Katoa Could Decide This Weekend
Cottonwood linebacker Lynn Katoa probably won't see much of a game on Saturday when he travels to Norman to watch Oklahoma play host to North Texas in the Sooners' opener. But it could be the most memorable trip of Katoa's life.
The senior who has been called the fourth-best prep middle linebacker in the country by several reputable recruiting services said he might make his college decision known immediately after the trip.
The 6-foot-2, 220-pound phenom has also visited Texas. He has fielded nearly 100 offers. Not bad for a youngster who has played only two seasons of organized football. The Colts (2-0) play host to Provo on Friday night.
"I am going to Oklahoma on Saturday and then I plan to make my decision right after that," Katoa said, noting that he will return to Salt Lake City and talk to his father and Cottonwood coach Cecil Thomas.
Katoa told The Recruiting Trail and a local television station earlier this week that his top five are Oklahoma, Texas, Wisconsin, Miami and Texas A&M. However, he has acknowledged to several sources that it is really a two-horse race between Oklahoma and Texas for his services.
"Those two are dead-even," he said.
Katoa grew up in the Dallas-Forth Worth area, then moved to Utah with him family prior to his sophomore year. He recorded 109 tackles and 13 sacks last season, his first full season of prep football.
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Y. Not Alone on Liaina
While BYU and Utah were never really in the Katoa Sweepstakes, the Cougars are still hoping to land a highly touted fullback/linebacker from Oxnard, Calif.
Ina Liaina of Rio Mesa High is ranked as the No. 9 fullback in the country by Scout.com, partially because the 6-foot-2, 215-pound bruiser has 4.6 speed in the 40. BYU was one of the first schools to offer Liaina, who is not LDS. But now BYU has some company.
Liaina has said he has offers from Oregon State, Hawaii and San Diego State, in addition to BYU.
He was the primary blocker for Malachi Lewis, who's now at Oregon, last fall, but still managed 452 rushing yards on 52 carries. He also had 18 catches for 337 yards. On defense, Liaina had 86 tackles and two sacks.
Because his father is a pastor and he has grown up "in a religious home," Liaina has said he could fit in OK at LDS Church-operated BYU.
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Utahns Back East
Former Dixie High and Copper Hills High head coach Mike Smith won his college coaching debut on Saturday when his Southern Virginia Knights downed fellow NCAA Division II foe Kentucky Wesleyan 42-35 in Kentucky.
SVU recruits Utah heavily, Smith told The Recruiting Trail at the state wrestling meet last winter, because the school in Buena Vista, Va., bills itself as the BYU of the East Coast.
Saturday, former Sky View lineman Ben Burningham and former Cottonwood lineman Tyler Card helped provide protection for a quarterback who threw for 554 yards and six touchdowns.
Utah natives Matt Hadfield (Lehi/Snow College) and Chaz Housley (Logan) were also instrumental in the win as Hadfield caught five passes for 79 yards and Housley caught three passes for 57 yards. Shea Owens (Lone Peak) and Tyler Bills (Springville) contributed to the defensive effort.
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Cougs After Coach's Son
BYU is still in the hunt for defensive back Greg Castillo, a senior at Philadelphia's St. Joseph Prep, although Castillo has picked up several offers since getting one from BYU in June.
Castillo was recommended to BYU by Eagles coach Andy Reid. His father, Juan Castillo, is the Eagles' offensive line coach. Greg Castillo, 5-foot-11 and 160 pounds, recently received an offer from Villanova. BYU, Delaware, Bowling Green and Ohio offered him earlier this summer. Castillo made 50 tackles and four interceptions as a junior.
The senior who has been called the fourth-best prep middle linebacker in the country by several reputable recruiting services said he might make his college decision known immediately after the trip.
The 6-foot-2, 220-pound phenom has also visited Texas. He has fielded nearly 100 offers. Not bad for a youngster who has played only two seasons of organized football. The Colts (2-0) play host to Provo on Friday night.
"I am going to Oklahoma on Saturday and then I plan to make my decision right after that," Katoa said, noting that he will return to Salt Lake City and talk to his father and Cottonwood coach Cecil Thomas.
Katoa told The Recruiting Trail and a local television station earlier this week that his top five are Oklahoma, Texas, Wisconsin, Miami and Texas A&M. However, he has acknowledged to several sources that it is really a two-horse race between Oklahoma and Texas for his services.
"Those two are dead-even," he said.
Katoa grew up in the Dallas-Forth Worth area, then moved to Utah with him family prior to his sophomore year. He recorded 109 tackles and 13 sacks last season, his first full season of prep football.
------
Y. Not Alone on Liaina
While BYU and Utah were never really in the Katoa Sweepstakes, the Cougars are still hoping to land a highly touted fullback/linebacker from Oxnard, Calif.
Ina Liaina of Rio Mesa High is ranked as the No. 9 fullback in the country by Scout.com, partially because the 6-foot-2, 215-pound bruiser has 4.6 speed in the 40. BYU was one of the first schools to offer Liaina, who is not LDS. But now BYU has some company.
Liaina has said he has offers from Oregon State, Hawaii and San Diego State, in addition to BYU.
He was the primary blocker for Malachi Lewis, who's now at Oregon, last fall, but still managed 452 rushing yards on 52 carries. He also had 18 catches for 337 yards. On defense, Liaina had 86 tackles and two sacks.
Because his father is a pastor and he has grown up "in a religious home," Liaina has said he could fit in OK at LDS Church-operated BYU.
------
Utahns Back East
Former Dixie High and Copper Hills High head coach Mike Smith won his college coaching debut on Saturday when his Southern Virginia Knights downed fellow NCAA Division II foe Kentucky Wesleyan 42-35 in Kentucky.
SVU recruits Utah heavily, Smith told The Recruiting Trail at the state wrestling meet last winter, because the school in Buena Vista, Va., bills itself as the BYU of the East Coast.
Saturday, former Sky View lineman Ben Burningham and former Cottonwood lineman Tyler Card helped provide protection for a quarterback who threw for 554 yards and six touchdowns.
Utah natives Matt Hadfield (Lehi/Snow College) and Chaz Housley (Logan) were also instrumental in the win as Hadfield caught five passes for 79 yards and Housley caught three passes for 57 yards. Shea Owens (Lone Peak) and Tyler Bills (Springville) contributed to the defensive effort.
------
Cougs After Coach's Son
BYU is still in the hunt for defensive back Greg Castillo, a senior at Philadelphia's St. Joseph Prep, although Castillo has picked up several offers since getting one from BYU in June.
Castillo was recommended to BYU by Eagles coach Andy Reid. His father, Juan Castillo, is the Eagles' offensive line coach. Greg Castillo, 5-foot-11 and 160 pounds, recently received an offer from Villanova. BYU, Delaware, Bowling Green and Ohio offered him earlier this summer. Castillo made 50 tackles and four interceptions as a junior.
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