Four-star safety Randon Fontenette commits to Utah

Freeport (Tex.) Brazosport four-star safety Randon Fontenette announced his commitment to Utah on Tuesday afternoon.

Fontenette is the No. 347 overall prospect and No. 31 safety in the 2023 On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

On3 is significantly higher on Fontenette than the other major recruiting services though, according to the Industry Comparison. In the most recent On300 rankings, he was tabbed as the nation’s No. 135 prospect, No. 10 safety and No. 26 player in Texas.

“Fontenette has some of the better length and stature among defensive back prospects we’ve evaluated in the 2023 cycle thus far,” On3 Director of Rankings Charles Power wrote in April. “He’s measured at 6-foot-2, over 190 pounds with an arm length over 33 inches – that’s elite length for a defensive back. Fontenette had a strong junior season, accounting for over 2,500 yards from scrimmage and 33 touchdowns en route to being named District MVP. He shows athleticism and playmaking ability at quarterback and range and play speed at safety.”

He chose the Utes over programs including Texas Tech and Vanderbilt. Fontenette officially visited Utah on June 17. He also took official visits to the Red Raiders and Commodores on June 6 and June 24, respectively.

How Fontenette impacts Utah’s 2023 recruiting class

Fontenette is the first four-star recruit in Utah’s 2023 class and the group’s highest-ranked player. He is the 10th player to give a pledge to the Utes this cycle.

His commitment elevated Utah’s class from No. 40 to No. 36 in the 2023 Consensus Team Recruiting Rankings. The Utes’ class still ranks fifth in the Pac-12.

Utah currently has two safety commitments from Fontenette and three-star Jonathan Hall of Katy (Tex.), who is the nation’s No. 688 prospect.

Before Fontenette’s commitment, three-star defensive lineman Caleb Bryant from Vicksburg (Miss.) was Utah’s highest-ranked prospect at No. 431 in the 2023 On3 Consensus. The Utes also have three-star quarterback Mack Howard from Columbus (Miss.) Oxford committed, who is rated No. 522.

Fontenette plays both ways in high school

For Freeport (Tex.) Brazosport, White plays safety and quarterback.

This past season, he recorded 1,440 passing yards and 21 touchdowns, as well as 1,066 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. On defense, he recorded 32 tackles, two interceptions, a pass defended and one tackle-for-loss.

His best game of the season came in a 69-47 loss to El Campo, in which he threw for a season-high 195 yards, rushed for a season-high 273 yards and combined for four touchdowns. Three of them were on the ground. He also recorded three tackles in the October contest.

Randon Fontenette On3 Scouting Summary

The following is the On3 Scouting Summary for Randon Fontenette:

“Heat-seeking missile that flies downhill and strikes ball carriers with reckless abandon. A two-way star for Brazosport (Texas) High, playing quarterback and safety. Threw for 1,440 yards and 21 touchdowns and also rushed 164 times for 1,066 yards and 12 touchdowns as a junior. Also totaled 32 tackles, 1 tackle for loss and 2 interceptions on the defensive side of the ball. First year playing safety as a junior. Natural alley player that plays with his hair on fire. Lacks ideal long speed and can strain when getting sideline to sideline. Quicker than fast. Stands just a shade under 6-foot-2 and weighs 190 pounds. Has elite length with 33.25 inch arms. Explosive upon impact and shows impressive vertical ability on 50-50 balls. Jumped a 20-foot-2 in the long jump during his junior track and field season. Immense upside and relatively low floor. Still learning to play defensive back and could potentially grow into a box player if he adds more mass. Young for the cycle and will not turn 18 until the July prior to his freshman season in college.”