Despite an influx of transfer players filling voids on college football teams, plenty of true freshman have made an impact in 2022.
Utah | 2022 ESPN 300 ranking: 214
Utah lost star linebacker
Devin Lloyd and
Nephi Sewell, its two leading tacklers from last season. The coaching staff brought in
Gabe Reid from Stanford and
Mohamoud Diabate from Florida, as well as Barton in the 2022 recruiting class. Ranked the No. 5 inside linebacker (No. 213 overall), Barton was the Utes’ second highest-ranked commit in the class behind quarterback
Nathan Johnson, and he has already produced this season. Barton is seventh on the team in total tackles (15) and has 2.5 tackles for loss, two sacks and a quarterback hurry on the Pac-12’s best defense.