The University of Utah football team has signed six more junior college transfers, five of them from the California JC ranks. All of the players have enrolled at Utah and will participate in spring practice.
The Utes also have signed two other players and received a verbal commitment from another.Here is a quick look at Utah's newest recruits:
- Deron Claiborne, a 5-foot-11, 185-pound wide receiver from Southwestern College. He caught 43 passes for 844 yards and 5 touchdowns last year and earned first-team all-conference honors. Claiborne, who was recruited by Kansas, Memphis State and San Jose State, played quarterback in high school and as a freshman at Southwestern.
- Edwin Garrette, a 6-1, 175-pound cornerback with 4.4 speed from Southwestern. He earned first-team all-conference honors as a freshman, but was sidelined much of last season by an injury. He also was recruited by Idaho, Iowa and San Diego State. He had six interceptions in two years.
- Tim Todd, a 6-5, 270-pound offensive tackle from Pasadena Community College. He earned first-team all-conference and honorable All-America honors, and was recruited by Oregon, Southwest Louisiana and Fresno State.
- Houdini Nua, a 6-5, 260-pound defensive lineman from New Zealand. He is the younger brother of Mark, who starred for the University of Hawaii. Nua, a rugby player, played in a Saturday football league.
- Canela (Connie) Neves, a 6-3, 270-pound guard from Ricks College. He helped Ricks to a record of 9-2 last season and a No. 8 ranking in the final national JC polls. Neves was a second-team all-conference selection.
- Kenny Buss, a linebacker and returned LDS missionary from Wisconsin. He started for Montana as a freshman before going on a mission.
- Dave Baghossian, a 6-1, 280-pound center from Glendale Community College. He was a preseason JC All-America pick.
- Greg Hooks, a wide receiver from Santa Monica Community College.
- Harold Lusk, a freshman quarterback from Seaside, Calif., and the brother of current Ute running back/defensive back Henry. He has given the Utes a verbal commitment.
This brings to 13 the number of recruits known to have signed with or committed to Utah. Earlier it was reported in the Deseret News that Curtis Marsh, a wide receiver from Moorpark College; Michael Burke, a defensive back from San Jacinto College; Mike McCoy, a quarterback from Long Beach State; and Ryan Murray, a defensive tackle from Salt Lake's Brighton High School, will join the Utes.
NCAA rules forbid coaches from discussing their recruits until next month's signing day.