Football | 2/1/2023 8:00:00 AM

Utah Tech football signed 14 new players to the Trailblazer program on Wednesday as part of National Signing Day. In all, Utah Tech signed 26 players, including 12 during the early signing period in December. 
 
Wednesday's class featured one Division I transfer and 13 high school players. The one transfer is redshirt senior wide receiver Jaivian Lofton, who transferred to Utah Tech from Liberty, where he was a part of the Flames' program for three seasons.
 
Of the 13 prep student-athletes signed, five are on the offensive side of the ball, including one quarterback, three offensive linemen and one wide receiver. The Trailblazers also signed eight defensive players, six of whom are defensive backs (3) and safeties (3), along with two defensive linemen. 
 
The class includes two signees from Utah, six from California, two from Nevada, two from Hawai'i, one from Texas and one from Washington. 
 
"We have needs every year, we cycling in new position groups," UT Head Coach Paul Peterson said. "Each one of these guys has something special to offer to our team. They are high-character kids, they love playing football, and they can't wait to get here in the summer time."
 
Utah Tech won three of its final four games of the season to close with a 4-7 overall record in its third D-I FCS campaign, which included a 2-2 mark and a third place WAC finish. 
   

NAME	POS.	HT.	WT.	HOMETOWN/PREVIOUS SCHOOL
Skyler Cassel	QB	6-1	180	Yakima, Wash./West Valley HS
PJ Enosa	OL	6-3	290	San Jacinto, Calif./San Jacinto HS
Brevin Hamblin	FS	6-4	185	Syracuse, Utah/Syracuse HS
Daymari Henderson	OL	6-4	2-0	Ontario, Calif./Colony HS
Huron "Scooter" Jackson	DB	6-0	170	Compton, Calif./Warren HS
Hema Katoa	FS	6-1	195	Lehi, Utah/Lehi HS
Quincy Lejay	DB	6-0	190	Eastvale, Calif./Eleanor Roosevelt HS
Thomas Liava'a	DL	6-1	260	Hawthorne, Calif./Leuzinger HS
Jaivian Lofton	WR	6-1	200	Rancho Cucamonga, Calif./Rancho Cucamonga HS/Chaffey (CA) CC/Liberty
Shaun Niu Jr.	FS	6-1	185	Laie, Hawai'i/Kahuku HS
Beau Sparks	WR	5-11	180	El Paso, Texas/Franklin HS
Dylan Spencer	OL	6-7	285	Boulder City, Nev./Boulder City HS
Iosefa Tapeni	DL	6-3	275	Kapolei, Hawai'i/Kapolei HS
Ternillia "TJ" Thomas	DB	6-3	180	Henderson, Nev./Foothill HS
Aiden Aguayo	DB	6-1	175	Mission Viejo, Calif./Jserra HS (December signee)
Konner Barrett	QB	6-0	185	Naples, Fla./Gulf Coast HS (December signee)
Tyler Chen	OL	6-3	260	Rancho Cucamonga, Calif./Rancho Cucamonga HS (December signee)
Michael Falatea	DB	6-0	190	Herriman, Utah/Herriman HS (December signee)
Luke Hansen	LB	6-2	190	Farmington, Utah/Farmington HS (December signee)
Julian Lofton-Lundy	WR	6-3	180	Rancho Cucamonga, Calif./Rancho Cucamonga HS (December signee)
Misiolo Maluia	OL	6-3	280	Las Vegas, Nev./Bishop Gorman HS (December signee)
Kingston Moa	DE	6-3	230	Compton, Calif./Compton HS (December signee)
Mason Obray	DB	5-11	165	Syracuse, Utah/Northridge HS (December signee)
Nygel Osborne	RB	5-11	195	Inglewood, Calif./Millikin HS (December signee)
Bryce Parker	WR	5-9	175	Corona, Calif./Inglewood HS (December signee)
Matthew Snarr	OL	6-5	290	Draper, Utah/Corner Canyon HS (December signee)

Jaivian Lofton
Wide Receiver / 6-1 / 200  
Rancho Cucamonga, California / Rancho Cucamonga HS / Liberty University
Was part of the Liberty program for three seasons ... caught 10 passes for 102 yards and two touchdowns for the Flames last season ... was limited to two games played in 2021 due to injury, and played in five games during the 2020 season played in 5 games and finished with three receptions for 51 yards ... transferred from Chaffey (CA) College, where he made 72 career receptions for 1,584 yards and 20 touchdowns.
Coach Peterson on Jaivian Lofton - "Jaivian is a transfer wide receiver who has played in some big time games. He will provide leadership and valuable playing experience to our receiving corps."













PJ Enosa
Offensive Line / 6-3 / 290  
San Jacinto, California / San Jacinto HS 
Was a first team All-CIF Southern Section and first team All-League pick ... selected to play in the Inland Empire All State Classic ... owns a 4.0 Academic GPA ... served as team captain on a team that won both the CIF Division 6 and CIF Southern Region championships.
Coach Peterson on PJ Enosa - "PJ is another proven winner and CIF champion on the offensive line. He is a road grader and pancake maker."













Dylan Spencer
Offensive Line / 6-7 / 285  
Boulder City, Nevada / Boulder City HS 
Was a three-sport athlete at BCHS as he lettered in football, wrestling and baseball ... played both on the offensive and defensive lines, and was punter and placekicker ... was a 2022 Nevada Senior Bowl and a 2023 Dream All-American Bowl (played in Arlington, Texas) selection ... is a regional qualifier for wrestling state tournament hopeful.  
Coach Peterson on Dylan Spencer - "Dylan is another tall tackle who possesses great foot work, and he is a stud wrestler."













Daymari Henderson
Offensive Line / 6-4 / 290  
Ontario, California / Colony HS 
Was a first team all-League selection after he started in 11 games at right tackle for the eventual league champions.
Coach Peterson on Daymari Henderson - "Daymari has the potential to develop into an elite offensive lineman. He possesses great feet and size."













Ternillia "TJ" Thomas
Defensive Back / 6-3 / 180  
Henderson, Nevada / Foothill HS 
Recorded 60 total tackles, 20 PBUs, and one interception last season for the Falcons ... allowed only two touchdowns catches on defense ... returned 11 kickoffs for 284 and one touchdown ... also runs track at FHS. 
Coach Peterson on Ternillia "TJ" Thomas - "TJ really pops on the film and he possesses big-time star potential."













Huron "Scooter" Jackson
Defensive Back / 6-0 / 170  
Compton, California / Warren HS 
Earned first team all-League and all-CIF honors and was named DB of the Year ... led the league with seven interceptions and tallied 11 PBUs ... collected WHS Student-Athlete of the Month honors. 
Coach Peterson on Huron "Scooter" Jackson - "Scooter is a long lockdown corner with tons of upside. He is a big personality and he makes us better right now."













Shaun Niu Jr. 
Free Safety / 6-1 / 185  
Laie, Hawai'i / Kahuku HS 
Is a three-sport athlete in football, basketball and volleyball ... won the Hawaii State Football Championship in 2022 ... was voted the most valuable defensive back by Kahuku in 2022, and was a first team all-Oahu, second team all-state by the Star Advertiser and Scorlinglive.com ... was a nominee for the Two-Way Player of the Year by Cover 2 KHON ... was the is the Winward District Representative from Kahuku HS from 2017-20 ... also involved with the Kahuku Pasifika Club, Honor Roll, AVID Student.
Coach Peterson on Shaun Niu Jr. - "Shaun is another multi-sport star from the Kahuku HS powerhouse who knows how to win."













Iosefa Tapeni 
Defensive Line / 6-3 / 275  
Kapolei, Hawai'i / Kapolei HS 
Racked up 6.5 sacks, 9.0 TFLs and recovered one fumble during his senior campaign last fall.
Coach Peterson on Iosefa Tapeni - "Iosefa is a quiet assassin from Hawai'i. He moves people and he will be a big hole plugger on our defensive line."













Hema Katoa 
Free Safety / 6-1 / 195  
Lehi, Utah / Lehi HS 
Earned all-Utah Valley, all-Region and Utah 5A honorable mention honors as part of the Pioneers' 2022 Utah 5A state championship winning team ... recorded  226 career tackles ... lettered in football, wrestling, and track, during which he ran an 11.1 100-m ... owns a 3.994 GPA and is on the honor roll.
Coach Peterson on Hema Katoa - "Speed kills - and Hema has plenty of it. He loves football and you can see that as he flies around the ball."














Skyler Cassel 
Quarterback / 6-1 / 180  
Yakima, Washington / West Valley HS 
Threw for 3,728 yards and 35 touchdowns in 10 games last fall ... posted a 65.4% completion percentage and a 116.3 QB Rating ... broke six WVHS school and three Valley Conference records on his way to Conference Offensive Player of the Year and first team All-League honors ... chose Utah Tech over Washington State and Central Washington.
Coach Peterson on Skyler Cassel - "Skyler was an all-conference player of the year and record-setting quarterback in high school. He knows our offense and can sling the ball."













Beau Sparks 
Wide Receiver / 5-11 / 180  
El Paso, Texas / Franklin HS 
Was a two-year, two-way starter ... was a two-time all-City selection at wide receiver and a two-time all-District pick at safety ...  clocked a 4.36 40 time ... finished with 159 career receptions for 2,738 yards and 38 touchdowns ... also racked up 128 career tackles with 6 interceptions and three forced fumbles ... chose Utah Tech over Incarnate Word, Nebraska and Army.
Coach Peterson on Beau Sparks - "Beau is a lightning quick and fast two-way starter from Texas. He will thrive in our offense and has a chance to make a difference right away."













Thomas Liava'a 
Defensive Line / 6-1 / 260  
Hawthorne, California / Leuzinger HS 
Named 2023 LHS Defensive Player of the Year ... recorded 10.0 sacks, 21.0 TFLs, 56 total tackles and 23 QB hurries. 
Coach Peterson on Thomas Liava'a - "Thomas is a big time defensive lineman. He has explosive speed and has a great motor."













Quincy Lejay 
Defensive Back / 6-0 / 190  
Eastvale, California / Eleanor Roosevelt HS 
Earned all-Big West Upper League honors ... returned two pick sixes during his senior season ... listed on the honor roll ... also lettered in baseball. 
Coach Peterson on Quincy Lejay - "Quincy is a multi-sport star. He is fast and physical and is ready to play right now."













Brevin Hamblin 
Free Safety / 6-4 / 185  
Syracuse, Utah / Syracuse HS 
Is a three-sport athlete having lettered in football, basketball and track and field ... owns the SHS school record with 13 interceptions ... served as team captain last years and was named Region MVP and earned first team all-area and all-state ... earned three varsity letters in basketball and was the Utah 6A top rebounder ... placed fourth in the state for javelin last track season ... currently carries a 3.93 GPA.
Coach Peterson on Brevin Hamblin - "Brevin is another multi-sport star from Utah. His film is fun to watch on both sides of the ball."