Boom! Utah football was able to flip Arizona Western College four-star linebacker David Laufatasaga from Ole Miss. It was a strong recruiting day overall for the Rebels, but not with Laufatasaga. This is a huge get for the Utes and helps fill a big position of need. Laufatasaga is originally from Farrington HS (Honolulu, Hawaii). He was committed to Ole Miss for almost a year before flipping to Utah on National Signing Day. He is the second JUCO linebacker to sign with Utah today (along with Snow College LB Kurtis Taufa). Laufatasaga will be expected to come in and compete for a starting spot right away. All three of Utah's starting linebackers from last season, Gionni Paul, Jared Norris, and Jason Whittingham, have graduated.
Laufatasaga has good size at 6-4, 230. He can rush the passer off the edge and can make plays on the running back. He is quick off the edge and has a nose for the football. He is a sure tackler and can rip the football from a ball carrier's hands.
In addition to Utah and Ole Miss, Luafatasaga had offers from Arizona, Arizona State, Cal, Colorado, Nebraska, Oregon State, and Washington State. This is great pickup for the Utes on Signing Day.