Chino Hills, Calif. safety Philip Afia has signed his National Letter of Intent and will be playing football for the University of Utah, the Utes announced today. Afia stands 6-foot-2, 190 pounds and runs a 4.5 40-yard dash. The versatile player projects as a safety at the collegiate level, but in high school, Afia played wide receiver, as well as returned kickoffs and punts. His versatility should give Utah many options for using the playmaker, much in the same way as they did with recent All-American Kaelin Clay.
Afia played at Ayala High School and was rated a 3-star defensive back by both Rivals.com and Scout.com. Rivals even named him to their California Postseason Top100. In just seven games this past season (missed the first part of the season with an injury), he amassed 58 tackles and three interceptions. Totaled 86 tackles and four interceptions in 10 games his junior year.
Interestingly, Afia grew up playing soccer and had never even seen a football game before trying out for the Ayala team his freshman year... as the kicker.
Afia held offers from Boise State, Oregon State, and Washington State, among others.