Chris Graythen / Getty Images

Utah quarterback Brian Johnson wasn't a heralded recruit out of high school. Yet he led the Utes to an undefeated season and was named Mountain West Conference offensive player of the year.

“You have to have some ability to project guys,” says Schramm, who says that he usually watches four game films of any player he is recruiting — and that he almost never watches highlight reels. “Just because that guy’s a tall, skinny safety, well, I’m wondering if he can be a linebacker for us in a few years.

“You do your homework on players,” he says. “Is he a weight room guy? Does he play another sport? ‘Oh, he’s wrestling? Well, that explains why he’s lighter than we’d like him to be.’ Is he a character guy?”

Until being promoted in mid-January, Schramm was the running backs coach at Utah. When evaluating running backs, he says, “I like to look at what they do on a play when they don’t carry the ball. That actually tells me just as much about them. Do they make the extra block? Carry out their fake?”

And a good football player is just a good football player — wherever you put him. Kruger, who is declaring early for the NFL draft as a 6-5, 265-pound defensive end, was an all-conference quarterback in high school in Orem, Utah.

“We recruited Sean Smith as a running back coming out of high school,” says Schramm. The Ute coaches converted Smith to wide receiver, then later to one of the nation’s taller (6-3) and more talented cornerbacks. Smith, too, declared early for the NFL draft after leading the Utes in interceptions the past two seasons.

Where were Johnson, Kruger and Smith on the Rivals 100 lists? Where was punter/placekicker Louie Sakoda, alias “King Louie”, who has been named a first team All-American at both positions by various outlets? Maybe none of those four deserved to be among the nation’s 100 best high school seniors at the time. Together, however, they forged the only undefeated FBS team in the land this past season. Remember that on Signing Day.

“My proudest moment was when we went out for the coin toss at the Sugar Bowl,” Schramm said. “I’m looking out on the field and we got four guys that are team captains (Johnson, right guard Robert Conley, cornerback Brice McCain and linebacker Stevenson Sylvester) that nobody recruited.”

The Sugar Bowl final score: Utah 31, Alabama 17.

More on college football  |  Signing Day

More news

AP

Slain UConn CB's family wants $5M

CFT: Stabbed to death following an altercation at a school-sponsored dance in October 2009, Jasper Howard‘s parents are seeking significant financial compensation for the parties they believe are at least partly responsible.

CFT: SEC's Slive no fan of plus-one playoff model

Headlines

• Label

Ex-QB Brian Johnson still directing Utes offense

CFT: Miami says it's 'committed to the ACC'

CFT: Clemson would listen to other conferences

CFT: Tennessee TE booted following felony arrest

CFT: Potential Cal starter kicked off team

Friends, fans mourn loss of Stewart

CFT: Ohio St. 'not facing any major ... violations'

CFT: Pitt FB suffers stroke, career likely over