Orphey switches to Utah

When Santa Ana Community College cornerback Davion Orphey committed to BYU early this fall, many assumed that the 6-foot-1 inch, 185 pound defender was finished with his recruitment. However, after a surprise official visit to Utah over the weekend, Orphey decided that he would rather make his home in Salt Lake City, and committed to the Utes.

According to Orphey, the decision to switch to Utah came as a result of his comfort with the program. "[Utah] was more my style. I fit in more. My cousin is over there - Keith McGill. He's also going to be a corner. It will be fun to play with him. I also had a good connection with [Utah defensive backs] Coach Shah. We really see eye to eye with each other. He came from the same area where I come from. I just really felt comfortable there," Orphey explained.

The ability to play in the Pac-12 was also a big selling point for Orphey. "Coming from California, I wanted to play against the Pac-12 schools like USC and Oregon. I grew up a huge USC fan, but they weren't recruiting me, so now I want to play against them. Utah also has the most corners in league. That was a big part of my decision too," he said.

During the trip, Orphey felt strong bond with the players at Utah. "What impressed me most was the guys, just how they are. I know a lot of them from growing up. I also loved the coaches. They're easy to relate to and you can talk with them.

Orphey was also impressed with the game day atmosphere at Utah, which he experienced firsthand as the Utes beat Cal on Saturday. "The atmosphere is crazy. Everyone there loves Ute football. It was kind of like that at BYU, but it's better at Utah," he said.

Throughout his recruitment, Orphey has developed a strong relationship with Utah receivers coach Aaron Roderick. 'He's been recruiting me since I was in high school, but I wasn't able to make grades. I remember him from high school, so I've known him for a while. I trust him. I believe him," he said.

According to Orphey, the BYU coaches were disappointed in his decision to switch, and will continue to try and recruit him. "I explained it to them. [The BYU coaches] said I have a better schedule at BYU and it would be better for me at BYU - that there would be a lot of partying at Utah and it wouldn't be good for me because I need to be focused. They said they will keep recruiting me. They were telling me what was best for me but at end of day was my decision," he said.

Orphey has offers from Utah, BYU, Utah State, Mississippi State, San Jose State, Boise State, and San Diego State. Although he has other schools that want to bring him in for visits, Orphey hasn't set up anything officially and is leaning toward shutting his recruitment down. "I think I'm done. My mind is set. The Pac-12 has been my dream since I was little. That's something good. I'd rather play against those guys now," he said. "I just want to come in ball out and be known. I want to play against the best. Every week in the Pac-12, you go up against good receivers. I want to be a part of that. I want to go against the best and show what I can do."