Utah Utes Flip Houston Cougars CB Nygel King
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @HogManInLA
The Utes took another step forward towards completing their 2016 recruiting class on Tuesday when they flipped Houston Cougars cornerback commit Nygel King.
King, listed at 6’1”, 175 pounds, was a big part of Houston’s early movement up the recruiting rankings committing to the Cougars on June 16. The Klein Oak High School 3-star recruit had 14 offers at that time with the Utes being one of the many.
Utah stayed on King but so did other top programs. Deciding to open his recruiting back up, the Spring, Texas, area talent decommitted from Houston on Jan. 5 and promptly received an offer from Virginia Tech the following day. Illinois and Tulsa jumped into the mix leaving King with 19 total offers by the time he committed to Utah.
The Utes hosted King on Jan. 15 but the Hokies were an option after an official visit to Blacksburg to see what Virginia Tech had to offer on Jan. 22.
Utah now has 23 verbal commits to their 2016 recruiting class highlighted by two junior college 4-star transfers, quarterback Troy Williams (Santa Monica) and offensive tackle Garett Bolles (Snow).
Utah 2016 Verbal Commitment List (23)
FS Ohaji Hawkins, 6’2”, 169 lbs, Winter Haven Senior, Winter Haven, FL
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: chron.com; No. 35 Nygel King attempts to stop a Dallas Skyline player from scoring at the goal line.