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SALT LAKE CITY — After a standout junior season, Brighton High wide receiver Simi Fehoko wanted to make sure he was ready to play Division I football before his senior year.
Fehoko announced his commitment Sunday, giving him plenty of time to focus on one more go-around with the Bengals.
The four-star wide receiver by 247Sports announced his commitment to Stanford, giving head coach David Shaw and the Cardinal the services of one of the top high school players in the state of Utah.
The decision of the No. 2 recruit in the state by ESPN.com, though, was equally focused on academics as it was playing football, Fehoko told KSL's Jeremiah Jensen.
"Stanford basically speaks for itself," Fehoko said. "The education and football blend is a can't-miss opportunity."
Brighton 4-star WR @Simi_Fehoko on the phone with Stanford coaches making his commitment to the Cardinal official pic.twitter.com/BA3NycHwYr — Jeremiah Jensen (@JJSportsBeat) July 19, 2015
Fehoko averaged 25.4 yards per reception in 2014 to finish with 1,656 yards and 24 touchdowns as a junior while leading the Bengals (10-2) to the Class 5A state semifinals. He also tallied 26 tackles and four interceptions on defense as a defensive back.
The 6-foot-5, 180-pound Fehoko goes into his senior season with 2,113 yards and 25 touchdowns on 83 receptions, a Utah high school single-season record. He also pulled down 10 career interceptions playing on the other side of the ball.
In other words, the speedy playmaker with a 4.53 40-yard dash could be primed for an even bigger year in 2015.
Before committing to Stanford, Fehoko also held offers from BYU, Utah, Michigan and Washington, among others.
Blessed to be apart of the #CardClass16 edits by @Hayesfawcett3@GridironGraphix and @SammyBoi_39pic.twitter.com/DByNmrdEC7 — Simi Fehoko (@Simi_Fehoko) July 19, 2015
After committing to Stanford, Fehoko also faced the daunting task of contacting those other schools — including the two in his home state — to tell them of his decision.
"It's going to be hard to tell the coaches with all the bonds we've made," Fehoko said. "It'll be hard to let them go. But it's a weight lifted off my shoulders to get this all over with and let me focus on the season."
Fehoko is the latest top product from Utah to commit to a school outside the state's borders, adding on to the a list that included last year's top recruits Osa Masina and Porter Gustin. Both of those players signed with Fehoko's new Pac 12 rivals at Southern California.
"I think it's just the schools. All of these colleges are just can't beat," Fehoko said. "Overall, I think the coaches are doing something right there. I think that speaks for itself, the coaches and the school itself. It's awesome."
Contributing: Jeremiah Jensen
