Utah Pulls QB Huntley and WR Simpkins out of Hallandale HS in Florida

Written by Ryan Wright

The Utes got a two-for-one deal on Sunday landing the dynamic duo of quarterback Tyler Huntley and wide receiver Demari Simpkins out of Hallandale, Florida.

The Chargers lost their first game of the season 30-7 to Miramar and then went on a 10-game winning streak into the second round of the Florida High School State Playoffs before falling to Central (Miami) 35-19. Along the way and into the offseason Simpkins, a two-way player for the Chargers, picked up 13 reported offers that included Cincinnati, South Florida, Western Kentucky, Utah State, and UMasss.

Leading up to his commitment Simpkins camped at North Carolina, and visited Wisconsin and Utah. Many believed the Badgers had the upper hand until announcing his commitment to Utah on Twitter posting, “#Go Utes #Ute Nation.”

Huntley picked up 14 reported scholarship offers after passing for 2,227 yards with 29 touchdowns against just two interceptions. Bowling Green, Cincinnati, Florida International, Appalachian State, Akron, Samford, Temple, and South Florida were just a few to offer the 6’1”, 175 pound, quarterback.

The win for Utah with Huntley was a loss for Florida Atlantic. The Owls picked up the in-state recruit’s verbal commitment on March 30.

The Utes now have 14 verbal commitments to their 2016 recruiting class. Simpkins and Huntley join Fort Lauderdale running back Devontae Henry-Cole on Utah’s commitment list. Huntley is the second quarterback committed joining Brighton High School’s Kahi Neves.

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 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: scout.com; Demari Simpkins.