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The University of Utah Athletics
Meet the 2003 Utah Football Signees
2/26/2003 12:00 AM | Football
Feb. 26, 2003
SALT LAKE CITY - <>2003 UTAH FOOTBALL RECRUITING CLASS
Junior College Pos. Hgt. Wgt. Cl. Hometown/Last School David Dirkmaat OT 6-7 260 Jr. San Jose, Calif./Fresno CC Jonathan Fanene DL 6-4 300 So. Pago Pago, American Samoa/College of the Canyons Gerald Fletcher DB 5-10 175 Jr. Hawthorne, Calif./El Camino CC Steve Gordon DB 6-0 190 Jr. Higley, Ariz./Mesa CC Matt Kovacevich P 6-1 185 Jr. Oceanside, Calif./Palomar JC Paueli Tamasoa DT 6-1 295 Jr. Long Beach, Calif./Long Beach City College Reza Williams LB/DE 6-3 240 Jr. Fontana, Calif./San Bernardino Valley College Jerome Wright WR 6-0 175 Jr. Palmdale, Calif./Antelope Valley CCHigh School Pos. Hgt. Wgt. Cl. Hometown/High School Kyle Brady WR 6-2 210 Fr. Tooele, Utah/Tooele HS Martail Burnett DB 6-3 218 Fr. Los Angeles/David Starr Jordan HS Tony Castaldi DL 6-2 235 Fr. Simi Valley, Calif./St. Bonaventure HS Kyle Gunther OL 6-4 265 Fr. Camarillo, Calif./Adolfo Camarillo HS Thomas Huff WR 6-4 200 Fr. Phoenix, Ariz./Camelback HS Joe Jiannoni LB 6-1 220 Fr. La Quinta, Calif./La Quinta HS Joe Johnson WR 5-8 175 Fr. Palm Springs, Calif./Palm Desert HS Mike Liti RB 5-10 205 Fr. Santa Ana, Calif./Foothill HS Alex Puccinelli DE 6-2 225 Fr. Toluca Lake, Calif./Notre Dame HS Bryce Scanlon LB 6-2 225 Fr. Evanston, Wyo./Evanston HS Ryan Smith DB 5-10 165 Fr. Diamond Bar, Calif./Bishop Amat Memorial HS Eric Weddle DB 5-11 185 Fr. Alta Loma, Calif./Alta Loma HS
RECRUIT BIOS
Kyle Brady Wide Receiver 6-2, 210, Fr. Tooele, Utah Tooele HSUtah's 2002 "Mr. Football" ... first-team all-state and region MVP as a junior and senior ... Utah 3A MVP as a senior ... 2002 Prep Star Western Region first team ... honorable mention all-state and all-region as a sophomore ... state's career interception record holder (31) ... senior year rushed for 1,400 yards, had 700 receiving yard, scored 28 touchdowns and had 15 interceptions ... Tooele High won 2002 3A Utah state football championship ... team captain in football and basketball ... also lettered in baseball and track ... first-team all-state and all-region in baseball as a junior and second-team all-state as a sophomore ... honor roll ... son of Roger and Elaine Brady ... oldest of eight children (7 boys and 1 girl) ... full name is Kyle Roger Brady ... born Nov. 7, 1984.
Martail Burnett Defensive Back 6-3, 218, Fr. Los Angeles David Starr Jordan HSAll-conference and all-area ... David Starr Jordan High (Calif.) team captain ... lettered in three sports ... first person from his high school in 18 years to qualify for state track and field meet ... student vice president of athletics ... son of Willie Burnett, Jr. and Kristy Brewer ... three brothers ... full name is Martail Marta Burnett ... born Jan. 10, 1985.
Tony Castaldi Defensive Line 6-2, 235, Fr. Simi Valley, Calif. St. Bonaventure HSThree-time all-league ... also all-Ventura County and all-CIF in 2002 ... 129 tackles, 15 sacks and 21 tackles for loss senior year ... St. Bonaventure High (Calif.) was 2002 Channel League champion and CIF Division IV Southern Section champ ... also lettered in baseball and wrestling ... enjoys wake boarding ... son of Joe and Debbie Castaldi ... one sister ... full name is Anthony Joseph Castaldi ... born Feb. 4, 1985.
David Dirkmaat Offensive Tackle 6-7, 260, Jr. San Jose, Calif. Fresno CCAll-Central Valley Conference player for Fresno City College ... Fresno CC was CVC champion in 2001 ... three-time all-league player for Silver Creek HS (Calif.) ... league's Most Valuable Lineman in 2000 ... Silver Creek won 2000 conference championship ... won science honors in high school ... son of Gerrit and Gloria Dirkmaat ... both parents went to BYU ... three sisters ... sisters Megan and Rebecca both rowed for Cal and Megan is currently training for the Olympic rowing team ... full name is Gerrit David Dirkmaat ... born July 4, 1982.
Jonathan Fanene Defensive Line 6-4, 300, So. Pago Pago, American Samoa College of the CanyonsJC Gridwire All-American ... first-team all-California juco ... all-conference ... 14 sacks and 65 tackles in 2001 ... led College of the Canyons to 2001 Western Bowl ... played JC ball from 2000-01 and then spent last year finishing his AA degree ... lettered in four sports in high school (football, basketball, track and field, volleyball) ... basketball and track and field MVP of Tafuna High School (American Samoa) ... played quarterback and tight end ... son of David and Anna Maria Fanene ... comes from family of 12 children (5 girls and 7 boys) ... born Mar. 19, 1982.
Gerald Fletcher Defensive Back 5-10, 175, Jr. Hawthorne, Calif. El Camino CCTeam captain and Most Improved Player for El Camino JC ... won team's Big Hitter award ... 4 interceptions ... lettered in football and track in high school ... West Chester High (Calif.) team captain ... son of Gerald Fletcher, Sr., and Stacy Littlejohn ... born April 28, 1983.
Steve Gordon Defensive Back 6-0, 190, Jr. Higley, Ariz. Mesa CCFirst-team all-Arizona League and second-team WSFL while at Mesa Community College ... 3 interceptions in 2002 ... in high school, was second-team all-East Valley Region ... 6 interceptions for Mesa HS ... father is Teodoro Gordon ... stepmother is Christle Gordon and birth mother is Aurelia Lunt ... born in Panama City, Panama, and lived there until age 9 ... fluent in Spanish ... full name is Stephen Gordon ... born July 11, 1983.
Kyle Gunther Offensive Line 6-4, 265, Fr. Camarillo, Calif. Adolfo Camarillo HSTwo-time all-league ... all-county senior year ... Daily News all-area... Adolfo Camarillo High School (Calif.) team captain ... set school strength records in bench, clean and squat ... made high school Who's Who of America ... Golden State Excellence Award ... enjoys snowboarding, surfing and guitar ... son of Keith and Tamara Gunther ... father played football for Oregon and mother played volleyball for UCLA ... one brother ... full name is Kyle Coury Gunther ... born June 26, 1985.
Thomas Huff Wide Receiver 6-4, 200, Fr. Phoenix, Ariz. Camelback HSTwo years all-conference ... all-city (Phoenix) first team ... Informant first team ... broke every Camelback High (Ariz.) receiving record ... 790 receiving yards and 11 TDs in 2002 ... Camelback won Metro Conference championship in 2001-02 ... also lettered in basketball and track ... state 110 high hurdle champion as a junior in 2002 ... Nike basketball All-American ... McDonald's All-America Select team ... honor roll ... Native American Club ... Teen Council ... son of Thomas Huff, Sr., and Abigail Robinson ... mother played volleyball for South Mountain College ... aunt plays for women's professional football team in Arizona ... full name is Thomas Huff, Jr. ... nickname is "Huff" ... born Mar. 25, 1985.
Joe Jiannoni Linebacker 6-1, 220, Fr. La Quinta, Calif. La Quinta HSThree-time all-Desert Valley League (first-team in 2001) ... 2001 all-CIF ... La Quinta High School (Calif.) Most Valuable Linebacker in 2001, Most Valuable Offensive Back in 2002 and team MVP in 2002 ... La Quinta won Division VIII CIF and Desert Valley League championships in 2000 and 2001 ... also wrestled ... National Honor Society ... President's Award ... son of Michael and Tracey Jiannoni ... three brothers and one sister ... full name is Joseph Michael Jiannoni ... born Dec. 27, 1984.
Joe Johnson Wide Receiver 5-8, 175, Fr. Palm Springs, Calif. Palm Desert HSFirst-team all-CIF and all-conference ... conference offensive MVP ... second-team all-county ... all-Desert Sun ... also lettered in basketball, baseball and track at Palm Desert High (Calif.) ... ran in Junior Olympics held at Disney World, LSU and in Seattle and won gold in 4 x 400 relay ... took bronze in 200 meters and 4 x 100 relay in Junior Olympics ... Student of the Month ... honor roll ... son of Douglas and Sonya Johnson ... one brother ... full name is Joseph Ray Johnson ... born July 26, 1985.
Matt Kovacevich Punter 6-1, 190, Jr. Oceanside, Calif. Palomar JC2001 first-team all-Mission Conference punter for Palomar JC ... Palomar Special Teams Player of the Year ... Palomar won 2002 league title and was South County Bowl champion ... lettered in football, baseball and basketball at El Camino High School (Calif.) ... first-team all-county, all-CIF and all-Avocado League ... honorable mention all-state ... academic all-county ... team captain ... set school record for most career kick scoring points ... 1999 team was undefeated (13-0) and won CIF championship ... honor roll ... won art department award ... son of Bill and Dee Dee Kovacevich ... father played football at Northern Iowa ... one sister ... full name is Matt William Kovacevich ... born April 28, 1983 in Los Alamos, N.M.
Mike Liti Running Back 5-10, 205, Fr. Santa Ana, Calif. Foothill HSFirst-team all-CIF Southern Section in 2001-02 ... 2002 Division VI CIF-SS Offensive Player of the Year ... Orange County Register 2002 Offensive Player of the Year ... 2002 L.A. Times Back of the Year ... 2002 Sky View Conference Offensive MVP ... all-league three years ... fourth-leading all-time rusher in Orange County history (5,699 yards) ... set Foothill High School (Calif.) records in single season rushing yards (2,344), career rushing yards (5,699), single-season touchdowns (33) and career touchdowns (78) ... player of the week 10 times in his career ... once rushed 99 yards for touchdown ... interested in Polynesian culture and dance ... son of Kolotolu and Seini Liti ... three brothers and one sister ... full name is Maikolo Liti ... born May 7, 1984.
Alex Puccinelli Defensive End 6-2, 225, Fr. Toluca Lake, Calif. Notre Dame HSAll-state ... MVP of San Fernando Valley ... Mission League MVP and Defensive Player of the Year ... over 100 tackles and 23 sacks as senior in 2002 ... Notre Dame High School (Calif.) team captain ... also lettered in baseball ... academic all-CIF ... son of Pat and Ronnie Puccinelli ... father played baseball for University of Arizona and Chicago Cubs and is now a baseball scout ... one brother, John, plays baseball for Florida Marlins ... full name is Alexander Puccinelli ... born Mar. 26, 1985.
Bryce Scanlon Linebacker 6-2, 225, Fr. Evanston, Wyo. Evanston HSAll-state and all-conference ... Evanston High School (Wyo.) team captain two years ... 160 tackles as senior ... also all-state in wrestling ... No. 1 in state for wrestling ... won Rocky Mountain Nationals in wrestling ... two-time scholar-athlete ... senior class vice president ... DARE role model ... seminary class president ... Evanston High was just 3-24 during his career, yet he had several offers to play for NCAA Division I schools ... two brothers and one sister ... son of Floyd Scanlon and Diana Jo Majors ... father played football at Missouri ... full name is Bryce Viliamu Scanlon ... born Sept. 5, 1984 in San Diego.
Ryan Smith Defensive Back 5-10, 165, Fr. Diamond Bar, Calif. Bishop Amat Memorial HSFirst-team all-league as junior and senior ... first-team all-valley as senior (second-team as junior) ... L.A. Times first-team all-valley ... senior year, averaged 28 yards per punt return and 37 yards per pass reception ... 31 solo tackles and 15 pass breakups in 2002 ... son of Lance and Marlene Smith ... father works for L.A.P.D. ... one sister ... full name is Ryan Chancey Smith ... born July 17, 1985.
Paueli Tamasoa Defensive Tackle 6-1, 295, Jr. Long Beach, Calif. Long Beach City CollegeFirst-team all-conference and all-state while at Long Beach City College ... LBCC Defensive MVP ... 69 solo tackles, 19 assisted tackles, 5 sacks, 17 hurries and 12 tackles for loss in 2002 ... also all-conference in high school ... Long Beach Poly High (Calif.) was 2000 CIF Division I champion ... son of the late Taofi Tamasoa and Silailai Tamasoa ... five siblings ... born on Mar. 6, 1982 in American Samoa.
Eric Weddle Defensive Back 5-11, 185, Fr. Alta Loma, Calif. Alta Loma HSTwo-time league offensive and defensive MVP ... three-time all-league ... two-time all-CIF ... first-team L.A. Times and Daily Bulletin ... second-team all-Southern Section CIF ... Rival & Student Sport Magazine all-region team ... Alta Loma High (Calif.) Best Receiver and MVP ... team captain and rookie of the year ... senior year had 129 tackles, 5 interceptions, 4 forced fumbles, 5 recovered fumbles, 587 yards rushing, 22 touchdowns, 965 yards passing and 5 TD passes ... Alta Loma HS was 2000 Mt. Baldy League champion ... also lettered in basketball and baseball ... son of Steven and Deborah Weddle ... one sister ... full name is Eric Steven Weddle ... born Jan. 4, 1985.
Reza Williams Linebacker/Defensive End 6-3, 240, Jr. Fontana, Calif. San Bernardino Valley CollegeStarted college career at Sacramento State before transferring to San Bernardino Valley College ... second in tackles at Sac State in 2001 with 60 ... Big Sky Defensive Player of the Week vs. Idaho State ... first-team all-conference at San Bernardino Valley College ... played just one year of high school football at Fontana HS (Calif.) ... first-team all-Citrus Belt League ... Eric Birch Memorial Scholar-Athlete award ... Citrus Belt League Outstanding Senior award (for service to school and community) ... son of Mina Williams ... one sister ... born Dec. 11, 1981.
Jerome Wright Wide Receiver 6-0, 175, Jr. Palmdale, Calif. Antelope Valley CCJ.C. Gridwire All-American, all-state and all-conference ... Region 3 All-Purpose Player of the Year ...... California Juco All-Purpose Player of the Year ...set school single season (76) and career (122) reception records in 2002 ... also set record for most receiving yards in single season (1,008) and career (1,752) ... 13 receptions in one game set school record ... first receiver ever at Antelope Valley CC to get over 1,000 receiving yards ... AVCC career all-purpose record holder (2,526 yards) ... 2002 team MVP ... also played for AVCC in 2000 ... used medical redshirt in 2001 after getting shot three times (arm, hip and back) in a tragedy that left his best friend dead ... switched to his friend's number (4) in remembrance ... lettered two years in football for Highland HS, where he was all-conference ... son of Willie Wright, Jr. and Janice Wright ... father played football at Long Beach State ... two brothers and one sister ... born Oct. 17, 1979.
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