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.
UTAH TECH FOOTBALL 2023 NATIONAL SIGNING DAY CLASS
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."