SALT LAKE CITY — Utah is off to a strong start with its 2020 football recruiting class.
The Utes’ class is currently 32nd nationally in 247 Sports’ rankings as of Friday morning, heading into the third day of the early signing period.
Two of Utah’s headliner signees earned more accolades Thursday, when USA Today revealed its first team and second team high school All-USA squads.

California cornerback Clark Phillips III — 47th nationally in 247 Sports’ composite rankings — is the highest-ranked prospect to sign with Utah in program history, and he made the USA Today first-team defense.
“Phillips is a lock-down defender who’s rarely tested and finished the season with 28 tackles, four interceptions and seven passes defended,” USA Today wrote.
Corner Canyon defensive end Van Fillinger, who signed with the Utes on Wednesday after originally committing to Texas, made the All-USA second-team defense.
“Fillinger saw his recruitment profile rise this season, gaining his fourth star in the middle of his campaign that finished with 88 tackles, 24 tackles for loss, 13.5 sacks, 14 hurries and a forced fumble for undefeated champion Corner Canyon,” USA Today wrote.
BYU was also represented on the All-America team, as Cougar signee Kody Epps, a three-star wide receiver at Mater Dei (California) High, was named to the first team. His quarterback, Mater Dei’s Bryce Young, earned high school Offensive Player of the Year honors.
“Epps finished the season with 93 receptions for 1,735 yards and 28 touchdowns, and had a two-game playoff spurt in which he had 21 receptions for 507 yards and 10 touchdowns,” USA Today wrote.
Orem High linebacker Noah Sewell, the Beehive State’s top recruit in the 2020 class and a five-star prospect, also made the All-USA first-team defense. He signed with Oregon, where older brother Penei Sewell is a standout — and Outland Trophy winner — on the offensive line.
“A foot injury delayed the start of Sewell’s season, but in 10 games, he racked up 103 tackles (12 for loss), four sacks and two interceptions, and had 968 offensive yards with 16 touchdowns,” USA Today wrote.
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And finally...
Utah Jazz guard Joe Ingles poked fun at teammate Georges Niang after the team’s win over the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday night with a reference to comedian/actor Adam Sandler.