Utah Beats Out Pac-12 Rivals for California CB Terrell Burgess

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

There are a lot of recruiting battles won and lost out on the trail, and the one that the Utes won landing cornerback Terrell Burgess on Thursday, late Wednesday night depending on one’s time zone, was significant.

Burgess did a little bit of everything for San Marcos High School (San Marcos) in 2015. The 6’0”, 178 pound, speedster completed one pass for 38 yards, had five carries for 92 yards with one score, and caught an amazing 61 passes for 1,162 yards with 16 touchdowns. He also chipped in 170 kick return yards and 52 punt return yards.

Where the California talent is more than likely to lineup at the next level is at cornerback. He helped lead the Knights to an 8-4 record manning an island posting 21 stops, one tackle for a loss, and three interceptions. Burgess landed at least 12 scholarship offers seeing Washington State, Boston College, Oregon State, San Diego State, Utah State, and Wisconsin seek his services. The top schools, per official visits, were Nevada (Oct. 3), Arizona (Oct. 27), Utah (Oct. 30), Boise State (Jan. 15), and Cal (Jan. 22).

Burgess posted an announcement on Twitter reading, “It’s been an absolutely amazing journey these last few years and I’m glad it finally has come to an end. First I would like to thank God because without him I wouldn’t be where I am today! I would like to thank my family, every coach that has helped me get to this point, and everyone who has supported me through this whole process, I am truly thankful! I also would like to thank every school that believed in me and gave me an opportunity to continue my education with them! After my thought and prayer I’m proud to announce that I will be furthering my education and career at the University of Utah! #GoUtes.”

The Utes recruiting class heavily leans to the offense with at least 15 of their 23 recruits slated to line up on that side of the ball. If possible, expect Utah to try to land a couple of defensive tackles to fill in holes in the class by Feb. 3.

Utah 2016 Verbal Commitment List (23)

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

CB Terrell Burgess, 6’0”, 178 lbs, San Marcos HS, San Marcos, CA

CB Nygel King, 6’1”, 175 lbs, Klein Oak HS, Spring, TX

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

DE Semisi Laukai, 6’4”, 240 lbs, Leuzinger HS, Lawndale, CA

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

LB Kurtis Taufa, 6’2”, 230 lbs, Snow College C.C., Ephraim, UT

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

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

RB Zack Moss, 5’10”, 205 lbs, Hallandale HS, Hallandale, FL

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

QB Troy Williams, 6’2”, 210 lbs, Santa Monica C.C., Santa Monica, CA

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

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

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

WR Samson Nacua, 6’3”, 175 lbs, Timpview HS, Provo, UT

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

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

OG Johnny Maea, 6’4”, 280 lbs, East HS, Salt Lake City, UT

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

OT Garett Bolles, 6’5”, 290 lbs, Snow College JC, Ephraim, UT

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

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

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

 

Photo credit: Burgess makes his announcement on KUSI News.