Ahead of the 2021 high school football season, MaxPreps is breaking down
the top senior prospects in the country state-by-state as rated by
247Sports. We begin the series with Utah, which opens play Aug. 13.
Three of the top six players play for defending 6A champion Corner Canyon (Draper), including No. 1 selection Devin Brown, a transfer quarterback from Arizona. The USC commit replaces the 2020 MaxPreps National Player of the Year Jaxon Dart, who played his senior season in 2020 for the Chargers after transferring from Roy (Utah).
The team Corner Canyon defeated in last year's 6A state finals Lone Peak (Highland) boasts four players on the list, headed by Virginia-bound offensive lineman Joe Brown.
By position, six offensive linemen and athletes each were selected from the Top 25, followed by defensive linemen (five), linebackers (three), wide receivers (two), along with defensive backs, tight ends and quarterbacks, with one each. Thirteen of the 25 have committed to colleges, headlined by four to BYU.
Noah Moeaki, American Fork
File photo by Jay Drowns
6-3 | 190 | Quarterback | USC commit Transfer from Queen Creek (Ariz.) has thrown for 3,080 career yards and 28 touchdowns.
2. Lander Barton | Brighton (Salt Lake City)
6-4 | 215 | LB | UndecidedHas 15 offers including Texas, LSU and Michigan; Been compared to Saints LB Shayn Skov.
3. Ben Roberts | East (Salt Lake City)
6-4 | 290 | DL | WashingtonTennessee and Virginia Tech still in hot pursuit.
4. Aisea Moa | Weber (Pleasant View)
6-2 | 240 | DL | UtahVersatile standout played tight end and both defensive end and tackle. Committed to Utah on Jan. 11.
5. Harrison Taggart | Corner Canyon
6-2 | 200 | LB | UndecidedSpeedy linebacker was sprinter on track team after recording team-best 140 tackles on state-title football squad.
6. Cody Hagen | Corner Canyon
6-1 | 170 | WR | UndecidedHad 55 catches for 1,184 yards and 18 touchdowns for 2020 state champs.
7. George Maile | Bingham (South Jordan)
6-4 | 290 | OL | Baylor Likely a guard in college, he has 14 offers including visits to Baylor and TCU.
8. Carsen Ray | American Fork
6-4 | 235 | TE | UCLAEighteen offers but committed to the Bruins on March 23; 87 career catches, 961 yards, 9 TDs.
9. Noah Moeaki | American Fork
6-3 | 205 | LB | BYUOther offers from Utah, Utah State, Air Force and San Diego State: Had 41 catches for 549 yards and 11 TDs as a TE.
10. Carson Tabaracci | Park City
6-2 | 225 | ATH | UndecidedOhio
State, USC and UCLA are among his 23 offers. Three-sport athlete played
QB, rushed for 10 TDs and caught 11 passes in 2020.
11. Dallas Vakalahi | West (Salt Lake City)
6-3 | 270 | DL | UndecidedSixteen offers, including Stanford, UCLA, Utah, BYU and TCU. Visited Horned Frogs on June 25.
12. Dominique McKenzie | Pine View (St. George)
6-0 | 170 | WR | UndecidedHad 84 catches for 1,719 yards and 18 touchdowns as a junior. Averaged 34.2 yards in 19 kick returns.
13. Jarinn Kalama | Wasatch (Heber City)
6-3 | 200 | ATH | BYUHad 62 catches for 725 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2020, along with 19 tackles and two interceptions.
14. Maika Kaufusi | Alta (Sandy)
6-3 | 180 | S | BYUAnother future Cougar had interest from Cal, Colorado, Utah State and Yale.
15. Joe Brown | Lone Peak (Highland)
6-3 | 285 | OL | VirginiaLeft guard led Lone Peak to 6A state championship game as a junior. He has offers from BYU, Idaho, Indiana and Morehead State.
16. Kao Hansen | Lone Peak
6-3 | 195 | ATH | Utah StateNotched 57 tackles, two interceptions in 2020.
17. Waylin Lapuaho | Bingham
6-4 | 295 | OL | Utah StateOther offers from New Mexico, UNLV and Utah.
18. Marcus McKenzie | Pine View
6-0 | 170 | ATH | UndecidedUnlike twin brother Dominique, most of speedsters work came on defense with 67 tackles from his CB spot.
19. Puna Alatini | Timpview (Provo)
6-1 | 215 | ATH | UndecidedUtah is is only offer, but Colorado, Colorado State, Oregon State and Texas Tech have shown interest.
20. Eric Wilder | Syracuse
6-5 | 280 | OT | Washington StateNation's No. 88 ranked senior tackle has 12 offers, including Cal, UCLA and Fresno State.
21. Irae Leilua | Timpview (Provo)
6-4 | 270 | DL | UndecidedTennessee, Utah, UNLV and San Diego State among his six offers.
22. Connor Kelley | Lone Peak
6-5 | 205 | DE | UndecidedHad 57 tackles and 6.5 sacks in 2020.
23. Peter Falaniko | Pine View6-3 | 305 | OL | BYU
Nation's No. 76 interior offensive lineman also had offers from Hawaii, Georgetown and Fresno State.
24. Tapuvae Amaama | Skyridge (Lehi)
6-4 | 340 | OL | UndecidedLed Falcons to 10-3 record last year, paving way for an offense that averaged 433 yards per game.
25. Luke Hyde | Lone Peak
5-11 | 170 | ATH | UndecidedPassed, rushed and caught the ball for Woods Cross last season. Has offers from Florida Atlantic and Utah.
