SAN ANTONIO -- Don't always believe what you see on television.

It seemed like Joseph Faifili pulled an about face in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

After showing strong interest in Tennessee earlier in the week, Faifili decided to announce Saturday he was committed to Utah over UT, Arizona and Oregon. The surprising news came midway through the second quarter.

Don't panic Vol fans.

I wouldn't count UT out of the Faifili sweepstakes. As a matter of fact, they may still be leading, although Faifili wouldn't confirm that after the game.

Imagine being an 18-year old with a chance to be on national television and suddenly college football's elite come calling just days before the broadcast.

The most common criticism of the U.S. Army All-American Bowl is that the television coverage pushes prospects to make their announcement before they are ready.

It would be prudent for event organizers to move the event to the weekend before Signing Day. That way, almost every prospect will have made up their mind. As it is, National Signing Day is Feb. 1.

UT fans may have seen that first hand Saturday. Prospects, however, can't complain. The exposure can only help their stature among prospective colleges.

UT, Southern California and Texas were just some of the schools that liked what they saw in Faifili after his practice performance this week.

The weeklong event also allows committed prospects to network and recruit for their individual schools.

UT's coaches were made aware of Faifili after he met with Vol commitment Jacques McClendon on Wednesday.

The two discussed the Vols and McClendon called UT coach Steve Caldwell. That meeting would have never happened if not for the All-American bowl game.

Faifili only had one assisted tackle Saturday in a limited role.

"I was taking on a lot of double teams," he said. "Everyone was an all-star so I tried to have fun and play my hardest all the time."

Faifili is a higher ranked prospect than his cousin, J.T. Mapu, who started on the defensive line as a freshman for UT before going on his Mormon mission. Mapu is scheduled to return to UT this fall, giving Faifili a strong reason to pick UT.

Faifili also plans to take part in a Mormon mission at some point.

Mapu and Faifili are both from Kahuku High School in Hawaii. Faifili moved to Utah after his junior season and played two games for Granger High School. He then returned to Hawaii to play the remainder of his senior season before returning to Utah.

UT coaches were never able to get in touch with Faifili in San Antonio before his announcement. Faifili said he left he cell phone at home.

Caldwell, who has recruited several prospects from Hawaii, including Mapu, met with Faifili after the game.

Faifili was by far the most colorful prospect on display in a game where everyone is trying hard to be entertaining.

The Polynesian followed his Utah announcement with an intense war dance that could have scared the timid.

"I'm sorry we didn't get to do it as a team," Faifili said with a laugh. "Not everyone caught onto that, though."

Academics are a concern because of how much Faifili moved during his last two years of high school.

If that works out, I bet he ends up dancing all the way to Knoxville.