Utah Utes RB prospect Byron Cardwell is an SI All-American nominee

It may be the month of July, and the COVID-19 pandemic may be seriously hindering recruiting for most of the college football programs throughout the country. But for the University of Utah, head coach Kyle Whittingham and co. are off to a stellar start in recruiting compared to where they usually are this time of year.

Headlining Utah's 2021 recruiting class is quarterback Peter Costelli, one of the top-ranked passers in the country according SI All American's John Garcia.

Joining Costelli is one of the premier running backs in the country in soon-to-be four-star running back Ricky Parks out of Gaither High School in Tampa, Florida and Deamikkio Nathan, the playmaker out of South Grand Prairie High School in Grand Prairie, Texas.

But Utah has typically taken multiple runnings backs in each class — and although Parks shows a lot of potential, Byron Cardwell out of Morse High School in San Diego, Calif is the type of runner who can change a program. Cardwell was recently named an SI All-American nominee.

Over the coming weeks, SI will unveil its preseason top 10 for each of 14 position groups (kicking off with quarterbacks this week). SI will unveil its initial top 99 ranking, the SI99, on August 24.

The evaluation process will continue throughout the season “until the list of 1,000 contenders coalesces around just 25 young men who can say proudly they are the best of the best -- they are Sports Illustrated All-Americans,” said SI Director of Football Recruiting John Garcia Jr.

The candidates will be narrowed to 250 in October and 99 in November, and will culminate with 25 first-team Sports Illustrated All-Americans saluted at SI’s annual Sportsperson of the Year banquet in New York in December.

Cardwell really broke through the recruiting ranks when he dominated the competition by being named the MVP at the Under Armour All-America Camp in Los Angeles on Feb. 9.

He had an amazing combine performance and an outstanding display of effort throughout the entire camp. Despite the wet conditions with the rain coming down, Cardwell ran a soaking wet 4.63-second 40-yard dash, clocked a 4.23 shuttle and jumped a 30-inch vertical.

Right now, it appears the Pac-12 is leading the way in his recruitment and trying to keep one of the nation's top prospects on the West Coast. Cal, UCLA, USC, Washington and Utah are all listed among Cardwell's top schools.

Utah's running back room is a little less crowded with the departure of Devonta’e Henry-Cole — which leaves expected junior starter Devin Brumfield and sophomore backup Jordan Wilmore, who drew raves in fall camp, as the two primary ball carriers.

The Utes only signed one running back in the 2020 class, 3-star Ty Jordan, who is versatile and could move into the slot. But based on his size and running style, Cardwell could immediately come in and give Utah a power-runner to begin with.

Here's a complete breakdown by SI All-American director of recruiting John Gracia regarding what Cardwell can do at the next level...

Coach Kremer has just informed me that Utah has just offered me. Blessed and glad to have this opportunity 💯 @joekremer95 @Utah_Football @SASaintsFB pic.twitter.com/6rULwoK5sZ
— Byron “Unk” Cardwell Jr (@ByronCardwell2) April 22, 2019

Prospect: Byron Cardwell
Status: SI All-American Candidate
Vitals: 6-foot, 193 pounds
School: San Diego (Calif.) Samuel F.B. Morse
Position: Running Back
Schools of Interest: Cal, UCLA, USC, Washington, Michigan, Florida State, LSU, Utah, Nebraska and Penn State, among others.
Projected Position: Running Back

Frame: Well-proportioned overall. Relatively thick with emerging muscle. Solid trunk and carved calves. Plenty of room to add good mass, especially in upper half.

Athleticism: Notably light feet in short spaces. Good agility; occasionally embarrasses defenders. Surprising top-end speed in open field, but can’t always turn corner near LOS. Keen sense of balance. Usually brought down by multiple defenders.

Instincts: Impressive vision in box and open field. Always aware of potential cutback. Patient runner; will sit behind offensive linemen as play develops. Puts head down for extra yardage when necessary.

Polish: Good footwork in backfield. Runs low, maintaining strong center of gravity. Not much of a factor in passing game. Has strength and disposition to be effective in pass protection, but limited experience.

Bottom Line: Cardwell should see the field as a freshman, and emerge as a program’s lead back by the time he’s a junior at the latest. Speed against Power-5 defenders could be major swing factor. Cardwell’s vision, agility and burgeoning power will ensure he’s productive regardless.

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