"Certainly I'm disappointed that we didn't get anyone from Texas this year. We're not going to say it's OK."

Utah has two assistant coaches assigned to recruiting the area and Whittingham hopes to have 20-25 Texans in the program in the next two or three years.

Hawaii, where the Utes had hoped to sign highly touted lineman Benji Kemoeatu and a couple of his Kahuku High School teammates, failed to produce a single signature. Kemoeatu, who appears to be headed to West Virginia, and line mate Anthony Si'ilata (likely ticketed for Oregon State), reportedly gave Utah oral commitments last month. Linebacker Alema Tachibana did the same, but opted to sign with Hawaii instead.

Whittingham, who couldn't discuss specifics because of NCAA rules, said it remains to be seen what happens in Hawaii. The state, he reiterated, will continue to be an area of emphasis for Utah. As for completing their 2008 recruiting class, the Utes are keeping their options open.

"We have signed 15 right now," Whittingham said. "But there are still a few guys out there that we're in on. Hopefully we'll find out soon where they end up signing."

EXTRA POINTS: Starting defensive end Paul Kruger, who is recovering from stab wounds he suffered in an attack by unknown assailants in Salt Lake City last month, is on the mend and doing fine. Even so, Whittingham said he'll likely be held out of spring ball for precautionary reasons ...Whittingham hopes to fill the vacancy on Utah's coaching staff, created when Derrick Odum took the secondary job at SMU, in the next 5-10 days. Graduate assistant Morgan Scalley is considered a prime candidate for the job ... Tailback Matt Asiata, who broke his leg in last season's opener at Oregon State, has been cleared to do everything and is reportedly doing quite well in winter conditioning workouts ... Spring drills begin March 11.

Head of the class: DL Dave Kruger and RB Sausan Shakerin

Immediate impact: WR Aiona Key and WR David Reed

Near miss: OL Benji Kemoeatu