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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

(DS#27 DE) rSr/2022

DE Mika Tafua, Utah
News Source: Deseret News
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10/23/20 - Nephi Sewell, rJr/2022, Utah, 6-0, 224 (DS#24 OLB) + More +

Kyle Whittingham has said that Nephi Sewell is the "odds-on favorite" to start at linebacker opposite Devin Lloyd. The University of Utah football coach dropped that tidbit regarding the redshirt junior during an ESPN700 interview on Oct. 2, one week before fall camp began. The Utes practiced for the ninth time on Monday. In that time, they have been in full pads in a small handful of sessions and conducted a live scrimmage on Saturday afternoon. With the benefit of some film since camp began, Whittingham and linebackers coach Colton Swan are now in a better position to decide whether or not Sewell, who is transitioning from safety to linebacker, can start immediately when the season begins Nov. 7 vs. Arizona at Rice-Eccles Stadium.

"He's a really savvy football player," Swan said Monday on a Zoom call with reporters. "He's starting to see the blocking schemes in front of him and fitting correctly. He's making great strides and I'm really happy with where he's at. It's still a competition amongst him and the rest of the guys, but really satisfied with how he's handling what's being put on his plate." Added Whittingham: "He's made the transition, really very smoothly, from safety to linebacker, and this is really where he belongs. He seems much more comfortable and his element in the box rather than the safety position." - Salt Lake Tribune

(DS#24 OLB) rJr/2022

OLB Nephi Sewell, Utah
News Source: Salt Lake Tribune
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10/17/20 - TJ Pledger, Sr/2022, Utah, 5-08, 192 (DS#46 RB) + More +

OU junior TJ Pledger made his biggest impact on the Sooners' rushing attack in a 53-45 win over Texas on Saturday. In 2019, Pledger recorded just 65 yards on 11 carries in 10 appearances. On Saturday, Pledger gashed Texas' defense for a career day of 131 yards on 22 carries and two touchdowns. "It was definitely a surreal moment," Pledger said. "I was just thankful that I could showcase my talent on a national scale and really the biggest thing was seeing my family's reaction after the game. It was really a reaction I hadn't seen from them since high school. It really warmed my heart."

Pledger, a former four-star recruit and U.S. Army All-American, has played sparingly over his three-year career, waiting for his turn behind the likes of Kennedy Brooks and Trey Sermon. Now as OU's most veteran option, Pledger knows how important it is for him to perform at a high level, especially in a game like the Red River rivalry. "Understanding the history of the rivalry game, and understanding the tradition of OU running backs, it's always important to show up in the Red River rivalry and understanding how important the run game will be in the outcome of the game," Pledger said. Pledger led all rushers during Saturday's showdown, helping OU post 208 yards on the ground to Texas' 141. He credited OU's offensive line for making it happen, and they seemed just as pleased by Pledger's efforts. - Norman Transcript

(DS#46 RB) Sr/2022

RB TJ Pledger, Utah
News Source: Norman Transcript
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10/16/20 - Jaylen Dixon, rSr/2023, Utah, 5-09, 169 (DS#154 WR) + More +

A deep stable of pass-catching options at the University of Utah is now smaller by one. Jaylen Dixon, a redshirt junior slot receiver, announced Monday afternoon he has entered his name into the NCAA Transfer Portal. A three-star recruit in Utah's 2017 recruiting class, Dixon took a redshirt in 2017, then caught 56 passes for 932 yards and three touchdowns across the 2018 and 2019 seasons. The return of a healthy Britain Covey to Utah's offense may have helped fuel Dixon's departure. Covey, a redshirt junior, has 113 catches for 1,233 yards and five touchdowns in 29 career games. The Provo native will figure very prominently in the Utes' offense this fall. Utes offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig was saying as much Friday morning, hours before training camp opened. - Salt Lake Tribune

(DS#154 WR) rSr/2023

WR Jaylen Dixon, Utah
News Source: Salt Lake Tribune
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10/16/20 - TJ Pledger, Sr/2022, Utah, 5-08, 192 (DS#46 RB) + More +

OU relied on TJ Pledger and Marcus Major to handle running back responsibilities with Seth McGowan sidelined with an undisclosed injury. The inexperienced tailbacks delivered. "They had some really tough runs," Riley said. "They both made some big-time plays. They are two young guys who are going to continue to grow and get better and better." Pledger led the way with 131 yards rushing on 22 carries. He had two touchdowns and broke off a long of 26. Major finished with 43 yards on 12 carries and scored one of OU's four rushing touchdowns against the Longhorns. Rattler had the other. - Norman Transcript

(DS#46 RB) Sr/2022

RB TJ Pledger, Utah
News Source: Norman Transcript
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10/12/20 - TJ Pledger, Sr/2022, Utah, 5-08, 192 (DS#46 RB) + More +

OCT 12 BIG 12 OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: T.J. Pledger, RB, Jr., Oklahoma,...Oklahoma's T.J. Pledger rushed 22 times for career highs of 131 yards and two touchdowns, as Oklahoma beat No. 22 Texas 53-45 in the Red River Showdown. He also registered a pair of receptions for 24 yards. His touchdowns came in the third quarter on 2- and 1-yard runs to give the Sooners a 31-17 cushion. - Big 12 Football

(DS#46 RB) Sr/2022

RB TJ Pledger, Utah
News Source: Big 12 Football
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09/29/20 - TJ Pledger, Sr/2022, Utah, 5-08, 192 (DS#46 RB) + More +

OU junior T.J. Pledger made his season debut against Kansas State, receiving the starting nod over Seth McGowan and Marcus Major. Pledger finished with a team second-leading 41 yards rushing on 13 carries. He also made an impact in OU's passing game, recording 30 yards on three catches. Pledger never was able to break off any big runs. Though, he and the rest of OU's running backs showed plenty of toughness against a quality Kansas State defensive line. "I thought we ran hard and pretty physical," Riley said. "Both Seth (McGowan) and TJ did. But obviously, we had the one fumble on the ground and then just again, weren't able to shake loose and really pop any. And then when we did, I can think of two of them that we had big penalties on. "Running game was definitely more consistent but was not near as explosive as we needed it to be." - Norman Transcript

(DS#46 RB) Sr/2022

RB TJ Pledger, Utah
News Source: Norman Transcript
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08/29/20 - Britain Covey, rSr/2022, Utah, 5-08, 169 (DS#34 WR) + More +

Britain Covey hears the jokes, but in fairness, jokes about how old he is and how long he has been at the University of Utah are probably valid. Still only a redshirt junior at the age of 23 after taking a two-year LDS mission during the 2016 and 2017 seasons, Covey's first collegiate game was against the University of Michigan in 2015. The game stands out because it was Jim Harbaugh's head-coaching debut with the Wolverines, which, on a college football timeline, feels like a lifetime ago. With no fall football for the Pac-12, and no promise of a winter/spring season at this point, Covey, aware of his age and injury history, plans to play out the final two years of his career at Utah, at which point it would theoretically be the fall of 2022 and he will be 25.

Instead of waiting for those jokes to come in two years, Covey is getting out in front of them. "If I do, I'll be the first grandpa in college football history," Covey joked to The Salt Lake Tribune late last week. "I know my age is a running joke, but honestly, I feel like I'm in my prime and my body is where it's never been before. You look at the NFL, the best wide receivers, the average age is 27, 28-years old. Those guys are craftsmen, but they needed to mature and develop. I think I'm just entering that phase." Covey continues to believe the NFL is an attainable goal, but he's keeping it in the back of his mind with more pressing matters to deal with in the present. - Salt Lake Tribune

(DS#34 WR) rSr/2022

WR Britain Covey, Utah
News Source: Salt Lake Tribune
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08/05/20 - Keegan Markgraf, rSr/2022, Utah, 6-3, 239 (DS#6 LS) + More +

2020 PRESEASON PATRICK MANNELLY LONG SNAPPER AWARD WATCHLIST: Keegan Markgraf, Utah,...Transfer walk-on joined the team in fall camp in 2018...in his third season at both long and short snapper...has one year left to play his final season of eligibility...Started all 14 games at short and long snapper in 2019...119 snaps (45 punt, 15 field goal, 58 PAT)...first-team CoSIDA Academic All-District...Pac-12 All-Academic. - Utah Football

(DS#6 LS) rSr/2022

LS Keegan Markgraf, Utah
News Source: Utah Football
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07/28/20 - Dalton Kincaid, rSr/2023, Utah, 6-4, 246 (DS#2 TE) + More +

2020 PHIL STEELE/DRAFTSCOUT PRESEASON ALL-FCS FIRST TEAM: TE Dalton Kincaid, San Diego, Jr.,...Kincaid was All-PFL Second Team in 2019...Led all FCS tight ends in yards per catch (18.98)...21st among all receivers...Second among FCS tight ends in receiving yards and receiving yards per game...44 rec, 835 yards and 8 TDs in 12 games. - San Diego Football

(DS#2 TE) rSr/2023

TE Dalton Kincaid, Utah
News Source: San Diego Football
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07/26/20 - Devin Lloyd, Sr/2022, Utah, 6-3, 237 (DS#1 ILB) + More +

2020 WUERFFEL TROPHY PRESEASON WATCH LIST: Devin Lloyd, Utah, junior, linebacker,...Honorable mention All-Pac-12 honoree started at rover linebacker as a sophomore...led Utah with 91 tackles...second on the team (tied for seventh in the Pac-12) with 6.5 sacks and second on the team with 11.0 tackles for loss (ninth in the Pac-12). - Utah Football

(DS#1 ILB) Sr/2022

ILB Devin Lloyd, Utah
News Source: Utah Football
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07/25/20 - Britain Covey, rSr/2022, Utah, 5-08, 169 (DS#34 WR) + More +

2020 PRESEASON PAUL HORNUNG AWARD WATCH LIST: Britain Covey, Utah,...Utah's leading receiver as a freshman in 2015 and a sophomore in 2018...two-time All-Pac-12 returner (first team in 2018) and a 2015 Freshman All-American...two career 100-yard receiving games...Played in four games with three starts before redshirting in 2019...l0 receptions for 77 yards, adding three rushes for 22 yards, three kick returns for 52 yards and nine punt returns for 69 yards. - Utah Football

(DS#34 WR) rSr/2022

WR Britain Covey, Utah
News Source: Utah Football
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07/25/20 - Devin Lloyd, Sr/2022, Utah, 6-3, 237 (DS#1 ILB) + More +

2020 BUTKUS AWARD PRESEASON WATCH LIST: Devin Lloyd, Utah,...Honorable mention All-Pac-12 in 2019...started all 14 games at rover linebacker...led Utah with 91 tackles...second on the team (tied for seventh in the Pac-12) with 6.5 sacks and second on the team with 11.0 tackles for loss (ninth in the Pac-12)...led or tied for the team lead in tackles in five games. - Utah Football

(DS#1 ILB) Sr/2022

ILB Devin Lloyd, Utah
News Source: Utah Football
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07/06/20 - Brant Kuithe, rSr/2025, Utah, 6-2, 236 (DS#2 FB) + More +

The bad news for the University of Utah is that once mandatory summer activities and training camp begin, coaches still need to figure out who the starting quarterback will be. The good news is, whether it's South Carolina graduate transfer Jake Bentley or redshirt sophomore Cameron Rising, that signal caller is going to have more than a fair amount of pass-catching options. Entering the 2020 season, the Utes return seven players who caught at least 10 passes last season. Chief among them is junior tight end Brant Kuithe, whose emergence in the second half of the season was a revelation. His 34 catches for 602 yards and 6 touchdowns as a sophomore mark him as one of, if not the top returning tight end in the Pac-12. Utah possesses a second starting-caliber tight end thanks to junior Cole Fotheringham (16 catches, 156 yards, 1 TD). - Salt Lake Tribune

(DS#2 FB) rSr/2025

FB Brant Kuithe, Utah
News Source: Salt Lake Tribune
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06/05/20 - Morgan Scalley, Sr/2005, Utah, 5-10, 199 (DS#21 FS) + More +

Utah has suspended defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley for using a racial slur in a 2013 text message. Utes athletic director Mark Harlan said in a statement Friday that he was made aware of a social media post that referenced the text message. Utah will have an outside firm review the matter for more details and to determine whether it was an isolated incident. Morgan will be suspended until the review is completed. "The use of any form of racist language is not only antithetical to our policies and our values, but it is an affront to all of us, especially our African-American community members," Harlan said. Morgan acknowledged use of the slur and apologized in a statement released by the school. Scalley has been an assistant at Utah for 13 years, the past five as defensive coordinator. - AP College Football

(DS#21 FS) Sr/2005

FS Morgan Scalley, Utah
News Source: AP College Football
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