Pleasant Grove’s Isaac Vaha tackles Lehi’s Chandler Jenkins during a football game at Lehi High School in Lehi on Friday, Sept. 11, 2020. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
In the modern world of college football recruiting, there is no such thing as an offseason. Recruiting is the lifeblood of every program, and there is a near-constant need to look to and prepare for the future.
With that in mind and with the early signing period rapidly approaching — the early signing period is currently slated to start Dec. 16, though considering the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic that may be subject to change — here is a look at Utah’s 2021 recruiting class, with prospects listed according to reporting by 247 Sports.
(All commitments at this point are verbal and nonbinding.)
Peter Costelli
QB — Mission Viejo (Mission Viejo, California)
6-3, 205
★★★★
One of the top-ranked dual threat quarterbacks in California, Costelli was originally slated to join the Utes in January coming off a junior season — he will now play his senior year for Mission Viejo — where he threw for nearly 2,000 yards (1,992) and 23 touchdowns and rushed for 354 yards and four scores. A track and field star as well, Costelli has legitimate Power Five starting potential.
Jonah Elliss
LB — Moscow Senior (Moscow, Idaho)
6-2, 210
★★★
The son of former Utah great Luther Elliss, Jonah Elliss is the No. 91-rated outside linebacker in the country and No. 1 overall player in the state of Idaho. A versatile athlete who played both linebacker and tight end for the Bears, Jonah chose the Utes over in-state power Boise State as well as his own dad, who currently coaches at Idaho.
Moscow head coach Phil Helbling’s comments on Jonah Elliss (via The Lewiston Tribune):
“Early on in our conversation, he didn’t want to go to Utah. I think for a lot of reasons and I think the biggest one early on was following in the legacy of your father, and I think that maybe weighed a little bit on him. But after the recruiting process and the coaches and the fit … he just thought it felt right, and started to embrace wanting to follow in pop’s footsteps. ... He gives us the ability to create a bunch of matchup nightmares. You could put him anywhere.”
Kolinu’u Faaiu
OL — North Creek (Bothell, Washington)
6-4, 315
★★★
A Polynesian Bowl alumnus and ready-made offensive line prospect, Faaiu committed to Utah in June, becoming at that time the only lineman in the Utes’ 2021 class. He chose Utah over Boise State, Colorado, Michigan State and others.
Tevita Fotu
DT — Snow College (Ephraim, Utah)
6-4, 299
★★★
A one-time BYU commit and former Herriman Mustang, Fotu is considered one of, if not the best, defensive linemen in the JUCO ranks. In 2019, his freshman year at Snow College, Fotu recorded 17 tackles, 1.5 sacks and a fumble recovery in six games.
Velltray Jefferson
ATH — Edison (Fresno, California)
6-4, 230
★★★
A wide receiver, safety and outside linebacker for Edison, who analysts agree has tantalizing potential, Jefferson held the interest of much of the Pac-12, the entire South Division really, including USC (he committed to Trojans in June last year before switching to Utah in September of this year), Arizona State, Arizona and Colorado. In 2018, when he had interest from Alabama and Washington, Jefferson had 28 receptions for 362 yards and five touchdowns in 11 games played.
Deamikkio Nathan
WR — South Grand Prairie (Grand Prairie, Texas)
6-0, 185
★★★
A two-sport athlete — football and track and field — Nathan was a first-team all-district selection as a sophomore in 2018, and a second-team-district performer as a junior last year. As a wide receiver for South Grand Prairie, Nathan had 47 receptions for 582 yards and four touchdowns in 2019.
Ricky Parks
RB — Gaither (Tampa, Florida)
5-10, 192
★★★
A two-sport athlete, Parks chose the Utes over the likes of Florida State, Penn State, Iowa and South Carolina, among others. This season, through five games, Parks has carried the ball 55 times for 379 yards, per Max Preps, for an average of 6.9 yards per carry and 75.8 yards per game. He also rushed for seven touchdowns for the undefeated Cowboys.
Viliami Pouha
DE — Bingham (South Jordan, Utah)
6-2, 230
★★★
The latest in a long line of FBS caliber defensive lineman to come out of Bingham, Pouha has been arguably the Miners’ best defender this season. In nine regular season games, Pouha racked up 48 tackles — the third-most on the team — and 8.5 sacks. He recorded double-digit tackles (10) in a win over East and has had at least one sack in seven games.
Bingham head coach Dave Peck’s comments on Pouha:
“Vili has had a great season for us. He leads our team in sacks and hurries. He is also in a tight race with Sam Sinoti for (Bingham) defensive player of the year.”
Trey Reynolds
LB — Queen Creek (Queen Creek, Arizona)
6-2, 235
★★★
Reynolds as been a do-everything player for Queen Creek in his high school career. He’s played quarterback and thrown for over 700 yards and seven touchdowns. As a running back, Reynolds has carried the ball 81 times for 490 yards and 16 scores. Defense, linebacker specifically, is where Reynolds has had the most success, however. As a junior in 2019, he racked up 159 tackles, an average of 12 per game. In his career with the Bulldogs, Reynolds has recorded 243 tackles, three sacks, four forced fumbles and two interceptions.
Queen Creek head coach Joe Germaine’s comments on Reynolds (via SBLive):
“Trey is the best athlete on our team. He brings an unbelievable blend of speed and strength to the linebacker position.”
Darrien Stewart
S — Desert Pines (Las Vegas)
6-2, 190
★★★
The Utes’ only defensive back commit thus far, Stewart has recorded 59 tackles and an interception in 15 games played at Desert Pines, per Max Preps. As a junior in 2019, Stewart appeared in eight games for the Jaguars and racked up 30 tackles, his interception and a tackle for loss.
Mason Tufaga
LB — St. Louis (Honolulu, Hawaii)
6-1, 210
★★★★
Of the three linebackers currently committed to the Utes, Tufaga has arguably the highest ceiling, with the NFL a real possibility. He played an integral role for the now four-time defending state champion St. Louis Crusaders as a junior in 2019 and will graduate early and miss out on the Crusaders’ spring 2021 season.
St. Louis head coach Ron Lee’s comments on Tufaga (via Hawaii Prep World):
“Terrific, he committed to Utah. His father (Crusaders assistant coach Wes) graduated from Utah. ... I hate losing Mason (to early graduation). I wish he played (in the spring) for us. He was going to be our leader. Losing him is a tremendous loss.”
Isaac Vaha
TE — Pleasant Grove (Pleasant Grove, Utah)
6-7, 230
★★★
A newcomer to football — he started playing only a year ago — Vaha has been a key cog for a successful Vikings team. In 10 regular season games this season, Vaha recorded 12 catches for 206 yards and two touchdowns, while also carrying the ball four times for 55 yards (his yards per carry is the best mark on the team). Vaha has also suited up on defense at times, and his three sacks this year are the second most by any Pleasant Grove player.
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