Utah Prospects To Know Before They Hit High School – Part 1.

Utah is a state that often gets overlooked for the football talent they produce.  Whether it be due to a smaller population or where it is geographically, The Beehive State doesn’t get a lot of respect. Despite that, BYU and/or Utah are usually contending for a top 25 finish in the country. In fact, as of this posting the BYU Cougars are holding tight as the No.15 team in the country. Here’s a couple of 2026 prospects that could be up next in Utah. <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-228197 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/11/SalesiMoa-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Salesi Moa | Wide Receiver</strong> The son of a professional heavyweight MMA fighter and younger brother of class of 2022 BYU 4-star commit <strong>Aisea Moa</strong>, Salesi Moa is up next. The kid they call “Yung Fresh” is good for at least three touchdowns a game. Moa is silky smooth split out wide and has the ability to burn defenses deep or make them look silly after catching a bubble screen. He plays at different speed than almost everyone else on the field and is one of the brightest young stars not only in Utah, but the country. <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-228198 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/11/RomanFunk-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Roman Funk | Athlete</strong> The 6-foot-1, 160-pound Funk is an intriguing prospect on his length and size alone. Offensively he traditionally lines up as a receiver and they rely on his 4.9 forty yard dash time to make plays on end arounds, reverses and other funky plays. At strong safety is where I think he’ll be a good one at the next level because of his size and his ability to crash the box and bring backs down. [caption id="attachment_228200" align="alignleft" width="150"]<img class="wp-image-228200 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/11/AisaGaleaI--150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /> Photo: Instagram[/caption] <strong>Aisa Galea’I | Athlete</strong> The best athletes get the most touches and win games—that’s what Galea’I is all about. The Orem product is light years ahead of most athletes in the state and it’s no secret he’s going to get the ball, but he still can’t be stopped. This season he’s taken snaps at quarterback, running back, receiver and safety. He was offered a scholarship by BYU ahead of his 8^th grade season and has been dunking a basketball since 7^th grade. He’s a special one. <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-228201 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/11/DonavanLeausa--150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Donavan Leausa | Offensive Line/Defensive Line</strong> No list of Utah players is complete without a two-way lineman with enormous size—enter Donovan Leausa. At 6-foot-4 and 357 pounds he is a monster on both sides of the ball. Offensively he played left guard and fires off the ball extremely well and under control for a man his size. With sheer power he blows guys off the line but will need to learn to bring his hips and keep his feet moving at contact. Defensively he eats up blocks and takes up a lot of space so his linebackers can scrape and make plays behind him. <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-228202 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/11/JaxonToala-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Jaxon Toala | Wide Receiver</strong> A big body wide receiver, Toala is every bit of the 6-foot-2 and 175 pounds he’s listed at. Catches the ball with his hands away from his body. Toala has ever-improving feet and is constantly working on his craft. Gets in and out of his breaks pretty smoothly. Would not be surprised if he turned into a very dangerous tight end given his size already in the 8^th grade. His game reminds me a lot of current New York Giants Tight End, Evan Engram.