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- Esun Tafa, a highly ranked four-star offensive lineman from Corner Canyon, is garnering interest from several west coast schools, including Utah, BYU, Washington, Oregon, and USC.
- Despite Utah's recent loss, Tafa enjoyed the game atmosphere and has strong ties with its coaching staff, particularly Jim Harding.
- Tafa's connections to Oregon, where his uncle Tony Tuioti coaches and former teammate Jackson Powers-Johnson played, also make it an appealing option.
DRAPER — Several schools are currently in the mix for four-star offensive lineman Esun Tafa.
Tafa is ranked the No. 5 recruit in Utah, according to 247Sports, the No. 12 interior offensive lineman in the country, and the No. 193 overall recruit in the Class of 2026.
The Corner Canyon offensive lineman was in attendance for Utah's home matchup against Arizona. And although the Utes suffered their first loss of the season, Tafa said he loved the atmosphere the game provided.
That, coupled with his relationship with Utah's coaching staff, made it a great visit to campus.
"I'm close with all their coaches, really, especially coach (Jim) Harding," Tafa said. "I love the coaches over there. There's a lot of good linemen over there. … It's a crazy atmosphere over there."
Tafa has also heard from BYU a lot, but he hasn't paid a visit there yet this season. He noticed the Cougars' 5-0 start to the season, and likes that out of the program.
Tafa is also planning on taking a trip to Seattle to visit Washington when the Huskies are set to take on Michigan in a rematch from the previous national championship game.
"I'm excited for that one," Tafa said.
But he has family ties, and Corner Canyon ties, at another Big Ten school that's made it an attractive option for him, as well, and that's Oregon.
Tafa's uncle, Tony Tuioti, is Oregon's defensive line coach. In addition, former Corner Canyon four-star recruit Jackson Powers-Johnson attended Oregon before being drafted by the Las Vegas Raiders.
"I love him (Tuioti), I love that school, it's great," Tafa said. "Jackson Powers, he went there straight from Corner Canyon — might have to carry on the legacy."
But Tafa's current teammate, Jerome Myles, committed to USC on Sept. 18, a school that is also recruiting Tafa. Myles gives his pitch to Tafa often on why he should join him in Los Angeles in 2026.
"They're hitting me up a lot," Tafa said. "Jerome's trying to get me to come with him."
Tafa's Corner Canyon Chargers are currently 7-1 on the season.
