I am hearing great things about our safeties

This topic has 12 replies, 11 voices, and was last updated 1 year, 4 months ago by chinngiskhaan.

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- 08/21/2023 at 12:34 PM #193202
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  ProudUte
  Participant
  
  Whitt said a few weeks ago that we might have the best pair of safeties in the country. I took that as a bit of hyperbole. But, I am hearing that Vaki is looking amazing and we already know what Bishop can do. On top of that, we have Ritchie (former starter) as a backup. The safety positions look very good for the Utes.
- 08/21/2023 at 1:22 PM #193206
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  Whitty
  Participant
  
  Is Vaki going to be playing opposite of Bishop? For some reason I had expected Vaki to play more of the Nickel, with Ritchie and Bishop as the two safeties. But I have no reason to think that other than my own guess lol
  - 08/21/2023 at 1:52 PM #193211
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    mfaulk80
    Participant
    
    Vaki and Bishop will be starting safeties. That’s been a pretty consistent message from those in the know. Tao and Snowden are battling for NB.
    - 08/21/2023 at 2:43 PM #193212
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      ProudUte
      Participant
      
      I am hearing the same thing about our nickle. Sounds like Vaki is locked in at safety. I heard someone compare him to Robert Johnson today. If he plays like RoJo – we have another very good safety. He played both ways in HS and was an excellent WR. We should be much better at safety this season and we have some depth too.
      
      If Vaki and Bishop do was well as expected – they could both jump to the NFL next season. Vaki is just a sophommore, but is a returned missionary.
- 08/21/2023 at 1:50 PM #193210
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  Ma’ake Kava
  Participant
  
  Vaki is amazingly versatile and a freak of nature. 6-0/208, benches 400, 39″ vertical. He could be a NB or even an undersized LB, hits like a freight train. Comparisions to Marquise Blair, in terms of physicality.
  
  If he’s playing Safety in our D, it means he has the defensive playbook down, which is far from being trivial.
  - 08/21/2023 at 3:25 PM #193214
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    The Miami Ute
    Participant
    
    Marquise Blair, probably the scariest defender I’ve ever seen wearing a Utah uniform. A receiver would be taking his life into his own hands going down the middle knowing Marquise was waiting for him. If Sione Vaki plays to his level, 2023 will be for sure his last season as a Ute.
    - 08/21/2023 at 3:48 PM #193219
      
      22Ute22
      Participant
      
      I loved Blair, but didn’t he have trouble with Targeting? Hopefully Vaki is a bit smarter.
      
      Also, I’m pretty sure he’s a true sophomore, no? Unless you think he’s gonna get lured away by NIL, he’s not going anywhere.
      - 08/21/2023 at 4:19 PM #193223
        
        UtesRule
        Participant
        
        This is Vaki’s 3rd year out of High School.
        
        Yes, Marquis was a targeting machine…that was the frustrating part. I should say, he was penalized for targeting more than his fair share.
      - 08/21/2023 at 6:10 PM #193233
        
        RoboUte
        Participant
        
        Yes. Marquise hit so hard it was clearly audible on television.
  - 08/21/2023 at 4:43 PM #193227
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    Tony (admin)
    Keymaster
    
    Marquise Blair… oh man what a player. Yes he got some targeting calls. Some good. Some bad. When you hit that hard it’s going to happen.
    - 08/21/2023 at 7:59 PM #193242
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      The Miami Ute
      Participant
      
      Marquise Blair
      
      Here’s a stroll down memory lane.
  - 08/22/2023 at 7:51 AM #193276
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    chinngiskhaan
    Participant
    
    Blair was great but I did not like the way he “tackled” at all. He rarely wrapped guys up, choosing instead to just plow into them with his shoulder. He gave me anxiety every time he made a tackle because there was always the possibility of targeting.
- 08/22/2023 at 7:47 AM #193274
  
  EagleMountainUte
  Participant
  
  Is this connected to Utah’s best QB and best TE not participating? Or is it a motivating comment from Whitt?
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