Utah Football: 5 players trending up after spring 2019

Kyle Whittingham has high hopes for Utah football in 2019 but can the Utes live up to the hype? Here are five players who can make that happen.

If you’re searching for a dark-horse contender to make a run at the Pac-12 title, look no further than Utah. The Utes bring back one of the most talented teams in the conference and are almost sure to be ranked in the AP Top 25 when the season begins.

Just last year, the Utes finished 9-5 and made it to the Pac-12 title game before falling short against Washington. Things should be better this year with a more experienced group and both Tyler Huntley and Zack Moss returning healthy.

While those two are big pieces to the puzzle for 2019, there have been other guys stepping up to the plate this spring.

Which five Utes are trending up after spring ball?

Although the spring game didn’t see the defense make too many big plays, Tyler Gonzalez made the most of his extended opportunity.

The redshirt freshman and former walk-on registered two sacks during the spring game and proved himself worthy of extended time on the field. It was almost hard to believe he was a walk-on defensive end but he looked like he fit into an improving defense.

Utah has plenty of pieces on that defensive line and if Gonzalez can step up and make plays this season, the Utes will have one of the best units in the Pac-12.

While Gonzalez may not have earned himself a ton of playing time after spring ball, he definitely improved his stock. We’ve seen guys with his size have success as walk-on defensive linemen in college football before — just look at Michigan State’s Kenny Willekes, an All-American.