FOOTBALL

Man I’ve choked on the koolaid the last couple of seasons. I’m coming in conservatively across the board. I hope we can generate any kind of at least mediocre offense and we’ll start from there. Special teams have been pretty meh too. I trust Morgan will have the D ready.

Two words: BOWL ELIGIBLE!

Our defense will be solid again. We’ll be strong on the line and at LB. I’m sure we’ll be fine at secondary, but I would like to see a bit if an alteration in scheme. It seems our pass defense has been very much bend not break, but often breaks more than it should.

Everything else on the team i have no idea about. The whole offense is a crap shoot. I’m not convinced that UNM transfer will be the starter at QB, he might, but there is some talent in the room. So we’ll see.

The position I’m most worried about is RB. We need a strong run game.

We will be more fun to watch this year than we were the last two years. That is what I am hoping for. I’m excited to FINALLY be moving on from Rising. It really is too bad we didn’t move on from him two years ago, because I thought Ludwig’s system was great for the kind of guys we can get (tight ends and running backs with decent QB play).

The biggest disappointment for me the last couple of years has been the terrible talent at RB. We didn’t sign the right guys, and we didn’t coach up the guys we did sign. The RB room has been terrible, and I’m glad we cleaned house in that regard.

In interesting side-effect of this whole NIL and transfer portal nightmare is the impossibility to predict how good a team is going to be (at least for me anyway). There are a bunch of patchwork teams out there that we just have no idea how well they’re going to gel and play as a team. I’d hate to be Phil Steele trying to keep track of all of this stuff.

QB: B … Dampier is solid but needs to improve consistency throwing the ball. The backups are up in the air … Nate Johnson is playing receiver, but he’s a good security blanket for the group.

RB: B+ to A- … The backs are performing well right now. Solid all around group. Arguably our best running back room since 2021.

WR/TE: C+ to B- … Z Williams, Whittemore, and Zipperer are going to be very good players. Tia is also someone to pay attention too. Still waiting on Singer news from NCAA. Hunter Andrews might be a star in the making at TE.

OL: A+ … Nasty group in a good way!

DEFENSE: Not worried … early during install the O had their way with the D but the D’s adjusted to Becks offense. Solid group all around! They’ll add 1-2 guys on the DL post spring. Best linebacking group in the conference. Shemwell and Stokes are guys to pay attention to at corner.

SPECIAL TEAMS: This group will take a step forward. We have a kicker who can bang it through the end zone on kickoffs. That alone will improve us.

OVERALL: I really like the team Utahs assembled. Backup QB is probably my greatest concern (PTSD From last few years) … I do think Utahs in an okay spot behind Dampier. Isaac will take a step forward being in his second year of college. Having Nate Johnson on the roster eases some anxiety’s too.

I’ll also add … I don’t think Utah has to be prolific throwing the football to be effective next year. I honestly believe if Dampier can cut down on turnovers, and just keep the D honest through the air we’re going to have a good team. I think Utah will have a top 25 rushing attack in CFB … Our O Line mixed with the rushers we have: Dampier, Parker (Other RB’s), Whittemore, Nate Johnson, H Andrews, and others will be solid. Utah just has to be effective enough through the air to keep teams honest.