Utah Football Adds Local 2027 Prospect to Recruiting Class
The Utah football program continued building its 2027 recruiting class on Tuesday with a commitment from Skyline High School standout Jonah Mailei, who announced his decision on social media.
Mailei became the first running back in Utah’s 2027 class and the fourth overall pledge for the Utes. He selected Morgan Scalley and the Utah coaching staff over offers from Oregon State, Boise State, San Diego State, and Northern Arizona.
The 6-foot running back attracted attention from several Pac-12 programs despite remaining largely under the radar nationally. At the time of his commitment, Mailei had not yet received a ranking from major recruiting outlets such as 247Sports, On3/Rivals, or ESPN. Still, his production during his junior season showcased his versatility and playmaking ability on both sides of the ball for Skyline.
Offensively, Mailei totaled more than 1,500 yards from scrimmage, including 1,215 rushing yards on 189 carries while averaging 6.4 yards per attempt. He also found the end zone 12 times. Defensively, he contributed 48 tackles, one sack, and an interception from his linebacker position, along with a defensive touchdown against East High School in October.
His strong all-around performance earned him all-state honorable mention recognition as a two-way player.
How Mailei eventually fits into Utah’s future backfield remains to be seen. The Utes could still have several current running backs on the roster by 2027, including Wayshawn Parker, Steve Chavez-Soto, Daniel Bray, and LaMarcus Bell, while Mateaki Helu and Boston Reinhold also provide depth. However, with the transfer portal constantly reshaping college football rosters, projecting future depth charts has become increasingly difficult, making high school recruiting an important focus for Scalley and his staff.
Although Mailei may not carry the national profile of a blue-chip recruit, he comes from a strong football background. He is the son of former NFL running back and Super Bowl champion Marcus Mailei, who played at Weber State before winning Super Bowl XLIV with the New Orleans Saints in 2009. Marcus Mailei originally entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Philadelphia Eagles after earning two All-Big Sky selections during his college career.
Utah’s 2027 Recruiting Class
With Mailei’s commitment, Utah’s 2027 recruiting class now includes four players and currently ranks No. 69 nationally according to 247Sports:
- Jack Henderson — No. 86 linebacker prospect from Boise, Idaho
- Tiki Teeples — No. 125 defensive lineman from Waddell, Arizona
- Kingston Parks — No. 174 wide receiver from Aledo, Texas
- Jonah Mailei — Running back from Skyline High School in Utah
Leave a Reply