National Signing Day All-Name Team 2016


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NEXT TO THE FAX MACHINE — National Signing Day has come and gone, though recruits are still faxing in Letters of Intent to join college football teams this fall.

Some of them will be great players, and some will receive a free education from the college of their choice. That isn't for us to decide right now; we'll wait for several college careers to play out before passing judgment.

But most importantly, some of this year's recruits will start spring and summer practices with one of the top names on campus. Here are five of our favorite names that signed with local colleges.

Handsome Tanielu, DT, BYU

No, that's not a typo; the latest addition to the BYU defensive line is really named Handsome. But the former Snow College standout's first name isn't just easy on the eyes — he's also a really good football player.

Tanielu was the No. 18 junior college recruit in the country, No. 3 among defensive tackles, and he and former Badger teammate Jonah Trinnaman are expected to make an immediate impact at BYU as two of BYU's five four-star recruits in the Class of 2016.

Ron'Quavian Tarver, WR, Utah State

Another former junior college standout, the 6-foot-3, 205-pound Aggie signee was an all-Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference honorable mention in one season at Fort Scott Community College. Tarver averaged 11.5 yards per catch in his one season in junior college, and enrolls at Utah State as a sophomore.

An honor roll student from a family of seven brothers and seven sisters, Tarver will be remembered for his name in Logan — but hopefully, he's remembered for his play for the Aggies, as well.

David Luafatasaga, LB, Utah

Kyle Whittingham doesn't have a problem saying the former Arizona Western standout's last name, so why should you? The veteran head coach said he's never seen a name with as many A's in it, and challenged the press Wednesday to find a name with more.

Consider the challenge extended to readers of KSL.com, as well. Leave a player with more 'A's in his name than the former Ole Miss commit in the comments below.

Utah fans may want to get used to Luafatasaga, too. The Tongan-born linebacker was an all-Western States Football League first-teamer in 2015, when he totaled 93 tackles, 16 tackles for loss and four sacks as a sophomore. The 6-foot-4, 225-pound pass rusher prepped at Farrington High School in Hawaii, where he led his alma mater to the state semifinals in 2012.

Keanu Saleapaga, DL, BYU

A former USC commit, Saleapaga has the tools to step in on the defensive line in the absence of former BYU standout Bronson Kaufusi. The 6-foot-6, 265-pound Saleapaga was rated the No. 9 defensive end in California by Scout.com, notching seven sacks as a senior in 2015.

And if you have trouble pronouncing his surname, you aren't alone. One Fox Sports West anchor awkwardly fumbled around not saying it during the California standout's televised announcement.

Video of Keanu Saleapaga (@nanuboy17) announcing his commitment to #BYU from earlier today. pic.twitter.com/hQJF3tWKW1 — Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) February 4, 2016

Rashid Shaheed, ATH, Weber State ================================

It's not quite alliteration, but the assonantal rhythm of the 6-foot-1, 165-pound Shaheed's name earns him a special place on any list put together by a former English major. Shaheed was a two-way standout at Mt. Carmel High in San Diego prior to signing with the Wildcats, totaling 3,748 yards and 24 touchdowns on offense, and notching two interceptions and a pick-six on defense. He set a Mt. Carmel school record for most receiving yards in a game and longest kick return, and was a two-time San Diego Section CIF first-team honoree.

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SportsBYU CougarsUtah UtesUtah State AggiesWeber State Wildcats
Sean Walker

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