Utah Football Recruiting: National Signing Day Tracker
Dec 15, 2021, 8:20 AM | Updated: 7:32 pm
The Utah football team runs onto the field before a game between the Arizona State Sun Devils and the Utah Utes on October 16, 2021, at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah, (Photo by Boyd Ivey/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
(Photo by Boyd Ivey/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – The University of Utah football team is bolstering their roster ahead of the 2022 season as they sign high school prospects and transfers.
Prospects can sign their national letter of intent during the early signing period on December 15.
Here is the recruits that Utah has signed after receiving their NLI as a part of their 2022 class:
Lander Barton, Linebacker
Barton is a four-star recruit that is ranked No. 2 in the state of Utah and No. 24 linebacker in the nation, according to the 247Sports composite. He verbally committed to Utah on November 10. Barton was named to the All-American Bowl.
Besides Utah, the Brighton High School star received scholarship offers from Michigan, Oregon, Texas, Arizona State, Colorado, LSU, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Stanford, UCLA, USC, Virginia, Washington and Washington State.
His brothers Jackson and Cody played football for Utah, while his sister Dani was an All-American in volleyball.
Lander Barton is officially staying home. #GoUtes #NSD22 pic.twitter.com/aFTYeXbwRH
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 15, 2021
Jocelyn Malaska, Cornerback
Malaska is a three-star cornerback from Bethany, Oklahoma. He is the 13th ranked prospect in the state of Oklahoma and the No. 63 cornerback in the country.
Malaska originally committed to Texas Tech back in July but de-committed on December 7, the same day that he verbally committed to Utah. He received scholarship offers from Texas Tech, Abilene Christian, Eastern Michigan, Hawai’i, Kansas, SMU, South Dakota State, Tulsa, Utah State, UTSA and Vanderbilt.
Utah is adding depth to their cornerback room with @JBastienMalaska.#GoUtes #NSD22 pic.twitter.com/jGmgop1Hrt
— Trevor Allen (@TrevorASports) December 15, 2021
Logan Kendall, Tight End Transfer
Kendall is a transfer from Idaho. The Cheney, Washington native spent three seasons with the Vandals before entering the transfer portal on December 12, 2021.
He played seven games this past season for Idaho.
.@Utah_Football is bringing in some talent at the tight end position from the transfer portal.#GoUtes #NSD22 pic.twitter.com/PC36eBOeMU
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 15, 2021
Tyler Knaak, Offensive Tackle
Knaak is a three-star recruit from Brighton High School. He is the 18th ranked player in the state of Utah.
He received offers from Arizona State, Oregon State, USC, Virginia, Arizona, Kansas, Liberty, Minnesota, Nevada, Vanderbilt and Weber State.
Hometown hero on the offensive line for Utah with @tk_naak.#GoUtes #NSD22 pic.twitter.com/MhrBdRauW4
— Trevor Allen (@TrevorASports) December 15, 2021
Carson Tabaracci, Athlete
Tabaracci is a three-star recruit from Park City High School. He is the ninth ranked prospect in the state of Utah and the No. 40 athlete in the country.
The former Miner officially visited Utah on October 16, 2021. He also had official visits to Notre Dame and USC, while taking unofficial visits to UCLA and USC. Tabaracci received offers from Notre Dame, USC, Air Force, Arizona, Army, Boise State, Boston College, BYU, Colorado State, Dartmouth, Michigan, Navy, Nebraska, Ohio State, Oklahoma State, Oregon, Oregon State, Princeton, Stanford, UCLA, Utah State, Washington State and Yale.
Carson Tabaracci is a #HometownHero for Utah.#GoUtes #NSD22 #UBoyz pic.twitter.com/my6kHKFpmM
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 15, 2021
Sione Vaki, Safety
Sione Vaki is back after serving a two-year church mission. In 2019, he was a three-star recruit from Liberty High School in Brentwood, California. He was the No. 72 safety in the nation two years ago.
When Vaki was getting recruited, he received offers from Utah State, Washington State, Boston College, BYU, Howard, Illinois, Nevada, Oklahoma State, San Jose State, Tennessee and USC.
Sione Vaki is back from serving a two-year church mission and is ready to contribute to #SafetyPride.#GoUtes #UBoyz #NSD22 https://t.co/6KYmxR0j2d pic.twitter.com/1rVCkwGAjy
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 15, 2021
Elijah Davis, Safety
Davis is a three-star safety from Auburndale, Florida. Before verbally committing to Utah on December 8, Davis received offers from Illinois, Iowa State, USF, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Coastal Carolina, East Carolina, Eastern Kentucky, FIU, Georgia State, Georgia Tech, Howard, Indiana, Liberty, Marshall, Michigan, NC State, Nebraska, Pittsburgh, Rhode Island, UCF, Virginia Tech and West Virginia.
.@Utah_Football tapping into the state of Florida once again. They have added @Elijah_DavisDBU to their secondary.#GoUtes #UBoyz #NSD22 pic.twitter.com/Pvpil9qkh1
— Trevor Allen (@TrevorASports) December 15, 2021
Jaylon Glover, Running Back
Glover is a three-star running back from Lake Gibson High School in Lakeland, Florida. He is the No. 77 prospect in the state of Florida and the 44th ranked running back in the nation.
Glover verbally committed to Utah on August 6, 2021. He received offers from Florida State, Georgia Tech, South Carolina, Tennessee, Appalachian State, Arkansas, Arkansas State, Buffalo, Charlotte, Cincinnati, UConn, Eastern Michigan, FIU, Florida, Florida Atlantic, Georgia Southern, Howard, Iowa, Iowa State, Kentucky, Liberty, Louisville, Marshall, Miami, Michigan State, Middle Tennessee, Nebraska, Purdue, Samford, Southern Miss, Temple, Toledo, Troy, Tulane, UAB, UCF, USF, Vanderbilt, Wake Forest, Washington State, West Virginia and Western Kentucky.
Another talented running back coming to Utah from the state of Florida with Jaylon Glover (@officiallyyjay1).#GoUtes #NSD22 #UBoyz pic.twitter.com/6mslQl5a2f
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 15, 2021
Nate Johnson, Quarterback
Johnson is a four-star quarterback from Clovis, California. He is the No. 20 ranked prospect in the state of California and the 16th ranked quarterback in the country.
The Clovis, California native was an Elite 11 Finalist and named to the Under Armour All-American Game. He visited Utah on June 3 and verbally committed on June 18. Other offers Johnson received includes Michigan, Arizona State, Fresno State, Oregon State, San Diego State, San Jose State, TCU and UCLA.
Nate Johnson (@Shaboinate) is a dynamic playmaker at quarterback and is a massive addition to Utah's program.#GoUtes #NSD22 #UBoyz @kslsports pic.twitter.com/amm4xlcUnJ
— Trevor Allen (@TrevorASports) December 15, 2021
Dallas Vakalahi, Defensive Lineman
Vakalahi is a three-star prospect from West High School in Salt Lake City, Utah. He is the No. 14 ranked player in the state of Utah.
The 6’2, 305-pound defensive lineman received offers from Oregon State, TCU, UCLA, Arizona State, Boise State, BYU, Colorado, Minnesota, Morgan State, Nebraska, Oklahoma State, Stanford, Utah State and Washington State.
Utah's defensive line just got better after signing West HS star Dallas Vakalahi (@DVakalahi).#GoUtes #UBoyz #NSD22 pic.twitter.com/98X83l9hZ6
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 15, 2021
Keith Olson, Offensive Tackle
Olson is a three-star offensive tackle from Napavine, Washington. He is the No. 19 ranked prospect in the state of Washington and the 92nd offensive tackle in the country.
The 6’6, 305-pound offensive lineman originally committed to USC before de-committing on December 8 due to the coaching change. Olson received offers from Oregon State, USC, Boise State, California, San Diego State and Washington State. He made official visits to Utah (June 11), USC (June 16) and Oregon State (June 18).
Keith Olson (@keitholson74) originally committed to USC before flipping to @Utah_Football.#GoUtes #NSD22 #UBoyz pic.twitter.com/NY85JQ9gmo
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 15, 2021
Tao Johnson, Athlete
Johnson is a three-star athlete from Thunder Ridge High School in Idaho Falls, Idaho. He is the No. 2 ranked prospect in the state of Idaho and the No. 57 athlete in the nation.
Before verbally committing to Utah on November 8, 2021, Johnson received offers from Washington State, Chadron State, Eastern Washington, Idaho State, Montana, Virginia and Weber State.
Tao Johnson (@thatboytao) is bringing a talented skillset to Salt Lake City and the Utah program.#GoUtes #NSD22 #UBoyz @kslsports pic.twitter.com/SM1iua8s26
— Trevor Allen (@TrevorASports) December 15, 2021
Keanu Tanuvasa, Defensive Lineman
Tanuvasa is back after serving a two-year church mission. In the 2020 class, Tanuvasa was a three-star defensive end from Mission Viejo, California. He was the No. 67 recruit in the state of California and the 68th ranked defensive tackle in the country.
When Tanuvasa was coming out of high school, he received offers from Oregon State, Arizona, Boise State, BYU, Colorado State, Hawai’i, Nevada, Pennsylvania, San Jose State, UCLA, Utah State and Yale.
After serving a two-year church mission, Keanu Tanuvasa is back and ready to contribute to @Utah_Football.#GoUtes #UBoyz #NSD22 https://t.co/6KYmxR0j2d pic.twitter.com/L2tVU2BbxH
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 15, 2021
Kaeo Akana, Defensive End
Akana is a three-star linebacker/defensive end from President Theodore Roosevelt High School in Honolulu, Hawai’i. He is the No. 2 prospect in the state of Hawai’i and the 52nd ranked linebacker in the country. Akana originally committed to Boise State on June 20, 2021. He de-committed on December 15 and signed with the Utes.
The Hawai’i native received offers from Boise State, Nebraska, Arizona, Colorado, Dartmouth, Hawai’i, Illinois, Minnesota, Oregon, Oregon State, San Diego State, UCLA, UNLV, Washington and Washington State.
Kaeo Akana (@Kaeo03) originally committed to Boise State before flipping to Utah.#GoUtes #NSD22 #UBoyz @kslsports pic.twitter.com/tOiayinDha
— Trevor Allen (@TrevorASports) December 15, 2021
Landon Morris, Tight End Transfer
Morris is a transfer from Syracuse University. He enrolled with the Orange on February 9, 2021 but entered the transfer portal before the season on August 15, 2021.
The Indianapolis, Indiana native visited Miami before committing to Utah on December 13, 2021.
Landon Morris joins the @Utah_Football program as a transfer from Syracuse.#GoUtes #NSD22 #UBoyz pic.twitter.com/NPIeavZjyE
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 15, 2021
Chase Kennedy, Defensive End
Kennedy is a three-star defensive end from Episcopal School of Dallas in Texas. He is the No. 71 ranked defensive end in the nation. Kennedy received offers from Houston, Arkansas State, Boston College, Colorado, Illinois, Kansas State, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma State, SMU, TCU, Tulane, Washington State and Air Force.
Chase Kennedy (@chasekennedy_5) is bringing his talents to the Utah defensive line.
Full tracker: https://t.co/7koihRjb0g#GoUtes #UBoyz #NSD22 @kslsports pic.twitter.com/6GVbgYAMBo
— Trevor Allen (@TrevorASports) December 15, 2021
Chris Reed, Wide Receiver
Reed is a three-star wide receiver from Wekiva High School in Apopka, Florida. He verbally committed to Utah on October 6, 2021.
The 6’1, 190-pound receiver picked up scholarship offers from Syracuse and Florida A&M.
Utah continues to take talent from the state of Florida after signing Chris Reed (@ChrisReed_19).#GoUtes #UBoyz #NSD22 pic.twitter.com/bY1XZ5Lr52
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 15, 2021
Ryan Peppins, Wide Receiver
Peppins is a three-star wide receiver from Thompson High School in Alabaster, Alabama. He originally committed to Western Kentucky before flipping his decision to Utah.
Peppins received scholarship offers from Western Kentucky, Austin Peay, Eastern Kentucky, Middle Tennessee State, Troy and Tulane.
Ryan Peppins (@RPeppins) is bringing a lot to the Utah program not just as a wide receiver. #GoUtes #UBoyz #NSD22 @kslsports pic.twitter.com/PBsuxYhK4J
— Trevor Allen (@TrevorASports) December 15, 2021
Brandon Rose, Quarterback
Rose is a three-star recruit from Murrieta, California. He is the 44th ranked player in the state of California and the No. 34 quarterback in the country.
Rose verbally committed to Utah on June 25, 2021. He received scholarship offers from Northwestern, Arizona State, Boise State, Colorado, Kansas and California.
ICYMI: Utah signed another quarterback, bringing in Brandon Rose.#GoUtes #UBoyz #NSD22 @kslsports pic.twitter.com/Il6hOZtRiP
— Trevor Allen (@TrevorASports) December 16, 2021
Justin Medlock, Linebacker
Medlock is a three-star linebacker from Manvel, Texas. He is the 66th ranked prospect from Texas and the No. 47 linebacker in the country. Manvel originally committed to Miami on July 23, 2021. He decommitted on December 6 before signing with Utah.
The 6’1, 210-pound linebacker received offers from Miami, SMU, TCU, Arizona State, Arkansas, Baylor, Boston College, Colorado, UConn, Florida State, Houston, Illinois State, Kansas, Louisiana, Louisiana Tech, LSU, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Northwestern, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oregon, Purdue, Syracuse, Tennessee, Texas Tech, UNLV, USC and Vanderbilt.
Utah's linebacker room got a LOT better today with the latest addition of Justin Medlock (@_JustinMedlock).#GoUtes #UBoyz #NSD22 @kslsports pic.twitter.com/WkdzWAezMo
— Trevor Allen (@TrevorASports) December 16, 2021
Trevor Allen is a Utah Utes Insider for KSLSports.com, Co-Host of Faith, Family and Football podcast with Clark Phillips III and host of the Crimson Corner podcast. Follow him on Twitter: @TrevorASports.
