Hartzog switches to Utah

Despite initially committing to Houston, Westside (Houston, Texas) receiver Bobby Hartzog made a surprise switch on Wednesday, and committed to play for Utah.

For Hartzog, the change of heart came as a result of doing a lot of homework on the options available to him. "I just realized that Utah was the best fit for me. Me and my parents did a lot of research on the schools that have offered and we believe that it was the best fit for me," Hartzog said.

One of the big factors in Hartzog's commitment to Utah was his relationship with safeties coach Morgan Scalley. "Me and Coach Scalley, we have a real close relationship. Coach Scalley said he would take care of me and that I could trust him. He said that Utah has a real family environment, and that they're fired up about me and really want me to come," he said.

Another factor in Hartzog's decision is his friendship with 2013 Utah signee Hipolito Corporan. "We're pretty cool. Even before I got the offer, he's been telling me that Utah was a good school," he said.

Hartzog relishes the opportunity to play in the Pac-12 and make a name for himself playing in one of the best conferences in the nation. "I think it's an amazing opportunity to play in a big conference like that. I'm blessed to have an opportunity to play in that conference. They have great competition there. I can't wait," he said.

Hartzog chose the Utes over offers from FBS programs Iowa State, Houston, Texas San Antonio and Texas State. Although he has yet to visit Utah, he plans on taking a trip later this summer or earlier in the fall. With his commitment to the Utes in place, Hartzog maintains that he's finished with the recruiting process. "I'm going to shut it down. Utah is the place that I want to be and that's where I'm going," he said.

Hartzog is Utah's sixth commitment for the class of 2014, and is the second commit from the state of Texas.