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The University of Utah Athletics
Utah football attracts big new class on National Letter of Intent Day
2/4/2004 12:00 AM | Football
Feb. 4, 2004
SALT LAKE CITY -
| 2004 UTAH FOOTBALL RECRUITING CLASS --FINAL | |||||
| JC or Transfer | Pos. | Hgt. | Wgt. | Cl. | Hometown/Last School |
| Quinton Ganther | RB | 5-10 | 200 | Jr. | Richmond, Calif./Citrus CC |
| Tim Harris | DB | 6-0 | 190 | Jr. | Pittsburgh, Kan./Fort Scott CC |
| Eugene Oates | DB | 5-11 | 175 | Jr. | Jacksonville, Fla./Fort Scott CC |
| Paul Soliai | OL | 6-5 | 330 | Jr. | Pago Pago, American Samoa/Coffeyville CC |
| Nik Sonntag | DL | 6-4 | 245 | So. | Salt Lake City/Oregon State |
| Fano Tagovailoa | DB | 6-0 | 191 | Jr. | Leone, American Samoa/Coffeyville CC |
| Kelly Talavou | DL | 6-0 | 318 | Jr. | Los Angeles, Calif./Idaho |
| Justin Weatherall-Walker | WR/DB | 6-1 | 200 | Jr. | Los Angeles, Calif./West L.A. CC |
| High School | Pos. | Hgt. | Wgt. | Cl. | Hometown/High School |
| Terrence Apted | DL/OL | 6-5 | 280 | Fr. | Pago Pago, American Samoa/Fagatuio HS |
| Brent Casteel | RB | 5-11 | 195 | Fr. | San Francisco, Calif./Antioch HS |
| Robert Conley | OL | 6-3 | 315 | Fr. | La Marque, Texas/La Marque HS |
| Randy Faletoi | DL | 6-2 | 290 | Fr. | Honolulu, Hawaii/McKinley HS |
| Afa Garrigan | DB | 6-2 | 190 | Fr. | Hauula, Hawaii/Kahuku HS |
| Desmond Hanohano | WR | 6-5 | 210 | Fr. | Waianae, Hawaii/St. Louis HS |
| Brian Johnson | QB | 6-2 | 190 | Fr. | Baytown, Texas/Robert E. Lee HS |
| Jordan Johnson | RB/WR | 6-2 | 195 | Fr. | Mesquite, Texas/Poteet HS |
| Paul Kruger | QB | 6-5 | 235 | Fr. | Orem, Utah/Timpanogos HS |
| Matt Mason | DB | 5-9 | 161 | Fr. | Bakersfield, Calif./Bakersfield HS |
| Pate Moleni | DL | 6-1 | 239 | Fr. | West Valley City, Utah/Hunter HS |
| John Peel | WR | 6-2 | 185 | Fr. | Scottsdale, Ariz./Chaparral HS |
| Adarrious Ross | DB | 5-9 | 165 | Fr. | Culver City, Calif./Culver City HS |
| Bryce Scanlon | DE | 6-2 | 245 | Fr. | Evanston, Wyo./Evanston HS |
| Chad Smith | RB | 6-0 | 180 | Fr. | Lehi, Utah/Lehi HS |
| Ray Stowers | RB | 6-1 | 205 | Fr. | Honolulu, Hawaii/Iolani HS |
| Aaron Straiten | WR | 6-3 | 193 | Fr. | Antioch, Calif./Antioch HS |
2004 UTAH RECRUIT BIOS
Terrence Apted
DL/OL
6-5, 280, Fr.
HS
Pago Pago, American Samoa
Fagatuio HS
First-team all-ASHSAA for three consecutive years ... Fagatuio High (American Samoa) 2003 team captain ... did not allow a sack in three years ... in two years on varsity, helped Fagatuio High to 20-1-1 record (11-0 in 2003) ... played on all-star team that beat team of Hawaii all-stars 13-12 in first Samoa Bowl ... also lettered in baseball and basketball ... National Honor Society ... son of Mike and Louina Apted ... one of six children ... full name is Terrence Talrva Apted ... born April 6, 1986.
Brent Casteel
Running Back
5-11, 195, Fr.
HS
San Francisco, Calif.
Antioch HS
First-team all-league and all-conference ... Antioch High (Calif.) team captain ... also lettered in basketball ... son of Charles Casteel and Jacqueline Broden ... has three sisters ... full name is Brenton Casteel ... born July 12, 1985.
Robert Conley
Offensive Line
6-3, 315, Fr.
HS
La Marque, Texas
La Marque HS
First-team all-state, all-district and all-county as a senior in 2003 ... helped La Marque HS (Texas) win 2003 23-4A Division II State Championship ... 68 pancake blocks in 2003 ... also lettered in power-lifting (465-pound bench and 700-pound squat) ... Who's Who Among Young Americans ... son of Ezzard Conley and April Williams ... two sisters (Christina and Chasmine) ... full name is Robert Blake Conley ... born April 17, 1986.
Randy Faletoi
Defensive Line
6-2, 290, Fr.
HS
Honolulu, Hawaii
McKinley HS
Two-time all-stater was first team in 2002 and second team in 2003 ... Junior All-American ... three-time all-star ... won four letters for football at McKinley High (Hawaii) ... son of Felu and Grace Faletoi ... nephew of former Ute and current NFL running back Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala ... has five siblings ... full name is Randy Ola Faletoi ... born May 15, 1986.
Quinton Ganther
Running Back
5-10, 200, Jr.
JC
Richmond, Calif.
Citrus College
All-American and all-conference running back for Citrus College ... set Citrus records for single-season and career rushing and all-purpose yards ... led Citrus to 2003 Western State Conference championship and Southwestern Bowl ... prepped at John F. Kennedy HS (Calif.) ... all-conference ... JFK High team captain ... set school single-game rushing record ... also lettered in baseball and set school single-season record for batting average ... son of Henry Ganther, Brenda Ganther and Shannon Montgomery ... one of 11 children ... has daughter, Somia ... born July 15, 1984 in Oakland, Calif.
Afa Garrigan
Defensive Back
6-2, 190, Fr.
HS
Hauula, Hawaii
Kahuku HS
2003 all-state and Most Outstanding Defensive Player award winner for Kahuku High (Hawaii) ... Kahuku went 14-0 and won 2002 state championship ... son of the late Gregory Garrigan and Karie Garrigan ... both parents went to BYU-Hawaii ... has three siblings ... interested in majoring in sports medicine ... full name is Clayneal Pononuiharohano Afaihene Garrigan ... born July 8, 1986 in Tahiti.
Desmond Hanohano
Wide Receiver
6-5, 210, Fr.
HS
Waianae, Hawaii
St. Louis HS
First-team all-state and all-league ... set state single-game records for most receptions and receiving yards ... led St. Louis High (Hawaii) to 2002 state championship ... also lettered in basketball and track ... son of George and Rhonda-Lei Hanohano ... has two brothers ... high school coach was former Ute quarterback Darnell Arceneaux ... born June 8, 1986.
Tim Harris
Defensive Back
6-0, 190, Jr.
JC
Pittsburgh, Kan.
Fort Scott CC
Mid-year junior college transfer enrolled in U. this spring ... played safety for Fort Scott CC from 2002-03 ... all-state, all-conference and all-area high school player for Pittsburgh HS (Kan.) ... Pittsburgh High won conference championship his senior year ... 11 tackles and 2 interceptions in Kansas Shrine Bowl ... also lettered in track and field ... son of Tom and Angela Harris ... one brother and one sister ... has baby son, Timothy, Jr. ... born Sept. 15, 1983 in Memphis, Tenn.
Brian Johnson
Quarterback
6-2, 190, Fr.
HS
Baytown, Texas
Robert E. Lee HS
First-team all-district and second-team all-state quarterback for Robert E. Lee High (Texas) ... District MVP ... pass for 2,900 yards and 33 touchdowns and rushed for 540 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2003 ... completed 71.6% of his pass attempts ... also lettered in basketball ... son of Stacey and Shonna Johnson ... father played football for UTEP ... two sisters, Bianca and Britteny, play basketball ... born Feb. 16, 1987.
Jordan Johnson
Running Back- Receiver
6-2, 195, Fr.
HS
Mesquite, Texas
Poteet HS
Recruited as an "athlete," he will probably play running back or wide receiver ... 2003 Poteet High (Texas) captain rushed for 650 yards and 7 touchdowns... also lettered in basketball and track ... on school record-setting 4 x 100 meter relay team (41.3 seconds) ... qualified for Junior Olympics in 100 and 200 meters and 4 x 100 relay ... ran 100 meters in 10.7 seconds and 200 meters in 21.3 seconds ... one of four local winners for Rotary Cub award ...son of Jim and Jennifer Johnson ... mother played basketball for Oklahoma City University ... two older siblings (Jared and Alycia) ... interested in career in broadcasting ... born Oct. 14, 1985.
Paul Kruger
Quarterback
6-5, 235, Fr.
HS
Orem, Utah
Timpanogos HS
All-conference and preseason All-American in 2003 ... Timpanogos team captain lettered all four years ... ranked in top 30 quarterbacks nationally by Student Sports ... honor roll ... son of Paul and Jennifer Kruger ... both parents played sports at Oregon State: father played football and mother participated in track and field ... one of six siblings ... enjoys skiing (snow and water), snowboarding and rock climbing ... born Feb. 15, 1986 in Rexburg, Idaho.
Matt Mason
Defensive Back
5-9, 161, Fr.
HS
Bakersfield, Calif.
Bakersfield HS
All-league, all-area cornerback led Bakersfield High (Calif.) to four league championships (2001-04) ... rushed for 1,000-plus yards two years ... also lettered four years in track ... Bakersfield won 2002 track and field state championship ... ran 10.68 100 meters and had 22' long jump best ... participated in teen group called Jack and Jill of America, which does community service projects ... son of Kenneth Mason and Sandra Moore ... father graduated from Drake and is an attorney ... mother graduated from UCLA and is a psychologist ... two siblings (Chris and Vivian) ... full name is Matthew Luther Mason ... born Feb. 9, 1986 in Los Angeles.
Pate Moleni
Defensive Line
6-1, 239, Fr.
HS
West Valley City, Utah
Hunter HS
First signed with Utah in 2000 before leaving for LDS church mission ... enrolled at U. this spring ... first-team all-state as a senior in 1999 ... Hunter High (Utah) team captain ... lettered twice in football and track ... son of Fisi and Liahona Moleni ... both parents went to BYU ... enjoys singing and music ... has four sisters and six brothers ... brothers Fisi (1996-99) and Stan (2001) both lettered for Utah name is pronounced Pah-tay Mo-lenny ... full name is Alipate Mauriri Moleni ... born Oct. 29, 1982 in Hamilton, New Zealand.
Eugene Oates
Defensive Back
5-11, 175, Jr.
JC
Jacksonville, Fla.
Fort Scott College
Juco all-conference cornerback for Fort Scott College ... 5 interceptions in 2002 led conference ... all-conference football and basketball player for William M. Raines High (Florida) ... 10 interceptions his senior year ... son of Edward Oates and Laurie White ... one sister (Latoya) ... full name is Eugene Oates ... nickname is Geneo ... born Sept. 29, 1981.
John Peel
WR
6-2, 185, Fr.
HS
Scottsdale, Ariz.
Chaparral HS
Two-time first-team all-region and all-state ... Junior All-American in 2002 ... Super All-State team ... N.E. Valley Player of the Year ... set state records for most touchdowns in a career (40) ... holds every receiving record at Chaparral High (Ariz.) ... as a senior, had 55 receptions for 1,180 yards and 19 TDs ... career stats included 145 receptions, 2,700 yards and 40 TDs ... Chaparral was 2002 Arizona 4A state champion ... team made 4A state semi-finals and was East Sky region champ in 2003 ... son of Dan and Claudia Peel ... father played football and mother played tennis and track at Northern Illinois ... mother now runs marathons ... sister Jamie is a sophomore at Arizona State ... full name is Jonathon Daniel Peel ... born May 9, 1986 in Bloomington, Ind.
Adarrious Ross
Defensive Back
5-9, 165, Fr.
HS
Culver City, Calif.
Culver City HS
First-team all-Pioneer League as a junior and senior ... 2003 all-CIF and Pioneer League Defensive MVP ... Culver City High (Calif.) defensive MVP as a senior ... in 2002 and 2003 seasons combined, had 10 interceptions and 152 total tackles ... 13 pass breakups his senior year ... Culver City won Pioneer League Championship in 2002 and 2003 ... son of Reggie Ross and Janice Phillips ... full name is Adarrious Maurice Ross ... born Mar. 23, 1986 in Duarte, Calif.
Bryce Scanlon
Linebacker
6-2, 245, Fr.
HS
Evanston, Wyo.
Evanston HS
Originally signed with Utah in 2003 ... enrolled in classes this spring ... all-state and all-conference in 2002, his senior year... 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 ... 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.
Chad Smith
Running Back
6-0, 180, Fr.
HS
Lehi, Utah
Lehi HS
Originally signed with Utah in 2001, but went on LDS church mission ... enrolled at U. this spring ... 2000 Utah state MVP ... region 10 MVP ... first-team all-region as junior ... Lehi High (Utah) team captain ... school rushing record (2,090 yards rushing) ... finished career as state's sixth all-time leading rusher ... also had 22 touchdowns ... ran track ... honor roll ... All-American Scholar Award ... Who's Who in American High School Students ... won National English merit award ... son of Stan and Kathy Smith ... both parents graduated from Brigham Young ... raised on a cattle ranch ... enjoys horseback riding ... full name is Chad Ethan Smith ... born July 28, 1982.
Paul Soliai
Offensive Line
6-5, 330, Jr.
JC
Pago Pago, American Samoa
Coffeyville CC
First-team juco All-American in 2003 and honorable mention All-American in 2002 ... two-time all-conference offensive lineman for Coffeyville CC... Nuuuli High (American Samoa) team captain as a senior ... son of Florence Levao ... born Dec. 30, 1983 in Orange County, Calif.
Nik Sonntag
Defensive Line
6-4, 245, So.
TR
Salt Lake City
Oregon State
Originally signed with Oregon State before transferring to Utah in fall of 2003 ... practiced but could not play for Utah last fall ... 2002 second-team Juco All-American for Dixie College ... honorable mention Gridwire All-American ... first-team all-Western States Football League ... led WSFL in sacks and fumble recoveries ... Dixie was 2002 WSFL champion and beat Butler 31-18 in Rotary Bowl ... Rotary Bowl MVP ... juco academic All-American ... prepped at Olympus High (Utah) ... first-team all-region 5 ... led Olympus in sacks and tackles ... also lettered in basketball and track ... son of Bryan and Shauna Sonntag ... father wrestled and mother played volleyball for Utah ... mother also played professional volleyball ... has six siblings ... brother Justin is a professional snowboarder who was featured on the cover of the February 2004 issue of Snowboarder ... younger brother Zak is a model ... Nik is a certified private pilot ... full name is Nikolaus Vranes Sonntag ... born Mar. 11, 1984 in New Orleans.
Ray Stowers
Running Back
6-1, 205, Fr.
HS
Honolulu, Hawaii
Iolani HS
All-state, all-ILH and ILH Offensive Player of the Year in 2002 and 2003 ... 2003 all-region ... IHL all-star ... Iolani High (Hawaii) was ILH Division II champion in 2002-03 ... played in 7 games as a senior and rushed 143 times for 1,027 yards (7.2 yards per carry) and caught 22 passes for 273 yards ... also lettered in track and wrestling ... honor roll ... grandson of Sauao Stowers ... full name is Raynold Cornwall Stowers ... born Feb. 2, 1985.
Aaron Straiten
Wide Receiver
6-3, 193, Fr.
HS
Antioch, Calif.
Antioch HS
All-league ... Antioch High (Calif.) MVP, Offensive MVP and Special Teams Player of the Year ... set school record for most touchdowns in a season (20) ...56 TDs in his high school career ... Antioch won league championship in 2003 ... participated in student government ... honor student was named Student of the Month ... has three siblings ... son of Louis Straiten and Ernestien Watts ... full name is Aaron Joseph Straiten ... born Mar. 23, 1986 in Walnut Creek, Calif.
Fano Tagovailoa
Defensive Back
6-0, 191, Jr.
JC
Leone, American Samoa
Coffeyville CC
Mid-year junior college transfer enrolled in U. this spring ... played in 2003 bowl game for Coffeyville CC ... three-sport high school athlete lettered in football, basketball and track ... Samoa Athlete of the Year and football championship MVP ... Leone HS won the American Samoa championship ... guardians are Fiti and Lesina Bese ... brother Junior Tagovailoa plays football at Coffeyville ... full name is Fanolua Tagovailoa ... born July 13, 1983.
Kelly Talavou
Defensive Line
6-0, 318, Jr.
TR
Los Angeles, Calif.
Idaho
Transfer from Idaho enrolled in U. for spring semester ... lettered as true freshman in 2002 and again in 2003 ... played in all 11 games as a freshman and had 23 tackles, 2 tackles for loss and a sack ... as a sophomore in 2003, he played in all 11 games and had 30 total tackles, 4 tackles for loss and a sack ... career-high 9 tackles against Montana last year ... spent his senior year of high school at Fountain Valley High (Calif.), where he was a two-way starter ... 2001 Sunset League MVP ... as a senior, he had 36 solo tackles and 6 tackles for loss ... played in the Los Angeles/Orange County all-star game ... son of Puaula and Kelemete Talavou ... born Oct. 4, 1984.
Justin Weatherall-Walker
Receiver/Defensive Back
6-1, 200, Jr.
JC
Los Angeles, Calif.
West L.A. CC
J.C. Gridwire California Top 25 ... first-team all-conference and unanimous all-state selection for West Los Angeles College ... team captain as freshman and sophomore ... set school record for most receiving touchdowns in a game (5) and most all-purpose yards per game in a season (205) ... West L.A. was Western State Conference runner-up ... also ran track ... 10.75 100 meter best and 21.09 200 meter best ... lettered in football and track for Dorsey High (Calif.) ... Dorsey won the Coliseum League title and was the 4A city champion in 2001 ... son of Cherie Weatherall-Walker ... oldest of six children ... full name is Justin-Pierre Weatherall-Walker ... born Aug. 4, 1983.
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