Utah picked up more than a 13-10 victory over TCU on Thursday night. The Utes also won a couple of recruiting battles. They secured early commitments from highly touted Timpanogos defensive end Joe Kruger (6-foot-7, 220 pounds) and safety Victor Spikes (6-1, 205) of Thurgood Marshall High School in Missouri City, Texas.

Both players attended the win over the Horned Frogs at Rice-Eccles Stadium and made their intentions known shortly thereafter. They plan to sign letters-of-intent with the Utes in February.

"I really like the coaches, how they treat their players and how they are really good leaders," said Kruger, who acknowledged that the opportunity to play with his brothers, Paul and Dave, factored into his decision. Their experience at Utah has made him really comfortable with his choice.

Kruger said BYU was second on his list, with other schools like Alabama after that. The Crimson Tide recruited him heavily, sending approximately 10 letters per week.

"At Utah, I just feel like I'm at home," Kruger said. "I know that I'll be treated well."

Kruger is hoping to play at least one season before possibly serving an LDS Church mission.

"Right now, I'm working as hard as I can," he said. "I want to play as a freshman and do pretty well."

As for the possibility of playing alongside his older brothers, Kruger noted "that would be real nice."

Spikes said he chose Utah because of the atmosphere and the people. He felt welcome on his trip to Salt Lake City and said Thursday's game sealed his decision.

"I just liked the program," said Spikes, who was also recruited by Oklahoma State, TCU, Houston and Alabama.

Kruger and Spikes join a 2009 commitment list that includes defensive end James Aiono (Snow College), running back Chris Brown (Newbury Park HS, Calif.), wide receiver Travis Cobb (Blinn CC, Texas), defensive end Eric Dago (Westside HS, Texas), tight end Colby Goodwin (Cy-Fair HS, Texas), offensive lineman Vyncent Jones (Jordan HS), wide receiver C.J. Porter (Concord HS, Calif.), wide receiver Jamal Smith (Oxnard HS, Calif.), safety Jarrad Stewart (Pearland HS, Texas), defensive tackle Siosala Tuipulotu (Trinity HS, Texas) and safety Chris Washington (Northridge HS).

Keep up with the latest on the Utes with info from writers Dirk Facer and Mike Sorenson at the Utah Utes blog, where you can read stories like this before you find it anywhere else.

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E-mail: dirk@desnews.com