2028 two-way lineman Tupu Aaitui high on Utah after gameday visit
NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...
The Utah Utes continue to make a strong impression on 2028 in-state lineman Tupu Aaitui.
The 6-foot-3, 300-pound OL/DL out of Layton Christian Academy was in Rice-Eccles Stadium for Utah’s 66-14 win over Idaho, getting an opportunity to spend time around Morgan Scalley’s program.
“Something that really stood out to me was their culture,” Aaitui told me. “Got to talk to lots of coaches, but the main ones I was in contact with were Coach Jordan Gross and Coach Luther Elliss.”
Aaitui has been building relationships with both sides of Utah’s staff, with Gross coaching the offensive line and Elliss working with the defensive tackles.
But more than any one coach, Aaitui was impressed with how consistent Utah’s message was throughout the program.
“Once again about the culture at Utah, if you went to any other school in the nation and asked about their culture, you would get a different answer and a different opinion from all different people,” Aaitui said. “Now, if you ask ANYONE on the Utah staff and team, they will all give you the same response.”
“You can tell Coach Scalley preaches that RSNB — Relentless, Smart, Nasty, Ballhawks — culture EVERY SINGLE DAY.”
Aaitui also liked what he saw once the game started, especially in the trenches.
“Something that really caught my attention — trenches-wise — is the way they’re so physical,” Aaitui said. “On both sides of the ball, the offensive and defensive trenches are all dawgs, and they all play with a different level of physicality.”
Utah finished the night with 633 yards of offense, including 364 on the ground, while controlling the game up front for most of the night.
For a prospect who plays on both sides of the line, that physical style stood out.
And after another trip to Salt Lake City, Utah appears to be in a strong spot early in Aaitui’s recruitment.
“In all honesty, after that nice visit at the U, they hold a high favor on my list of schools,” Aaitui said. “I really love the program, and I love the culture and community; we’ll just see what Heavenly Father has in mind!”
There is still a long way to go in the 2028 recruiting cycle, but Utah has clearly made an early impression on one of the state’s young linemen.
Aaitui might have the oddest list of early offers for a recruit in quite some time. Utah is his only Power Four offer, along with Oregon State and Dartmouth. Big 12 mixed with Pac-12 and Ivy League.
More Utah Utes News:
Five takeaways: Utah's offense explodes for 633 yards in 66-14 win over Idaho
Dampier, Ficklin aim for college football's top QB room at Utah
Kyle Whittingham breaks silence on injury mismanagement allegations at Utah
Utah set to make major changes to football uniforms ahead of 2026 season
More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos