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TRACKING TOP DRAFT PROSPECTS - WEEK 1: 35. Clark Phillips III, rSo, CB, Utah, 5-09, 183,...Phillips was among those unable to stop Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson who threw for 168 yards and ran for 106 yards and three touchdowns in a 29-26 upset over No. 7 ranked Utah. Philllips was credited with only one tackle in the game, although he seemed to be in on more, including one when he avoided a blocker to make a stop on a screen. Florida was conscious of Phillips and put his man in motion or seemed to stay away from him. - Frank Cooney/NFL Draft Scout

(DS#9 CB) rSo/2023

CB *Clark Phillips III, Utah
News Source: Frank Cooney/NFL Draft Scout
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09/01/22 - Cameron Rising, rSr/2025, Utah, 6-2, 220 (DS#28 QB) + More +

ESPN TOP 100 PRESEASON 2022 CFB PLAYERS (Selected Aug. 17): No. 48. Cameron Rising, QB, Utah, Junior. Notable 2021 stats: 2,492 yards, 20 TDs. Last year's ranking: NR. Relative to the chatter about incoming quarterbacks like USC's Caleb Williams and Wazzu's Cameron Ward, Rising is cruising a bit under the radar. Yet after a season with nearly 2,500 passing yards and a 20-5 touchdown-interception ratio, he's exactly the kind of steady quarterback with continuity on his side that Utah needs to win the conference again. - ESPN.com

(DS#28 QB) rSr/2025

QB Cameron Rising, Utah
News Source: ESPN.com
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09/01/22 - Tavion Thomas, rJr/2023, Utah, 6-0, 237 (DS#25 RB) + More +

2022 COLLEGE FOOTBALL'S TOP STAR DUOS/TRIOS: Utah RB Tavion Thomas had a school-record 21 rushing touchdowns, third-most in the FBS last season. Cornerback Clark Phillips III is a preseason second-team AP All-American, who has started all 19 games he's played in at Utah. Has recorded a pick-six in each of his first two seasons. - AP College Football

(DS#25 RB) rJr/2023

RB Tavion Thomas, Utah
News Source: AP College Football
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08/31/22 - Tavion Thomas, rJr/2023, Utah, 6-0, 237 (DS#25 RB) + More +

ESPN TOP 100 PRESEASON 2022 CFB PLAYERS (Selected Aug. 17): No. 84. Tavion Thomas, RB, Utah, Junior. Notable 2021 stats: 1,108 yards, 21 TDs. Last year's ranking: NR. A first-team all-Pac-12 selection last year after rushing for 1,108 yards with 21 touchdowns, Thomas figures to see an even bigger role after backfield mate T.J. Pledger left for the NFL. No Power 5 running back had more rushing touchdowns than the 6-2, 238-pound Thomas. - ESPN.com

(DS#25 RB) rJr/2023

RB Tavion Thomas, Utah
News Source: ESPN.com
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08/29/22 - Cameron Rising, rSr/2025, Utah, 6-2, 220 (DS#28 QB) + More +

2022 PRESEASON MANNING AWARD PRESEASON WATCH LIST: Cameron Rising, Jr., Utah,...Rising saw action in 13 games in 2021, starting the last 11, going 204-of-320 passing (5 INT, 20 TDs) for 2,493 yards, adding 74 carries for 499 rushing yards (6.7 ypc) and six rushing touchdowns...Pac-12 All-Conference first-team selection...Mayo Clinic Comeback Player of the Year semifinalist. - Utah Football

(DS#28 QB) rSr/2025

QB Cameron Rising, Utah
News Source: Utah Football
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08/22/22 - Cameron Rising, rSr/2025, Utah, 6-2, 220 (DS#28 QB) + More +

The Utah football program has announced the four players that will be wearing the captain's patch this season. On Thursday night, the Utes announced that quaterback Cameron Rising, defensive tackle Devin Kaufusi, tight end Brant Kuithe and cornerback Clark Phillips III will be their captains this season. Each was voted as a captain by Utah's players. Rising, entering his third season, threw for 2,493 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2021. Kaufusi, entering his fifth season, recorded 13 tackles last year. Kuithe is entering his fifth season and caught 50 passes for 611 yards and six touchdowns in 2021, while Phillips III - entering his third season with the Utes - had 61 tackles and two interceptions last season. - Deseret News

(DS#28 QB) rSr/2025

QB Cameron Rising, Utah
News Source: Deseret News
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08/21/22 - *Clark Phillips III, rSo/2023, Utah, 5-09, 184 (DS#9 CB) + More +

Now that college athletes can profit from their name, image and likeness, business opportunities are popping up all over the country. And that's certainly been the case at Utah, where athletes, like cornerback Clark Phillips III, are benefitting. Thanks to NIL, he recently made a big, splashy purchase. "One thing that I wanted was a nice car," Phillips said. "I got a red Mustang because it's red and we're Utah. I was good right there." Quarterback Cam Rising declined to give any details about anything he's bought through NIL. "Nothing too groundbreaking. But it's been good," he said. "I've been trying to be smart with my money and making sure I'm handling it with care and acting accordingly with my money...It's (the NIL process) been treating us well. We can't complain. Utah has been taking care of us. It's been positive. It's a tricky, unknown process but it's been good. There's nothing I would change at the moment." College athletics is a billion-dollar industry and now student-athletes are able to earn revenue for their efforts.

Of course, the amount of income depends on the athlete. While not all student-athletes can buy cars, having some extra spending money helps. "NIL has definitely been a good thing. It's something that college football was looking for for a while," Phillips said. "The biggest thing is, most guys aren't really struggling anymore. It shouldn't be a thing where guys don't have a couple of dollars in their pockets to go get a sandwich or a burger. That's been one of the biggest things. It's been great for us." - Deseret News

(DS#9 CB) rSo/2023

CB *Clark Phillips III, Utah
News Source: Deseret News
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08/18/22 - Devaughn Vele, rJr/2024, Utah, 6-4, 203 (DS#45 WR) + More +

In late July, before former Utah star Britain Covey traveled to Philadelphia for training camp with the Eagles, he stopped by the Utes' campus to work out with some current Utah players. Wide receiver Devaughn Vele took the opportunity to talk to Covey about playing at the next level. While Vele is locked in on the upcoming season with the Utes, he is hoping to launch his own NFL career someday. "I asked him a few pointers about the difference between the NFL and college football. He gave me a lot of good pointers," Vele said of Covey. "The biggest thing is understanding that we think that NFL players don't make mistakes. But they do. Their understanding of the game heightens more. They study film all the time. They know your tendencies. That's what they exploit when they're playing against you. "This is most possibly my last season but I'm also looking at the future, what I can contribute if I make it to the NFL. I've been working on my craft, little things. Instead of just having that one-foot tap-in for sideline catches, I'm practicing having two feet in. Things like that to heighten my game to not only help my team out but to also prepare me for the next level."

During his time at Utah, Covey caught 184 passes for 2,011 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also ran for 300 yards and accumulated 1,092 yards on punt returns, with four touchdowns, and 838 yards in kick returns, and one TD. Covey is supportive of his former teammates, like Vele, and he continues to try to help them. "Covey has a lot of faith in me. He told me that I can definitely play in the NFL. To hear that from a guy that's balling out in the NFL himself, it means a lot to me," Vele said. "The leadership that he had will always stay with me. I'm wishing him the best but I'm not worried about him. I know he's going to ball out. "But he's definitely helped me out a lot this offseason, texting me and talking to me," he continued. "I've been watching his film to help me with releasing and running my routes. If you can pick the mind of a pro athlete like NFL players, and (apply) that, you can be a very successful player." - Deseret News

(DS#45 WR) rJr/2024

WR Devaughn Vele, Utah
News Source: Deseret News
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08/18/22 - Emery Simmons, rSr/2024, Utah, 6-0, 180 (DS#197 WR) + More +

Emery Simmons is now getting ready for his first season with the Hoosiers. His journey to Bloomington has now become somewhat circular. The University of North Carolina transfer is an intriguing part of Indiana's receiving corps not only because of his tangibles but also his intangibles. "That dude is freaking tough," quarterback Jack Tuttle said about what stood out to him about Simmons. "Like, he's mentally tough, physically tough, just a grinder, really just a grinder. He'll be in the film room for hours - it's unreal."

Simmons was a standout at South View, where he played his junior and senior seasons. In those final two high school seasons, he tallied 122 receptions for 2,333 yards and 30 touchdowns. As a senior, he made a catch worth mentioning. The South View quarterback rolled right before launching the football across his body. Simmons, who had two defenders right on him, leaped back and hauled it in. "I think from there, I mean it was just really the legend is alive," Brewington said. "I mean, it was just unbelievable. I mean, almost every game, he did some type of circus catch." - Indianapolis Star/News

(DS#197 WR) rSr/2024

WR Emery Simmons, Utah
News Source: Indianapolis Star/News
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08/16/22 - Gabe Reid, rSr/2023, Utah, 6-1, 243 (DS#59 DE) + More +

Gabe Reid has returned to the state of Utah - a place where he has longstanding family ties. And he's joined a program at the University of Utah that will allow him to chase opposing quarterbacks and a program that he is hoping to help capture another Pac-12 championship. After spending the past four seasons at Stanford as a linebacker, the 6-foot, 247-pound senior is now a defensive end at Utah. For his final season of college football, Reid joins his younger brother, Karene Reid, a linebacker, on the Ute defense. "I would say it's home. That's the first thing, just being able to come home and play with my brother," Gabe said of his transfer from Stanford to Utah. "But Utah as a program, I really love that they're defensive-minded. "They're known for playing tough, gritty defense. Rushing the passer while getting after the quarterback is something that I pride myself on. That's something I definitely want to showcase in my last year of college football." At Stanford, Reid played in 42 games with 24 starts. He tallied 167 total tackles from 2018-21. In 2021, he recorded a career-high 10 tackles against Arizona State and had his first career interception against Oregon. He was a Pac-12 All-Academic in 2018. - Deseret News

(DS#59 DE) rSr/2023

DE Gabe Reid, Utah
News Source: Deseret News
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08/15/22 - Junior Tafuna, rSr/2025, Utah, 6-4, 308 (DS#46 DT) + More +

Though he's only a sophomore, Junior Tafuna is taking on more of a leadership role this season. "I like to play around and have fun," he said. "It's been a humbling experience because I've grown and matured out here on the field. I'm just taking things more seriously and it's helped me a lot." What did Tafuna learn from last season and what has he focused on during the offseason? "One thing is preparation. You never know when your number is going to get called. You've got to be prepared. I'm trying to remind myself every day to be prepared because you never know when it's going to be my last down or my last play with my brothers," he said. "One thing specifically I've worked on is being more attentive and smarter on the field. Looking at my keys, looking at the guard, seeing his eyes, reading the backfield and the tight ends, everything. I've tried to engrain that this fall camp." Defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley is impressed with Tafuna's development over the years. "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. Our staff does an unbelievable job making sure we're putting on the right weight, not doing it too quick," Scalley said. - Deseret News

(DS#46 DT) rSr/2025

DT Junior Tafuna, Utah
News Source: Deseret News
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08/15/22 - *Clark Phillips III, rSo/2023, Utah, 5-09, 184 (DS#9 CB) + More +

When the first-team defense takes on the first-team offense during Utah's fall camp practices, cornerback Clark Phillips III seeks out wide receiver Devaughn Vele. And Vele, naturally, seeks out Phillips. Vele has established himself as wide receiver No. 1 for the Utes, while Phillips is Utah's No. 1 cornerback and is regarded as one of the top corners in the country. It makes for some compelling matchups, intense competition and spirited verbal exchanges between the two. More importantly, Vele and Phillips are making each other better. As the Utes like to say, iron sharpens iron. "It's amazing. You should see it in practice, every time we have ones-on-ones. We're always calling each other out. We're always the first ones to step up. That's the kind of work I need," Vele said. "He's an NFL-caliber corner. If I want to get to that next level, I need to go against somebody every day that's going to bring that caliber of talent."

Phillips, who already has lined up against some of the most talented wide receivers in college football during his career, said he enjoys going up against Utah's receivers, particularly Vele, who caught 23 passes for 389 yards and a touchdown in 2021. "You see guys like Devaughn Vele, he feels like Megatron now," Phillips said, referring to former Detroit Lions great Calvin Johnson. "It's a blessing to have that. We go at it every single day." Sometimes, Vele gets the best of Phillips; sometimes Phillips gets the best of Vele. "I'm like, 'Dang, I was right there. I was right upon you and you still caught it. What do I need to do?" Phillips recalled. "I tell Devaughn I'll get him next time. - Deseret News

(DS#9 CB) rSo/2023

CB *Clark Phillips III, Utah
News Source: Deseret News
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08/14/22 - Mohamoud Diabate, Sr/2023, Utah, 6-4, 225 (DS#11 ILB) + More +

In January, linebacker Mohamoud Diabate transferred from Florida to Utah. During the spring, he was sidelined from practices as he recovered from shoulder surgery. Now, during fall camp, Diabate is finally on the field and practicing with his teammates. "So far, so good. It's an amazing feeling just to be out here and to be with the guys, to get a feel for it and compete," said the senior from Auburn, Alabama. "It's been what I've been waiting for since I touched down here in January. It's a great feeling." And as fate would have it, Diabate's first game as a Ute will be against his former team; Utah visits the Gators on Sept. 3. "He has tremendous range sideline to sideline. He's got great athleticism. He's got a good ability to deal with blockers. He's just an athlete. That's probably his best asset - his sheer athleticism." - Kyle Whittingham on Mohamoud Diabate.

That will certainly be a unique and unusual experience for Diabate. "Nothing compares to it. It's going to be a great environment, a great opportunity. It's like going to my ex-wife's house. It's going to be fun," he said. "I still have a lot of love and respect for those guys and the university (at Florida). Right now, we're just focusing on what we've gotta do. And when that time comes, it will come. We'll be ready." Diabate is expected to help fill the void left by Devin Lloyd, the 2021 Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year and a first-round NFL draft pick - by the Jacksonville Jaguars. - Deseret News

(DS#11 ILB) Sr/2023

ILB Mohamoud Diabate, Utah
News Source: Deseret News
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08/12/22 - Cole Bishop, Jr/2024, Utah, 6-2, 206 (DS#3 FS) + More +

Utah safety Cole Bishop came on strong at the end of last season. As a true freshman in 2021, the Peachtree City, Georgia, native became a starter in the ninth game of the season against Stanford. While Bishop established himself as a force in the Utes' defensive backfield, he worked hard in the offseason to improve his skill set. What aspect of his game did he focus on? "Definitely I need to improve on my man-coverage skills. We didn't run a ton of man last year and previously in Utah history we've been known to run a lot of man," Bishop said. "So I've focused a lot on that in film study, trying to make sure I know the defense as good as I can - not just my position but other positions as well."

As far as personal goals for this season? Bishop would like to get some takeaways. "I need some interceptions. I didn't get any last year," he said. "I need to get a few of those." Last season, Bishop was a Pac-12 all-conference honorable-mention selection and he led all true freshmen on the team with 54 tackles (nine for loss), three sacks and five pass breakups. He also blocked a 36-yard field goal attempt against Oregon. Against Arizona, Bishop tallied a career-high three tackles for loss, the most by a Utah true freshman since 2007. Defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley appreciates the diligence that Bishop brings to the program. "Cole's a stud. Cole's one that makes you a better coach, right?" he said. "He's another guy that's a student of the game. You see him studying film all the time." - Deseret News

(DS#3 FS) Jr/2024

FS Cole Bishop, Utah
News Source: Deseret News
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08/11/22 - Tobias Merriweather, Sr/2026, Utah, 6-4, 195 (DS#999 WR) + More +

Tobias Merriweather moves quickly. The four-star wide receiver recruit from the Portland suburb of West Camas, Wash., showed that on the football field during his decorated high school career. He also showed it on the track, where he ran a time of 21.80 in May to win the Washington state 4A 200-meter championship. Notre Dame came up empty in the transfer portal for wide receivers last offseason, but that doesn't mean the Irish didn't add an impact piece this June in Merriweather. What stands out about Merriweather, who has already added 13 pounds of muscle to his 6-foot-4, 198-pound frame since his arrival? "I think his talent," Irish offensive coordinator Tommy Rees said. "You see him (and think): 'This kid's got a chance.' It goes way deeper than that. He's got an unbelievable work ethic. He got himself ready in two months to start … camp, which is a testament to his work ethic, a testament to a couple guys on our staff that have helped get him ready." Rees also cited receivers coach Chansi Stuckey for doing "a tremendous job" with flattening Merriweather's learning curve.

All that Notre Dame can throw at the lanky freshman, Merriweather seems willing to take on. "He's a kid that's hungry for it," Rees said. "He's going to do more. That's kind of innately who he is. He's going to want more and learn and ask questions and prepare the right way. As a young player, to have a chance, you have to have that to play right away. I think he possesses that." Asked in late June about Merriweather and whether he will be ready for meaningful action this fall, Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman didn't hesitate. "I think he's going to have to be," Freeman told NDInsider.com. "He's got a long body that we don't have probably other than (6-5 sophomore) Deion Colzie. So, I believe he'll be able to help us early." - South Bend Tribune

(DS#999 WR) Sr/2026

WR Tobias Merriweather, Utah
News Source: South Bend Tribune
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