ESPN - Blue Ribbon Preview - Utah Utes Football 2010

Summary - Utah has reached unprecedented heights the last two years. In 2008 it capped an undefeated season with a dominating 31-17 victory over Alabama in the Sugar Bowl. Last season Utah finished third in the Mountain West, but it was 10-3 and won its fifth straight bowl game with Kyle Whittingham as head coach, a 37-27 victory over California in the Poinsettia Bowl. It has also won nine straight bowl games, the last loss back in the 1996 Copper Bowl.  That football success was only part of the reason the expansion hungry Pac-10, after having taken one Big 12 school (Colorado) and being turned down by five others, including Texas, reached out to Utah in mid-June. Unlike the Longhorns, the Utes jumped at the chance to switch conferences. They'll leave the Mountain West after this season and become the 12th member of the Pac-10 in 2011.  Whittingham and his staff have built Utah into a team that should be ready for the move to a BCS conference. He's 47-17 in five seasons and has a winning record over all but one Mountain West team -- archrival BYU (2-3). Six of his former players were selected in the NFL draft in April, and a record 10,000 fans showed up to watch the spring game. So what does Utah do for an encore? "We're trying like heck to do our best to win a championship," Whittingham said.  Nothing bold or brash, but that's how Whittingham runs his program. And a run at a championship is a possibility with eight starters back on offense, including two quality quarterbacks, a 1,000-yard rusher and four starting offensive linemen.  Some holes need to be filled on defense, but even though there are only four returning starters, there are players back that saw playing time. Utah has arrived at the enviable position where the word "rebuilding" has given way to "reloading." 

If Utah can win, the schedule is set up for another run at a BCS bowl.  It opens the season at home against Pittsburgh, and also plays road nonconference games at Notre Dame and Iowa State.  The Utes also get perennial Mountain West powers TCU and BYU at home in November.  "We're excited about the challenge, and right now we feel pretty good about where we're at," Whittingham said.  The six players taken in this year's NFL draft shows the caliber of player and program Whittingham has developed. When he took over for Urban Meyer after Utah's first BCS bowl win in 2004, many thought he was just riding the coattails of Meyer's recruiting. This will be Whittingham's sixth full season as head coach, and he's riding his own coattails now.

2010 Schedule

Sept. 2 -- Pittsburgh

11 -- UNLV

18 -- @New Mexico

25 -- San Jose State

Oct. 9 -- @Iowa State

16 -- @Wyoming

23 -- Colorado State

30 -- @Air Force

Nov. 6 -- TCU

Nov. 13 -- @Notre Dame

20 -- @San Diego State

27 -- BYU

STAFF - Head Coach: Kyle Whittingham (BYU '84), Record at school: 47-17 (5 years), Career record: 47-17 (5 years), John Pease (Utah '64) Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Line, Aaron Roderick (BYU '98) Co-Offensive Coordinator/Receivers, Dave Schramm (San Diego State '88) Co-Offensive Coordinator/Tight Ends, Kalani Sitake (BYU '00) Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers, Aaron Alford (Colorado State '97) Running Backs,  Jay Hill (Utah '00) Cornerbacks/Special Teams Coordinator, Brian Johnson (Utah '09) Quarterbacks, Blake Miller (LSU '93) Offensive Line, Morgan Scalley (Utah '04) Safeties/Recruiting Coordinator

QUARTERBACKS -  Jordan Wynn (6-1, 195) made his college debut in the eighth game last season against Wyoming in relief of starter Terrance Cain (5-11, 194).  Not only did Wynn lead Utah to a 22-10 win in that game, he remained the starter the rest of the season. Utah won four of its final six games, and Wynn was chosen the Offensive MVP in the Poinsettia Bowl with a career-high 338 passing yards.  Wynn is now a sophomore and Cain a senior, but there's no doubt who the starting quarterback is.  "Jordan Wynn is our starter," Whittingham said.  Wynn completed 58.1 percent of his passes and threw for 1,329 yards with eight touchdowns and four interceptions. He suffered an injury to his left -- non-throwing -- shoulder on the second play of the spring game that required arthroscopic surgery, but he is expected to be ready for summer workouts and fall camp in August.  But even if Wynn isn't healthy or he struggles, it's not like Utah doesn't have a proven backup. It went 7-1 with Cain as the starter, with the only loss coming at Oregon. Cain played in 12 games last season, completed 63.7 percent of his passes and threw for 1,624 yards and 11 touchdowns compared to only five interceptions. He also was the third-leading rusher with 318 yards and two touchdowns.  "We feel like we can beat anyone on our schedule with Terrance Cain," co-offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick said. "It doesn't really change what we do, it just provides us with that security. ... We have tons of confidence in him."  New quarterback coach Brian Johnson, a former Utah quarterback who led the team to an undefeated season and win over Alabama in the Sugar Bowl in 2008, did a nice job coaching all the quarterbacks during the spring, but in particular with Cain.  "If you compare Terrance right now as opposed to where he was last year, it's night and day," Whittingham said. "That's to be expected. He's a year into the program. He's got complete command of the offense. ... He's exceeded expectations."  When asked if there could be ways Wynn and Cain get on the field at the same time, Roderick didn't hesitate. "If there's a way Terrance can help us win, we'll use him," he said.  One of the biggest surprises from the spring, in Wittingham's opinion, was redshirt freshman Griff Robles (6-4, 226). Robles replaced Wynn in the spring game and completed 18-of-26 passes for 234 yards and a touchdown.

RUNNING BACKS - Utah returns 1,000-yard rusher in senior Eddie Wide (5-10, 195), who as a junior produced 1,069 yards and a conference-best 12 rushing touchdowns. Wide was one of two backs in the league (along with BYU's Harvey Unga) to run for 1,000 yards in 2009.  Also back is senior Matt Asiata (5-11, 229), who has recovered from a knee injury. Asiata was hurt in the fourth game, and still finished with 330 yards, four touchdowns and 4.5 yards per carry.  "In my opinion Matt was one of the best running backs in the nation when he got hurt last year," Roderick said.  In 2008 Asiata ran for a team-high 707 yards and 12 touchdowns. Utah was careful with Asiata during the spring, but he is expected to be ready for the season.  Sophomore Sausan Shakerin (6-2, 222) averaged 5.5 yards on just 36 carries last season. There may be more running backs on the roster, but in Whittingham's mind these are the three players that will compete for playing time this season.  "We're going to take this competition into the fall," he said. "Eddie Wide was a 1,000-yard rusher last year, Matt is a proven commodity and with Shak's potential we're going to give them all opportunities.  "If they all produce and do a good job, then they'll all get carries. If somebody separates themselves from the pack, then the carries will be divided up accordingly."  Roderick isn't worried about getting his three running backs enough touches throughout the season.  "You can never have enough playmakers," Roderick said. "We've got to do a good job of managing that and making sure we're using all of our weapons appropriately."

RECEIVERS - Aside from senior Jereme Brooks (5-7, 170), who had 56 catches for 696 yards and seven touchdowns last season, wide receiver is a work in progress. Brooks' catches and yards were second on the team, and his touchdown catches were a team high.  "Jereme's got a chance to become the all-time leading receiver at our school," Roderick said. "It's funny because I don't think many of our fans recognize that. He will be a four-year starter. He's a little guy, but he's an explosive player and real exciting with the ball. He's a weapon, and we're going to use him."  Sophomore Luke Matthews (6-1, 201) and senior Shaky Smithson (5-11, 202) saw significant playing time last season. Matthews caught nine passes for 108 yards, and Smithson added 13 catches for 100 yards. Smithson underwent offseason shoulder surgery and missed spring ball.  Redshirt freshman walk-on Griffin McNabb (5-8, 168) had "a tremendous spring," Whittingham said. McNabb is coming off a two-year Mormon Church mission last summer.  "He really caught some people's eyes and did a good job," said Whittingham, who compared McNabb's style of play to current New England Patriots receiver Wes Welker in terms of McNabb's stature and speed.  McNabb caught five passes for 100 yards and a touchdown in Utah's spring game.

Redshirt freshmen Fatu Moala (5-11, 178) and Sean Fitzgerald (6-3, 205), sophomore DeVonte Christopher (6-1, 195) and junior college transfer Martavious Lee (6-1, 185) have chances to move into the rotation with a good showing in fall camp.  Lee was a great pickup in late March out of Polomar (Calif.) Community College. The Miami (Fla.) native originally committed to LSU, which wanted him to finish his academic work at Polomar and enroll in school by the spring semester. He wasn't able to finish early, though, which made him available well after National Signing Day. The speedster was Polomar's MVP after catching 60 passes for 919 yards and seven touchdowns last season.  "We're going to need to find a couple of more guys, and that's either going to come from the youth already on our team or some of the new guys coming in," Roderick said.  Utah didn't get much production from the tight end spot last season, but it returns its top two guys in sophomore Kendrick Moeai (6-5, 236) and senior Brad Clifford (6-4, 248). Moeai was the starter, but both played in every game. The two combined for five catches. Moeai made four catches for 77 yards and two touchdowns.

OFFENSIVE LINE - The Utes have two potential first-team All-MWC players in senior left guard Caleb Schlauderaff (6-4, 302) and senior center Zane Taylor (6-2, 309). Both will be four-year lettermen and both were second-team All-MWC picks last season.  The other returning starters are sophomore right guard Tevita Stevens (6-1, 300) and junior right tackle Tony Bergstrom (6-6, 304).  The big question is what Utah will do at left tackle. It must replace departed senior and All-American Zane Beadles, who was chosen in the second round of the NFL draft by the Denver Broncos.  Roderick would like to replace Beadles with either redshirt freshman Percy Taumoelau (6-4, 300) or junior John Cullen (6-5, 270). He's from Fullerton (Calif.) College. Taumoelau got a lot of snaps in the spring, but Utah also moved Schlauderaff there "in case of an emergency," Roderick said.  Sophomore Sam Brenner (6-3, 300) is a highly regarded youngster that could push for Stevens' starting job at right guard, or even move to left guard if Schlauderaff moves to tackle. Senior Walter Watts (6-2, 297) is another guard that could step in.  Another junior college transfer, junior tackle Ron Tongaonevai (6-3, 345) is the biggest of Utah's linemen in terms of weight.

DEFENSIVE LINE - Only four starters return on the entire defense, but three of them are on the defensive line.  Inside there is junior Sealver Siliga (6-3, 299) and sophomore Dave Kruger (6-5, 275), whose older brother, Paul, is a former Utah defensive lineman now playing with the Baltimore Ravens. Siliga is the Utes' top returning tackler among linemen with 49. He also had 6.5 for loss. Kruger added 37 tackles and six stops for loss.  The depth behind Siliga and Kruger is unproven -- senior Neli A'asa (6-2, 287), junior college transfer James Aiono (6-4, 290) and redshirt freshmen LT Tuipulotu (6-1, 280) and Latu Heimuli (6-3, 305). Aiono signed in 2009 but enrolled in January after he completed his academic requirements. He was the top-rated junior college defensive lineman in the country in 2008 at Snow (Utah) College.  Utah thought Heimuli would play as a true freshman before he injured a knee.  With more depth inside, Utah looks to move junior Lei Talamaivao (6-2, 270) to right defensive end. A part-time starter at tackle the last two years, five of Talamaivao's 20 tackles were for loss last season.  At left end, senior (6-4, 265) and senior Christian Cox (6-1, 250) are battling for the starting job, although Tui'one also is listed as the backup at right defensive end. Last season, Cox contributed 31 tackles, including eight for loss and 5.5 sacks.  The battle could get more interesting in fall camp with the return of junior Derrick Shelby (6-3, 255). Shelby started at tackle in 2008 and for 10 games at end in 2009 before a knee injury ended his season. Shelby made 44 tackles, eight for loss and three sacks before he was hurt.

LINEBACKERS - All three starters must be replaced, but there is some experience on the roster.  Junior J.J. Williams (6-0, 220) has the most with 20 tackles. Williams started as a freshman in 2006 before leaving for a two-year Mormon Church mission. He will play the rover linebacker and will be backed up by junior Jamel King (6-2, 230), who made three tackles in eight games last season.  Utah suffered a hit at middle linebacker when projected starter and senior Nai Fotu (6-0, 235) suffered a season-ending knee injury in the spring. Fotu will redshirt and return in 2011. He started at linebacker in 2008 but played defensive end last season.  Fotu's injury leaves juniors Chaz Walker (5-11, 218) and Matt Martinez (6-0, 228) and sophomore Boo Andersen (6-1, 230) to battle it out in fall camp. Walker and Martinez are the front-runners. All three combined for 24 tackles last season.  At the stud linebacker, former quarterback Chad Manis (6-5, 235) has nice size. He practiced at both quarterback and linebacker last season, but he played exclusively on defense and special teams. Of his four tackles, two were for loss.  Utah is high on true freshman V.J. Fehoko (6-0, 222). He is listed as Manis' backup heading into fall camp. Fehoko played at Farrington High School in Honolulu and was a U.S. Army, Nike and Under Armour All-American. The three-time first-team all-state pick produced monster numbers in 2009 -- 86 tackles, including 30.5 sacks.

DEFENSIVE BACKS - The Utes have some proven players at safety and cornerback, but not enough for Whittingham's liking, especially at safety.  Strong safety is in good shape with senior Justin Taplin-Ross (6-3, 214). He is a three-year letterman and contributed 29 tackles, including 2.5 for loss, and broke up three passes last season.  "He's the one guy that we got that we know is the caliber of player that we need him to be," Whittingham said. "We're looking for the guy that is going to play next to him, and who will be the backups at those positions."  Coming out of spring, junior Greg Bird (6-2, 213) was listed as the starter at free safety, but he played in just three games last season. True freshman Damian Payne (6-0, 200) is the backup. From Klein Forest High School in Houston, Payne enrolled at Utah early. He comes from an athletic family; his father played football at Pittsburgh, his mother ran track at Prairie View and his brother plays football at California.  Behind Taplin-Ross are sophomore Bryce Bennion (6-0, 195) and redshirt freshman Chris Washington (6-0, 205).  At corner, senior Brandon Burton (6-0, 185) mans one side.  He led the Utes and tied for third in the conference last season with 10 pass break-ups. He also made 47 tackles and four for loss. Senior Lamar Chapman (5-8, 176) is listed as the other starting corner, but he is also listed as the nickel back in passing situations, so there could be some movement there in fall camp. Chapman was solid last season with 46 tackles, four tackles for loss, six pass break-ups and two interceptions.  Sophomore Reggie Topps (5-11, 180) and senior Kamaron Yancy (5-9, 183) could compete for playing time in fall camp, as could a handful of incoming freshmen.

SPECIAL TEAMS - Smithson led Utah last season in both kickoff and punt returns, and also was fourth in the conference in both. He averaged 24.7 yards per kickoff return and 9.5 yards per punt return.  Christopher was the No. 2 guy on kickoff returns with Smithson last season, and figures there again this season. Brooks also could see time there.  But because of Smithson's offseason shoulder surgery, McNabb got a lot of snaps as a punt returner.  Joe Phillips (5-11, 192) took over the placekicking duties early last season as a junior, and was the most accurate kicker in the conference as he made 20-of-22 field goals. He also missed only 1-of-39 extra points and tied for the league lead in scoring at 8.2 points per game. Phillips was an honorable mention All-MWC selection.  Sophomore punter Sean Sellwood returns as the holder, as does sophomore snapper Patrick Greene (6-2, 221).  Redshirt freshman Nick Marsh will backup Phillips and handle the kickoff duties. Phillips also can handle kickoffs.  Sean Sellwood (6-3, 200) earned honorable mention All-MWC honors last season as a redshirt freshman. He averaged 42.9 yards per punt, 27th in the nation. Sellwood had a long of 63 and 19 of his punts were downed inside the opponents' 20-yard line.  Nick Marsh (5-11, 192) is the backup.

NEWCOMERS - Utah brought in 24 players, including five early enrollees.  Twenty-three of the players came from three states -- eight each from Texas and California and seven from Utah. Those three states have been the main targets for Whittingham and his staff in recent years.   "Our heavy emphasis in Texas is really starting to pay off," said Whittingham on signing day.  It was a 50-50 split in terms of offensive and defensive players, but five were defensive backs and four were defensive linemen.   "While we did well in filling needs at specific positions, our primary emphasis has always been to recruit the best athletes possible, regardless of position," Whittingham said.  James Aiono, V.J. Fehoko and John Cullen could help right away. Fehoko was an ESPN Top 150 and a Sporting News Top 100 recruit, while Aiono and Cullen were the top-ranked junior college players at their respective positions.  Receiver Dres Anderson (6-1, 157) comes from good blood lines as he is the son of former NFL receiver Willie "Flipper" Anderson. The younger Anderson played at John W. North High School in Riverside, Calif.  True freshman Damian Payne has the best size of Utah's incoming defensive backs.  And if a Kruger is on the roster, expect him to play sooner than later. Joe Kruger (6-7, 245), brother of Paul and Dave Kruger, is a true freshman defensive end. Last season at Pleasant Grove High School in Orem, Utah, he was voted first-team all-state. He led the state in sacks (15) and made 51 total tackles.