2017 Introduction: Mata Hola

As the only linebacker in attendance at Stanford's Friday Night Lights camp last month, all eyes were on 2017 Utah standout Mata Hola. The Alta High School (Utah) standout did not disappoint, impressing onlookers with a strong performance.

"It was great," Hola said. "I loved it. I was the only linebacker over there, so I was the only one doing the drills. And then they had me go play d-end against some of the linemen that were there and I did well. I think I went undefeated - I didn't lose at all. So I did pretty well."

Hola first connected with Stanford last year when he took an unofficial visit to the school. He's been in touch with the Cardinal defensive coordinator Lance Anderson.

"The person I mostly talk to right now is Coach Anderson, the outside linebackers coach and defensive coordinator," Hola said. "I first started talking to them I think it was my first time going to visit, sophomore year going into my junior year for an unofficial. That was my first time going there."

Stanford has emphasized the importance of Hola continuing to focus on his academics during their conversations.

"Just try to keep my grades up," Hola said. "They said the requirements for the application aren't easy. You just need to get that up... Overall just a constant reminder that the school is great and everything, and I love it."

Indeed, if Stanford joins Hola's recruitment with a scholarship offer, the Cardinal would be taken under serious consideration.

"They're probably at the top of my list... but then again I have to wait to for the application to be confirmed before they'd officially be there," Hola said. "It would be my first choice."

"Everybody knows the academics are great, but not only that, you can tell that everybody knows what they're doing. They all have the credentials, from the coaches to the trainers to even the professors, which we met with a little bit on the Junior Day."

Aside from Stanford, Utah State, BYU and Utah are the programs most involved in Hola's recruitment.

He does not currently have any trips his scheduled; he'll start taking his official visits after the conclusion of his high school season. Then it will be time for a decision.

"(I'll commit) probably after all the visits I go through after the season, as soon as possible after the season to see which school feels like the best for me," Hola said. "That's the timeline."

Stanford is recruiting Hola to play outside linebacker. He is LDS and plans to serve a church mission before beginning his college career.