This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Tarzan and Ice. Those two sound about as compatible as oil and water, but if Twitter is any indication, the chance for Alfred "Tarzan" Smith to reunite with former Destrehan High signal-caller Donovan "Ice" Isom was a key factor in his decision Saturday night to commit to the U.
Rated three stars by Rivals, Smith had previously committed to Arizona State. Prior to that, last January, he committed to the U. before deciding to re-open his commitment and consider his options.
He played a more limited role this year for Destrehan, according to MaxPreps, catching 20 passes for 206 yards and returning one kick 50 yards. In 2013, with Isom at the helm of the offense, the 5-foot-9, 184-pound Smith caught 54 passes for 872 yards.
The Tribune will attempt to contact Smith after the conclusion of his official visit.
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With Gustin, a chance? • As of Saturday, he's in Columbus, Ohio, posing with Urban Meyer and the first-ever College Football Playoff championship trophy.
For Utah to sway Porter Gustin, they're going to have to out-sell Meyer, USC head coach Steve Sarkisian, and Arizona State head coach Todd Graham — all of whom have made visits to Gustin's house within the last week.
But Gustin also paid an official visit to the U. and has said for months that he hasn't ruled out playing closer to home. He told The Tribune by direct message that he enjoys the company of Kyle and Fred Whittingham and Morgan Scalley, and that he felt the U. was an "awesome place."
Does Utah really have a shot with the five-star athlete who also excels at outstanding track, basketball and baseball.
Gustin reiterated Friday that he's still seriously considering being a Ute. He'll announce his decision at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Salem Hills High.
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Folau commits to Beavers • East linebacker Christian Folau committed to Oregon State on Saturday, citing his comfort in Corvallis and his relationship with head coach Gary Andersen and defensive coordinator Kalani Sitake — two coaches who need no introduction to Ute fans. The Tribune's Trevor Phibbs caught up with Folau for the full story.
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Walking on • Jordan wide receiver and cornerback A.J. Townsend, who caught 72 passes for 1,413 yards this season as a Beetdigger, will be a preferred walk-on in 2015. Watch Townsend's highlights here. Spanish Fork quarterback Jason Money also committed to walk on at the U. when he returns from an LDS mission in 2017. Money made national headlines for a critical blunder but scored 83 touchdowns over his career at Spanish Fork and is a dual-threat athlete. Watch Money's highlights here.
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The list of current Utah football commits that The Tribune has reported on includes:
(Click for details)
2015
2016
— Matthew Piper
Twitter: @matthew_piper