Utah football went back to the powerhouse Florida high school St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) for running back Devontae Henry-Cole. Utah signed two players (S Tyson Cisrow and DE/OLB Chris Hart) last year from St. Thomas Aquinas. St. Thomas Aquinas has produced more NFL players than any other high school in the country. Henry-Cole's primary recruiter was Utah assistant head coach Dennis Erickson. He also held offers from Cincinnati, Florida Atlantic, Florida International, Middle Tennessee State, Pittsburgh, Southern Miss, Wake Forest, and Western Kentucky.
Henry-Cole, a composite three-star running back according to 247Sports, is 5-9, 190. Henry-Cole has faced elite competition both on his own team (he is teammates with five-star defensive end Nick Bosa) and opposing teams. He is fast with nice moves in the open field. He hits the hole hard and does not dance around.
With the first name Devontae, he will have big shoes to fill with Devontae Booker off to the NFL. Utah does have a need at running back especially after the 2016 season. Henry-Cole seems like another hidden gem for the Utes at running back.