
Four big takeaways from the Dexter Lawrence trade: Barnwell sizes up the Bengals' shocking move
Bengals make a surprising move, trading for Dexter Lawrence with the 10th pick.
Utah's 2027 football recruiting class features a strong group of top 10 prospects, including several five and four-star talents. The rise of high school football talent in Utah has significantly contributed to BYU and Utah's success in college football.
BYU and Utah's rise as College Football Playoff-contending programs over the last decade has a lot to do with the rise of high school talent in the state.
Every year, a good crop of five and four-star talent comes out of the state and takes their talents to one of the in-state programs or another program likely contending for a playoff spot.
This year is no exception, with numerous prospects ranked in the top 200 by multiple recruiting outlets.
Here's a look at the top 10 players from the Beehive State in the 2027 class.
Position: Athlete
Height: 6-2
Weight: 180
Commitment: Uncommitted
Football recruiting notes: Sparrow did a little bit of everything last season for the 10-2 Darts. On offense, he caught 83 passes for 1,218 yards and 16 touchdowns. Defensively he totaled 71 tackles, seven interceptions and 6.5 tackles for loss.
Position: Quarterback
Height: 6-3
Weight: 220
Commitment: Uncommitted
Football recruiting notes: Lopati was the definition of efficient as a junior. He led the Panthers to an 11-win season in 2025, completing 65% of his passes for 2,671 yards and 34 touchdowns while also rushing for 730 yards and 10 more touchdowns.
Position: EDGE
Height: 6-4.5
Weight: 233
Commitment: Oklahoma
Football recruiting notes: Jones transferred from one state championship team in Ridgeline to another in Orem. He helped the Riverhawks finish 14-0 last season, totaling 80 tackles, 26 tackles for loss, 14.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles.
Position: Athlete
Height: 5-11
Weight: 185
Commitment: Uncommitted
Football recruiting notes: Itaaehau was another two-way standout for the Darts last season. He totaled 1,286 total yards of offense and 16 touchdowns on offense while also recording 33 tackles on defense.
Position: Tight End
Height: 6-5
Weight: 230
Commitment: Uncommitted
Football recruiting notes: Filling in more as a blocker, Hanshaw will likely be relied upon more in the receiving game his senior season. In 2025, he caught 27 passes for 356 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Position: Interior Offensive Lineman
Height: 6-4
Weight: 280
Commitment: Uncommitted
Football recruiting notes: Arizona and Utah have been in a battle for Aloisio, with each set to host him for official visits this summer. He'll be in Arizona on June 12 and Utah a week later.
Position: Athlete
Height: 6-3
Weight: 181
Commitment: Uncommitted
Football recruiting notes: Higginson will have his choice of where to play in college, as he excels on both offense and defense. Offensively, he caught 40 passes for 574 yards and a team-high nine touchdowns in 2025. On defense, he totaled 81 tackles, four tackles for loss, and three interceptions.
Position: Linebacker
Height: 6-1
Weight: 215
Commitment: Uncommitted
Football recruiting notes: Baker's name is fitting as he plays for the Mustangs and was also one of the state's top linebackers in 2025. He capped his junior season with 66 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and two sacks.
Position: Linebacker
Height: 6-3.5
Weight: 215
Commitment: Oregon
Football recruiting notes: Sam Ngata is the son of longtime NFL defensive lineman Haloti Ngata. He committed to Oregon on January 24 and recorded 23 tackles in 2025.
Position: EDGE
Height: 6-3
Weight: 245
Commitment: Uncommitted
Football recruiting notes: The Eagles struggled in 2025, but Wolfgramm was a bright spot. He finished his junior season with 36 tackles, 20 tackles for loss and five sacks.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY High School Sports Wire: Bode Sparrow headlines top 2027 college football recruits from Utah
The top 10 recruits in Utah for the 2027 class include several highly ranked five and four-star prospects.
Utah's high school talent has played a crucial role in the rise of BYU and Utah as College Football Playoff contenders.
Numerous prospects from Utah's 2027 class are ranked in the top 200 by multiple recruiting outlets.
The 2027 recruiting class is significant as it continues the trend of producing elite talent that strengthens local college programs.

Bengals make a surprising move, trading for Dexter Lawrence with the 10th pick.

WrestleMania 42 Highlights: Cody Rhodes retains title, new champions crowned, and surprise returns!

Lakers take down Rockets 107-98 in playoff opener with Kennard's 27 points.
Diamondbacks secure a 6-2 victory over the Blue Jays with strong performances.
Mexico Womenâs National Team Dominates Puerto Rico 6-0 to Qualify for Concacaf Championship!
Rain Delay Disrupts Paul Skenes' Performance, Pirates Lose to Rays
See every story in Sports â including breaking news and analysis.