[UteButters]

How do we see the defense shaping up? I’ve thought a lot about it and this is what I think will happen …

I’ve heard a lot of good things about Kash Dillon and wouldn’t be shocked if he’s starting … obviously we need one more DT from the portal but I expect Kaufusi and Sepulona to get some reps as freshman.

I personally expect Cyrus Polu to get some reps at linebacker. Absolutely love his film.

The defense obviously has a lot of new names but i personally love the pieces they’ve brought in. Thoughts?

DE:
1. Logan Fano
2. Lance Holtzclaw (WASHINGTON TRANSFER)
3. Jaxson Jones (OREGON TRANSFER)

DT:
1. Aliki Vimahi
2. Jonah Le’eah
3. Pupualii Sepulona (FRESHMAN)

DT:
1. Dallas Vakalahi
2.
3. Karson Kaufusi (FRESHMAN)

DE:
1. John Henry-Daley
2. Kash Dillon
3. Paul Fitzgerald

R-LB:
1. Jonathan Hall
2. Cyrus Polu (FRESHMAN)
3. Kanai Lopes

M-LB:
1. Levani Damuni
2. Trey Reynolds

S-LB:
1. Lander Barton
2. Christian Thatcher (FRESHMAN)

NB:
1. Smith Snowden
2. Quimari Shemwell

CORNER:
1. Elijah Davis
2. Blake Cotton

CORNER:
1. Jeremiah Caldwell
2. Donovan Saunders
*Kenan Johnson will contribute at some point

FS:
1. Tao Johnson
2. Nate Ritchie

SS:
1. Rabbit Evan’s
2. Jeilani Davis
3. Nathan Tilmon (FRESHMAN)

[UteButters]

I wouldn’t be surprised to see Garcia work his way into a starting role, specifically that right guard spot.

[UteButters]

The offensive line should be the strength of the offense for Utah next year. We return all of our starters from last year. This is how I see the pecking order play out.

I think there’s a lot of flexibility with Ike. In my opinion he’s the first lineman off the bench regardless of position.

LT:
1. Caleb Lomu
2. Zereoue Williams

LG:
1. Tanoa Togiai
2. Keith Olson

C:
1. Jaren Kump
2. Ike Garcia

RG:
1. Michael Mokofisis
2. Solatoa Moeai

RT:
1. Spencer Fano
2. Kalolo Ta’aga (TRANSFER FROM USC)

[UteButters]

So far this is how I see the offense shaking out with the new additions.

QB:
1. Devon Dampier
2. Brendan Zurbrugg
3. Nate Johnson
4. Jamarian Ficklin
*Isaac Wilson (RS)

RB:
1. Wayshawn Parker
2. NaQuari Rogers
3. Hunter Andrews
4. Devin Green

WR-X:
1. Zacharyus Williams
2. Otto Tia
3. Luca Calderella

WR-Y:
1. Creed Whittemore
2. Ryan Davis
3. Nate Johnson

WR-Z:
1. Daidren Zipperer
2. Justin Stevenson
3. Rayshawn Glover
4. David Washington

TE:
1. Landen King
2. Dallen Bentley
3. JJ Buchanan

To answer your question … I think Utah could benefit from 1 more running back! I think that’s our biggest need on the Offensive side!

[UteButters]

It’s interesting that Rose didn’t get much P2 attention in the portal and Isaac Wilson did. Makes you wonder who was actually better and had more upside?

I wonder what Isaac would’ve looked like had he waited to play year 3 like Rose did..

[UteButters]

Rose looked awful against Houston … Average against BYU. Can we move on from wishing Rose back? The kid was in the program for 3 years. Time to reload the QB room and move on

[UteButters]

Give me a simple iPhone offense over the BS we’ve seen from Ludwig the past few years

[UteButters]

Karson Kaufusi is listed as a DT on the 2025 roster … and is weighing 286 lbs. Great news for the DT room.

https://utahutes.com/sports/football/roster?sort=jersey

[UteButters]

No doubt Utah has to add 1-2 more DT’s through the portal but the cupboard isn’t bare.

Vakalahi is an absolute stud and will be a major player for Utah.

Vimahi is proven and has played in some huge games for Utah.

Jonah Lea’ea is the wild card to me. Recruited as a linebacker a few years ago. Redshirted 2023, played a few snaps that year. Played in most the games last year but was playing at 265 lbs. IF he can get his weight around 290 he’s your first DT off the bench. The coaches love him and his skillset, just needs the weight. He’s trending in the right direction weight wise.

We recruited a handful of DT’s so I expect 1-2 of them to get some snaps this year as well.

It’s not a finished room, but it’ll be a fun room to monitor through spring ball.

[UteButters]

That’s a good point Rick! The only hesitation I have with Guillory is that he’s 17 years old … he reclassified to this class to graduate from high school early!

That said, he absolutely has the skillset and ability to play and play early! I think it’ll depend on his adjustment to the college level. Worst case he plays sparingly and we redshirt him.

I think Hunter Andrews is going to sneak up on people. He’s very very athletic and with an offseason at running back I wouldn’t be surprised to see him get meaningful reps next year!

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