University of Utah 2012 signing class

SALT LAKE CITY -- The Utah football staff finished its recruiting for 2012 with 28 signed commitments. The list includes two mid-year junior college players who signed National Letters of Intent in December.

The biggest beneficiaries were the offensive and defensive lines, which claimed 16 of the 28 scholarships and landed three four-star recruits: freshman Hiva Lutui (Euless, Texas/Trinity HS), freshman Jeremiah Poutasi (Las Vegas, Nev./Desert Pines HS) and junior Junior Salt (Glendale, Utah/Mt. San Antonio College).

While the Utes continued their tradition under coach Kyle Whittingham of recruiting primarily freshmen--adding 21 underclassmen--their seven junior college transfers included six linemen.

"Football starts at the line of scrimmage. If you're strong up front, the other positions will usually thrive," said Whittingham. "We needed immediate help up front after losing three all-conference linemen to graduation (offensive linemen Tony Bergstrom and John Cullen and defensive lineman Derrick Shelby) and because of the physicality of Pac-12 football. We believe the junior college linemen we signed will provide immediate help."

Another priority position was quarterback, where the Utes looked to the future by signing two highly-rated freshmen: Parade All-American Chase Hansen from Utah's Lone Peak High School and California prep star Travis Wilson (San Clemente HS).

"The Pac-12 conference is loaded at the quarterback position and the two we signed are very talented and should fit right in that mold," said Whittingham.

In addition to the 15 linemen and two quarterbacks, the Utes added three defensive backs--including four-star freshman Justin Thomas (Orange, Texas/West Orange-Stark HS) --two linebackers and two receivers.

The coaching staff mined seven states for the 2012 class, signing 11 players from Utah, nine from California, three from Texas, two from Louisiana and one each from Arizona, Nevada and Hawaii.

Brian Allen, Wide Receiver

Three-time first-team all-district 24-4A ... first-team all-county in 2011 ... 59 receptions for 942 yards and 10 touchdowns his senior year ... La Marque High (Texas) football and basketball captain ... lettered three years in both sports ... La Marque High made the state finals in football and basketball in 2010 ... won school's Gene Sutton Fighting Spirit award ... honor roll student ... interested in engineering ... son of Ronald Allen and Niki Jolly ... three sisters ... full name is Brian Keith Allen ... born Oct. 21, 1993.

J.J. Dielman, Offensive Line

First-team all-state ... all-section III South and all- city ... played both ways, giving up just one sack and making 39 tackles as a senior ... Desert Vista High was the 2011 Arizona D1 state champion, finishing 13-1 ... Desert Vista team captain ... son of Jeffrey and Carla Dielman ... one sister ... cousin Kris Dielman is a nine- year NFL offensive lineman with the San Diego Chargers ... full name is Jeffrey Joseph Dielman (pronounced deal-min) ... born Dec. 16, 1993 in Michigan.

Hunter Dimick, Defensive Line

Two-time first-team all-state, all-area and all-region ... two-time Region 1 Defensive MVP ... led state in sacks in 2010 and 2011 ... set Syracuse High (Utah) school sack record for a season (14) and career (36) ... Syracuse team captain and MVP ... first Division I football signee from his high school ... lettered four years in football and one year in track and field ... son of Richard and Wendy Dimick ... both parents are Utah State alums ... has one brother and two sisters ... all of his siblings have played football, including his sisters ... full name is Hunter Kay Dimick ... born Oct. 29, 1993.

Moses Folauhola, Defensive Line

Region 2 Defensive MVP and second-team all-state in 2011 ... three-year starter both ways for Hunter High (Utah) ... Hunter's team captain ... team won region championship in 2009 and 2010 ... also lettered in basketball and track ... school's homecoming king ... son of Dave Mailei and Lori Folauhola ... has two brothers ... full name is Mosese Ta'ufo'ou Mafi Folauhola (pronounced fo-lau-hole-a) ... nickname is Mo ... born May 11, 1994 in South Dakota.

Chase Hansen, Quarterback

2011 Parade All-American as an all-purpose player ... only Parade All-American from the state of Utah in 2011 ... 2011 Class 5A Player of the Year (Salt Lake Tribune), Mr. Football (Deseret News) and Utah Gatorade Player of the Year ... 2011 region MVP ... second-team all-state as a junior and first-team as a senior ... quarterbacked Lone Peak High to a 14-0 record and the Utah Class 5A state championship as a senior in 2011 when he passed for 3,066 yards and 38 touchdowns, while completing 191-of-319 attempts ... also had 180 rushes for 1,404 yards (7.8 average) and 16 touchdowns ... averaged 219.0 yards passing and 100.3 yards rushing a game in 2011 ... passed for 242 yards and three touchdowns in 41-21 win over Fremont High in the 2011 state title game ... played 27 games in his high school career, passing for 4,878 yards and 52 touchdowns (15 interceptions) ... U.S. Air Force National Player of the Week after Lone Peak snapped Bingham High's 31-game win streak ... won two Region IV championships at Lone Peak ... also lettered four years in basketball and played for Lone Peak's 2011 state champion team ... one letter in baseball ... academic all-region ... son of Brian and Pamela Hansen ... father played football at BYU, lettering in 1978 and 1981-82 ... has four brothers and three sisters ... uncle Randy Hansen lettered on Utah's football team from 1968-70 ... uncle Bruce Hansen lettered in football at BYU in 1981 and 1985- 86, and played for the New England Patriots in 1987 ... cousin Colby Hansen was a freshman on BYU's 2011 team ... enjoys ping pong, reading and wakeboarding ... born May 20, 1993.

Reshawn Hooker, Linebacker

First-team all-Citrus Belt League, first-team All-Inland Area, first-team All-Valley (2010-11) ... led A.B. Miller High (Calif.) with 112 tackles as a senior in 2011 (11.2 tackles per game), with eight sacks, two interceptions and three fumble recoveries ... also rushed 21 times, averaging 5.71 yards per carry, caught two passes for 45 yards and returned three kickoffs for 45 yards ... attended Arroyo Valley High (Calif.) his first three years of high school before transferring to A.B. Miller, where he played for his uncle (coach Marcus Soward) his senior year ... named to the L.A. Times' Top High School Linebackers for 2011 ... ESPN HS 2011 preseason first-team all-Inland Empire ... ESPN rated him the 21st-best outside linebacker in the country ... also lettered in track ... took A.P. English and history his junior and senior year ... hobbies include reading and writing ... son of Darious Hooker and Tanika Soward ... three brothers ... nickname is Shawn ... born Feb. 2, 1994.

Jake Jackson, Linebacker

Plans to serve a church mission before joining the Utes ... first-team All-Avocado West League and All-San Diego Section defense as a senior in 2011 ... won player of the week three times ... linebacker and tight end made 103 tackles with 11 sacks and had 20 receptions for 362 yards in 2011 ... as a junior, he had 31 receptions for 424 yards and four touchdowns ... chosen as the tight end for the San Diego CIF All-Star team that played in the PrepStar California Classic All-Star Game ... team awards included Mavericks Player of the Week, Offensive Player of the Week and Hit of the Week ... La Costa Canyon High (Calif.) won the league title two years in a row ... made the Principal's List all four years ... son of Chris and Johnna Jackson ... both parents went to BYU ... two brothers and one sister ... hobbies include beach volleyball, skiing and wakeboarding ... born Oct. 11, 1993 in Provo, Utah.

Lio Lafaele, Offensive Line

First-team all-Big 8 League, first-team All-Inland Area and first-team All-CIF ... final overall blocking grade of 77% for a Centennial High (Calif.) team that averaged over 300 yards a game rushing in 2011 ... helped Centennial to a 14-1 record, the CIF Championship and a No. 20 national ranking as a junior in 2010 ... Centennial was 12-2 in 2011 ... son of Filipo and Sose Lafaele ... one brother and one sister ... likes to play rugby ... full name is Jocelee Ilaho Lafaele and he goes by Lio (name is pronounced leo la-fa-ell-lay) ... born Aug. 11, 1994 in Salt Lake City.

Austin Lee, Defensive Back

Plans to serve a church mission before joining the Utes ... two-time first-team all-state safety (2010-11) ... lettered all four years at Alta High (Utah) and played as a freshman on Alta's 2008 5A state championship team ... Alta won the region title in 2009 and 2011 ... three-year starter ... as a junior, he totaled 101 tackles, two sacks, one interception, 14 pass breakups and two forced fumbles ... his senior year, he led Alta with 41 tackles, a half sack, an interception, 9 pass breakups and a fumble recovery ... made the all-tournament team at the 2009 and 2010 Badger Elite Tournament in Las Vegas (named one of the top 21 overall performers) ... honor roll student ... son of Doug and Jan Lee ... father played baseball at Utah, lettering in 1984 ... grandfather Gordon Lee played football at Utah from 1959-61 and coached the Ute running backs from 1964-65 ... has two brothers and one sister ... enjoys snowboarding and wakeboarding ... born Dec. 16, 1993.

Niasi Leota, Defensive Line

Mid-year signee will have three years to play two ... first-team all-SFCA defensive lineman for Mt. San Antonio College ... had 41 tackles, including 13.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks, in 2011... also intercepted two passes, made two pass breakups, forced a fumble and recovered a fumble as a sophomore at Mt. SAC ... Mt. SAC was the 2010 JC national champion and the 2011 national runner-up, and won the conference title in 2010 and 2011 ... played his high school ball at Granger (Utah) ... son of Viviani and Fifita ... married (Salote) with three children (Hadassah, Fifita and Ane) ... full name is Koliniasi Leota but he goes by Niasi (name is pronounced nee-ah-see lay-oh-ta) ... born Mar. 18, 1988.

Zach Lindsay, Offensive Line

2010 honorable mention all-region as a junior ... Davis High (Utah) team captain ... earned two letters ... son of Rosemary Lindsay ... mother got her bachelor's degree from BYU and her master's from Utah ... one brother ... full name is Zachary Lindsay ... born July 27, 1994 in North Carolina.

Carlos Lozano, Offensive Line

Unanimous first-team All-Mountain Conference in 2011 ... also first-team all-region in 2011 ... second-team all- conference in 2010... helped East Los Angeles College to its best season in 37 years in 2011 when ELAC won the Mountain Conference and the American Bowl ... ELAC went undefeated in conference play ... prepped at Montebello High (Calif.), where he was a 2009 second-team All-Almont League offensive lineman ... earned two letters in football and basketball ... also enjoys playing soccer ... son of Juan Lozano and Monica Hernandez ... father works three jobs ... three brothers and one sister ... born Aug. 22, 1992.

Hiva Lutui, Offensive Line

2011 U.S. Air Force All-American ... first-team all-state Class 5A in 2010 and 2011 ... 2011 Star-Telegram Super Team pick ... 2009 district sophomore of the year and district newcomer of the year ... Rivals.com and Scout.com four-star recruit ... 114 knockdowns, 43 pancakes, a 90% overall grade and no sacks allowed as a senior ... 143 knockdowns and 42 pancakes as a junior ... Trinity High (Texas) was the 2009 state 5A champion and the 2011 state runner-up ... made the A/B honor roll and earned a Hi-Five certificate ... son of Foueti and Elizabeth Lutui ... one brother and one sister ... will become only the second member of his family to attend college ... cousin of former Ute fullback Tauni Vakapuna and current Ute defensive tackle LT Tuipulotu ... cousin Fui Vakapuna played at BYU and in the NFL for Cincinnati ... cousin of Cal linebacker Steven Fanua and BYU linebacker Teu Kautai ... hopes to own a restaurant someday ... name is pronounced hee-va loo-too-ee ... born Mar. 25, 1994.

Alphonso Marsh, Defensive Back

Rated in the top 50 football prospects in Los Angeles by ESPNU ... seven pass breakups in 2010 ... also lettered in track, running the 200, 400 and 4x400 relay ... featured in a Dec. 5, 2011 Sports Illustrated article on surviving and playing sports in gang-infested communities ... hobby is skateboarding ... son of Curley Rachal ... born May 29, 1994.

Delshawn McClellon, Wide Receiver

All-league, all-area, all-CIF, "Dream Team" ... three-year starter for Gahr High (Calif.) finished as the state's third all-time career receiver with 214 catches ... 74 catches for 859 yards and seven touchdowns as a sophomore , 74 catches for 1,116 yards and 10 touchdowns as a junior and 66 receptions for 1,049 yards and 10 touchdowns as a senior ... also ran track, earning three letters ... honor roll student ... son of Delshawn McClellon Sr. and Edna Thomas ... three sisters, one brother and a stepsister and stepbrother ... born Sept. 4, 1994.

Moana Ofahengaue, Defensive End

First-team all-state ... selected to play in the International Bowl on Feb. 1 (signing day) in Austin, Texas, for the 2012 U.S. Under-19 National Team, assembled by USA Football ... played in the inaugural U.S. Marine Corps Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl on Jan. 3, 2012 ... 78 tackles and seven sacks his senior season ... Westlake High (Utah) team captain ... son of Tevita and Carey Ofahengaue ... father played for BYU from 1997-2000 and was the 2001 Mr. Irrelevant (the 246th draft pick in 2001 by the Arizona Cardinals, he later tried out with Jacksonville) ... has two brothers and four sisters ... uncle is Utah defensive coordinator Kalani Sitake ... name is pronounced mo-ah-na oh-fah-hang-ow-way ... born Sept. 16, 1993 in Hau'ula, Hawaii.

Tenny Palepoi, Defensive Line

2011 NJCAA second-team All-American ... two-time all- conference (first-team WSFL in 2011) ... Snow College team captain ... 49 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss, two sacks and a fumble recovery last season ... Snow won the Top of the Mountain Bowl in 2010 and 2011 and was the conference co-champion in 2010 ... first-team all-state in 2008 as a senior at Skyline High (Utah) and honorable mention all-state in 2007 ... all-region as a junior and senior ... 65 tackles and 10 sacks in 2008 ... Skyline team captain ... brother Anton Palepoi played at UNLV and had a five-year NFL career with the Seahawks, Broncos and Cardinals ... son of Tony and Tutaga Palepoi ... father played for the Samoan Rugby Team ... one of 14 children ... has a child (Taytum Ianeta Palepoi) ... last name is pronounced pah-lay-poy ... born Dec. 19, 1990.

Reginald Porter, Defensive Back

Three-time all-state defensive back also made the all- state team as a quarterback in 2011 ... also three-time all-district defensive back and 2011 all-district quarterback ... District 8-3A MVP at quarterback ... led a defense that allowed just 5.9 points per game and recorded six shutouts his senior year ...46 tackles and six interceptions ... led Amite High (La.) to the 2011 3A state championship game ... Amite won three district championships ... also lettered three years in track ... son of Reginald Porter Sr. and Jokelia Richardson ... father played football for Southern University ... one brother and one sister ... full name is Reginald Porter Jr. ... born July 13, 1994.

Nua Poteki, Offensive Line

Plans to serve a church mission before joining the Utes ... earned four letters in football, two in basketball and one in wrestling at Brighton High School (Utah) ... son of Taufui and Leila Poteki ... has two brothers and four sisters ... first cousin of Oregon defensive tackle Ricky Heimuli ... full name is Langafonua Tuineau Poteki and he goes by Nui ... name is pronounced new-a po-teckee ... born Aug. 23, 1993.

Jeremiah Poutasi, Offensive Line

Class A first-team all-state and ESPNHS first-team all- state ... All-Sunset Region ... first-team All-Northeast League ... four-star recruit and 10th-rated offensive guard by Rivals.com ... named the top offensive lineman in the 2012 Offense-Defense All-America Game in Dallas ... Desert Pines High (Nev.) team captain ... set school bench press record ... earned three letters in football, one in track and field and one in bowling ... son of Samuelu and Oloka Poutasi ... three brothers and one sister ... cousin Paul Fanaika plays for the Seattle Seahawks ... full name is Cedrick Jeremiah Poutasi (pronounced po-tah-see) ... born Aug. 7, 1994 in California.

Marc Pouvave, Offensive Line

Region V All-America Community College Football team (first-team all-California) ... two-time first-team all- conference ... captained Southwestern Community College in both 2010 and 2011 ... lettered three years in football and golf at Monte Visto High School (Calif.) ... son of Asa and Lisa Pouvave ... two brothers ... cousin Justin Utopo plays football at Notre Dame ... enjoys engineering, race cars and cooking ... full name is Marc Leui Pouvave (pronounced po-vah-vay) ... born Dec. 9, 1990.

Junior Salt, Offensive Line

Made the 2011 first-team All-America Community College Football team as an offensive guard ... 2010 and 2011 first-team All-California ... Rivals.com four-star recruit ... Rivals.com's 10th-rated JC prospect in 2012 as a DT ... Mt. SAC was the 2010 JC national champion and the 2011 national runner-up, and won the conference title in 2010 and 2011 ... redshirted at Mt. SAC in 2009 after returning from an LDS Church mission to Tonga ... prepped at Brighton High (Utah), where he played center and nose guard and was a first-team all-state OL as a senior in 2005 ... also an all-state wrestler for Brighton High, finishing third at state in the 275-pound weight class in 2006 ... played rugby for Highland High and acted in the 2008 rugby-themed movie Forever Strong ... son of Visesio and Moeata Salt ... has five brothers and two sisters ... full name is Visesio Salt Jr. ... born Jan. 1, 1988 in San Mateo Calif.

Pasoni Tasini, Defensive End

Plans to serve a church mission before joining the Utes ... 2010-11 Maui News Maui Interscholastic League Male Athlete of the Year and two-time MIL Defensive Player of the Year ... three-time first-team All-MIL ... led Baldwin High (Hawaii) to the 2011 state semifinal game ... Baldwin won the league football title all four years (2008-10) ... as a junior, he played for MIL Division I championship teams in football, basketball, volleyball and track and field, winning league titles in the shot put and discus ... placed fourth in the shot put at the 2011 state track and field meet ...three-sport MIL All-Star as a junior in 2010-11 (football, basketball and track and field) ... also lettered in volleyball ... first-team All-MIL in basketball as a sophomore and junior ... son of Pone Pate and Nola Pasini ... has four brothers and nine sisters ... full name is Pasoni Kaianoano Tasini (pronounced pa-sony tah-see-nee) ... born May 31, 1993.

Justin Thomas, Defensive Back

First-team all-district in 2010 ... Rivals.com four-star cornerback did not play in 2011 because he was older than the University Interscholastic League's maximum age requirement ... District "Newcomer of the Year" as a sophomore ... ran for West Orange-Stark High's (Texas) three-time 3A state track championship team (2009-11) ... 2011 state 200-meter champion ... 4x100 and 4x200 relay teams set state 3A record ... 2011 MVP Super Gold in track ... son of Larnell Jr. and Valerie Thomas ... both parents went to Lamar University where his father ran track ... one brother and one sister ... full name is Justin Tremaine Thomas ... nickname is J.T. ... born Sept 15, 1991.

Sione Tupouata, Defensive Line

Originally signed with Utah in 2010 before heading to Snow College ... played one year at Snow and comes to Utah with three years to play three ... totaled 55 tackles and eight tackles for loss and six sacks in 2010 ... in high school, he was the conference MVP in 2009 and Oakland Athletic League's Defensive MVP in 2008 ... first-team all-East Bay in 2008 and 2009 ... rushed for 380 yards and two touchdowns in the league championship game ... led Fremont High (Calif.) to the 2009 OAL Silver Bowl Championship ... Fremont High also won the conference title ... son of Naisa and Liliani Tupouata ... two sisters ... full name is Sione Otusia Tupouata (pronounced see-oh-nay too-poe- ah-tah) ... born May 2, 1991.

Vaha Vainuku, Defensive Tackle

Plans to serve a church mission before joining the Utes ... two-time all-state offensive lineman (2010-11) will play defensive tackle at Utah ... plans to go on a church mission before enrolling in school ... anchored a line at East High (Utah) that produced four 1,000-yard rushers from 2010-11 ... also lettered in basketball and track and field ... 2011 Utah 4A state shot put champion (50-03.25) ... only child is the son of Vaha and Siupeli Vainuku (pronounced vy-ee-new-koo) ... cousin Soma Vainuku plays football for USC ... born Oct. 21, 1993.

Travis Wilson, Quarterback

Rated the 11th best overall quarterback by Rivals.com and 17th by Scout.com ... 2011 All-Orange County and All-South Coast League ... 21-5 as the starting quarterback for San Clemente High (Calif.) ... set school career records for passing yards (4,320) and total offense (5,244) ... 36 career touchdown passes and 13 career rushing TDs ... completed 62% of his passes in high school ... rushed for 924 yards ... his senior year, he passed for 2,289 yards and 24 touchdowns and rushed for 467 yards and nine TDs ... San Clemente made the CIF-SS Pac-5 Championship game and finished with a 12-2 record, a No. 4 state and No. 17 national ranking in 2011 ... as a junior in 2010, he passed for 2,031 yards and 12 touchdowns, and rushed for 457 yards and four touchdowns ... also started for the league championship volleyball team in 2010 ... three letters in football and two in volleyball ... National Football Foundation Orange County Scholar-Athlete Award ... son of Tim and JoMarie Wilson ... both parents graduated from San Diego State where his father played football and his mother played softball ... one brother and one sister ... enjoys beach volleyball and surfing ... full name is Travis James Wilson ... born Dec. 14, 1993.

Kelvin York, Running Back

Mid-year signee enrolled in classes in January and has two years to play two ... 2010 Southern Conference Offensive Player of the Year for Fullerton College ... missed most of last season with a knee injury ... MVP of the 2010 Empire Bowl and the 2010 Key to the County game vs. Santa Ana College ... rushed for 1,435 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2010, averaging 130.5 yards per game and 6.3 yards per carry ... all-state, all-district and Parish MVP for Dutchtown High School in Geismar, La ... his senior year he rushed for over 1,400 yards even while sharing time with Eddie Lacy--the second-leading rusher for Alabama's 2011 national champion team ... son of Gloria Brown ... mother taught fifth grade for 30 years before retiring ... three sisters (one deceased) ... born Oct. 13, 1990.

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