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Tavion Thomas emerged as the lead back for Utah football during the 2021 season, helping the Utes finish strong on what turned out to be a top 15 team that earned the program's first Rose Bowl appearance. While Thomas finished the season with 1,108 rushing yards and 21 rushing touchdowns - third-most in the country - his performance once the calendar flipped to October really displayed what the 6-foot-2, 238-pounder brings to the field. Over the Utes' final nine games last season, Thomas scored 19 touchdowns - at least one per game, with back-to-back four-touchdown games. During that stretch, he also averaged 20.3 carries and 108.2 rushing yards per game, with a 5.3 per-carry average. Now, the junior back is earning recognition as one of the nation's top running backs. - Deseret News

(DS#25 RB) rJr/2023

RB Tavion Thomas, Utah
News Source: Deseret News
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06/06/22 - Cameron Rising, rSr/2025, Utah, 6-2, 220 (DS#28 QB) + More +

Entering the 2022 season, Rising isn't going to sneak up on anybody. Opposing teams have a year's worth of film on him. Everybody knows who he is. Rising is being mentioned as someone that deserves a spot on Heisman Watch lists. A lot should be expected of Rising as he enters the season as the undisputed starter, according to Scott Mitchell. "Cam Rising right now should be considered a Heisman Trophy candidate," he said. "That's my expectation."

But Mitchell's expectations don't end there. "The expectation is that Utah ends up in the College Football Playoff. I think that's what they think, too. I think Cam Rising thinks that. That expectation is, this isn't bigger than us," he said. "With the type of talent they have coming back, across the board (that should be the expectation). "But also the maturity and the experience and the culture that's at Utah right now. This is a team and a program that's really right at that place, that place of winning the conference championship was amazing; the Rose Bowl was incredible, but we can do more. That's what more is." Utah has an ideal opportunity to prove itself on a national stage with a season opener at Florida, on national television. - Deseret News

(DS#28 QB) rSr/2025

QB Cameron Rising, Utah
News Source: Deseret News
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06/05/22 - Tavion Thomas, rJr/2023, Utah, 6-0, 237 (DS#25 RB) + More +

The reigning conference champions from Utah are getting love on Athlon Sports' preseason all-conference teams. Utah, the reigning Pac-12 champion, had 12 selections - tied for second in the conference. Oregon and Washington each had 12 selections and USC led the Pac-12 with 16 selections on Athlon's 2022 All-Pac-12 Team. Utah running back Tavion Thomas, tight end Brant Kuithe and offensive lineman Braeden Daniels earned spots on the first-team offense, while cornerback Clark Phillips and safety Cole Bishop earned spots on the first-team defense. - Deseret News

(DS#25 RB) rJr/2023

RB Tavion Thomas, Utah
News Source: Deseret News
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05/21/22 - Levani Damuni, rSr/2026, Utah, 6-2, 236 (DS#30 ILB) + More +

2022 LOTT IMPACT TROPHY PRESEASON WATCH LIST: LEVANI DAMUNI, LB, Stanford, Jr., 6-2, 251, Providence, Utah: Led team with 88 tackles; Has done Mormon mission; Majoring in Science, Technology and Society. - Lott IMPACT Trophy/The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation

(DS#30 ILB) rSr/2026

ILB Levani Damuni, Utah
News Source: Lott IMPACT Trophy
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05/19/22 - Cole Fotheringham, rJr/2022, Utah, 6-4, 246 (DS#28 TE) + More +

Bio information on Raiders undrafted rookie tight end Cole Fotheringham from Utah: 6-4, 246 pounds; Fotheringham played four seasons at Utah, totaling 52 receptions for 526 yards and three touchdowns in 47 games with 38 starts. - Raiders.com

(DS#28 TE) rJr/2022

TE Cole Fotheringham, Utah
News Source: Raiders.com
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05/18/22 - TJ Pledger, Sr/2022, Utah, 5-08, 192 (DS#46 RB) + More +

Unlike several of his former University of Utah colleagues, running back T.J. Pledger didn't sign a rookie free-agent contract after going undrafted in the 2022 NFL draft. Instead, Pledger went to the Arizona Cardinals rookie minicamp on a tryout basis, and on Monday, he officially turned that tryout into a contract. He was one of six tryout players to sign with the Cardinals. Pledger spent the 2021 season in the Utah program after transferring from Oklahoma and rushed for 694 yards and six touchdowns for the Utes. The 5-foot-9, 196-pound back averaged 6.6 yards per carry as the team's second-leading rusher and had four 100-yard rushing games in his lone season with the Utes. - Deseret News

(DS#46 RB) Sr/2022

RB TJ Pledger, Utah
News Source: Deseret News
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05/09/22 - Junior Tafuna, rSr/2025, Utah, 6-4, 308 (DS#46 DT) + More +

As good as Utah defensive tackle Junior Tafuna was last season as a freshman, the coaching staff is confident that his best is yet to come. A 6-foot-3, 297-pound, three-star recruit out of Bingham High, Tafuna served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Praia, Cape Verde, before joining the program in 2020. While Tafuna didn't play that season, in 2021, he recorded 33 tackles, including 4.5 sacks and 5.5 tackles for loss, one fumble recovery and one pass breakup. For his efforts, he earned Pac-12 Freshman Defensive Player of the Year honors and Associated Press Pac-12 All-Conference Second-Team recognition.

"He's a guy that we recruited to be a D-end. He goes on a mission and comes back and he's a little heavier than a regular D-end," said defensive ends coach Lewis Powell. "We move him inside and the twitchiness just continues...He continues to develop. He's going to be special to watch this year, for sure." "This is a guy that was playing linebacker and D-end in high school. We knew he was twitchy enough. It was a matter of putting on the weight," he said. "Our staff does an unbelievable job making sure we're putting on the right weight, not doing it too quick. "He's devoted his time during the offseason to putting on the right weight. He's another 15 pounds heavier than he was. He's striking very well. We anticipate him having a very special season." "There's no ceiling with him. He has unbelievable talent. He does some things that some other guys really can't," Elliss said. "He's that explosive and that talented. He has a high ceiling, if there is a ceiling. I think he's going to be even better than he was last year." - Deseret News

(DS#46 DT) rSr/2025

DT Junior Tafuna, Utah
News Source: Deseret News
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05/09/22 - Cameron Rising, rSr/2025, Utah, 6-2, 220 (DS#28 QB) + More +

In the past three NFL drafts, there have been two Utah quarterbacks who were first-round draft picks: Utah State's Jordan Love in 2020 and BYU's Zach Wilson in 2021. Could it happen again next year? Last year, Rising took over as starting quarterback midway through the Utes' third game and led Utah to a 10-4 record, the school's first Pac-12 football championship and the program's first appearance in the Rose Bowl. The 6-foot-2, 220-pound transfer from Texas threw for 2,493 yards, 20 touchdowns and five interceptions last season, while also rushing for 499 yards and six touchdowns. - Deseret News

(DS#28 QB) rSr/2025

QB Cameron Rising, Utah
News Source: Deseret News
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05/06/22 - Devaughn Vele, rJr/2024, Utah, 6-4, 203 (DS#45 WR) + More +

Devaughn Vele emerged as Utah's top receiver this spring. The Utes have proven tight ends in Brant Kuithe and Dalton Kincaid but they need more firepower out of the wideouts. "We need to generate more explosive plays in the perimeter. A lot of our explosive plays were generated on the interior with the tight end play," said offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig. "The ability to create the one-on-ones because the tight ends are going to draw attention on the inside. It's taking advantage of the one-on-ones on the outside with dynamic playmakers. I think we have the size and speed to do that. We just need to put it all together." Vele's size provides the Utes with a dangerous weapon.

"It's a big advantage when he goes up for contested balls. He's not only 6-5, but he has great body control," coach Kyle Whittingham said. "He can outmaneuver people for the football because his athleticism is at such a high level as well. "That's a great combination and a great weapon as a wide receiver to have that size and that acrobatic ability. He's got great hands. He hardly ever drops a ball. His challenge has been to stay on the field consistently and stay healthy. He was able to do that all spring so that's a great start with that." - Deseret News

(DS#45 WR) rJr/2024

WR Devaughn Vele, Utah
News Source: Deseret News
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05/04/22 - Cameron Rising, rSr/2025, Utah, 6-2, 220 (DS#28 QB) + More +

Quarterback Cam Rising said despite being the defending Pac-12 champs, the team still has a chip on its shoulder. "You have to go out there and attack it. That's what the coaches have told us to do. Yeah, we won it last year and that doesn't mean that this year's trophy is in our case right now just sitting there," he said. "We have to go out there and attack it and treat it the same way we did last year so that we're going about it the right way and making sure we get back to the championship and go win it." Much of the optimism surrounding the 2022 campaign can be attributed to the return of Rising. "We know Cam's our guy. We've just got to work those guys behind him and see what happens," coach Kyle Whittingham said. "We have a first-team all-conference quarterback coming back to lead us. That's a huge positive for us." - Deseret News

(DS#28 QB) rSr/2025

QB Cameron Rising, Utah
News Source: Deseret News
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04/25/22 - Braeden Daniels, rJr/2023, Utah, 6-4, 307 (DS#6 OG) + More +

Utah has a new left tackle protecting quarterback Cam Rising's blind side. During the spring, junior Braeden Daniels moved from right tackle to left tackle, replacing Bamidele Olaseni. "I'm still refining the details," Daniels said. "I'm trying to not just get the job done but be a dominant left tackle and be that guy that people can depend on. It's been a good spring, working on my technique. It's getting better each and every day." The 6-foot-4, 299-pound junior from Carrollton, Texas, started all 14 games last season, including three at left guard and 11 at right tackle. Daniels earned All-Pac-12 second-team honors.

Offensive line coach Jim Harding explained why Daniels is playing left tackle now. "A lot of it has to do with the fact that he has experience and has played at a high level. He was an all-conference player. That plays into it. He's a guy that is doing the right things off the field as well," he said. "He's very attentive in meetings. He's got a high football IQ. A lot of kids seek him to get answers outside of meeting time. (Offensive lineman) Paul Maile, though he's been limited, has done a nice job. That's what you want - your veteran players and Paul and Braeden have done a nice job that way." "He continues to refine his game. We switched him over to left tackle and it took him a practice or two to get comfortable there. But he's really embraced that," Harding said. "He knows that it's a position that we value a lot. We try to put one of our better players in that position. He's done a nice job. His football IQ is really high. That's helped him transition maybe a little bit faster than what we were expecting." - Deseret News

(DS#6 OG) rJr/2023

OG Braeden Daniels, Utah
News Source: Deseret News
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04/24/22 - Jonah Elliss, Jr/2024, Utah, 6-2, 248 (DS#7 DE) + More +

Lewis Powell, who is in his seventh season coaching Utah's defensive ends, also played for the Utes from 2001-03. So he's seen a lot of talented, highly skilled and productive defensive lines over the years. This spring, Powell said the defensive ends group he's working with now is the most athletic in program history. "It's a good young group. Practices have been really competitive," he said. "We have a really good, deep, athletic group. I think it's the most athletic group that's ever been here." The Utes return Van Fillinger, Miki Suguturaga and Jonah Elliss, while Connor O'Toole has been switched from wide receiver to defensive end.

While Utah must replace Mika Tafua, who is off to the NFL, and Xavier Carlton, who transferred to Cal, Powell is optimistic about what this position can accomplish next fall. "We have an awesome dynamic. Van and Miki are stout and strong. Connor and Jonah are really athletic, really high-ceiling," he said. "We clocked both of those guys at 4.5. I don't think we've ever had that kind of athleticism, ever. I think it's going to be a group by committee. I'm excited by the growth of all five, six guys participating in spring ball." Coach Kyle Whittingham said he feels good about Fillinger, Elliss, O'Toole and Suguturaga. "Jonah Elliss has had a really good spring. Connor O'Toole, who moved from wide receiver to defensive end, it seems to be a great fit for him. Miki Suguturaga is a guy that has played his best football this spring. So those four guys right now are the top four at that position. We have a couple of guys that are coming this summer that we're excited about as well." - Deseret News

(DS#7 DE) Jr/2024

DE Jonah Elliss, Utah
News Source: Deseret News
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12/16/21 - Cole Fotheringham, rJr/2022, Utah, 6-4, 246 (DS#28 TE) + More +

Utah tight end Cole Fotheringham announced Monday that he is declaring for the NFL draft. Like the two other Utes who have declared for the draft - TJ Pledger and Britain Covey - Fotheringham will play in the Rose Bowl against Ohio State. A fourth-year junior due to a free year of eligibility in 2020, Fotheringham has caught 13 passes for 109 yards this season. Though he doesn't have as many receptions as tight ends Brant Kuithe and Dalton Kincaid this year, Fotheringham has been a key blocker for the Utes. - Deseret News

(DS#28 TE) rJr/2022

TE Cole Fotheringham, Utah
News Source: Deseret News
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12/16/21 - Logan Kendall, rSr/2023, Utah, 6-3, 249 (DS#16 FB) + More +

What a strange Sunday afternoon it was for the University of Utah on the recruiting front. First, the Utes had a 2022 commit - Hawaii offensive tackle Tavo Motuapuaka - announce he was flipping his commitment to Utah State. Then, Utah received a commitment from Idaho grad transfer tight end/fullback Logan Kendall. The Cheney, Washington, native was a two-time first-team Big Sky selection as a fullback for Idaho, and he also earned Phil Steele third-team All-America honors during the FCS spring 2021 season. Kendall also showed the ability to make an impact with limited offensive touches. Over the past four seasons, he scored five touchdowns - three receiving and two rushing - for the Vandals. He caught 18 passes for 204 yards during that span. - Deseret News

(DS#16 FB) rSr/2023

FB Logan Kendall, Utah
News Source: Deseret News
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12/11/21 - Britain Covey, rSr/2022, Utah, 5-08, 169 (DS#34 WR) + More +

Utah wide receiver Britain Covey has elected to enter the NFL draft, and the Utes' game against Ohio State in the Rose Bowl will be his final as a Ute. "Many people reading this are probably thinking, "Wait, you're telling me this guy has another year of eligibility?" The answer is yes. While it sounds fun to drag out my college career until I collect social security, I'm ready for my next chapter. I feel perfectly content with my college career," Covey said in a Twitter post.

Covey's first game as a Ute came against Michigan in 2015. He then went on a Latter-day Saint mission in 2016 and 2017. Covey redshirted in 2019 after appearing in four games, and with the NCAA COVID-19 rules that gave players in 2020 season an extra year of eligibility, Covey could have chosen to come back for one final year as a Ute in 2022. In his career with Utah, Covey has 1,977 receiving yards, which ranks sixth on Utah's all-time career receiving yards list. This season, he has 49 receptions for 480 yards and two touchdowns. - Deseret News

(DS#34 WR) rSr/2022

WR Britain Covey, Utah
News Source: Deseret News
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