Utah Football Recruiting: Top 10 Recruits Utes Need for Pac-12 Success

After four games played, University of Utah football hasn't been able to fully show what kind of team it is. One week it played well and beat in-state rival BYU, the next it laid down in its own house and let the Huskies of Washington walk all over it.

While Utah has shown that it does have talent and can compete, much of its success is contingent on keeping the starters healthy and fresh. That is something the Utes haven't been able to do with both quarterback Jordan Wynn and offensive lineman Tony Bergstrom on the sidelines nursing various injuries.

The first half of last Saturday's game was close and the Utes looked they could possibly beat the Huskies, but the moment Wynn went out with a shoulder injury, it was as if the offense couldn't do a thing against a defense that, while very athletic and skilled, had looked suspect coming into Rice-Eccles Stadium. Utah's offense line was overpowered most of the night and couldn't open up running lanes for running back John White IV. On the other side of the ball, Utah's highly touted defensive line couldn't stop Husky running back Chris Polk from running the Utes defense ragged. 

One thing that was apparent to everyone in attendance Saturday night is that the Utes don't quite have the depth yet to compete week in and week out in the Pac-12. While the starters for the Utes are every bit the part of a major college football team, Utah's second and third string aren't anywhere close to that of the other teams in the Pac-12. The Utes looked gassed on both sides of the ball Saturday in the second half as the Huskies imposed their will. Rotating players in and out was needed, but unfortunately none of the Utes backups were able to make a significant impact in the game.

This will have to change quickly, and Kyle Whittingham's coaching staff will have to improve their recruiting drastically to gain the necessary depth the Utes need. We can't forget that most of the players on this team were recruited while the Utes were members of the Mountain West Conference. The Utes roster is filled with mostly mid-major-level talent who have been able to succeed and overachieve with the help of excellent coaching. While Utah's roster will never be similar to the likes of USC, LSU or Alabama, the Utes will need to close that gap quickly and effectively for any hopes of returning to a BCS bowl in the future. 

This slideshow will outline 10 potential recruits Utah's coaching staff is pursuing at the moment who the Utes have a good chance of landing. These recruits are mostly high-level prospects who would probably have never considered the Utes had they still been in the Mountain West. These prospects also address the glaring holes in the Utes' depth chart that needs to be filled as soon as possible.

Let me know what you think of this list, which does not include anyone already committed to Utah. 

10. Jamie Gilmore: RB (Citra, Fla.)

Jamie Gilmore is a great prospect being looked at by several schools around the country. Utah is one of only a few schools out West looking at him. He is a 3-star recruit per rivals.com, and Utah is very high on his list. I can't think of many times the Utes have been able to pull big-time talent out of the state of Florida.

Regardless, with Gilmore's big-play ability as both a running back and return man, Utah's coaches are trying hard to get him to Salt Lake. Quality running back depth is something the Utes badly need in order to compete in the Pac-12, and Gilmore is someone who could get the ball rolling in that direction. 

9. Koliniasi Leota: DL (Walnut, Calif.)

I apologize for the video or lack thereof. This is the most footage I could find of Koliniasi, a big defensive lineman who plays for Mt. San Antonio Junior College in Southern California.

Leota has a lot of Utah ties and is being recruited heavily by Utah's coaching staff. He is a 3-star prospect with a lot of upside. Depth on the D-line needs to improved with this class given that the majority of the impact players are upperclassmen. There are four seniors and four juniors currently on Utah's roster listed as defensive linemen.

While not being heavily recruited, the Utes are in the driver's seat to land him and I suspect they will. Leota would most likely play defensive end for the Utes. 

8. Darius Powe: WR (Lakewood, Calif.)

Darius Powe is one heck of an athlete, to say the least.

While wide receiver is not something the Utes are in desperate need of, a steady stream of big-play talent will do the Utes good in the long run. Utah would not be anywhere in the picture for Powe without Norm Chow. Chow started recruiting him while he was at UCLA, and took that recruitment with him to Salt Lake City.

From watching Powe on tape and reading a little about him, he is a big, tall receiver that can play both a possession-style game as well as possess the ability to get behind the secondary for a big play. Given that Powe is a 4-star talent and nestled right in the heart of Southern California, he will not be easy to get. However, I have hope that Utah can get him with the promise that he can compete right away if good enough, something that might not be possible with other Pac-12 schools.

We will just have to wait and see with him. 

7. Visesio Salt: DL (Walnut, Calif.)

Visesio Salt is another defensive lineman playing for Mt. San Antonio Junior College with Utah ties. Salt actually played for Brighton High School in Salt Lake City before ending up at Mt. Sac.

Salt is listed at 340 pounds and could be even bigger than that. He has big-play ability and the knack for stuffing the run and giving opposing offensive linemen a really, really tough time.

Utah is currently one of Salt's top choices but will have to go up against several other Pac-12 schools for his commitment. Rivals.com has Salt listed as a 4-star prospect, and he would be a huge get given that Utah's depth on the defensive line will shrink following this season.

Salt also has the ability to go straight into the two-deep at Utah and would free up double teams for defensive tackle Star Lotulelei. 

6. Jared Afalava: LB (South Jordan, Utah)

The Utes will be losing starting linebackers Chaz Walker and Matt Martinez, as well as quality backup JJ Williams, to graduation after this season. Given the loss of three key players, the Utes will need to improve their depth at linebacker. The only starter remaining will be sophomore Brian Blechen.

The Utes' main target to fill the void at this position is Bingham High School star Jared Afalava. Afalava has been wreaking havoc for defenses the last three years and has been able to garner a lot of interest throughout the west. His top two schools at the moment are Utah and Oregon. Kyle Whittingham and his staff are hoping Afalava will choose to stay close to home and play for the Utes. 

5. Travell Dixon: DB (Thatcher, Ariz.)

Utah's depth in the secondary also will need to be upgraded for Pac-12 play, and the commitment of junior college standout Travell Dixon would go a long way in doing that.

Most likely a cornerback at the next level, Dixon shows extreme versatility to play a variety of positions. Dixon, a 4-start prospect per rivals.com, has offers from plenty of big-time programs, but I think the Utes have a good shot of landing Dixon. Rumor is that Utah's coaching staff have been working his recruitment for quite sometime and are optimistic of his signature.

They are hoping Utah's reputation for putting defensive backs into the NFL as well as the promise for early and significant playing time will lure him to Salt Lake City. 

4. Gerald Bowman: DB (Woodland Hills, Calif.)

While the chances of Utah snagging junior college prospect Gerald Bowman are unlikely, he is so good that I have to include him in this list. His interest in the Utes is somewhat unknown, but I do know that the Utes are going after him very hard. Given that he is one of the best, if not the best, junior college prospects in the nation, schools are lining up to get his attention. Given that he is from LA, he will most likely end up going to USC, but the hope is that Utah can pull some strings and create some uncertainty surrounding his chances to play at USC or other big-time program.

His knack for the football and impressive athletic ability have me as well as the Utah coaches drooling over the prospects of Bowman playing up on the hill. In my opinion, he would have a great shot to be Utah's starting free safety from day one. 

3. Tavon Rooks: OL (Corsicana, Texas)

Tavon Rooks is the first and only player from Texas on this list. He is a big offensive tackle with a great frame. He is another junior college prospect that the Utes are looking at. Given what I have seen this far into the season from the Utes, depth along the offensive line should and probably will be the No. 1 priority for this class.

And because of the injury to Tony Bergstrom as well as the struggles early on adjusting to big, strong defensive lines, the Utes have been exposed at times running the football. If the Utes want to have any success this season, they will need to establish the running game and this will be done by controlling the line of scrimmage.

Rooks has the ability to step in immediately and contend for playing time at the tackle spot. Starting tackles John Cullen and Tony Bergstrom will be graduating after this season, and the junior college route might be the way to go in filling depth quickly along the offensive line. 

2. Cedrick Poutasi: OL (Las Vegas)

Cedrick Poutasi is a big-time talent who is looking really hard at the Utes. His cousin, Pleasant Grove offensive lineman Brandon Fanaika, is helping steer Poutasi's focus toward Utah. The interest is mutual, with Utah coaches seeing Poutasi as a future starter along the offensive line most likely as a guard.

He has great size, and athleticism and would help to eliminate many of Utah's offensive line concerns going forward. The opportunity to play with his cousin, as well as the opportunity to play early and surround himself with many other Polynesians might be too good of an opportunity to pass up.

Poutasi has said he will wait to commit until after this high school season. 

1. Brandon Fanaika: OL (Pleasant Grove, Utah)

Brandon Fanaika is a kid who is very high on the Utes' Christmas shopping list. He is an in-state prospect who is getting a lot of love from big-time programs. The Utes have a big advantage now as they are a member of BCS conference as well as being extremely close in proximity to his home.

One of the glaring weaknesses with Utah's football team is a lack of depth on the offensive line. While I don't know if Fanaika would be able to immediately walk into the Utes starting lineup, he does have the potential to be a very, very good player.

Like his cousin Cedrick Poutasi, Fanaika would most likely play guard for the Utes. I do feel the two of them are a package deal and want to play together at the next level. With Fanaika being an in-state prospect and his high potential, Kyle Whittingham will not want him to slip away. That is why Fanaika is No. 1 on this list of potential commits for the Utes.