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SALT LAKE CITY — Football recruiting has become a big-money business in the state of Utah.
More and more recruits are going to bigger and bigger schools, and 2013 could feature some of the best talent in the history of Utah prep football.
With that, as high school football is set for its 2013 debut, it’s time to recognize the top five college prospects to watch in the first week of the season.
1. Austin Kafentzis
Offered by every major college coach with a Utah connection, from Norm Chow to Gary Andersen, Jordan’s Kafentzis chose to follow Andersen to Madison, Wis., where he will play for a Badger team that has experienced a large amount of success over the past five years.
Kafentzis is a dual-threat quarterback and has the stats to prove it. A few things stick out though, as Kafentzis is very proficient at stepping up in the pocket in the face of pressure, and his footwork in the pocket is impressive. He doesn’t take unnecessary steps; instead, he uses the steps to improve his throwing position.
Also, the Jordan quarterback leads receivers, holding to the Bill Walsh mentality of having the ball a foot in front of a receiver at the time of the catch. The way of quarterbacking in the world today is to have a guy who can make West Coast-style throws but also use his athleticism to move when the pocket collapses, and this is a skill which Kafentzis has mastered at a young age.
Kafentzis is better than any other quarterback in the state, and it will be interesting to see how he deals with the pressure of being one of the stars of 5A, as a junior no less.
2. Dalton Schultz
Bingham’s Dalton Schultz could be one of the most highly anticipated recruits to come out of the Beehive State in recent years. He has been offered by every football power in the state and by schools ranging from Notre Dame to Tennessee. Bottom line is Schultz is a talent to be respected.
In watching film of a recent summer combine, the most impressive skill he has is how well he runs routes. Pick one of a dozen scouting websites, and watch how Schultz explodes off the line of scrimmage, watches his steps with precision, and then positions his body to shut the defender out of the play. That is as impressive as it can get for college coaches and scouts.
Additionally, watch how he blocks. Some tight ends block with half-heartedness because they are focused on catching balls. Instead, Schultz blocks with his entire body and drives defensive ends and linebackers back.
The biggest problem for Schultz will be deciding where he wants to go to school. Bottom line is if an in-state school picks him up, it will be a major coup.
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3. Jackson Barton
At more than 6-foot-6 and well over 250 pounds, Brighton’s Jackson Barton is a solid commit for the University of Utah, and easily one of the biggest bodies to play in Utah high school football this year.
Barton, who was offered by Utah, Michigan, Oklahoma and Utah State, decided to stay in the Salt Lake Valley, and it will be interesting to see what he brings to the table over the course of his senior season for the Bengals.
In film study, it’s easy to see that Barton’s size gives him a tremendous advantage over most prep players in the Salt Lake area, but what is even more striking is how fast he moves up the field after providing an initial block. He also deals with double teams admirably.
If there is one issue to notice, it is his feet can get a little jittery on the line of scrimmage. Again, this isn’t a major issue, but watch in week one to see if he is called on a false start penalty.
4. Chase Christiansen
Stansbury's Christiansen’s recruiting is a major coup for the Aggies as he represents the type of kid who previously went to Utah or BYU because of their reputation alone. Now that Utah State has an established football culture, players of Christiansen’s caliber are making the trip to Logan with more frequency.
Christiansen is a dual-threat quarterback, meaning he can make plays work with his feet and just as easily with his arm. In live game observation, Christiansen played with an athleticism that is surprisingly deceptive. He looks fast, but not that fast; he looks strong, but not as strong as he is.
Overall, as Stansbury tries to take advantage of a bevy of college-level talent, Christiansen’s one issue will be overcoming adversity. In the 2012 playoffs, he struggled in the second half of a quarterfinal game against Dixie, and at times appeared rattled.
Whether it was youth, Dixie’s defense or a shakable mindset, no one will know. It will be interesting for Aggie fans to see how Christiansen responds to adversity though, as that will be a critical indicator of his potential success in Aggie blue.
5. Allan Havili
Stansbury’s Allan Havili is a solid project for the University of Utah’s Kyle Whittingham to turn into an animal. Film study shows Havili to be a more than admirable lineman, using a strong lower body to overpower offensive linemen. This skill makes him a savored prospect.
As a high school player, Havili has demanded consistent double teams, and at times could make a reasonable argument to demand two offensive linemen and a fullback in 3AA.
The most striking Havili assets are his ability to explode off the line of scrimmage and plug large holes with his presence alone.
Again, Havili is an important signing for Utah, but it is yet to be seen how he will respond to playing greatly improved competition after owning small-school league opponents his entire career.
