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2016 Utah Recruiting Class: It was a special season for Utah – at least over the first half – and now it’s time to keep it all moving with one of the better classes in the Kyle Whittingham era.

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Utah Football Recruiting Class Overview

After a mediocre 2015 class, Utah came up with a good 2016 haul helped by a slew of great JUCO transfers and lots and lots of bodies and options for the offense. There might not be too many superstars compared to the rest of the Pac-12, but there’s a nice base of good players who fit the program.

The Class Is Heavy On …

JUCO transfers. The coaching staff had some holes to fill, and it might have done that with some ready-made starters. Last year the Utes brought in six JUCOs, and this time around it got the biggest boost from them, too, starring top OT Garett Bolles and with QB Troy Williams looking to make an impact right away with Travis Wilson gone. With the loss of Devontae Booker, Thomas McDonald might turn into a key part of the ground attack from the moment he arrives on campus – even if he’s more of a speedster than a pounder.

The Star of the Class Is …

OT Garett Bolles, 6-6, 305 – With all the holes at receiver, running back, linebacker and defensive back, the one place Utah didn’t necessarily need a ready-made JUCO transfer was at tackle with Sam Tevi and J.J. Dielman back. Even so, Bolles could be an upgrade who allows an already good line to become special. The nation’s top JUCO recruit, Bolles is a big pass blocker who moves like a tight end. How good is he? He was good enough to get Alabama and Arkansas – two programs who know offensive linemen – hot for him. Ohio State, Georgia and Michigan State were a few of the other schools who wanted him.

The Team’s Biggest 2016 Depth Chart Hole Is …

Linebacker. The Utes need help in a few spots, but the linebacking corps is the biggest problem with Jared Norris and Jason Whittingham gone along with hybrid defender Gionni Paul. The line needs some work, and not having safety Tevin Carter hurts, but the Utes need the linebackers to step up right away this offseason. Welcome to the program, JUCO transfer Kurtis Taufa.

2016 Utah Football Recruiting Class

Bradlee Anae DE 6-3 229 Fr HS Laie, Hawaii/Kahuku HS
Keaton Bills DL 6-4 274 Fr HS Draper, Utah/Corner Canyon HS
Garett Bolles OL 6-6 296 Jr JC Lehi, Utah/Snow College
Terrell Burgess CB 6-0 182 Fr HS San Marcos, Calif /San Marcos HS
Alec Dana WR 6-2 186 So JC Rancho Cucamonga, Calif /Chaffey College
Cole Fotheringham TE 6-4 235 Fr HS San Clemente, Calif /San Clemente HS
Leki Fotu DE 6-5 276 Fr HS West Valley City, Utah/Herriman HS
Jake Grant OL 6-4 279 Fr HS Scottsdale, Ariz /Horizon HS
Davir Hamilton LB/WR 6-3 208 Fr HS Compton, Calif /Long Beach Poly HS
Devonta’e
Henry-Cole RB 5-8 168 Fr HS Boca Raton, Fla /St Thomas Aquinas
Tyler Huntley QB 6-1 180 Fr HS Dania, Fla /Hallandale HS
Nygel King CB 6-0 169 Fr HS Tomball, Texas/Klein Oak HS
Semisi Lauaki DL 6-3 231 Fr HS Hawthorne, Calif /Leuzinger HS
David Luafatasaga LB 6-4 232 Jr JC Honolulu, Hawaii/Arizona Western College
Johnny Maea OL 6-4 308 Fr HS Salt Lake City/East HS
Zack Moss RB 5-10 206 Fr HS Hialeah Gardens, Fla /Hallandale HS
Scott Peck OL 6-6 312 Fr HS Spokane Valley, Wash /Central Valley HS

Fua Pututau DL 6-2 242 Fr HS Salt Lake City/Collonwood HS
Tucker Scoe OL 6-4 288 Fr HS San Clemente, Calif /San Clemente HS
Demari Simpkins WR 5-10 176 Fr HS Carol City, Fla /Hallandale HS
Kuros Taufa LB 6-2 236 Jr JC Highland, Utah/Snow College
Donavan Thompson LB 5-10 214 Fr HS Miami, Fla /Miami Central HS
Troy Williams QB 6-2 197 Jr JC Carson, Calif /Santa Monica College
Mitch Wishnowsky P 6-3 225 So JC Gosnells, Western Australia/Santa Barbara
College

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