Utah Utes football: Utes pick up 2 Californians

The Sugar Bowl champion Utah Utes picked up a pair of recruiting commitments from Southern California on Sunday.

Ray Magee, a 6-foot-5, 210-pound wide receiver from Fullerton College, and defensive tackle Craig Payne, a 6-foot-4, 297-pound defensive tackle from Colony High School in Ontario, plan to continue their careers with the Utes.

"I wanted to be a Ute," said Payne, who decommitted from Colorado State after making a recruiting visit to Utah.

Payne cited the "beautiful scenery," the coaching staff, as well as the Sugar Bowl win over Alabama as factors in his decision.

"I'm really excited," he said.

Washington, Washington State and Fresno State were among the other programs that Payne considered.

As for Magee, he chose Utah after returning from a recruiting trip that included snowmobiling. It was the first time the southern California native had seen snow. He plans to return to Salt Lake City after graduating in February and participate in spring ball.

Magee, who overcame a broken leg earlier in his career, helped Fullerton win the Southern Conference and National Bowl championships. The Hornets lost a double-overtime game in the state semifinals.

Magee's decision to sign with Utah was based on a couple of factors. He liked the coaches, he felt comfortable and he appreciated how "down to earth" the players were on his recruiting trip.

Four junior college transfers have already signed with the Utes — quarterback Terrance Cain (Blinn CC, Texas), defensive back Maxwell Lacy (Compton CC, Calif.), wide receiver Antoine Smithson (East Los Angeles College, Calif.) and defensive back Kamaron Yancy (Pierce CC, Calif.).

Other player commitments, who plan to sign letter of intent with Utah in February, include defensive end James Aiono (Snow College), running back Beau Burton (Saguaro HS, Ariz.), defensive end Eric Dago (Westside HS, Texas), tight end Colby Goodwin (Cy-Fair HS, Texas), defensive tackle Latu Heimuli (Highland HS), offensive lineman Vyncent Jones (Jordan HS), offensive lineman Kapua Sai (St. Louis HS, Hawaii), wide receiver Jamal Smith (Oxnard HS, Calif.), running back Victor Spikes (Marshall HS, Texas), defensive back Jarrad Stewart (Pearland HS, Texas), defensive tackle Siosaia Tuipolutu (Trinity HS, Texas), defensive back Chris Washington (Northridge HS) and quarterback Jordan Wynn (Oceanside HS, Calif.).

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