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Pac-12 Football: Newcomers who’ll have an instant impact in 2022

By Dante Pryor

Dec 3, 2021; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Utah Utes players celebrate with the championship trophy after the 2021 Pac-12 Championship Game against the Utah Utes at Allegiant Stadium.Utah defeated Oregon 38-10. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2021; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Utah Utes players celebrate with the championship trophy after the 2021 Pac-12 Championship Game against the Utah Utes at Allegiant Stadium.Utah defeated Oregon 38-10. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Utah: Lander Barton, LB

Incoming freshman Lander Barton and Florida transfer Mohamoud Diabate could be here. Diabate totaled 156 tackles his final two seasons in Gainsville, and Barton is the school’s fifth-best recruit since they’ve rated recruits. Expect to see both compete for snaps and to start this fall.

Barton, the school’s only top-100 recruit, has the potential to be one of the best defenders the school has ever produced; that is saying a lot considering it is Utah. Barton is a high motor player and a freakish athlete who was a pretty good high school basketball player.

3. Oregon: (Transfer): Christian Gonzalez, S

Nebraska transfer Jordan Riley or UCLA transfer Chase Cota could fit here, but Christian Gonzalez is the likeliest starter from the portal. Gonzalez can be an essential signee this offseason for the Ducks. With Mykael Wright and DJ James gone, two spots in the defensive backfield are open for the taking.

Gonzalez received a vote for Pac-12 defensive freshman of the year in 2021 and is regarded as one of the best young defenders in the conference. He’s at Oregon with one of the brightest defensive minds in the game, head coach Dan Lanning and his former position coach is the cornerback’s coach at Oregon.

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