Albers chooses Utah

Costa Mesa High senior offensive lineman Andrew Albers has committed to play football at the University of Utah, where he will be a preferred walk-on, Mustangs Coach Jeremy Osso said Saturday night.

The 6-foot-8, 285-pound Albers wil enroll at Utah March 1 and begin spring practice March 7, Osso said.

“He chose this over going to smaller schools or Division I-AA,” Osso said in a text. “He will have a great opportunity there. He will get second-team reps during spring.”

As a left tackle, Albers allowed just five sacks in 441 pass-attempt situations in his final two seasons with the Mustangs. He was named Orange Coast League Co-Lineman of the Year this past season. Albers, who delivered 23 pancake blocks, is a two-time Daily Pilot Dream Team selection.

Albers, the top scorer for the Costa Mesa boys’ basketball team this season, is in Utah, visiting the campus.

Albers’ father Frank posted on his Facebook wall as his status: “In Salt Lake City with my son touring the University of Utah football facilities and meeting with some of the coaches. Great day!”

Albers will leave for Utah after the basketball season, Osso said. Albers will join a team that is coming off a 10-3 season and No. 23 ranking in the final USA Today Coaches’ poll. The Utes, who are joining the Pac-12, finished one spot out of the Associated Press rankings, as they were first among the “other receiving votes.”

Utah Coach Kyle Whittingham has led the Utes to three straight top-25 finishes.

Tim Davis, a former assistant at USC (2002-04) and with the Miami Dolphins (2005-06), is joining Utah as the new offensive line coach, along with new offensive coordinator Norm Chow. Davis, who also worked at Wisconsin (1997-2001), spent the last two seasons as the run-game coordinator and offensive line coach at Minnesota.

USC won national championships in 2003 and 2004 when Davis was on the Trojans’ staff.