FB: Highlights of 2021 ILB prospect Mason Tufaga

Mason Tufaga is class of 2021 prospect, a big-time recruit who is high on the Utes. The 6'1'', 210-pound prospect is a four-star recruit and arguably the top player in Hawaii

With the NCAA extending the recruiting dead period all the way until June 30, now is an extremely important to continue to connect with recruits via phone, text, facetime, etc.

Any chance that Utah coaches have to be in contact with recruits, they must take full advantage of it for the upcoming 2021 class as only Peter Costelli (4*, QB) and Tevita Fotu (JC, DL) are the only commits thus far. Creating relationships with the prospects and setting up on-campus visits for when the dead period ends will be vital if head coach Kyle Whittingham and his staff want to build on the success of the program's greatest recruiting class when the Utes finished with the No. 29 class in the country last year.

"We feel really good about this class," Whittingham said after the singing of the 2020 class. "Our net has been cast fairly wide now and we have guys from all over the country. More than anything though, we are now able to stand toe-to-toe and win some of these battles with high profile schools. If you look at our recruits and their offers, we are beating some really good schools - schools we couldn't even be in the conversation with six or seven years ago."

Now we are going to look at some of Utah's top targets in the 2021 class...

Talk to me nice.🤫🙌🏽 pic.twitter.com/a9tvBUrM3h

— MASØN TUFAGA🇦🇸 (@MasonTufaga) October 27, 2019

MASON TUFAGA
*4-star, Inside Linebacker
*6-foot-1, 210-pounds
*St. Louis HS — Honolulu, HI

Tufaga may not be committed to Utah but he's seen as one of those prospects where it's only a matter of time until he pledges to the Utes. Both 247 analysts Blair Angulo and Steve Bartle are predicting Utah as the favorite for Tufaga's services.

This is a kid who comes from a great high school in producing elite college-level talent, including former Heisman trophy winner Marcus Mariota of Oregon. 

While not the biggest of players right now, Tufaga tests off the charts athletically and is seen as someone who will easily put on good weight at the next level. With Utah's strong Polynesian background, Tufaga's twitter account shows the Utes plenty of love throughout.

#GoUtes #SpursUP🤙🏽 pic.twitter.com/DzvSt2a5Qq

— MASØN TUFAGA🇦🇸 (@MasonTufaga) September 12, 2019

The Utes only signed one ILB recruit from the 2020 class in 3-star Sione Fotu — and with expected 2020 starters Devin Lloyd and Sione Lund draft eligible following the upcoming season, there is room for playing time.