Jiannoni Utah bound

Linebacker/running back Joe Jiannoni (6-1, 213, 4.48) from La Quinta, Calif., is one tough son of a gun. Though he was recruited as a linebacker he play the majority of the season as a running back due to a separated shoulder that kept him on the offensive side of the ball.

Even though Jiannoni played with a separated shoulder he was still good enough to be selected League MVP as a running back and team MVP period.

Jiannoni tripped to Utah two weeks ago and he committed at that time. “Joe likes Utah’s football program,” His mother said. “He committed to them because Utah kept recruiting him even though he was playing out of position and was hurt.”

“The new Utah staff also kept recruiting him,” Jiannoni’s Mom said. “He committed to them on the weekend of his visit.”

Utah also made an impressive showing in Jiannoni household.

This is a great get for Utah. In an earlier interview La Quinta head coach said, “Joe is in the same mold as Michael Craven (Stanford). He’s not as big, but in everything else they are similar players.”

When Stanford’s Craven was a national recruit a couple years ago, Florida State head coach Bobby Bowden and his defensive staff came out to watch Craven practice, the Noles were so impressed with Jiannoni that FSU made inquiries about him. “We really love Craven, but who is number 44,” one FSU coach asked Armstrong. The answer was Joe Jiannoni