Utah Lands Son of NFL All-Time Great, DT Lorenzo Neal
Written by Ryan Wright
The Utes dipped back into the Lone Star state on Monday pulling out Houston area talent Lorenzo Ward.
Ward is a true defensive tackle listed at 6’2”, 300 pounds. During his junior campaign he helped St. Thomas High School to an 11-2 record picking up nine offers along the way. Boise State, Louisiana Lafayette, Fresno State, Nevada, Tulsa, Texas State, Purdue, and Oregon State all offered.
Neal posted his announcement on Twitter around 1 p.m. CT writing, “Thank you to everyone who supported me through this process, especially close family and friends. After prayer and talks with my family, I have decided to commit to the university (sic) of Utah to fulfill my academic and athletic goals. Extremely blessed to be attending such a great university. #goutes!!!!!”
The decision did not come easy for Neal after he made the rounds in the offseason visiting Washington and Boise State while camping at Baylor, Iowa State, and Michigan. Neal is also a Fresno State legacy being the son of all-time great fullback Lorenzo Neal. The elder Neal was a 16 year veteran of the NFL lining up as a 5’11”, 275 pound, fullback earning Pro Bowl honors four times and being voted to the NFL’s All-Decade Team for the 2000’s.
Utah now has 16 verbal commitments to their 2016 recruiting class. In late June the Utes secured a pledge from another Texas native, Huntsville wide receiver Jay Griffin.
Utah 2016 Verbal Commitment List
DB Micah Croom, 6’2”, 190 lbs, La Mirada HS, La Mirada, California
LB Kurtis Taufa, 6’2”, 230 lbs, Snow College, Ephraim, Utah
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
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 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
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
ATH Daevon Vigilant, 5’7”, 180 lbs, Downey HS, Downey, California
Photo credit: utahphotojournalism.com; No. 17 Robert Johnson gives Utes fans the “U” sign.