Football | 12/3/2025 12:25:00 PM

Utah Tech head football coach Lance Anderson unveiled his 2026 early signing class on Wednesday. The class features 18 future Trailblazers, 17 of whom come from the high school ranks, along with one junior college transfer. Five of the 18 signees hail from the state of Utah, while eight come from California, along with one signee from Hawai'i, Louisiana, Nevada, Washington, and Wyoming. 

Of the 18 early signees, eight will play on the offensive side of the ball, including one quarterback, four offensive linemen, one running back, and two wide receivers. The Trailblazers also added 10 players on defense with six defensive backs, three defensive linemen and one linebacker.

"This is an incredibly exciting recruiting class—one that blends outstanding in-state talent from Utah with elite players from across the country," added assistant coach and recruiting coordinator Jamison Clark. "Today represents the culmination of strong, long-term relationships built over the past year, and we couldn't be prouder of the group we've assembled. We're eager to get these young men on campus and continue building a team that the city of St. George will be proud to support in the coming years."

Utah Tech will announce its entire 2026 signing class on Wednesday Feb. 4. 

   

NAME	POS.	HT.	WT.	HOMETOWN/PREVIOUS SCHOOL
Shaun Niu Jr.	DB	6-1	185	Laie, Hawai'i/Kahuku HS (**2023 signee)
Junior Curtis	RB	5-11	185	San Diego, Calif./Lincoln HS
Justus Platts	QB	6-0	190	Mountain View, Wyo./Mountain View HS
Le'Shaun Jackson	OL	6-6	290	Los Angeles, Calif./Dorsey HS
Justin Jones	DB	6-1	160	La Puente, Calif./Bishop Amat HS
Gavin Ipson	OL	6-6	315	Washington, Utah/Crimson Cliffs HS
Jaybian Na'a	DL	6-1	290	American Fork, Utah/American Fork HS
Reno Aceves	OL	6-7	290	Chino, Calif./Don Lugo HS
Braylen Turner	DB	6-1	160	Perris, Calif./Orange Vista HS
Ethan Edwards	DB	6-0	165	Inglewood, Calif./North Torrance HS
Robert Smith	DL	6-2	285	Las Vegas, Nev./Centennial HS
Tra'von Flournoy	DB	6-1	175	Eastvale, Calif./Eleanor Roosevelt HS
Mason Wood	LB	6-2	215	Draper, Utah/Corner Canyon HS
Ryan Tillman	DB	5-11	190	Layton, Utah/Viewmont HS
Isaiah Morris	WR	5-10	160	Roy, Utah/Corner Canyon HS
Darnell O'Quinn	WR	6-0	150	New Orleans, La./John Ehret HS/SE Louisiana/Colin-Lincoln CC
Haris Arnautovic	OL	6-4	300	Everett, Wash./Mariner HS/Mater Academy
Michael Ouarkoub	DL	6-3	290	Menifee, Calif./Chaparral HS

Shaun Niu Jr.
Defensive Back / 6-1 / 185  
Laie, Hawai'i / Kahuku HS
Originally signed at Utah Tech in 2023 before departing on a two-year LDS Church mission ... was 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. 
















Junior Curtis
Running Back / 5-11 / 185  
San Diego, Calif. / Lincoln HS
Rated a 3-star recruit by 247Sports.com ... rushed for 1,582 yards and 20 touchdowns in 12 games during his senior season ... averaged 131.8 yards per game and over 10.0 yards per carry. 

















Justus Platts
Quarterback / 6-0 / 190  
Mountain View, Wyo. / Mountain View HS
2025 Wyoming MaxPrep Player of the Year ... 3x 1st Team All State, 2x Wyoming Super 25, Wyoming Super 25 Offensive Player of the Year ... led MVHS to a 12-0 record and to the 2025 Wyoming 2A State title ... completed 63.8 percent of his passes this past fall for 2,042 yards and 30 touchdowns ... also rushed for 1,189 yards and 20 more touchdowns ... 2x Wyoming Gatorade Player of the Year finalist

















Le'Shaun Jackson
Offensive Line / 6-6 / 290  
Los Angeles, Calif. / Dorsey HS
Was a 2025 first team all-league selection for Dorsey HS.  

















Justin Jones
Defensive Back / 6-1 / 160  
La Puente, Calif. / Bishop Amat HS
Was a 2025 first team all-Mission League selection ... racked up 25 total tackles (17 solo) and two interceptions during his senior season.  

















Gavin "Big Haus" Ipson
Offensive Line / 6-6 / 315  
Washington, Utah / Crimson Cliffs HS
Was part of back-to-back Utah 4A state championship winning teams in 2023 and 2024. 

















Jaybian Na'a
Defensive Line / 6-1 / 290  
American Fork, Utah / American Fork HS
Racked up 41 total tackles, 5.5 TFLs and 2.5 during his senior season for the Cavemen ... closed his prep career with 71 total tackles, 9.0 TFLs and 3.0 sacks.

















Reno Aceves
Offensive Line / 6-7 / 290  
Chino, Calif. / Don Lugo HS
Was a dual sport athlete and football team captain ... record more than 25 pancake blocks on season in 2025. 

















Braylen Turner
Defensive Back / 6-1 / 160  
Perris, Calif. / Orange Vista HS
Was rated as a 3-star recruit by 247Sports.com ... earned all-league recognition after he recorded 33 total tackles with 2.0 TFLs, two interceptions and one fumble recovery as a team captain in 2025 ... finished his three-year prep career with 54 total tackles and five interceptions ... also lettered in track & field currently holds the OVHS school records in the 400-meters, and the 4x400 and 4x100 relays. 

















Ethan Edwards
Defensive Back / 6-0 / 165  
Inglewood, Calif. / North Torrance HS
Was a two-way player at NTHS and was a 2025 first team all-league selection ... recorded 18 total tackles with five interceptions, including a pick six, in 10 games last season ... also played quarterback and threw for 1,591 yards on 129-for-230 passing and 16 touchdowns ... also ran for 578 yards and seven more TDs.: 

















Robert Smith
Defensive Line / 6-2 / 285  
Las Vegas, Nev. / Centennial HS
Racked up 74 total tackles with 12 TFLs and 3.0 sacks during his senior season ... closed his three-year prep career with 131 tackles in 25 games, along with 27.0 TFLs, 9.0 sacks and 12 QBHs. 

















Tra'von Flournoy
Defensive Back / 6-1 / 175  
Eastvale, Calif. / Eleanor Roosevelt HS
Recorded 41 total tackles with 1.0 TFL over two prep seasons ... ran a 10.6 as a junior ... also recruited by Delaware and Northern Arizona.  

















Mason Wood
Linebacker / 6-2 / 215  
Draper, Utah / Corner Canyon HS
Rated a 3-Star recruit by 247Sports.com ... helped lead CCHS to two Utah 6A state championships as a starting linebacker ... served as team captain and was a first team all-region and honorable mention all-state performer ... recorded 79 total tackles (32 solo) with 5.0 TFLs, one sack and one interception during his senior season in 2025.  

















Ryan Tillman
Defensive Back / 5-11 / 190  
Layton, Utah / Viewmont HS
Rated a 3-star recruit by 247Sports.com ... earned Utah 5A Honorable Mention All-State and Region 5 First Team honors following his senior season ... produced 588 all-purpose yards and eight touchdowns as a senior ... rushed for 210 yards on 49 carries and caught 19 passes for 378 yards ... logged 29 tackles, which included 1.0 tackles for loss, to go along with four interception, six pass breakups, and one forced fumble ... competes in track and holds the school record in the 100m ... member of the Honor Society and Honor Roll.

















Isaiah Morris
Wide Receiver / 5-10 / 160  
Roy, Utah / Corner Canyon HS
Was part of two-straight Utah 6A state championships at CCHS and earned 2025 first team all-region honors ... caught 38 passes for 641 yards and five touchdowns this past season.

















Darnell O'Quinn
Wide Receiver / 6-0 / 150  
New Orleans, La. / John Ehret HS / Southeastern Louisiana / Colin-Lincoln CC
Caught 17 passes for 180 yards and one touchdown in nine games in his lone season at Colin-Lincoln CC ... started his collegiate career at Southeastern Louisiana in 2024, where he appeared in five games and made one reception for 11 yards ... was a multi-time All-District 8-5A performer at John Ehret HS … played multiple positions, including quarterback for the Patriots … started prep career at Helen Cox High School, where he earned all-state honors as a high jumper.

















Haris Arnautovic
Offensive Line / 6-4 / 300  
Everett, Wash. / Mariner HS / Mater Academy 
Played three seasons for Mariner HS, and prepped last year at Mater Academy in Las Vegas. 

















Michael Ouarkoub
Defensive Line / 6-3 / 290  
Menifee, Calif. / Chaparral HS 
Racked up 28 total tackles (8 solo) also with 4.0 TFLs, 1.5 sacks and five QBHs in eight games during his senior season at CHS.