Utah Adds Under the Radar Los Angeles Area DE Semisi Lauaki

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

Utah continued their hot streak on the recruiting trail picking up their third verbal commitment in five days with the additional of defensive end Semisi Lauaki.

Lauaki has been an overlooked recruit out of Leuzinger High School in Lawndale, California. The Olympians had a tough season in 2014 finishing 4-6-1 and are off to a 1-4 start in 2015 perhaps leading to area recruiters skipping a Friday night trip to the Los Angeles suburb.

The Utes were able to get the under the radar recruit over offers from Boise State, Nevada, and San Diego State.

Utah now has 22 verbal commitments to their 2016 recruiting class with a greater emphasis thus far given to the offensive side of the ball. Of the 22 verbal pledges eight are defensive players. The Utes have done a good job of mining California talent pulling 10 prospects out of the state.

The Utes were busy on the recruiting trail in June, July, and August before cooling down with just one commitment in September (Leki Fotu). Action has started to pick up in the last five days with Lauaki, wide receiver R.J. Hubert, and linebacker Alema Pilimai each verbally committing.

Utah 2016 Verbal Commitment List

DB Micah Croom, 6’2”, 190 lbs, La Mirada HS, La Mirada, California

FS Ohaji Hawkins, 6’2”, 169 lbs, Winter Haven Senior, Winter Haven, Florida

DE Leki Fotu, 6’6”, 255 lbs, Herriman HS, Herriman, Utah

DE Semisi Lauaki, 6’4”, 240 lbs, Leuzinger HS, Lawndale, California

DT David Fangupo, 6’1”, 290 lbs, Cerritos C.C., Norwalk, California

DT Lorenzo Neal, 6’2”, 300 lbs, St. Thomas HS, Houston, Texas

DT Handsome Tanielu, 6’2”, 305 lbs, Snow College, Ephraim, Utah

LB Alema Pilimai, 6’4”, 200 lbs, Tustin HS, Tustin, California

RB Devontae Henry-Cole, 5’9”, 190 lbs, St. Thomas Aquinas, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

RB Thomas McDonald, Grossmont C.C., El Cajon, California

QB Tyler Huntley, 6’1”, 175 lbs, Hallandale HS, Hallandale, Florida

QB Kahi Neves, 6’3”, 235 lbs, Brighton HS, Salt Lake City, Utah

WR Julian Blackmon, 6’1”, 175 lbs, Layton HS, Layton, Utah

WR Alec Dana, 6’3”, 190 lbs, Chaffey HS, Ontario, California

WR Jay Griffin, 5’11”, 160 lbs, Huntsville HS, Huntsville, Texas

WR R.J. Hubert, 5’11”, 178 lbs, Moapa Valley HS, Overton, Nevada

WR Demari Simpkins, 6’0”, 176 lbs, Hallandale HS, Hallandale, Florida

TE Cole Fotheringham, 6’5”, 220 lbs, San Clemente HS, San Clemente, California

OG Tucker Scott, 6’5”, 265 lbs, San Clemente HS, San Clemente, California

OT Scott Peck, 6’6”, 296 lbs, Central Valley HS, Veradale, Washington

K/P Mitch Wishnowsky, 6’4”, 220 lbs, Santa Barbara C.C., Santa Barbara, California

ATH Davir Hamilton, 6’3”, 200 lbs, Verbum Dei HS, Los Angeles, California

Photo credit: rantsports.com; Utah takes the football field.