospect for the defensive coaches at Utah. He has the size and speed to possibly make the jump to the defensive end, but no matter where he ends up playing on the field, he will be an impact player for the Utes.
Jefferson is the No. 53 athlete in the class of 2021 and the No. 66 prospect in the state of California. He will also be an early enrollee for the class of 2021.
[11:03 a.m. MST]
Defensive End
Pleasant Grove, UT
6’3 200 pounds
After originally signing with the class of 2018, Fanaika is back from his LDS mission and will be joining the team for the 2021 season. Fanaika is the younger brother of former Utah football star Jason Fanaika.
During the 2018 recruiting cycle, Fanaika was ranked the No. 28 player in the state of Utah.
[11:05 a.m. MST]
Linebacker
Westlake Village, CA
6’3 230 pounds
Calvert comes in as the highest-rated prospect in the class this year. The four-star linebacker is now the third highest-rated prospect in school history as well. Nationally Calvert ranks No. 74, he is the No. 4 linebacker in the country and the No. 6 player in the state of California.
Calvert was selected to not only the 2021 Polynesian Bowl, but also to the Under Armour All American game.
[11:41 a.m. MST]
Defensive Tackle
South Jordan, UT
6’3 320 pounds
Pepa will be returning to Utah after serving an LDS mission for the last two years. Before taking his mission, he was a part of the 2019 Polynesian Bowl. He played football locally at Bingham, where he had 98 total tackles as well as nine sacks.
He was the No. 3 prospect in the state of Utah in the class of 2019. He was the No. 43 ranked DT in the country that year as well.
[11:47 a.m. MST]
Safety
Fayetteville, GA
6’3 200 pounds
Bishop is coming to the U from Starrs Mill High School. Before signing with Utah, Bishop had originally committed to play at Duke before de-committing earlier this year. He is a three-star player who has the possibility of having great instincts in deep coverage.
Bishop is the No. 40 safety in the class and the No. 58 player in the state of Utah. Bishop will be an early enrollee at Utah.
[12:13 p.m. MST]
Defensive End
South Jordan, UT
6’2 230 pounds
Villiami Pouha will join his father Sione Pouha — the current defensive line coach and former defensive tackle — at the U. The legacy commit is a three-star weak-side defensive end. In his final season at Bingham, he racked up 56 total tackles and ten sacks. It will be interesting to see how the coaches at Utah develop his talent. His senior season was just the start of what could be a stellar career at Utah.
Pouha is the No. 13 prospect in the state of Utah.
[12:54 p.m. MST]
Quarterback
Mission Viejo, CA
6’3 205 pounds
Costelli is a pro-style quarterback who has been committed to Utah since April of this year. Last season, Costelli accounted for 1,992 yards and had had 23 touchdown passes, and he only had five interceptions. Costelli is the No. 10 pro-style quarterback in the country and the No. 23 player in the state of California.
Costelli will be enrolling sometime in the spring and will be on campus in January.
[2:07 p.m. MST]
Linebacker
Moscow, ID
6’2 210 pounds
The Elliss legacy continues as former Utah football great Luther Elliss’ son joins the program. He intends to follow in his father’s footsteps and play linebacker at the U. He is currently the No. 1 prospect in the state of Idaho. Elliss has quite the stat sheet, accounting for 104 tackles and 12.5 TFLs.
Elliss will be an early enrollee and will be here in the spring.
[3:16 p.m. MST]
Offensive Guard
Bothell, WA
6’4 315 pounds
Faaiu is one of two offensive linemen that the Utes signed in this class. His size already puts him at an advantage heading into the Pac-12. He could slide into the inside of the line easily and has the ability to move people to create holes for the Utah running backs. The only area where development is needed is on footwork, something offensive line coach Jim Harding can get fixed. Faaiu was selected to participate in the 2021 Polynesian Bowl.
Faaiu is the No. 13 prospect in the state of Washington. He is the No. 46 OG in the class of 2021.
[4:07 p.m. MST]
Tight End
Pleasant Grove, UT
6’7 230 pounds
Local talent Vaha is bringing his skills to the Hill. Vaha is the No. 7 prospect in the state of Utah and was also selected to the 2021 Polynesian Bowl. Vaha is another two-sport athlete who is currently playing basketball for Pleasant Grove.
In his final high school season, Vaha recorded 269-yards and two touchdowns. Like other members of this class, Vaha was also selected to participate in the 2021 Polynesian Bowl. He also intends to enroll at the U this spring.
[4:14 p.m. MST]
Wide Receiver
Culver City, CA
6’2 190 pounds
Cope is a three-star WR from Culver City High School. Last season he had 46 receptions for 802-yards and nine touchdowns. He has been compared to former Utah football standout Kenneth Scott with his playing style and abilities. Cope has great speed off the line of scrimmage and adds some depth to the Utah WR room.
Cope is the No. 80 WR in the class of 2021 and the No. 44 player in the state of California.
[4:20 p.m. MST]
Linebacker
Honolulu, HI
6’1 210 pounds
Tufuga comes to the U from St. Louis high school in Hawaii, a school that fans have gotten familiar with over the last few recruiting cycles. The four-star backer has been compared to former Utah player Pita Taumoepenu given his style of play.
Tufaga was selected to participate in the 2021 Polynesian Bowl. He will also be an early enrollee for the Utes and will be on campus sometime this spring.
[6:10 p.m. MST]
Safety
Las Vegas, NV
6’2 190 pounds
The Utes are adding more depth to their secondary room by bringing in Stewart. Even though they entered into his recruitment later than some other schools he was considering, Utah came out on top in the end. In his junior year, Stewart accounted for 30 tackles and had one interception.
Stewart is the No. 9 player in the state of Nevada. He will be foregoing his senior season to enroll early at Utah. Like other members of this class, he will be here in the spring.
[6:45 p.m. MST]
Cornerback
San Marcos, CA
5’10 175 pounds
Originally a Washington State commit, Lloyd will be keeping his talents in the Pac-12, but will be bringing them to Utah instead. Lloyd will be joining the U after playing for Mission Hills High School. Like a few other members of the class, Lloyd was also a track athlete with impressive speed. His speed is more than enough to show the future he could have at Utah. He also possesses great ball skills.
Lloyd is the No. 64 cornerback in the country.
