Robby "Boo" Andersen, who was named Mr. Football by the Deseret News after leading Alta to the 5A state championship last season, has signed a financial aid agreement with the University of Utah.

The 6-foot-2, 230-pound linebacker has the joined the Utes through the summer bridge program, meaning he's already enrolled in school, living in the dorms and working out with the team.

"It's really nice," said Andersen, who wasn't able to sign a letter-of-intent in February because of academic issues. "It's my dream to go to the U."

Andersen is "hoping to get in there" and play as a freshman — something Alta coach Les Hamilton believes is possible.

"He already has a college body. Whatever school he goes to, he's going to be able to step in and play. He's not going to have to take time to develop," Hamilton told the Deseret News in December. "If he learns the defensive scheme where he goes, he'll be able to step right in and get reps as a true freshman."

Andersen made 82 tackles as a senior, including 22 behind the line of scrimmage.

"He's one of the few defensive players in the state that teams had to prepare for," Hamilton added.

Andersen's lifting partner at Utah is former Alta teammate Sausan Shakerin, who won the Mr. Football award in 2006.

The ex-Hawks join four other Deseret News honorees in signing with the Utes since 1997. The others: Kyle Brady (Tooele, 2002), Steve Tate (Skyline, 2000), Bo Nagahi (Skyline, 1999) and Morgan Scalley (Highland, 1997).

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E-mail: dirk@desnews.com