Whether it be the middle of the college football season, the dog days of summer or the outset of spring camp, recruiting is an ever present part of college football.
There is no such thing as an offseason, and for head coach Kyle Whittingham and company, finding the next batch of Utes is always a priority.
With that in mind, here is a look at Utah’s 2022 recruiting class, with prospects listed according to reporting by 247 Sports, Rivals and the Deseret News.
(All commitments at this point are verbal and non-binding.)
Lander Barton
LB — Brighton (Salt Lake City)
6-4, 215
★★★★ — 247 Sports
★★★★ — Rivals
Younger brother of former Utes Cody Barton and Jackson Barton, Lander Barton is rated the second best recruit in Utah in the 2021 class, behind only Corner Canyon quarterback Devin Brown. Considered the 24th-best linebacker prospect in the country, Barton chose the Utes over offers from a host of Power 5 schools, including but not limited to Michigan, Oregon, Texas and Arizona State.
According to the Deseret News’ high school football statistical database, Barton racked up 122 tackles, eight sacks and two interceptions his senior season, while also scoring two defensive touchdowns. Barton also played tight end for the Bengals and as a senior had 37 receptions for 416 yards and eight touchdowns.
Jaylon Glover
RB — Lake Gibson (Lakeland, Florida)
5-7, 195
★★★ — 247 Sports
★★★★ — Rivals
Rated the 44th-best running back prospect in the country and the 77th-best overall prospect in the talent rich state of Florida, Glover committed to the Utes over offers from some of the nation’s best programs, including in-state powers Florida, Florida State and Miami.
In three seasons played at Lake Gibson, Glover has rushed for 4,023 yards and 54 touchdowns, averaging close to 130 yards per game. A multi-sport athlete , Glover also runs track and recorded a 11.33 second 100 meter dash as a junior and an 11.22 second 100 meter dash as a sophomore, per 247 Sports.
Glover was The Ledger All-County Big School Offensive Player of the Year last season, after rushing for 1,000-plus yards for the second consecutive year.
Nate Johnson
QB — Clovis (Clovis, California)
6-2, 183
★★★ — 247 Sports
★★★ — Rivals
A true dual-threat quarterback with offers from a host of teams — including, but not limited to Michigan, TCU, UCLA, ASU, Arizona and Oregon State — Johnson committed to the Utes on June 18. He was recently selected to be one of just 20 quarterbacks nationwide who will participate in the Elite11 Finals, a quarterback competition generally viewed as the best in the country.
Per 247 Sports’ Brandon Huffman, speed is Johnson’s greatest attribute and arguably the main reason that he is rated the 51st-best quarterback prospect in the country and the 55th-best player out of California.
“He’s got a unique skill set, with arm strength and a quicker, consistent release and a smooth motion,” Huffman wrote. “He is boiling with upside and has all the natural physical tools to be a great quarterback.”
Tao Johnson
ATH — Thunder Ridge (Idaho Falls)
6-2, 180
★★★ — 247 Sports
★★★ — Rivals
Considered the 2nd-best overall recruit in the 2022 class from Idaho and the 124th-best athlete in the country, Johnson committed to the Utes over offers from Washington State, Virginia and UNLV, among others.
Johnson has played on both sides of the ball in his high school career, at quarterback and defensive end, and according to his HUDL, runs a 4.4 second 40-yard dash.
Johnson took his official visit to Utah at the end of October and committed on Nov. 8.
Sione Tavo Motuapuaka
OT — Mililani (Mililani, Hawaii)
6-5, 280
★★★ — 247 Sports
★★★ — Rivals
Holding offers from Washington State, Hawaii, San Diego State, UNLV and Utah State, Motuapuaka announced his commitment to Utah on Aug. 30. A participant in the Polynesian Bowl, Motuapuaka is considered the 4th-best prospect in Hawaii and a top 150 offensive lineman prospect nationwide (113). He the first O-lineman to commit to Utah as part of the 2022 class.
Ryan Peppins
WR — Thompson (Alabaster, Alabama)
5-8, 168
★★★ — 247 Sports
★★★ — Rivals
Ranked the 28th-best recruit in Alabama and a top 100 wide receiver (95 nationally), Peppins committed to Utah on Nov. 23, 2021. Previously committed to Western Kentucky, Peppins has additional offers from the Hilltoppers, Middle Tennessee State, Eastern Kentucky and Austin Peay.
As a senior, Peppins racked up 1,110 receiving yards — his second season with 1,000-plus receiving yards — and had two 200 yard games, one of which included five touchdowns scored.
Per 247 Sports, Peppins is a multi-sport athlete, having run track and played basketball.
As a junior, he placed 10th at the Alabama Class 7A Indoor State Championship in the 60-meter dash (7.12).
Chris Reed
WR — Wekiva (Apopka, Florida)
6-2, 190
★★★ — 247 Sports
Not rated — Rivals
An unheralded recruit up to this point in the recruiting cycle, Reed’s only scholarship offer is from Utah. The Utes offered Reed on October 5 and he committed the following day.
Per HUDL, Reed has seen time on both sides of the ball, playing both wide receiver and free safety and runs a 4.5 40-yard dash.
Reed is one of two wide receivers in Utah’s 2022 class and the second player from Florida to commit to the Utes.
Brandon Rose
QB — Murrieta Valley (Murrieta, California)
6-2, 195
★★★ — 247 Sports
★★★ — Rivals
The 39th-best quarterback prospect in the country and 53rd-best prospect out of California, Rose chose the Utes over offers from Northwestern, Arizona State, Boise State and Colorado, among others.
A pro-style quarterback, Rose played an abbreviated five-game junior season in 2020, but still managed to throw for 1,415 yards, 11 touchdowns and only one interception, while completing 69% of his pass attempts. The season before, he accounted for 3,087 passing yards and 30 touchdowns, to only four interceptions.
Rose is the second quarterback to commit to Utah as a member of the 2022 class, joining Clovis’ Nate Johnson.
Carson Tabaracci
ATH — Park City (Park City, Utah)
6-2, 225
★★★ — 247 Sports
★★★ — Rivals
A top 10 prospect in Utah (ranked No. 9), and the 37th-best athlete in the country, Tabaracci committed to the Utes on Nov. 19, 2021. The Miners’ star chose Utah over offers from USC, Notre Dame, Arizona and Air Force, among others.
Tabaracci was a do-everything type player for Park City as a senior. He had 174 receptions for 1,188 yards and 15 touchdowns, all team highs. He also carried the ball 23 times, rushing for 235 yards and two touchdowns.
Tabaracci also dabbled on defense and recorded five tackles.
Get up to speed on the Utah Utes’ 2022 recruiting class
Source: Gabriella Pinoys
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