Utah has become rich ground for college football recruiters. Here’s why

Oregon offensive lineman Jackson Powers-Johnson (58) and quarterback Bo Nix watch a replay from the sidelines during game against Portland State Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in Eugene, Ore. Johnson-Powers, a Corner Canyon High product, is projected to be a first-round NFL draft pict this spring. | Andy Nelson, Associated Press

With little fanfare, Utah has become a relevant player in the recruitment and drafting of big-time high school football talent. If not exactly a hotbed, it is the next best thing and is trending up, steeply.

“The biggest reason is that people in Utah are pretty high achievers. They’re pretty driven, whether it’s football or anything else. The kids get motivated and parents support them.”

Corner Canyon High football coach Eric Kjar

Jackson Powers-Johnson, who graduated from Corner Canyon High and played center for the University of Oregon, is expected to be a first-round NFL draft pick later this month. The Rams have visited his high school to make inquiries about him. Two other Utah natives — Zach Wilson, another Corner Canyon graduate, and Penei Sewell, a Desert Hills High graduate, were taken with the second and seventh overall picks of the 2021 draft, respectively. Jaxson Dart, still another Corner Canyon alum, is a potential first-round pick in the 2025 draft.

In the last 11 drafts, 11 Utah-born players were chosen in the first three rounds, the others being first-rounders Garett Bollles (2017), Star Lotulelei (2013), second rounders Nate Orchard (2015), Xavier Su’a-Filo (2014), and third rounders Brady Christensen (2021), Julian Blackmon (2020), Cody Barton (2019), Nick Vigil (2016) and Zach Vigil (2015). Others, such as Dalton Schultz (fourth round, 2018), Jaylen Warren (undrafted, 2022) and Puka Nacua (fifth round, 2023) should have been drafted in the first two rounds.

“Utah…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/utah-become-rich-ground-college-030000719.html

Author : Deseret News

Publish date : 2024-04-09 03:00:00

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