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The University of Utah Athletics
Utah Football Welcomes 16 During Early Signing Period
12/3/2025 3:00 PM | Football
SALT LAKE CITY – Utah Football and head coach Kyle Whittingham have finalized the addition of 16 newcomers to the program as college football's early signing period began.
The group includes four offensive linemen, three linebackers, three defensive backs, two quarterbacks, one defensive lineman, one athlete, a tight end and a running back. Five signees are Utah natives and elected to stay home, while three are from Texas and two hail from Idaho. In addition, one newcomer apiece are coming to Utah from Arizona, Arkansas, California, Georgia, New Mexico and Oregon.
Below are quick hits on each of the newest Utah Utes. As the early signing period runs through Friday, additional prospects may sign with Utah. Follow this page and the Utah Football social media accounts for the latest updates.
Kane Archer – Quarterback – 6-1 – 205 lb - Greenwood, Ark. - Greenwood HS
Prior to Utah: Rated a three-star dual threat quarterback by both 247Sports and Rivals after a stellar career at Greenwood.
LaMarcus Bell – Running Back – 5-11 – 190 lb - Lake Oswego, Ore. - Lake Oswego HS
Prior to Utah: Graded a three-star recruit and the No. 2 player out of the state of Oregon.
Mataalii Benjamin – Offensive Line – 6-7 – 315 lb – Lehi, Utah – Lehi HS
Prior to Utah: Ranked as a four-star offensive lineman by 247Sports and a three-star prep by Rivals.
Bear Fisher – Tight End – 6-5 – 235 lb - Queen Creek, Ariz. – Queen Creek HS
Prior to Utah: Rated as a three-star prospect by 247Sports and Rivals.
Aisa Galea'i – Defensive Back – 6-1 – 185 lb – Orem, Utah – Orem HS
Prior to Utah: Rated as a three-star recruit by both 247Sports and Rivals while at Orem HS.
Major Hinchen – Defensive Back – 6-2 – 175 lb - La Quinta, Calif. - La Quinta HS
Prior to Utah: Graded as a three-star recruit by both 247Sports and Rivals.
Michael Johnson - Quarterback - Ellenwood, Ga. - 5-11 - 165 lb - Ellenwood, Ga. - Douglas County HS
Prior to Utah: Rated a three-star quarterback by 247Sports and Rivals and ranks in the top 50 prep QBs nationally.
Salesi Moa - Athlete - 6-1 - 190 lb - Ogden, Utah - Fremont HS
Prior to Utah: Five-star prospect out of Fremont HS is the No. 2-ranked athlete in the Rivals 300.
LaGary Mitchell – Linebacker – 6-3 – 200 lb - Meridian, Idaho – Meridian HS
Prior to Utah: Rated a three-star prep and one of the top recruits out of Idaho by 247Sports and Rivals.
Kelvin Obot – Offensive Line – 6-5 – 265 lb - Fruitland, Idaho – Fruitland HS
Prior to Utah: Five-star prospect out of Fruitland HS was named the 2025 MaxPreps Idaho Player of the Year.
Rowdy Pearce – Offensive Line – 6-3 – 285 lb – Midland, Texas – Midland Christian School
Prior to Utah: Offensive lineman joins the Utes as a three-star recruit after a standout career at Midland Christian School.
Preston Pitts – Linebacker – 6-4 – 213 lb - League City, Texas – Clear Falls HS
Prior to Utah: Three-star linebacker comes to Utah from Clear Falls HS, where he was ranked by 247Sports as the No. 94 player in Texas and No. 53 linebacker in the country.
Tayson Reid – Linebacker – 6-1 – 225 lb – Spanish Fork, Utah – Snow College
Prior to Utah: Spent the 2025 season at Snow College, appearing in eight games.
Moses Sparks – Offensive Line – 6-4 – 280 – Rio Rancho, N.M. – Cleveland HS
Prior to Utah: Three-star offensive lineman out of Cleveland HS was rated by 247Sports as the top prospect in New Mexico.
PJ Takitaki – Defensive Line – 6-4 – 230 lb – Lehi, Utah – Lehi HS
Prior to Utah: Listed by 247Sports as a three-star prospect out of Lehi HS, ranking the No. 12 player in Utah and No. 54 edge prospect in the country.
Dylan Waters – Defensive Back – 6-1 – 175 lb – Missouri City, Texas - Fort Bend Marshall HS
Prior to Utah: Standout at Fort Bend Marshall HS was graded a three-star prospect by 247Sports, projecting as a top-15 cornerback in Texas.
FOLLOW THE UTES
Follow the Utes on social media through Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok along with visiting www.UtahUtes.com. Download the Utah 360 app here.
The group includes four offensive linemen, three linebackers, three defensive backs, two quarterbacks, one defensive lineman, one athlete, a tight end and a running back. Five signees are Utah natives and elected to stay home, while three are from Texas and two hail from Idaho. In addition, one newcomer apiece are coming to Utah from Arizona, Arkansas, California, Georgia, New Mexico and Oregon.
Below are quick hits on each of the newest Utah Utes. As the early signing period runs through Friday, additional prospects may sign with Utah. Follow this page and the Utah Football social media accounts for the latest updates.
Kane Archer – Quarterback – 6-1 – 205 lb - Greenwood, Ark. - Greenwood HS
Prior to Utah: Rated a three-star dual threat quarterback by both 247Sports and Rivals after a stellar career at Greenwood.
- Threw for over 10,000 yards and 125 touchdowns in four varsity seasons, leading the Bulldogs to three state title games and two 6A championships.
- Compiled a 37-0 record as a starter over the last three seasons.
- 2024 Gatorade Player of the Year the Year and MaxPreps Arkansas Player of the Year
- 2025 Rivals Preseason High School Football All-American
- First Arkansas player in history to pass for 100 touchdowns and rush for 50 scores in a career.
- Completed 737-of-977 career passes for 9,947 yards and 125 scores against just 12 interceptions while rushing 319 times for 2,605 yards and 54 TDs.
LaMarcus Bell – Running Back – 5-11 – 190 lb - Lake Oswego, Ore. - Lake Oswego HS
Prior to Utah: Graded a three-star recruit and the No. 2 player out of the state of Oregon.
- Named The Oregonian's Class 6A Player of the Year in 2024.
- MaxPreps Junior All-America second team selection.
- Part of a Lake Oswego squad that won the Oregon 6A state title in 2025.
- Broke out during his junior season, tallying 173 carries for 1,538 yards and 25 touchdowns.
- Helped lead Lake Oswego to the state title game each of the last two seasons.
- Rushed for 156 yards and three touchdowns to propel the Lakers to the state title game.
- Standout in wrestling and track as well, posting a 10.89 in the 100-meter dash and a 22.59 in the 200-meter.
Mataalii Benjamin – Offensive Line – 6-7 – 315 lb – Lehi, Utah – Lehi HS
Prior to Utah: Ranked as a four-star offensive lineman by 247Sports and a three-star prep by Rivals.
- Ranked as the No. 21 tackle nationally and the No. 7 recruit from Utah in the 2026 cycle by 247Sports.
- Blocked for an offense that threw for 1,923 yards and rushed for 1,547 yards in 2025.
- Started at right tackle during his senior season, helping Lehi reach the second round of the 6A playoffs.
- Played at Skyridge High School before transferring to Lehi, helping lead the Falcons to the 6A state semifinals.
- Led the offensive effort that averaged 211.3 passing yards and 200.8 rushing yards per game in 2024.
Bear Fisher – Tight End – 6-5 – 235 lb - Queen Creek, Ariz. – Queen Creek HS
Prior to Utah: Rated as a three-star prospect by 247Sports and Rivals.
- Graded as the No. 127 tight end nationally by 247Sports.
- Tallied 51 receptions for 575 yards and three scores over the last two varsity seasons.
- Helped Queen Creek go 6-5 in 2025, reaching the 6A state semifinals.
- Also played basketball as a prep.
Aisa Galea'i – Defensive Back – 6-1 – 185 lb – Orem, Utah – Orem HS
Prior to Utah: Rated as a three-star recruit by both 247Sports and Rivals while at Orem HS.
- Ranked as the No. 16 prospect out of Utah by 247Sports and the No. 87 safety nationally.
- Recorded 46 tackles, three sacks and a pair of interceptions while helping lead Orem to the 5A state title.
- Also contributed on the offensive side of the ball, rushing 40 times for 520 yards and nine touchdowns and adding 12 receptions for 146 yards and a score.
- Tallied a 60-yard touchdown run, 78-yard pick-six, and 96-yard kickoff return touchdown in the state title game inside Rice-Eccles Stadium.
- Also played at Timpview, where he recorded 148 tackles and 11 interceptions over three varsity seasons.
- Earned 5A honorable mention honors as a sophomore on the Timpview basketball team.
Major Hinchen – Defensive Back – 6-2 – 175 lb - La Quinta, Calif. - La Quinta HS
Prior to Utah: Graded as a three-star recruit by both 247Sports and Rivals.
- Tallied 43 tackles, five pass breakups and three interceptions over three varsity seasons.
- Also hauled in nine receptions for 154 yards and three scores as a senior on the offensive side of the ball
- Helped lead La Quinta to a 20-13 record over the last three years.
- Also ran track, setting four school records, the most by any athlete in La Quinta history.
- Ran a 10.81 100-meter dash, 21.98 200-meter and recorded a 5'4" high jump.
Michael Johnson - Quarterback - Ellenwood, Ga. - 5-11 - 165 lb - Ellenwood, Ga. - Douglas County HS
Prior to Utah: Rated a three-star quarterback by 247Sports and Rivals and ranks in the top 50 prep QBs nationally.
- Guided Douglas County to a 9-4 mark, reaching the 6A state quarterfinal.
- Threw for 2,331 yards and 10 touchdowns while rushing for 544 yards and 11 scores as a senior, earning Georgia High School Football Daily first team offense honors.
- Transferred from Dutchtown HS where he threw for 2700 yards and 24 touchdowns and rushed 130 times for 618 yards and 10 scores as a junior.
- Led the Bulldogs to a 7-5 record in 2024, reaching the second round of the 5A state playoffs.
- Multi-sport athlete, also playing baseball and running track in high school.
- Holds a baseball grade of 8.5 from Perfect Game as an outfielder and pitcher and holds times of 11.15 in the 100-meter dash, 22.14 in the 200-meter and 52.86 in the 400-meter.
Salesi Moa - Athlete - 6-1 - 190 lb - Ogden, Utah - Fremont HS
Prior to Utah: Five-star prospect out of Fremont HS is the No. 2-ranked athlete in the Rivals 300.
- 247Sports' top player from Utah was invited to the 2026 Polynesian Bowl.
- Named Region 5 MVP as a senior after helping Fremont to the Utah 5A Quarterfinals.
- Racked up 226 career receptions for 3,757 yards (44 TD), including two seasons at Weber HS.
- Went off for 63 catches and 1,272 yards (16 TD) as a senior in 2025, averaging 20.2 ypc.
- Also played on defense, contributing 57 tackles and three interceptions in his final year.
- All-State junior season at Fremont HS included 800 receiving yards along with 40 tackles, two interceptions and a fumble recovery.
- Track & field standout during the football offseason.
LaGary Mitchell – Linebacker – 6-3 – 200 lb - Meridian, Idaho – Meridian HS
Prior to Utah: Rated a three-star prep and one of the top recruits out of Idaho by 247Sports and Rivals.
- Graded as the No. 62 linebacker nationally by the 247Sports Composite.
- Made 52 tackles, including three sacks, and picked off a pass while rushing for a touchdown and catching two more offensively as a senior.
- Named the MVP of the linebackers group at the UA Next All-America Game Invite in Salt Lake City.
- All-6A SIC First Team selection in 2024.
- Father, LaGary Mitchell Sr., played football at Boise State.
Kelvin Obot – Offensive Line – 6-5 – 265 lb - Fruitland, Idaho – Fruitland HS
Prior to Utah: Five-star prospect out of Fruitland HS was named the 2025 MaxPreps Idaho Player of the Year.
- Listed as the top player in Idaho and No. 4 offensive tackle nationally.
- Slotted in the 2026 ESPN 300 database as the No. 74 player in his class.
- 2026 Polynesian Bowl All-Star.
- Part of a 2025 Fruitland team that finished 10-1, won a Snake River Valley Conference and was coached by Utah alumnus Jordan Gross.
- Named first-team All-Idaho as a junior in 2024 on both the offensive and defensive lines.
- Also a track and field standout, winning Idaho's 4A state titles in the shot put and discus as a junior.
Rowdy Pearce – Offensive Line – 6-3 – 285 lb – Midland, Texas – Midland Christian School
Prior to Utah: Offensive lineman joins the Utes as a three-star recruit after a standout career at Midland Christian School.
- Part of a Mustangs team that went 8-4 in 2025 and reached the TAPPS Quarterfinals.
- 2025 Preseason All-TXPSFB First Team.
- Named TAPPS 5A Male Athlete of the Year, first-team All-District and first-team All-State as a junior.
- Also competed in track and field, winning a state championship in shot put and discus.
- Set the TAPPS state record for shot put (56-06.00).
Preston Pitts – Linebacker – 6-4 – 213 lb - League City, Texas – Clear Falls HS
Prior to Utah: Three-star linebacker comes to Utah from Clear Falls HS, where he was ranked by 247Sports as the No. 94 player in Texas and No. 53 linebacker in the country.
- 2025 Touchdown Club of Houston Preseason All-Area Team.
- Ranked by RallyPreps Texas as the No. 16 linebacker in his class.
- Helped the Knights to a 7-4 record in 2025, reaching the UIL 6A Division 2 playoffs.
- Contributed 116 tackles (27 TFL, 9 sacks) as a junior, in addition to one interception, one fumble recovery and one punt block.
- Breakout sophomore season in 2023 included 104 tackles (17 TFL, 5.5 sacks), two interceptions, one fumble recovery and a blocked punt.
Tayson Reid – Linebacker – 6-1 – 225 lb – Spanish Fork, Utah – Snow College
Prior to Utah: Spent the 2025 season at Snow College, appearing in eight games.
- Ranked by 247Sports as a three-star JUCO prospect and the No. 4 linebacker in the country for his signing class.
- Finished with a team-leading 69 tackles (4.0 TFL, 1.0 sack) despite missing two games.
- Defended three passes (2 INT, 1 PBU) including a pick-six and recovered a fumble as well.
- Season-best 16 tackles came during a game at Georgia Military College.
- Played scholastically at Spanish Fork HS before serving a two-year church mission in New Zealand.
- Two-way contributor with Spanish Fork, rushing for 1,347 yards (15 TD) while making 271 tackles (62.5 TFL, 19.5 sacks).
- Cousin of Utah Football alumni Gabe Reid and Karene Reid.
Moses Sparks – Offensive Line – 6-4 – 280 – Rio Rancho, N.M. – Cleveland HS
Prior to Utah: Three-star offensive lineman out of Cleveland HS was rated by 247Sports as the top prospect in New Mexico.
- 2025 Preseason New Mexico All-State
- 2024 Albuquerque Journal All-Metro Team
- Part of a 12-1 Storm squad that won the 2025 New Mexico state title.
- Led his team as a senior with 24 pancake blocks.
- Blocked for a QB that passed for over 2,800 yards and a run game that averaged 165.4 yards per game his senior season.
- Also competed in track and field, winning a state shot put title as a junior.
PJ Takitaki – Defensive Line – 6-4 – 230 lb – Lehi, Utah – Lehi HS
Prior to Utah: Listed by 247Sports as a three-star prospect out of Lehi HS, ranking the No. 12 player in Utah and No. 54 edge prospect in the country.
- Made 43 tackles his senior season, including 8.5 TFL and 3.5 sacks.
- Totaled three passes defended in 2025 via an interception plus two breakups.
- Junior year totals included 58 tackles (11 TFL, 9.0 sacks) and one interception as Lehi reached the Utah 6A semifinals.
- Part of the 2023 Lehi squad that advanced to the Utah 6A semifinals, contributing 41 tackles and 9.0 sacks in a breakout sophomore season.
Dylan Waters – Defensive Back – 6-1 – 175 lb – Missouri City, Texas - Fort Bend Marshall HS
Prior to Utah: Standout at Fort Bend Marshall HS was graded a three-star prospect by 247Sports, projecting as a top-15 cornerback in Texas.
- 2024 All-District Second Team
- Played both ways, making 30 tackles his senior season along with two pass breakups, one forced fumble and three recoveries.
- Made 22 catches on offense in his final season for 500 yards (5 TD).
- Junior season included 26 tackles and five PBU, as the Buffs went 10-3 and made a third-round playoff appearance.
- Also competed in track & field.
FOLLOW THE UTES
Follow the Utes on social media through Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok along with visiting www.UtahUtes.com. Download the Utah 360 app here.
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