More than BCS at stake for Utah against TCU

FORT WORTH -- Sitting in the top 10 of the BCS with a perfect 9-0 record, Utah is practically the envy of most of the college football world.

Yet that could all come crashing down with a home loss to TCU on Thursday night.

Not only would the Utes fall out of the running for a berth in a BCS bowl and the financial windfall that follows, but they would also likely lose face in the world of recruiting. Yes, Utah is still one of the premier non-BCS programs in the country, but would it still be viewed as the best - this season - after losing ground to Mountain West Conference rival TCU on the field and media darling Boise State in the polls?

That's a tough question to answer, especially considering the amount of talent Utah has already locked up with verbal commitments from in-state standouts like defensive lineman James Alono (Snow Junior College), offensive lineman Vyncent Jones (Sandy Jordan) and safety Chris Washington (Layton Northridge). 

But the Utes also have their eyes on a handful of prospects from the Lone Star State, meaning a loss to TCU could cause those prospects to look elsewhere.

At the top of that list is Pearland running back Kasey Carrier. The 5-foot-9, 180-pound speedster is among the top backs in the state with good reason.

Carrier is following up a breakout junior season (1,700 yards and 19 touchdowns) with a stellar senior campaign, leading the state-ranked Oilers with 140 carries for 1,286 yards and 22 touchdowns. The Pearland senior is also weighing offers from Houston, Arkansas and Texas A&M, but the Utes could have the inside track with teammate Jarrad Stewart already committed to Utah.

"I'd love to play with Casey another four years," said the 5-foot-10, 185-pound safety. "Utah just won me over and I know they could do the same for him."

Carrier said he isn't afraid to leave the state to play, but also said he doesn't have a front runner at the moment. The Pearland star said he's focused on the season right now and just wants to be a part of a winner when he makes his decision.

"I try to bring whatever I can to the table," Carrier said. "I can run the ball, catch the ball, block - whatever I can do to help the team win, that's what I'm gonna do."

Euless Trinity defensive lineman Siosaia "L.T." Tuipulotu is also giving the Utes a hard look. The 6-foot-2, 290-pounder is a load to handle up front because of his strength and speed and anchors one of the best defensive lines in the state.

Tuipulotu said he won't make his decision until after Trinity's season is complete, but lists Utah, Nebraska, Louisville, Oklahoma and SMU among possibilities. 

Another pair of teammates considering joining the Utah program are South Grand Prairie safety Thomas Ferguson and defensive lineman Joey Searcy. Both have made no reservations about leaving Texas, yet both also are keeping their options open to teams closer to home.

Ferguson, a 6-foot-1, 205-pound safety doesn't have a front runner among Utah, Oklahoma State, Kansas and Arizona, but is very impressed with what the Utes have to offer.

"I really want to be in business and I like their business program. I also like that the coaches aren't just telling me what I want to hear," Ferguson said. "I like what I see [on the field] too, so yeah I guess you could say I'm impressed."

The South Grand Prairie senior is somewhat of a tweener with his size and speed (timed at 4.6 in the 40-yard dash), but he makes up for it with his lateral quickness. Ferguson is among the team's leading tacklers despite playing linebacker for the first time in his career and said he's open to playing either position in college.

"I think coaches see me at both, so it just depend on what they need," Ferguson said. "I think I fit into [Utah's] defensive schemes very well."

Searcy, a 6-foot-1, 278-pound defensive end lists Utah, Minnesota, Missouri and Colorado among his favorites, but also doesn't name a front runner. Searcy visited Iowa State over the weekend and has a visit to Minnesota scheduled for this weekend, but said he hasn't ruled out a trip to Salt Lake City. 

The fact that the Utes are also recruiting a teammate set Searcy at ease about being so far from home. He said having someone that "you really know as a person" along for the ride helps in the decision-making process, but also mentioned that Utah has impressed him on its own.

How?

"Their toughness, and how they play everyone," Searcy said.

Date of Article: Tue Nov 04, 2008 5:34 pm

Related Content:
- South Grand Prairie