Ephraim Asiata’s comeback tour takes its next step in the process this weekend, as he is set to begin his official visits.

Back on January 13, 2022 this recruiting process was the last thing on everyone’s minds. Asiata, an elite football player, prized recruit, and son of former Utah Ute and NFL running back Matt Asiata, was shot not far from Hunter HS. Initially the outlook seemed grim. Fast-forward a year and a half later and Asiata is a miraculous story, not only surviving, but being cleared to be able to play football again.

Currently Asiata has offers from Utah, BYU, and San Diego State. Both USC and Tennessee are monitoring his situation, as they know what he’s capable of, but want to see what he can do in his official comeback season.

Asiata caught up with UteNation, just as he was eagerly getting ready to head to Utah for his first official visit.

“I’m really excited,” he exclaimed. “That school has always been ‘the school’ growing up, so I’ve been looking forward to this for a long time, actually.”

His dad, Matt Asiata, is a beloved Ute, playing there from 2007-2010. He then famously got cut by the Minnesota Vikings as a rookie, worked a warehouse job for one year, and then made the Vikings the following season. He then went on to a five year NFL career.

Despite the Utah ties, Matt isn’t pushing Ephraim one way or the other.

“He tells me his path was his path and mine is mine,” said Ephraim. “Where I fit the most or wherever I can play and show out, is the best spot to be at.”

That kind of advice from his father means a lot because of their close relationship.

“Every advice I get from my dad, I really take to heart and try to keep that in my head,” he said.

Even at that, Ephraim admits that Utah holds a special place in his heart.

“Yeah, I would say they do have a slight advantage over the other ones just because of my family and everything,” he said. “I’ve talked to all my family about it actually. They don’t know anything about anything else other than football and what my dad came from—and where my Uncle (Shawn) came from.”

His reasons for Utah do have more to do than with the fact it’s the family school. Their recent success and ability to consistently compete at a high level in the Pac-12 is also very appealing to Ephraim.

“Utah is obviously Utah, to our family and to me,” he continued. “They’re always the best in the Pac-12. You know, that’s the best team to be at in the Pac-12.”

With Utah being what he knows, his upcoming trips will be important. Although, there’s still plenty of familiarity and comfort at BYU. He’ll visit the Cougars on June 23rd.

“BYU, their new coaching at staff with coach Jay Hill and (Kalani) Sitake, they recruited my dad to Utah,” said Asiata. “They’re the ones that offered me at BYU, as well. I think that was pretty cool. Their new defensive coordinator and their newer coaching staff, I think they have a really great plan of what they're doing.”

Those are the two officials he has set for now, but others are likely to come during or after his high school season. In the process, he’ll be looking to see how schools treat his family and how the family as a whole feels about it.

Just take one glance at his social media at @AsiataEphraim44 and it’s easy to see that football is life. However, there’s an additional aspect he’s looking for in the eventual school that he attends.

“I think just the overall of what I get out of the school besides just football and seeing how my life could be set up after football,” said Asiata.

Among the other schools interested, USC yet to offer, but are monitoring Asiata closely. Defensive line coach Shaun Nua recently stopped at Herriman HS. “He talked to me about how I felt about leaving Utah. I told him I was all about it. College is college and football is football,” said Asiata.

Along with USC, according to Asiata, Tennessee is also monitoring his situation closely.

“Every school says the same thing really. They have to wait to maybe see if I can still play,” he said. “I’m not really tripping on that though, so I’m just going to wait it through.”

A decision isn’t expected anytime soon for justifiable reasons. “Just because with everything happening, I feel like I could put more film up during my senior year and get more scholarships,” Asiata explained.

Asked if it’ll be tough to look past the loyalty that Utah and BYU have shown over the last year and a half and Asiata admitted as much.

“Yeah, I think so,” he said. “(I think) it’ll be a battle of staying home.”

From being a rising football star, to it being a miracle he’s still here, Asiata is ready to write his next chapter in football and in life. It wasn’t the path he expected, but one thing should be expected… never bet against Ephraim Asiata.