SALT LAKE CITY — The University of Utah football program has added several new athletes to the team, addressing the program's various needs in preparation for the 2014 season.

Utah added 16 new athletes on national signing day Wednesday with a majority of them coming outside the state: California (3), Florida (5), Hawaii, Louisiana (2) Nevada and Texas. Utah focused heavily on the state of Florida, opening up a new pipeline of athletes from one of the best states for high school football.

"We expanded our recruiting territory to include the football-rich state of Florida and are pleased with our success there," head coach Kyle Whittingham said. "We did very well in the South overall."

Utah put a major emphasis on its secondary after struggling to get some production from this position group last season. The Utes signed six defensive backs: Tevin Carter (DB, Los Angeles); Andre Godfrey (DB, Miramar, Fla.); Monte Seabrook (DB, Newberry, Fla.); Marcus Williams (DB, Corona, Calif.); Travonne Hobbs (DB, New Orleans); and Casey Hughes (DB, North Las Vegas, Nev.).

The Utes also put an emphasis on speed with their receiving core. Utah looks to run more of a spread-like offense. Utah signed three receivers: Kaelin Clay (WR, Long Beach, Calif.); Kenric Young (WR, Gainesville, Fla.); and Raelon Singleton (WR, Crosby, Texas).

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"Our biggest needs were at the skill positions and we feel we greatly improved our team in those areas with this signing class," Whittingham said. "Although we didn't have as many spots to fill at other positions, we are equally as excited about the players we signed on the offensive and defensive lines, quarterback and running back.

"As I've been saying all offseason, the main thrust in this recruiting class was to improve our team speed, particularly in the secondary. We feel like we've accomplished that," he added. "We needed to improve our speed and athleticism on the perimeter, and that's something that really jumps out at you when you see this class."

Utah also signed a talented quarterback in Donovan Isom (Destrehan, La.), who will be thrown into the mix this fall for the starting position. The future of starting quarterback Travis Wilson is still uncertain as doctors continue to evaluate his health. Wilson's closest look at the possibility of returning to football is still more than three months away.

"Quarterback is an interesting situation right now. With Travis's situation we don't know much now," Whittingham said. "Donovan won't be here for spring, so guys here in the spring will obviously have a leg up. But Donovan is a big, strong kid that is a tireless worker. He's the type of guy that has a competitive nature just like anybody, so it wouldn't surprise me if he's right in the mix."

The rest of the recruiting class was used to fill other key positions: Jackson Barton (OL, Salt Lake City); Alani Havili-Katoa (DT, Stansbury Park, Utah); Tavaris Williams (Fort White, Fla.); Pasoni Tasini (DT, Wailuku, Hawaii); Lowell Lotulelei (DT, South Jordan, Utah), brother of former Ute and now Carolina Panthers Star Lotulelei; and Dacorius "DJ" Law (Haines City, Fla).

Utah was waiting on word from Law who originally signed with Ole Miss Wednesday morning, but also signed with the University of Utah. Law's parents did not sign the National Letter of Intent for him to go to Utah, but Law eventually made it official Wednesday afternoon.

"I can't explain everything. There was a lot of drama with that," Whittingham said. "As far as I'm concerned, our compliance has said we've got the letter, we're good to go. And we're excited about DJ."

The team already had four players enrolled in school: Barton, Carter, Clay and Havili-Katoa.

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