Malosi Ilaoa’s future could be in the Beehive State with Scalley’s hard-hitting defensive identity taking shape.
Utah got in early with Malosi Ilaoa. He was only a sophomore when the Utes offered him. And at the time, Utah was just the second school to make that move.
Now, the 6-foot-3, 190-pound Timpview (Utah) safety has developed into one of the best defensive back prospects in the 2028 class. The Rivals Industry Ranking has Ilaoa as the No. 15 safety in the class, while 247Sports has him at No. 17 at the position.
And Utah is still right there.
Lewis Powell originally offered Ilaoa, and that moment has stuck with him.
“Lewis Powell was the one who offered me,” Ilaoa told me. “When I received the offer, I was psyched. The reason being is because I was a sophomore and Utah was my second offer at the time.”
For Ilaoa, it was not just about adding another offer.
Utah believing in him that early gave him something to prove.
“Also, it made me feel like they believed in what I can do, so I worked even harder to prove that I deserve it,” he said.
It is easy to recruit a kid once everybody knows his name. Utah was there before Ilaoa had developed into the prospect he is now, and he remembers that.
The staff has changed some since that original offer, but Utah has made sure the relationship has not.
USA TODAY Sports via Reuters ConnectSharrieff Shah and new safeties coach Derrick Odum have taken over much of that communication with Ilaoa. Shah is now Utah’s associate head coach and corners coach.
At the same time, Odum returned to Salt Lake City this offseason to coach safeties after spending nine seasons as San Jose State’s defensive coordinator.
“Coach Shah and Odum just been hitting me up on text every other week,” Ilaoa said. “They let me know that I am valued over there and that they want me to succeed.”
The interesting part is how Utah sees him fitting into the defense.
At 6-foot-3 and already around 190 pounds before his junior season, Ilaoa has the frame to grow quite a bit over the next couple of years.
Utah is not trying to lock him into one position this early.
“How they see me fitting the defense is as a safety if I keep my weight or a linebacker if I gain weight,” Ilaoa said.
Ilaoa has legitimate size, but he also has the speed to go with it. He lists a 4.4 in the 40, giving Utah plenty of options depending on how his body develops over the next two years.
The Utes also have a real track record of developing a prospect like Ilaoa. Under Morgan Scalley, Utah has developed defensive backs like Marcus Williams, Marquise Blair, Jaylon Johnson, Julian Blackmon, Terrell Burgess, Cole Bishop and Sione Vaki into NFL Draft picks.
Now Scalley is running the entire program, and one part of his vision has clearly caught Ilaoa’s attention.
RSNB.
Relentless. Smart. Nasty. Ballhawks.
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectThat has been the identity Scalley built on the defensive side of the ball for years, and it has become an even bigger part of Utah’s identity as Scalley begins his first season as head coach.
Ilaoa is paying attention. “Right now, Utah is one of my top favorites because of how much they have been letting me know what kind of culture they are building, which is the RSNB culture,” he said.
That is probably the biggest takeaway from where this recruitment currently stands.
It is still really early. Ilaoa has two high school seasons ahead of him, his offer list is already growing, and plenty of time remains for more programs to get involved.
The Utes have been there. They offered early, stayed in contact, and already gave Ilaoa a clear picture of where he could fit on the defense.
When Ilaoa eventually makes his decision, education and faith will carry a lot of weight.
“The biggest things I look for in a school when I make my decision is the education and if
I can serve my mission,” Ilaoa said.
For a local prospect in Timpview, Utah, BYU is right there. But proximity alone won't decide this recruitment.
“Playing close to home does not play a role in where I go,” Ilaoa said. “My parents just want the best education for me and availability for the gospel as well.”
And while his recruitment continues to grow, so does Ilaoa.
The biggest jump he has seen in his own game has been his speed.
“The biggest jump in my game that I feel I made was definitely my speed,” Ilaoa said. “That was one of the things I wanted to build, and it shows.”
He also made sure the credit did not stop with him.
“None of this would have been possible without my parents and Stro Performance.”
At 6-foot-3, 190 pounds with that kind of speed, there is a lot to work with.
Whether Ilaoa ultimately stays at safety or grows into a linebacker remains to be seen. He is still young enough that Utah does not need that answer yet.
They offered him when he was a sophomore. They have stayed consistent through the coaching transition. Shah and Odum have continued building the relationship. The staff has given him a plan for his future, and Scalley’s RSNB culture has connected with him. There is a long way to go in the 2028 cycle.
But right now, Utah is not just another school on Ilaoa’s offer list. They look to be one of the early favorites.
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