Ute Football Team Gets Great Crop Of Recruits

Feb. 6, 2002

SALT LAKE CITY -

2002 Utah Football Letters Of Intent

Note: Complete biographical information can be found after the list below.

JUNIOR COLLEGE Pos. Hgt. Wgt. Cl. Hometown/Last School Ben Allison TE 6-3 270 Jr. Ogden, Utah/Modesto JC Donta Bright DB 6-0 185 Jr. Roswell, N.M./Eastern Arizona JC Ford Hall K 5-11 185 Jr. Coffeyville, Kansas/Coffeyville JC Thomas Herrion OL 6-4 330 Jr. Ft. Worth, Texas/Kilgore JC Ray Holdcraft LB 6-1 242 Jr. Newport News, Va./Palomar Larry Miles WR 6-0 170 Jr. San Diego, Calif./San Diego Mesa JC Brandon Warfield RB 6-0 220 Jr. Houston, Texas/Kilgore JC

HIGH SCHOOL Pos. Hgt. Wgt. Cl. Hometown/High School Mark Arnold LB 6-2 230 Fr. Albuquerque, N.M./Brighton HS (Utah) Jason Boone OL 6-3 235 Fr. Fillmore, Utah/Millard HS Tyrell Curtis OL 6-2 260 Fr. Delta, Utah/Delta HS Robbie Crockett OL 6-4 245 Fr. Centerville, Utah/Viewmont HS Chris Gantz RB 5-11 215 Fr. Denver, Colo./Manual HS Shaun Harper DB 5-10 185 Fr. San Diego, Calif./Mission Bay HS Deuce Lutui OT 6-4 330 Fr. Mesa, Ariz./Mesa HS George Molifua RB 5-11 215 Fr. Oceanside, Calif./Carlsbad HS Mark Palmer TE 6-3 235 Fr. Granite Bay, Calif./Granite Bay HS Steven Savoy WR 6-0 183 Fr. Washington, D.C./Dunbar HS Andrew Smart LB 6-3 220 Fr. Salt Lake City/Brighton HS Alex Smith QB 6-3 190 Fr. La Mesa, Calif./Helix HS Stephen Smith RB 6-0 220 Fr. San Diego, Calif./Lincoln HS Larry Sooalo OL 6-4 280 Fr. Kaneohe, Hawaii/Kailua Manase Tonga RB 5-11 210 Fr. San Mateo, Calif./ Aragon HS Nano Tonga TE 6-4 240 Fr. West Valley City, Utah/Granger HS Jason Voss DL 6-5 250 Fr. Tempe, Ariz./Valley Christian HS

2002 UTAH FOOTBALL RECRUIT BIOS

Ben Allison
Tight End
6-3, 270, Jr.
Ogden, Utah
Modesto JC

No. 1 rated JC tight end by many services ... second-team All-American by J.C. Grid-Wire ... chose Utah over USC ... originally signed with Utah back in spring of 1998 as academic non-qualifier ... was academically eligible to play as a sophomore in 2000 but transferred to Modesto JC in November ... played high school ball at Ogden High (Utah), where he was first-team all-state, all-region and all-area ... caught 38 passes and had 28 touchdown catches ... also lettered in basketball and track ... won state shot put championship and was runner-up in discus ... all-region and all-area basketball player ... basketball team captain for two years led Ogden High in rebounding ... was a junior before he took up football and basketball ... previously played rugby ... son of Lisa Hafoka Moa ... enjoys fishing ... born April 22, 1981 in San Bernardino, Calif.

Mark Arnold
Linebacker
6-2, 230, Fr.
Albuquerque, N.M.
Brighton HS (Utah)

Played high school ball three years in New Mexico (Sandia HS) and one year in Utah (Brighton HS) ... at Sandia HS, was second-team all-state, first-team all-city and all-district ... all-Metro Lineman of the Year ... as senior at Brighton HS, was second-team all-state and first-team all-region ... 4 interceptions and 101 tackles in 2001 ... lettered four years in football and three years in track (all-state in shot put) ... son of Walt and Ann Arnold ... both parents graduated from New Mexico ... father played football at UNM and later played tight end in the NFL for Chiefs, Rams and Oilers ... one brother and one sister .. enjoys camping and mountain biking ... full name is Mark Christopher Arnold ... born Dec. 18, 1982 in Houston, Texas.

Jason Boone
Offensive Line
6-3, 235, Fr.
Fillmore, Utah
Millard HS

All-state offensive and defensive tackle ... played for Millard High's (Utah) 2001 state championship team ... also wrestled for Millard's 2002 state champion team ... honor roll ... son of Coley Boone and Sherry Peterson ... both parents went to BYU and father played football there ... four brothers and five sisters ... brother Jesse is redshirt freshman football player for Utah ... brother Aaron plays wide receiver at Kentucky ... sister Amy plays basketball at George Mason ... enjoys hunting and camping ... full name is Jason Rostenbach Boone ... born April 20, 1984.

Donta Bright
Defensive Back
6-0, 185, Jr.
Roswell, N.M.
Eastern Arizona JC

Junior college second-team All-American ... first-team all-conference and all-WSFL ... led Eastern Arizona JC in sacks and set school mark with 3 sacks in one game ... played high school ball at Roswell High (New Mexico) ... first-team all-state defensive back and second-team all-state running back as senior ... 18 solo tackles in one game and 120 tackles in single season were both school records ... also lettered in basketball, baseball and track ... mother Latrenda Wheeler is Eastern New Mexico graduate ... one brother and one sister ... full name is Donta Lamar Bright ... born Aug. 17, 1982.

Robbie Crockett
Offensive Line
6-4, 245, Fr.
Centerville, Utah
Viewmont HS

All-state, all-region and all-county as senior in 2001 ... Viewmont High (Utah) Most Valuable Lineman and team captain ... on one state championship team ... also lettered one year in basketball ... honor roll ... son of Brian and Becky Crockett ... father ran track at Utah and mother played basketball for Utah State and Weber State ... three sisters and two brothers ... brother Brad is a former Ute basketball player who is now a football walk-on ... sister Kristen plays basketball at BYU ... plans to serve LDS church mission before playing at U. ... full name is Robert Scott Crockett ... born Mar. 22, 1984.

Tyrell Curtis
Offensive Line
6-2, 260, Fr.
Delta, Utah
Delta HS

Two-time all-state in football ... Delta High (Utah) team captain in football and wrestling ... Delta won 2001 state championship ... first player ever from Delta High to receive football scholarship at Utah ... won state wrestling title as junior ... son of Bruce and Karen Curtis ... enjoys hunting and camping ... three brothers and two sisters ... plans to go on LDS church mission before playing for U. ... name is pronounced tie-rell ... full name is Tyrell Neil Curtis ... born Dec. 23, 1983.

Chris Gantz
Running Back
5-11, 215, Fr.
Denver, Colo.
Manual HS

All-conference ... Manual High (Colo.) team captain as junior and senior ... team's 2000 Most Improved Offensive Player ... once rushed 10 times for 210 yards and 4 touchdowns in one half ... for season, averaged 5.5 yards per carry ... also lettered in track ... GPA ranked in top 10 of senior class ... honor roll all four years ... son of Christopher Gantz and Tanzie Holmon ... both parents graduated from Wisconsin ... one brother and two sisters ... hopes for career in sports broadcasting ... full name is Christopher Anthony Gantz, Jr. ... born June 12, 1983 in Madison, Wis.

Ford Hall
Kicker
5-11, 185, Jr.
Coffeyville, Kansas
Coffeyville JC

Junior college 2001 honorable mention All-American for Coffeyville JC ... first-team all-conference and all-region ... kicked 3 field goals of 50 yards or longer in 2001 ... in high school, made all-state first team ... lettered in football, swimming and track at Field Kindley HS (Kansas) ... honor roll ... son of Ford, Jr., and Karen Hall ... both parents graduated from Dakota Wesleyan University, where his father played football and his mother was a cheerleader ... three brothers and two sisters ... full name is Ford Russell Hall, III ... born Jan. 1, 1982.

Shaun Harper
Defensive Back
5-10, 185, Fr.
San Diego, Calif.
Mission Bay HS

First-team all-county and all-Western League ... Mission Bay High (Calif.) Most Improved Player in 2001 ... Mission Bay was CIF Division 3 champion in 2000 and 2001 ... did not start playing football until high school ... won CIF Sportsmanship/Citizenship award ... 2002 U.S. National Football Award recipient ... also lettered in track and baseball ... recognized by Tau Beta Pi Engineering Society for getting one of nation's best math scores on PSAT ... U.S. Achievement Academy award for being a national math winner ... chose Utah over Arizona ... Who's Who Among American HS Students ... interested in becoming an engineer or accountant ... son of Jerry and La Tanya Harper ... mother ran track for Chattanooga State ... full name is Shunta Jerrell Harper ... born Aug. 12, 1984 in Tennessee.

Thomas Herrion
Offensive Line
6-4, 330, Jr.
Ft. Worth, Texas
Kilgore JC

Honorable mention juco All-American ... first-team all-conference ... Most Outstanding Lineman for Kilgore JC, which finished 2001 season ranked No. 2 in nation with 12-0 record ... 127 pancake blocks in 2001 ... graded out at 97% in pass game as sophomore ... chose Utah over West Virginia, Southern Mississippi and Iowa.

Ray Holdcraft
Linebacker
6-1, 242, Jr.
JC
Newport News, Va.
Palomar JC

First-team 2001 juco All-American by the California Community College Football Coaches Association ... played at Ricks Junior College in 2000 and Palomar J.C. in 2001 ... also all-conference and all-state ... Palomar team captain ... Palomar was Southern California champion and played in Southern California Bowl ... attended Menchville High School in Newport News, Va. ... lettered in football, baseball and basketball ... Menchville team captain was all-state and all-conference in football and baseball ... honor roll ... son of Robert Holdcraft and Sauoleola Tauiliili ... married to Lauren Thompson ... one daughter (Taelor) ... enjoys cooking ... full name is Christopher Raymond Holdcraft ... born Oct. 3, 1978.

Deuce Lutui
Offensive Line
6-4, 330, Fr.
Mesa, Ariz.
Mesa HS

Two-time all-state, all-conference and all-region ... helped Mesa HS (Ariz.) win 2000 region championship ... was also offered scholarship by BYU, Oregon, Nebraska and Arizona State ... son of Inoke and Mele Lutui ... two brothers and three sisters ... older brother played football at Ricks JC and Southern Utah ... plans to go on LDS church mission before playing at U. ... name is pronounced doo-see la-too-ee ... full name is Taitusi Lutui ... born May 5, 1983 in Ha'api, Tonga.

Larry Miles
Wide Receiver
6-0, 170, Jr.
San Diego, Calif.
San Diego Mesa JC

All-conference wide receiver and kick returner for Mesa JC ... 2,410 total yards in two years ... returned 30 kickoffs for 757 yards as freshman... 20 kickoff returns for 608 yards as sophomore ... scored 10 TDs in 2001 ... previously excelled in football and track for Crawford HS (Calif.) ... first-team all-conference running back as junior and senior ... 2,234 total rushing yards and 18 touchdowns ... returned five kickoffs for touchdowns ... CIF champion in 100 meters (10.4 seconds), 200 meters (21.23 seconds) and 4 x 400 meter relay ... Crawford High's track and field MVP ... won 100 meters at Mt. Carmel Invitational and 100 meters at Eastlake Invitational.

George Molifua
Running Back
5-11, 215, Fr.
Oceanside, Calif.
Carlsbad HS

Second-team all CIF San Diego Division I ... named North County Times' Player to Watch ... Carlsbad High (Calif.) Offensive Player of the Year and winner of Coaches' Award ... team captain ... set school single-game rushing record with 313 yards and 6 touchdowns ... in another game, rushed for 226 yards and 4 touchdowns ... in four years, rushed for 4,000 yards and 42 touchdowns ... Carlsbad was CIF Division finalist and Avocado League champion three years ... also ran track and was named Carlsbad's Most Valuable Sprinter freshman year ... ran 11.0-second 100 meters and tossed shot 49.8 feet ... honor roll student was named math Student of the Month for statistics in March 2001 ... son of George Moi Moi and Siutu (Sue) Pisi Molifua ... father went to Southern Utah and San Diego State and mother attended USIU ... three sisters ... enjoys body boarding and Polynesian dancing ... plans to go on LDS church mission before coming to U. ... full name is George Taaga Molifua ... born Jan. 25, 1984.

Mark Palmer
Tight End
6-3, 235, Fr.
Granite Bay, Calif.
Granite Bay HS

Three-time all-conference and two-time all Metro ... Granite Bay High (Calif.) Defensive MVP and Most Valuable Defensive Back ... team captain ... set school interception record for single season (9) and career (12) ... as sophomore and junior, played safety ... as senior, played quarterback, linebacker and defensive end ... Granite Bay won SLF league title and CIF sectional title in 1999 and 2000, going 13-0 in 1999 and 12-1 in 2000 ... also offered scholarship at Kansas ... son of Bill and Barbara Palmer ... father played tight end for Miami Dolphins ... sister Jennifer attends San Diego State and runs triathlons ... full name is Mark Arnold Palmer ... born May 16, 1984 in Minnesota.

Steven Savoy
Wide Receiver
6-0, 183, Fr.
Washington D.C.
Dunbar HS

Registered for spring semester at Utah and will be freshman in eligibility in fall ... eligible to practice in spring ball ... all-metro player for Dunbar High (Washington, D.C.) ... caught 67 passes, most in conference, as a senior ... led Dunbar to conference championship ... lettered in football and basketball ... honor roll ... son of Sterling and Michelle Savoy ... father played basketball at Coffeyville College ... likes to bowl ... full name is Steven Sterling Savoy ... nickname is Voy ... born Feb. 27, 1982.

Andrew Smart
Linebacker
6-3, 220, Fr.
Salt Lake City
Brighton HS

First-team all-state as senior in 2001 and honorable all-mention all-state in 2000 ... 7 blocked kicks and 12 sacks ... scored 2 defensive touchdowns ... Brighton High (Utah) football and basketball team captain ... two-time all-region basketball player was honorable mention all-state in 2000-01 season ... Brighton played in 2000 state basketball championship game ... Salt Lake Tribune Prep of the Week ... honor roll student has 3.70 GPA ... career goal is to become a doctor ... son of Terry and Debbie Smart ... both parents attended BYU ... three sisters and two brothers ... plans to go on LDS church mission before coming to U. ... full name is Steven Andrew Smart ... born Dec. 20, 1983 in California.

Alex Smith
Quarterback
6-3, 190, Fr.
La Mesa, Calif.
Helix HS

First-team all-CIF in 2001 ... first-team all-conference and all-county as junior and senior ... two-time conference Offensive Player of the Year ... Helix High's (Calif.) MVP and team captain two years ... quarterbacked Helix to two-year mark of 25-1 and two San Diego CIF section championships ... San Diego Union Prep of the Week twice ... San Diego Hall of Champions Athlete of the Month, Dec. 2001 ... National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame Scholar-Athlete ... set Helix High record with 6 TDs in one game ... in 2001, completed 66% of his pass attempts for 1,704 yards and 30 TDs (4 interceptions) ... recorded second highest completion percentage (66%) in San Diego CIF section history ... Helix senior class president ... first-team all-academic ... Helix High scholar-athlete award ... GPA ranked 13th in class of 430 ... son of Doug and Pam Smith ... parents both graduated from Weber State, where his dad played football ... one brother and two sisters ... older sister played soccer at Cal State Northridge ... uncle is John L. Smith, head Louisville football coach ...chose Utah over Northwestern, Fresno State, Louisville and San Diego State ... full name is Alexander D. Smith ... born May 7, 1984 in Seattle.

Stephen Smith
Running Back
6-0, 220, Fr.
San Diego, Calif.
Lincoln HS

All-county three years ... only third football player Lincoln High (Calif.) school history to start all four years ... Lincoln High MVP ... San Diego Union Tribune 1998 Newcomer of the Year ... Lincoln was CIF Division 3 runner-up ... caught 3 passes for 103 yards to lead all-receivers in CIF Division 3 championship game ... Citizenship Award ... also offered scholarship at Colorado.

Larry Sooalo
Offensive Line
6-4, 280, Fr.
Kaneohe, Hawaii
Kailua HS

Played for Kailua High's (Hawaii) 2001 state championship team ... all-star ... son of Pui Pui and Ramona Tuuga ... one brother and one sister ... born March 21, 1983 in American Samoa.

Spencer Toone
Linebacker
6-2, 230, So.
Blackfoot, Idaho
Ricks JC

Led Ricks JC in tackles and kickoffs returned for touchdowns in 1999 ... once had a 97 yard kickoff return for a touchdown ... led Ricks to victory in 1999 Real Dairy Bowl ... high school all-stater played for Snake River HS (Idaho) ... all-state free safety in 1997 and all-state running back in 1998 ... team captain ... Snake River was Idaho state champion his sophomore and senior years ... lettered in football, basketball, baseball and track ... honor roll ... also recruited by BYU and USC ... son of William and Stacy Toone ... 4 brothers and 1 sister ... has spent last two years on LDS church mission to Australia ... born Aug. 25, 1980.

Manase Tonga
Running Back
5-11, 210, Fr.
San Mateo, Calif.
Aragon HS

First-team all-league and all-county three times ... 2001 league Player of the Year ... Aragon High (Calif.) team MVP and captain ... jersey (#5) was retired ... set school rushing record for single game (365 yards) and season (1,886) ... 1,886 rushing yards led county in 2001 ... school marks for most touchdowns in a game (4) and season (25) ... once caught 3 TD passes in a game ... also lettered in basketball and track ... 2000 co-MVP in basketball ... league triple jump and long jump champion ... honor roll ... Polynesian Club president ... Youth Leadership Program ... first in his family to attend an American university ... son of Latiume and Seneti Tonga ... oldest of five (3 brothers, 1 sister) ... plans to go on LDS church mission before coming to U. ... full name is Manase Latai Tonga ... born Feb. 28, 1984.

Nano Tonga
Tight End
6-4, 240, Fr.
West Valley City, Utah
Granger HS

Second-team all-state ... helped Granger High (Utah) to region 3 championship ... as senior in 2001, had 63 total tackles, 15 sacks and 10 tackles for loss ... also lettered in basketball and track ... clocked in 11.2 seconds for 100 meters and 24.3 seconds for 300 meters ... high jumped 6'3".

Jason Voss
Defensive Line
6-5, 250, Fr.
Tempe, Ariz.
Valley Christian HS

First-team all-state as senior in 2001 ... three-time first-team all-conference ... 2001 senior all-star team ... Valley Christian High (Ariz.) team captain as junior and senior ... also lettered in track and basketball ... set school record in discus (158'6") and shot put (48'8") ... National Honor Society ... four-time Student-Athlete Award ... used to show dairy heifers for 4-H ... son of John and Cheryl Voss ... one brother and two sisters ... full name is Jason Scott Voss ... born Feb. 17, 1984 in New Mexico.

Brandon Warfield
Running Back
6-0, 220, Jr.
Houston, Texas
Kilgore JC

J.C. Grid-Wire second-team All-American ... first-team all-conference and conference MVP ... rushed for 1,442 yards and 22 touchdowns his senior year at Kilgore JC ... 580 yards receiving on 32 catches in 2001 ... chose Utah over BYU.

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2002 Utah Football Letters Of Intent

2002 UTAH FOOTBALL RECRUIT BIOS

Upcoming Event: Football versus Idaho on September 3, 2026

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Completed Event: Football versus Nebraska on December 31, 2025 , Win , 44, to, 22

Completed Event: Football at Kansas on November 28, 2025 , Win , 31, to, 21

Completed Event: Football versus Kansas State on November 22, 2025 , Win , 51, to, 47

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Completed Event: Football versus No. 17 Cincinnati on November 1, 2025 , Win , 45, to, 14

Completed Event: Football versus Colorado on October 25, 2025 , Win , 53, to, 7

Completed Event: Football at No. 15 BYU on October 18, 2025 , Loss , 21, to, 24

Completed Event: Football versus No. 21 Arizona State on October 11, 2025 , Win , 42, to, 10

Completed Event: Football at West Virginia on September 27, 2025 , Win , 48, to, 14

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