Utah Utes football: Recruiting focused on running backs

SALT LAKE CITY — Running backs are the primary focus of Utah's recruiting efforts for 2011. With the graduation of Eddie Wide and Matt Asiata, plus Sausan Shakerin's career-ending string of concussions, the Utes are in need of some immediate help at the position.

Although NCAA rules prohibit specific comments about players before signed letters-of-intent are received on Wednesday, Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said the situation has been solved.

The Utes are expecting signatures from Bingham High star Harvey Langi, Harbor College (Calif.) transfer John White and Texas prep standout Jarrell Oliver (Dulles HS).

Langi rushed for 1,399 yards and 17 touchdowns last season for the 5A state champion Miners.

White ran for 1,491 yards and 16 scores in his second junior college campaign, while Oliver racked up 893 yards and 11 touchdowns as a high school senior out of Sugarland, Texas.

The running backs address Utah's most pressing concern and headline a list of the 25 initial scholarships the Utes plan to use.

"I think that across the board it's shaping up to be a very solid class," Whittingham said. "Outside of running back, there was really no one glaring area of need. We just took the best players available across the board."

The early commitment list includes nine local players — Langi, offensive lineman Isaac Asiata (Spanish Fork HS), linebacker Tevita Bloomfield (Hunter HS), wide receiver Nate Fakahafua (Highland HS), defensive tackle Viliseni Fauonuku (Bingham HS), offensive lineman Daniel Kristensen (Cottonwood HS), offensive lineman Daniel Nielson (Hurricane HS), defensive end Jordan Robles (Salem Hills HS) and wide receiver Travis Still (Spanish Fork HS).

"The in-state talent continues to increase every year and we hope to come away with a lot of signees in-state," Whittingham said. "Our commitment first and foremost is to the state of Utah. That's our starting point for our recruiting."

Whittingham credits assistant coach Jay Hill for doing "a phenomenal job" recruiting the state.

"It looks like we are going to have a lot of success this year," Whittingham said.

The impending move to the Pac-12, he noted, won't decrease the importance of recruiting well in Utah.