Defensive back Mike Honeycutt accepted an offer from the University of Utah on Nov. 26. Wide receiver Easton Pedersen and defensive end Trevor Everett committed to Southern Utah University within this past week.

The trio are expected to ink their official NCAA Letters of Intent during the February signing period. Coaches are prohibited from making comments about recruits until the paperwork is completed.

Also used occasionally as a wide receiver, Honeycutt is a 6-foot, 165-pound cornerback who did a great job discouraging opponents from throwing to his side of the field. Apparently, the Ute coaches thought so too. He became the 10th player to give Utah and early commitment this school year.

“I went to their camp in the summer and I just love the coaching staff, how they care, how they presented themselves and their integrity,” Honeycutt said. “I just like the program.

“My mother’s family are almost all Utes so they are really excited,” he added. “I’m way comfortable, way pumped (myself).”

Honeycutt’s career highlight to date is the one-handed interception he made against Spanish Fork this fall, but he should have plenty more moments to choose from in the future.

In the meantime, he still has his track season to go for the Knights and plans to complete an LDS Church mission beginning next fall before enrolling at Utah.

A 6-3, 195-pound wide receiver, Pedersen got his call from SUU head coach Wes Meier on Dec. 7. He also plans to serve a mission before beginning his college career.

Pedersen is a three-year letterman on the football team and a former member of the basketball team. He has a 3.5 cumulative GPA.

His favorite football memory so far is what the Comcast announcers called his “circus catch” during the state quarterfinals this season.

Pedersen said he’s learned to be tough, to work hard and to believe in himself no matter the circumstances during his sports experiences at Lone Peak.

A hard-nosed defensive end and linebacker, Everett (6-0, 225) is a good friend of Pedersen’s and the two of them are excited about continuing their playing careers together.

“I can’t believe I get to play football with one of my best friends for the next five to six years,” Everett said. “Now that I have my life planned for the next six to seven years, I can’t believe I have been this blessed.”

He’s also planning to serve an LDS mission before returning for spring drills in 2010.

Everett was recently honored by the Daily Herald as part of the Elite 11, considered to be among the top football players in Utah County. He led a strong defensive unit in tackles for a loss, sacks and hurries, which made him the bane of all opposing quarterbacks.

This story appeared in North County on page A6.