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Utah Football: Will Utes live up to lofty preseason 2019 hype?

By Jake Mitchell

SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 30: Javelin K. Guidry #28 and Leki Fotu #99 of the Utah Utes celebrate after Guidry intercepted a pass against the Washington Huskies during the Pac 12 Championship game at Levi's Stadium on November 30, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 30: Javelin K. Guidry #28 and Leki Fotu #99 of the Utah Utes celebrate after Guidry intercepted a pass against the Washington Huskies during the Pac 12 Championship game at Levi's Stadium on November 30, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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TUCSON, AZ – SEPTEMBER 22: Defensive end Bradlee Anae #6 of the Utah Utes sacks quarterback Brandon Dawkins #13 of the Arizona Wildcats during the first half of the college football game at Arizona Stadium on September 22, 2017 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
TUCSON, AZ – SEPTEMBER 22: Defensive end Bradlee Anae #6 of the Utah Utes sacks quarterback Brandon Dawkins #13 of the Arizona Wildcats during the first half of the college football game at Arizona Stadium on September 22, 2017 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Defensive line leads the way

The defensive side of the ball has a history of being strong during Kyle Whittingham’s tenure, and that should be the case once again in 2019. Seven starters return on a unit that ranked 16th nationally in scoring defense and 14th in total defense.

The two key returners are up front. Leki Fotu and Bradlee Anae both elected to hold off on the NFL, and they’ll bolster a position group that has several up-and-coming players. With two NFL prospects, and maybe more emerging this year, the Ute’s front will be one of the best in the conference.

Unfortunately for Utah, while they keep a pair of players up front, they lose a great linebacking tandem. Cody Barton and Chase Hansen are two of the best the school has produced, and replacing them will be a tall task. Penn State grad transfer Manny Bowen is likely to fill one of those spots, and Francis Bernard is a strong contender for the other.

In the back end, Julian Blackmon will make the transition from cornerback to safety. This move comes after the departure of both starting safeties from a year ago. Seniors Tareke Lewis and Terrell Burgess will man the cornerback spots, so there shouldn’t be a big dip in production.

The offense has improved in Salt Lake, and with this always-reliable defense, the sky is the limit for Utah.

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