After two vaunted in-state prospects committed to out-of-state programs in the past week alone, Utah secured a commitment Monday from a hometown boy who both grew up watching the Utes and hopes to see himself in crimson someday.
Layton cornerback/wideout Julian Blackmon received an offer last Thursday, he said, and informed coaches Monday morning.
It was an easy call, he said.
"They were my first big offer, and not only that, they were my favorite team," he said.
That's what Utah coaches want to hear more of, especially after Brighton's Simi Fehoko pledged his commitment to Stanford and Bingham's Langi Tuifua verballed to Oregon.
Standing 6-foot-1, Blackmon ran a 4.52 40-yard dash at the Nike combine held at Clearfield High last month and participated in the Ute Shoot 7-on-7 passing tournament. He was recruited primarily by safeties coach Morgan Scalley and cornerbacks coach Sharrieff Shah, and offered as a cornerback.
He's rated two stars by Rivals, which also lists offers from Idaho, Southern Utah and Weber State. Blackmon said "it's always a good thing to listen" if other programs come calling, but "I think I'm a Utah man at heart."
The Lancers didn't set the world alight last year, going 2-8, and Blackmon's biggest goal this season is to make the state playoffs.
Blackmon, whose older brother Jarriesse is committed to play hoops for UC Santa Barbara, also helped lead the Lancers to a 5A basketball championship in late February.
He's not sure what he wants to study just yet, but he may follow his father — like his mom, a U. graduate — into criminal justice.
Watch Blackmon's highlights here.
Below are links to the committed recruits that the Tribune has reported on.
2016:
• California TE Cole Fotheringham
• California WR/LB Davir Hamilton
• Florida RB Devonta'e Henry-Cole
• California RB Thomas McDonald
• Snow College LB Kurtis Taufa
• Australia P Mitch Wishnowsky
2017:
— Matthew Piper
mpiper@sltrib.com
Twitter: @matthew_piper
Steve Griffin | The Salt Lake Tribune Layton's Julian Blackmon side arms a pass during quarterfinals of the boy's 5A basketball state tournament game against Bingham at the Dee Event Center in Ogden, Wednesday, February 25, 2015.
Chris Detrick | The Salt Lake Tribune Layton's Julian Blackmon (1) celebrates during the 5A semifinal game at the Dee Events Center Friday February 27, 2015. Layton defeated Viewmont 48-41.
Chris Detrick | The Salt Lake Tribune Layton's Dallin Watts (12) and Layton's Julian Blackmon (1) celebrate during the 5A semifinal game at the Dee Events Center Friday February 27, 2015. Layton defeated Viewmont 48-41.
Chris Detrick | The Salt Lake Tribune Layton's Julian Blackmon (1) steals the ball from Viewmont's James Walton (55) during the 5A semifinal game at the Dee Events Center Friday February 27, 2015. Layton defeated Viewmont 48-41.
Chris Detrick | The Salt Lake Tribune Layton's Julian Blackmon (1) runs past Viewmont's Jacob Walker (10) during the 5A semifinal game at the Dee Events Center Friday February 27, 2015. Layton defeated Viewmont 48-41.
Chris Detrick | The Salt Lake Tribune Layton's Julian Blackmon (1) runs around Viewmont's Braedon Alldredge (11) during the 5A semifinal game at the Dee Events Center Friday February 27, 2015. Layton defeated Viewmont 48-41.
Chris Detrick | The Salt Lake Tribune Layton's Julian Blackmon (1) grabs a rebound past Brighton's Derek Devashrayee (14) during the 5A championship game at the Dee Events Center Saturday February 28, 2015. Brighton is winning the game 27-20 at halftime.
Chris Detrick | The Salt Lake Tribune Layton's Julian Blackmon (1) celebrates after winning the 5A championship game at the Dee Events Center Saturday February 28, 2015. Layton defeated Brighton 48-46.
Chris Detrick | The Salt Lake Tribune Layton's Julian Blackmon (1) is guarded by Brighton's Brock Miller (3) during the 5A championship game at the Dee Events Center Saturday February 28, 2015. Brighton is winning the game 27-20 at halftime.
