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SALT LAKE CITY — The state’s top football recruit has made his decision.
And unlike many who will sign throughout the NCAA’s second-ever early signing period, he’s not staying close to home.
East High defensive tackle Siaki "Apu" Ika has signed with Louisiana State, the senior defensive tackle announced early Wednesday morning, the first day of the early-signing period.
"I'd like to sign my life away and continue my football and education at LSU," he announced into a microphone in front of family and friends in the East High gymnasium.
A four-star recruit and the No. 1-rated recruit in the state by 247Sports.com, Ika chose LSU over Alabama, Florida, Oregon, USC and Utah, among others. He was recruited to the Utes primarily by Lewis Powell, Utah’s fourth-year defensive line coach.
The 6-foot-3, 350-pound defensive lineman committed to BYU in 2016, but decommitted from the Cougars in February when more and more Power-5 offers began pouring in.
Ika finished his senior season with 89 tackles, 14 sacks and four quarterback hurries for the 7-3 Leopards, who lost in the first round of the Class 6A state playoffs.
But it was LSU's Bill Busch and Dennis Johnson who pushed his commitment over the line, with an assist from former Utah State defensive coordinator Dave Aranda, who is currently in the same role at LSU.
The 6-foot-3, 351-pound Ika wasn't the only local high school football product to sign to play Division I football.
Follow our early signing period coverage for BYU, Utah and Utah State on KSL.com, and send us any we may have missed at sportsbeat@ksl.com or @kslsports on Twitter.
Local CFB Signings 2019
| Name | Pos. | High school | Commitment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Siaki Ika | DT | East | LSU |
| Brooks Maile | DL | Pine View | BYU |
| Junior Damuni | S | Ridgeline | Idaho State |
| Tyson Chisholm | LB/FB | South Sevier | Air Force |
| Blake Freeland | ATH | Herriman | BYU |
| Caleb Christensen | CB | Sky View | BYU |
| Johnny Maea | OG | East | Utah |
| Keaton Bills | DL | Corner Canyon | Utah |
| Pierce Callister | P | Weber | Utah State |
| Aaron Bredsguard | DE | Viewmont | Utah State |
| Michael Daley | LB | Lone Peak | BYU |
| Bruce Mitchell | OL/DL | South Summit | BYU |
| Chase Roberts | WR | American Fork | BYU |
| Tyson Miller | RB | Dixie | Bemidji State (Minn.) |
| Jackson Owens | OL | East | Utah State |
| Sione Moa | LB | Weber | Utah State |
| Nicolas Child | OL | Timpview | Air Force |
