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SALT LAKE CITY — It’s a big recruiting weekend for the University of Utah as it prepares to welcome as many as 15 prospects for official visits. Most of those have three or four stars by their names, going by the rivals.com recruit rankings, with the headliner likely being 6-foo-1 defensive back prospect Brandon Beaver from Compton, Calif.
The Utes are looking to fill in the final scholarship slots in the coming weeks as the process looks to intensify considerably between now and Feb. 1, the date when prospects will send in their letters of intent. Utah already has 18 commits with 11 of those projected to play on either the defensive or offensive lines while up on the hill.
Utah’s two-deep roster on both sides of the line is populated primarily with upperclassmen, so it makes sense that line recruiting has been emphasized early. The headliner for Utah’s line class is four-star OL Cedrick Poutasi from Las Vegas, who had offers from as many as eight Pac-12 programs.
Another position looks to be at quarterback, where the Utes will bring in two of the more athletic prospects you’ll see at the position. Travis Wilson, 6-foot-6, is as athletic as any QB prospect you’ll find and could play any number of positions while at the next level.
Chase Hansen, meanwhile, is someone local fans should be well aware of given what he accomplished his senior season, leading Lone Peak to a state championship. Hansen stands 6-foot-4 and like Wilson could play any number of positions at the next level.
Both players have their eyes on the QB position, however, and will compete for playing time in the spring as both plan to graduate early from high school.
Here's Utah's 2012 commit list according to utezone.com on the rivals network:
JJ Dielman, 6-4, 240, OL, Phoenix; Hunter Dimick, 6-4, 250, DE, Syracuse, Utah; Moses Folauhola, 6-0, 250, DE, West Valley City, Utah; Chase Hansen, 6-4, 205, QB, Highland, Utah; Jake Jackson, 6-3, 205, LB, Carlsbad, Calif.; Lio Lafaele, 6-4, 315 OL, Corona, Calif.; Austin Lee, 6-0, 185, DB, Sandy, Utah; Koliniasi Leota, 6-5, 275, DE, Walnut, Calif.; Zach Lindsay, 6-7, 250, OL, Kaysville, Utah; Delshawn McClellon, 5-9, 165, WR, Cerritos, Calif.; Nua Poteki, 6-5, 310, OL, Sandy, Utah; Cedrick Poutasi, 6-5, 322, OL, Las Vegas; Marc Pouvave, 6-5, 315, OL, Chula Vista, Calif.; Justin Thomas, 5-9, 170, DB, Orange, Texas; Sione Tupouata, 6-4, 255, DE, Ephraim, Utah; Vaha Vainuku, 6-3, 295, DT, Salt Lake City; Travis Wilson, 6-6, 205, QB, San Clemente, Calif.; Kelvin York, 5-11, 225, RB, Fullerton, Calif.
With York, Tupouata, Pouvave and Leota all coming from the junior college ranks, Ute fans can bookmark those names as likely early contributors.
Ute coaches are aiming high with their raised Pac-12 profile and are targeting some highly touted national recruits late. According to Utezone publisher Tom Cella, Utah should be getting some commits just days before Feb. 1, if not the day of.
Overall, Utah looks to sign close to 25 prospects for 2012.
Email: bgurney@desnews.com Twitter: @BrandonCGurney
