Meyer's first class surprisingly good

Urban Meyer's first recruiting class at Utah was a lot like his team.

"I think we surprised a lot of people," said Meyer, who was hired to coach the Utes less than two months before last year's signing period.

With just a few days to recruit before the NCAA-imposed "dead period," Utah's staff had to hustle when recruiting activity resumed in January.

Despite the late start, the Utes found success on the recruiting trail. They wound up netting a freshman all-American and six others who saw action in 2003.

"We were really scrambling," defensive coordinator Kyle Whittingham recalled. "But based on circumstances I think we did pretty well."

Cornerback Eric Weddle headlined the cast of contributors by earning national honors. He was honored as a second-team freshman All-American by The Sporting News after forcing a Mountain West Conference-high four fumbles. The Californian (Alta Loma High School) also had four quarterback sacks and three interceptions for the Utes.

However, his name didn't appear on a list of "Some of the Biggest Catches in the 2003 Utah Signing Class" on page 71 of last season's media guide — printed well before the season began. Whittingham acknowledges that recruiting is not an exact science, nor an immediate one. He doesn't believe anyone should judge a class until a couple of years have passed. After all, a dozen players who signed with the Utes last season have yet to play a single down — and Whittingham expects many of them to become contributors down the road.

The same can be said of those who played last season. For many, expanded roles may be on the horizon.

Defensive lineman Jonathan Fanene, who had six tackles in 10 games in 2003, is projected to be a starter in 2004. Five of his classmates gained first-string experience a year ago. Besides Weddle, punter Matt Kovacevich, tailback Mike Liti, defensive end Reza Williams and wide receiver Jerome Wright each made at least one start for the Utes.

The seven recruits who played in 2003 contributed to Utah's 10-2 season that included Mountain West and Liberty Bowl titles, as well as a No. 21 national ranking.

Kovacevich was the Utes' regular punter; Fanene and defensive back Gerald Fletcher each made six tackles; Liti scored three touchdowns and was a capable replacement for Brandon Warfield before his season ended prematurely because of a broken collarbone; Wright caught 11 passes; and Williams was a special teams standout who started on defense in the win over Colorado State.