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10/23/20 - DE Mika Tafua, rSr/2022, Utah

Three will eventually become four and that would make it 100% for Utah's starting defensive line in 2019. That's what Utah coach Kyle Whittingham says about the guys who did the work up front on a defense that ranked second nationally in total defense (269.2 ypg), third in rush defense (81.8 ypg) and sixth in scoring defense (15 ppg) last season. Seniors Bradlee Anae, Leki Fotu and John Penisini went on to be drafted by the NFL. Fotu went to the Arizona Cardinals in the fourth round; Anae was taken by the Dallas Cowboys in the fifth; and the Detroit Lions picked Penisini in the sixth. Eventually, Whittingham predicts, the fourth starter on that line will join them. Defensive end Mika Tafua, who is back with the Utes, is progressing in that direction. He was tied for second in the nation with four fumble recoveries as a sophomore. Now he's a veteran, joining linebacker Devin Lloyd as the only returning starters for the Utah defense.

"He is an NFL guy in my opinion," Whittingham said. "He is just a junior, but he has what it takes to play at the next level." Tafua, a 6-foot-3, 250-pound force from Laie, Hawaii, earned honorable mention all-conference honors from the Pac-12 after making 47 tackles (8.5 for loss with three sacks) on a Utah team that repeated as South Division champions. He has played in 25 games during the past two seasons - doing so after joining the Utes and redshirting following a two-year church mission to Tacoma, Washington. Tafua originally signed with BYU. "He is a great leader for us. He was voted captain, so that is what his peers think of him and how much respect he has from them," said Whittingham, who added that Tafua has been a tremendous player since arriving at Utah. "Right now, he is the leader of that defensive line." - Deseret News

rSr/2022