DRAPER — As Corner Canyon’s Josh Wilson announced what everybody already knew — after all, he was wearing a bright blue jacket after signing his national letter of intent to play at BYU earlier in the day Wednesday — his high school teammate Van Fillinger sat coy next to him in Corner Canyon’s library in a black zip-up jacket with four hats in front of him.
The No. 2 recruit in the state, according to Scout.com, Fillinger had decommitted from Texas earlier this month and was ready to officially choose between Utah, Oregon, LSU and Michigan.
Wilson and Fillinger have been best friends since sixth grade, and they always talked about how great it would be to play college football. Their dreams came true on Wednesday as the Corner Canyon defensive stalwarts will even get to share the same football field together at the next level — just not on the same sideline.
In the biggest in-state announcement on early signing day, Fillinger announced that he’s staying close to home by signing with the University of Utah.
“When I started doing more research, I felt a little more uneasy on the Texas side and felt more confident in Utah,” said Fillinger. “If Utah was anywhere else in the nation, they’re the best fit for me.”
Fillinger took his official visit to Utah on Monday, and he knew right away it’s where he wanted to be. He thought about taking the rest of his official visits and committing during February’s traditional signing day, but said it would’ve been disingenuous and fake to the other coaches knowing Utah is where he wanted to be.
He wasn’t the only in-state athlete who felt great about his official visit to the University of Utah on Monday. Two other undecided in-state recruits who visited Utah Monday, Lone Peak’s Nate Ritchie and Bingham’s Sione Fotu, officially signed with the Utes on Wednesday.
“We all talked about it. It was big in my commitment, knowing I have these other people on the road with me,” said Fillinger.
With Viewmont’s Alex Harrison also signing on Wednesday, the Utes landed four of the top 10 in-state recruits, according to Scout.com. Technically they landed five, but Sky View wide receiver Mason Falslev will be playing basketball for the Utes, not football.
Utah could add another top recruit Thursday morning when Juan Diego’s Xavier Carlton will sign his letter of intent. His father was out of town Wednesday, so Carlton elected to wait a day to sign.
The only other uncommitted in the top 10 is American Fork linebacker Bodie Schoonover, but his coach said he’ll wait until February to officially sign, even though he’s verbally committed to BYU.
The state’s top recruit, Orem’s Noah Sewell, officially signed with Oregon on Wednesday after verbally committing to the Ducks following Orem’s state championship win last month. Sewell was named the Deseret News Mr. Football recipient on Tuesday.
Rounding out the top 10 recruits who signed on Wednesday were Skyridge linebacker Ioholani Raass (UCLA) and East’s Nicolas Session (Oklahoma State).
Session was one of two recruits who signed with the Cowboys in the Big 12, as he was joined by Provo linebacker Mason Cobb.
While all but one of the top 10 recruits will sign during the early signing period, only six of the 10 athletes ranked 11 through 20 signed, with BYU landing four of the six.
In addition to Wilson, BYU also got commitments from Timpview safety Logan Pili, American Fork receiver Devin Downing and Provo linebacker Drason Havea. Downing is expected to officially sign later Wednesday night.
The other top 20 recruit who signed Wednesday was Highland’s Rodrick Tialavea with Washington State.
Other early signing day commitments were Northridge’s Otto Tia (Utah State), Woods Cross’ Josh Larsen (BYU), Tooele’s Nukuluve Helu (BYU), Kearns’ Isaiah Afatasi (Utah State), Salem Hills’ John Nelson (BYU), Syracuse’s Ty Burke (BYU) and Murray’s Autjoe Soe (Montana). Burke is expected to officially sign later Wednesday night.
Among the other top recruits who are expected to wait until February to sign are Orem’s Buju Tuisavura; Olympus’ Scotty Edwards; Corner Canyon’s Cole Hagen; Orem’s Jakob Robinson; Desert Hills’ Jarron Polu; and Lone Peak’s Jared Fotu, Trajan Hansen and Daniel Yamada.