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The University of Utah Athletics
Utah Football Adds 18 During Early Signing Period
12/20/2023 8:16 AM | Football
SALT LAKE CITY – The University of Utah Football program welcomed 18 student-athletes today during the early signing period, ushering in a new era for the Utes as they enter the Big 12 on July 1, 2024.Â
The class includes 13 on defense and five on offense, which includes four transfers and 14 freshmen looking to make an immediate impact for the Utes. The Utah coaching and recruiting staff had an emphasis on reloading the secondary with this year's class as well with eight of Utah's 13 defensive signees being defensive backs.Â
Within Utah's 2023 class, four players come to Utah with four-star status, including tight end transfer Carsen Ryan who was a four-star out of Orem, Utah, before going to UCLA, and Isaac Wilson (QB), Isaiah Garcia (OL) and David Washington (WR). Utah also kept the family in-state, grabbing four of the top-eight recruits in the state of Utah in Garcia (No. 1), Wilson (No. 3), Davis Andrews (No. 5) and Kash Dillon (No. 7).
Like in years past, Utah's recruiting footprint goes from coast-to-coast with players from South Carolina (1), Nevada (2), California (3), Florida (2), Texas (2) and Utah (8).
Utah Football Signing Day Roster
Davis Andrews | Safety/Athlete | 6-3, 200, Fr. | Highland, Utah (American Fork HS)
High School: Three-star recruit out of American Fork HS, ranked by 247Sports as the No. 5 player out of Utah.
Hunter Andrews | Linebacker | 6-3, 212, Fr. | Magnolia, Texas (Magnolia HS)
High School: Three-star recruit will move to linebacker at Utah after playing running back at Magnolia HS.
Luke Bryant | Safety | 6-1, 198, Fr. | Holladay, Utah (Olympus HS)
High School: Three-star recruit out of Olympus HS that played wide receiver and safety.
John Henry Daley | Defensive End | 6-4, 250, Fr. | Alpine, Utah (BYU)
Prior to Utah: Played in three games for BYU in 2023, recording three total tackles.
High School: Three-star recruit out of Lone Peak HS, rated the No. 9 recruit in the state of Utah on 247Sports.
Jeilani Davis | Defensive Back | 6-1, 190, Fr. | Inglewood, Calif. (Mater Dei HS)
High School: Three-star recruit out of Mater Dei HS.
Kash Dillon | Defensive End | 6-5, 222, Fr. | Draper, Utah (Corner Canyon HS)
High School: Three-star recruit out of Corner Canyon HS, ranking as the No. 7 recruit in the state of Utah on 247Sports.
Elijah Elliss | Defensive Line | 6-2, 200, Fr. | Farmington, Utah (Layton Christian HS)
High School: Played football and wrestled at Layton Christian HS.
Rabbit Evans | Defensive Back | 6-1, 192, Jr. | Jacksonville, Fla. (Blinn College)
Prior to Utah: Played in 18 games at Blinn College from 2022-23, ranking as a three-star recruit and the No. 6 JUCO safety on 247Sports.
Isaiah Garcia | Offensive Line | 6-5, 290, Fr. | Magna, Utah (Corner Canyon HS)
High School: Four-star recruit out of Corner Canyon HS, rated the No. 1 recruit in the state of Utah on 247Sports.
Sammie Hunter | Cornerback | 5-11, 178, Fr. | Rock Hill, S.C. (Chandler HS)
High School: Played at Chandler HS in Arizona, where he was named a three-star recruit by 247Sports.
Kenan Johnson | Cornerback | 6-0, 180, Sr. | Minneola, Fla. (Georgia Tech)
Prior to Utah: Played in 45 career games with 11 starts at Georgia Tech from 2019-23.
Kana'i Lopes | Linebacker | 6-3, 210, Fr. | Las Vegas, Nev. (St. John Bosco HS)
High School: Rated a three-star recruit out of St. John Bosco HS in California.
Carsen Ryan | Tight End | 6-4, 250, Jr. | Orem, Utah (UCLA)
Prior to Utah: Played in 17 games at UCLA from 2022-23, starting eight.
Quimari Shemwell | Cornerback | 5-11, 160, Fr. | Los Angeles, Calif. (Long Beach Poly HS)
High School: Played at Long Beach Poly his senior season, ranking as a three-star recruit by 247Sports.
LaTristan "Money" Thompson | Cornerback | 5-10, 170, Fr. | Mount Pleasant, Texas (Mount Pleasant HS)
High School: Three-star recruit out of Mount Pleasant HS.
David Washington | Wide Receiver | 6-0, 185, Fr. | Las Vegas, Nev. (Delta Academy)
High School: Four-star recruit on Rivals out of Delta Academy, rated the No. 7 recruit in the state of Nevada on 247Sports.
Zacharyus Williams | Wide Receiver | 6-2, 191, Fr. | Carson, Calif. (Junipero Serra HS)
High School: Three-star recruit out of Junipero Serra HS, rated the No. 39 recruit in the state of California.
Isaac Wilson | Quarterback | 6-0, 196, Fr. | Draper, Utah (Corner Canyon HS)
High School: Four-star recruit out of Corner Canyon HS, ranking as the No. 3 recruit in the state of Utah and the No. 21 quarterback nationally on 247Sports.
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The class includes 13 on defense and five on offense, which includes four transfers and 14 freshmen looking to make an immediate impact for the Utes. The Utah coaching and recruiting staff had an emphasis on reloading the secondary with this year's class as well with eight of Utah's 13 defensive signees being defensive backs.Â
Within Utah's 2023 class, four players come to Utah with four-star status, including tight end transfer Carsen Ryan who was a four-star out of Orem, Utah, before going to UCLA, and Isaac Wilson (QB), Isaiah Garcia (OL) and David Washington (WR). Utah also kept the family in-state, grabbing four of the top-eight recruits in the state of Utah in Garcia (No. 1), Wilson (No. 3), Davis Andrews (No. 5) and Kash Dillon (No. 7).
Like in years past, Utah's recruiting footprint goes from coast-to-coast with players from South Carolina (1), Nevada (2), California (3), Florida (2), Texas (2) and Utah (8).
Utah Football Signing Day Roster
| Name | Pos. | Ht. | Wt. | Yr. | Hometown/Previous School | Time Signed |
| Davis Andrews | SS/ATH | 6-3 | 200 | Fr. | Highland, Utah/American Fork HS | 8:00 a.m. |
| Sammie Hunter | CB | 5-11 | 178 | Fr. | Rock Hill, S.C./Chandler HS | 8:17 a.m. |
| David Washington | WR | 6-0 | 185 | Fr. | Las Vegas, Nev./Delta Academy | 8:27 a.m. |
| Quimari Shemwell | CB | 5-11 | 160 | Fr. | Los Angeles, Calif./Long Beach Poly HS | 8:37 a.m. |
| Rabbit Evans | DB | 6-1 | 192 | Jr. | Jacksonville, Fla./Blinn College | 8:43 a.m. |
| LaTristan "Money" Thompson | CB | 5-10 | 170 | Fr. | Mount Pleasant, Texas/Mount Pleasant HS | 8:51 a.m. |
| Carsen Ryan | TE | 6-4 | 250 | Jr. | Orem, Utah/UCLA | 8:57 a.m. |
| Kenan Johnson | CB | 6-0 | 180 | Sr. | Minneola, Fla./Georgia Tech | 9:05 a.m. |
| Kana'i Lopes | LB | 6-3 | 210 | Fr. | Las Vegas, Nev./St. John Bosco HS | 9:15 a.m. |
| Isaiah Garcia | OL | 6-5 | 290 | Fr. | Magna, Utah/Corner Canyon HS | 9:20 a.m. |
| Elijah Elliss | DL | 6-2 | 200 | Fr. | Farmington, Utah/Layton Christian HS | 9:35 a.m. |
| John Henry Daley    | DE    | 6-4 | 250 | Fr. | Alpine, Utah/BYU | 9:50 a.m. |
| Luke Bryant | S | 6-1 | 198 | Fr. | Holladay, Utah/Olympus HS | 10:45 a.m. |
| Hunter Andrews    | LB | 6-3 | 212 | Fr. | Magnolia, Texas/Magnolia HS | 11:05 a.m. |
| Isaac Wilson | QB | 6-0 | 196 | Fr. | Draper, Utah/Corner Canyon HS | 1:05 p.m. |
| Kash Dillon | DE | 6-5 | 222 | Fr. | Draper, Utah/Corner Canyon HS | 1:10 p.m. |
| Zacharyus Williams | WR | 6-2 | 191 | Fr. | Carson, Calif./Junipero Serra HS | 3:00 p.m. |
| Jeilani Davis | DB | 6-1 | 190 | Fr. | Inglewood, Calif./Mater Dei HS | 3:24 p.m. |
Davis Andrews | Safety/Athlete | 6-3, 200, Fr. | Highland, Utah (American Fork HS)
High School: Three-star recruit out of American Fork HS, ranked by 247Sports as the No. 5 player out of Utah.
- Two-time All-State selection, earning first-team as a senior.
- Named All-Valley and Defensive MVP by the Daily Herald in 2023.
- Helped American Fork to a region championship and the Utah 6A semifinals in 2023.
- Made 31 tackles (3.0 TFL) as a senior, along with three interceptions, one forced fumble and one recovery.
- Played on offense as well, reeling in 36 receptions for 707 yards (12 TD) in his final season.
- Credited 45 stops with 1.0 TFL during 2022, with his four interceptions ranking fifth in the region.
- Forced three fumbles as a junior, along with one recovery.
- Also has competed in baseball and track & field.
Hunter Andrews | Linebacker | 6-3, 212, Fr. | Magnolia, Texas (Magnolia HS)
High School: Three-star recruit will move to linebacker at Utah after playing running back at Magnolia HS.
- Ranked by 247Sports as the No. 49 athlete nationally.
- Unanimously named 10-5A MVP as a senior and voted All-District first-team as a running back.
- Rushed for 2,307 yards and 29 touchdowns over his final two seasons.
- Tallied 137 carries for 1,244 (9.1 ypc) as a senior with 18 touchdowns, plus 15 receptions for 128 yards and three scores.
- Also played linebacker during his freshman year.
Luke Bryant | Safety | 6-1, 198, Fr. | Holladay, Utah (Olympus HS)
High School: Three-star recruit out of Olympus HS that played wide receiver and safety.
- Two-time All-State first-team selection.
- Team MVP.
- Posted 48 tackles and three passes defended (2 INT, 1 PBU) his senior year, adding 645 receiving yards with nine touchdowns.
- Had 45 tackles (1.0 TFL) and five passes defended (1 INT, 4 PBU) as a junior, also contributing 572 receiving yards with eight touchdowns.
- Served as the team's return specialist with 408 kick return yards his final two years, averaging 22.2 yards per return as a junior.
- Also played lacrosse.
John Henry Daley | Defensive End | 6-4, 250, Fr. | Alpine, Utah (BYU)
Prior to Utah: Played in three games for BYU in 2023, recording three total tackles.
High School: Three-star recruit out of Lone Peak HS, rated the No. 9 recruit in the state of Utah on 247Sports.
- Earned All-State first-team as a senior.
- Had 82 tackles with 22.0 sacks in 14 games his senior season.
- Blocked two punts his senior year, including one in the state semifinals.
- Brother, Michael, is a linebacker at BYU.
- Uncles are former BYU football players, David Nixon, Craig Bills and Taysom Hill.
Jeilani Davis | Defensive Back | 6-1, 190, Fr. | Inglewood, Calif. (Mater Dei HS)
High School: Three-star recruit out of Mater Dei HS.
- Named one of the nation's top-20 high school defensive backs in 2023 by SBLive.
- Credited 91 tackles across three varsity seasons, including 42 stops (1.0 TFL) as a senior.
- Also had five interceptions with 81 return yards in 2023, adding a forced fumble.
- Helped lead the Mater Dei squad that was ranked No. 3 in the nation by MaxPreps in 2023.
- Made 37 tackles, three picks and two pass breakups as a junior.
- Played in six games during his sophomore season, missing a brief stretch due to injury.
- Also competed in track & field, helping Mater Dei win a CIF title in 2023.
Kash Dillon | Defensive End | 6-5, 222, Fr. | Draper, Utah (Corner Canyon HS)
High School: Three-star recruit out of Corner Canyon HS, ranking as the No. 7 recruit in the state of Utah on 247Sports.
- Two-time first-team All-State selection.
- Also earned All-Region in 2022.
- Helped lead Corner Canyon to region and state championships in 2023.
- Recorded 35 tackles (13.0 TFL, 10.0 sacks) his senior season, adding two forced fumbles.
- Had 15 carries for 222 yards (14.8 ypc) and three touchdowns in 2023.
- Had 80 tackles as a junior, which included 17.0 TFL and 6.0 sacks along with a forced fumble.
- Also played varsity his sophomore season, racking up 24 tackles (5.0 TFL, 1.5 sacks) and a forced fumble.
Elijah Elliss | Defensive Line | 6-2, 200, Fr. | Farmington, Utah (Layton Christian HS)
High School: Played football and wrestled at Layton Christian HS.
- Named first-team All-State his senior year.
- Had 35 receptions for 704 yards and 10 touchdowns his senior season.
- Also recorded 102 total tackles his senior year, averaging 9.3 stops per game.
- Posted 3.0 sacks and an interception in 2023 as well.
- Had seven double-digit tackle games in 2023 with a career-high 14 against Beaver.
- Father, Luther, was an All-American at Utah and the current defensive tackles coach.
- Brother, Jonah, is a current defensive end at Utah and a consensus All-American.
Rabbit Evans | Defensive Back | 6-1, 192, Jr. | Jacksonville, Fla. (Blinn College)
Prior to Utah: Played in 18 games at Blinn College from 2022-23, ranking as a three-star recruit and the No. 6 JUCO safety on 247Sports.
- Earned SWJCFC All-Conference first-team in 2023.
- Had 41 tackles with a pass breakup and a fumble recovery as a sophomore.
- Posted a career-high 10 tackles against Trinity Valley CC in 2023.
- Also recorded 35 tackles (1.0 TFL), a pass breakup and a forced fumble his freshman year.
- Finished with nine tackles, a forced fumble and a pass breakup against Trinity Valley CC in 2022 as well.
- Earned All-District in 2021.
- Had 58 total tackles his senior season, adding five passes defended (3 INT, 2 PBU).
- Also recorded 39 tackles (3.0 TFL) with a pass breakup and a fumble recovery as a junior.
Isaiah Garcia | Offensive Line | 6-5, 290, Fr. | Magna, Utah (Corner Canyon HS)
High School: Four-star recruit out of Corner Canyon HS, rated the No. 1 recruit in the state of Utah on 247Sports.
- Ranks as the No. 20 offensive tackle in the country.
- Two-time All-State first-team selection, ending high school as the highest graded offensive lineman in the state.
- Didn't allow a sack his entire season year.
- Invited to the Under Armour All-America game.
- Also invited to the Polynesian Bowl.
Sammie Hunter | Cornerback | 5-11, 178, Fr. | Rock Hill, S.C. (Chandler HS)
High School: Played at Chandler HS in Arizona, where he was named a three-star recruit by 247Sports.
- Ranked as the No. 19 player in Arizona for the Class of 2024.
- Anchored a Chandler secondary ranked No. 2 in the state by The Arizona Republic for 2023.
- Finished his varsity career with 49 tackles (3.0 TFL, 1.0 sack), six PBU and a fumble recovery.
- Tallied 20 tackles (3.0 TFL, 1.0 sack) and two PBU during his senior season.
- Also contributed in the return game, running back three kickoffs for 74 yards and one punt for 42 yards.
- As a junior in 2022, made 21 stops and broke up four passes.
- Competed in track & field, helping Chandler's 4x100 relay team win a state title in 2022 and finish in tie for first place in 2023.
- Has a personal-best 100-meter time of 10.74 seconds.
Kenan Johnson | Cornerback | 6-0, 180, Sr. | Minneola, Fla. (Georgia Tech)
Prior to Utah: Played in 45 career games with 11 starts at Georgia Tech from 2019-23.
- Saw action in 11 games with eight starts in 2023, recording 29 tackles, two forced fumbles, four passes defended and an interception.
- Had a season-high six stops at Wake Forest in 2023, adding an interception and a pass defended.
- Put up 13 tackles with one pass defended in 2022.
- Also had 13 tackles in 2020 in nine games with two passes defended.
- Recorded five tackles (1.0 TFL) and a forced fumble as a freshman in 2019.
- Had 12 interceptions in his last two seasons of high school.
- Recorded two pick-sixes his senior year with five total interceptions, also tallying 37 total tackles.
Kana'i Lopes | Linebacker | 6-3, 210, Fr. | Las Vegas, Nev. (St. John Bosco HS)
High School: Rated a three-star recruit out of St. John Bosco HS in California.
- Part of the Braves' squad that ranked No. 5 in the nation by MaxPreps.
- Made 45 tackles (1.0 TFL) and a fumble recovery during his senior year at St. John Bosco.
- Began his high school career at Liberty HS in Nevada.
- Totaled 85 tackles (3.0 TFL), four PBU and a forced fumble in two seasons played at Liberty HS.
Carsen Ryan | Tight End | 6-4, 250, Jr. | Orem, Utah (UCLA)
Prior to Utah: Played in 17 games at UCLA from 2022-23, starting eight.
- Saw action in 12 games with eight starts in 2023, recording 13 catches for 205 yards and three touchdowns.
- Had a season-high three catches for 69 yards at Utah in 2023, also scoring receiving touchdowns against Coastal Carolina, San Diego State and Arizona.
- Played in five games in 2022 with six catches for 82 yards.
- Season-high in 2022 came against Alabama State with three catches for 58 yards.
- Named Utah MaxPreps All-State first-team.
- Played his senior season at American Fork HS after attending Timpview for his first three years.
- Had 53 catches for 609 yards and three touchdowns in 2020 at American Fork.
- Led his team to the 6A state quarterfinal in 2020.
Quimari Shemwell | Cornerback | 5-11, 160, Fr. | Los Angeles, Calif. (Long Beach Poly HS)
High School: Played at Long Beach Poly his senior season, ranking as a three-star recruit by 247Sports.
- Made 38 tackles (6.0 TFL, 1.0 sack) as a senior, also forcing two fumbles and making 11 PBU.
- Four interceptions in 2023, ranking No. 11 in CIF Division 2.
- Part of a '23 Jackrabbits team that went a perfect 6-0 in league play, on the way to a 10-2 overall record and the CIF section quarterfinals.
- Thirteen tackles (2.0 TFL, 1.0 sack) and four pass breakups as a junior at Anaheim Western HS.
- Also played on offense, making 23 catches for 515 yards (6 TD) during the 2022 season.
LaTristan "Money" Thompson | Cornerback | 5-10, 170, Fr. | Mount Pleasant, Texas (Mount Pleasant HS)
High School: Three-star recruit out of Mount Pleasant HS.
- Earned first-team All-District his senior season.
- Started his high school career at Rockwall-Heath as a freshman.
- Had 14 tackles (1.0 sack) and two passes defended his freshman season.
- Also ran track with a personal record of 10.72 in the 100 meters.
David Washington | Wide Receiver | 6-0, 185, Fr. | Las Vegas, Nev. (Delta Academy)
High School: Four-star recruit on Rivals out of Delta Academy, rated the No. 7 recruit in the state of Nevada on 247Sports.
- Played at Arbor View HS his junior season, recording 826 receiving yards on 52 receptions with seven touchdowns.
- Also had 670 yards on 34 catches and two touchdowns his sophomore year.
Zacharyus Williams | Wide Receiver | 6-2, 191, Fr. | Carson, Calif. (Junipero Serra HS)
High School: Three-star recruit out of Junipero Serra HS, rated the No. 39 recruit in the state of California.
- Invited to the Polynesian Bowl.
- Recorded 51 catches for 943 yards (18.5 ypc) and 13 touchdowns his senior season.
- Also posted 163 kick return yards as a senior, giving him 1,106 all-purpose yards (100.5 per game).
- Had 784 receiving yards on 41 catches (6 TD) as a junior.
- Brother, New Zealand, plays football at San Diego State.
Isaac Wilson | Quarterback | 6-0, 196, Fr. | Draper, Utah (Corner Canyon HS)
High School: Four-star recruit out of Corner Canyon HS, ranking as the No. 3 recruit in the state of Utah and the No. 21 quarterback nationally on 247Sports.
- Named Mr. Football by the Deseret News in 2023.
- Two-time first-team All-State selection.
- Invited to the Polynesian Bowl and the Elite 11 Finals.
- Led Corner Canyon to a state title in 2023 with the Chargers going 13-1.
- Threw for 1,236 yards and 12 touchdowns in four playoff wins as a senior, also throwing for 255 yards (2 TD) and rushed for 192 yards (3 TD) in the championship game.
- Broke the Utah state record for total offense in a season in 2023 (5,901).
- Had 3,774 passing yards and 40 touchdowns his junior year, also rushing for 695 yards and five more touchdowns.
- Brother, Zach, played quarterback at BYU and is currently playing for the New York Jets.
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