ST. George — First-year head football coach Lance Anderson has assembled his staff in earnest and assembled his first recruiting class since being hired by Utah Tech almost exactly two months ago.
During a meet-and-greet Wednesday night in the Clyde Lounge at Greater Zion Stadium, Anderson introduced his assistant coaches and talked about the incoming class of Trail Blazers.
“I want to build a program here that players can be proud to play at Utah Tech. People don't want to leave here because they love what we're doing with our football program. body,” Anderson said. “We’re going to try to make this fun, fun and a place that people are proud to represent.”
He also said that with the current state of college football, he intends to use the transfer portal as needed to fill specific needs.
But the main focus of the recruiting effort is finding and signing Utah prep players, he said.
“I want to base our recruiting efforts on high school athletes and build our recruiting efforts. We want to acquire players, we want to develop players, we want to develop players,” Anderson said. said.
Several of the 19 signees Anderson and his coaches introduced Wednesday are local, starting with a strong presence of Region 9 players who have chosen to stay local.
The defending 4A state champion Crimson Cliffs will send a team of players to Utah Tech.
Defensive back Jace Sweeten, who could switch positions to linebacker as a Trail Blazer, joins offensive lineman Jacob Zarate and quarterback Steele Verben in a trio of Mustangs playing at Greater Zion Stadium. Ta.
Steele Barben joins the Trail Blazers after serving a two-year mission with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
After his stint, he will join Utah Tech's roster alongside Dixie-signed wide receiver Jackson Barben and former Dixie quarterback Bronson Barben.
Pine View offensive lineman Camden Smith has committed to Utah Tech next year.
The St. George News asked Anderson if he thought any of the Region 9 players would make an immediate impact on the team.
“As football coaches, we always had a strong belief in playing the best players,” Anderson said. “We don't care if you're a freshman or a senior, if you're a reject, if you have a scholarship. We're going to play against the best players.”
He added that coaches sometimes think players are ready to go, but that's wrong. Other times, coaches may be surprised by a player they didn't think was ready to make an immediate impact.
“So I’m going to go into this with an open mind,” Anderson said. “I think we have some freshmen that will surprise us. Once they show they're ready to take on the role, we're going to get them on the football field.”
Other Utah high school athletes joining Anderson's recruiting class are defensive linemen Blake Jensen (American Fork), Clarence Pututau (Woods Cross), and Zyden Cook (Payson).
Quarterback Banks Jackson from Spanish Fork (Maple Mountain High School) also signed to play at Utah Tech.
Among the notable Utah Tech players to come out of the transfer portal are former Syracuse Orange quarterback Luke McPhail, former Massachusetts tight end Eniola Farai and San Diego State offensive lineman Rambo Contains Maggio.
“We're really focused on the players we have here and that's what we're excited about,” Anderson said. “We're very excited about the freshmen we signed in December, the mid-year transfers, and the players we signed today. We'll build our program around these guys.”
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