Previous team: Florida
2022 numbers: 19 tackles, 4 tackles for loss
Breakdown: Utah’s defense has been a consistent strength under coach Kyle Whittingham, but the Utes had a major hole to fill with the departure of All-
American linebacker Devin Lloyd, now a candidate for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. In Diabate, the Utes’ coaches saw a player with the frame (6-foot-4, 222 pounds), skill and experience (17 starts, 176 tackles at Florida) to help. After missing spring practice because of injury, Diabate got a later start and remained limited to start the season but has started to emerge, recording all of his tackles for loss in last week’s win over Oregon State.
What they’re saying: “Mo’s a lot like Devin Lloyd,” Whittingham said. “I don’t want to say he’s producing like Devin did right now, not yet, but he’s got an excellent skill set. He’s got size, 6-4 plus, runs extremely well, is physical. His job is to help fill the shoes of Devin Lloyd, and he’s proven to be a playmaker. He’s a big part of what we’re doing.”