Ty Jordan named Freshman OPOY, others named to All-Conference Teams

Utah has a superstar in the making at running back, and the Pac-12 recognized as much by naming Ty Jordan the Freshman Offensive Player of the Year. Jordan scored six touchdowns and had 723 all-purpose yards. Utah’s three game winning streak coincided with the three-straight 100+ yard rushing games he had end the season, including his career-high 167 rushing yards against Oregon State. His 167 rushing yards against Oregon State was the most by a true freshman since 1995. Jordan earned three Pac-12 Freshman of the Week honors, and he did all that with getting few carriers against USC, and started to get a bit more against Washington. Not bad for a running back that was third on the depth chart to open up the season. It is the second straight season that the Utes have earned a player of the year honor from the Pac-12 with Zack Moss earning Offensive Player of the Year in 2019. It is also the first time since 2000 that the Utes have had a player earn conference freshman of the year with Jason Kaufusi winning Mountain West Freshman of the Year in 2000.

Joining Jordan with some post season honors were Nick Ford, Devin Lloyd, Jadon Redding and Britain Covery. Covey was named for his special teams performances, which was as electric as we’ve seen since his freshman season.

Jordan was named to the second team all conference, along with Brant Kuithe and Samoa Laumea. A lot of offensive talent for the Utes on the all conference teams.

Joining everyone else, Mika Tafua, Nephi Sewll, Ja Travis Broughton, Covey (as a wide out) and Keegan Markgraf were all named as honorable mentions.

Not bad for a team that was reloading. Now the Utes just need to stabilize the quarterback position, and if they do just that, something special may be coming.

Below is a bit more from the Utah athletic department on the selections.

Quick Hits on Utah’s First & Second Team Selections

#55 Nick Ford :: OL :: JR :: First-Team All-Pac-12 OffenseHas played virtually every position on the offensive line since stepping foot in SLC … started all five games on the line (1 at LT, 4 at center) … helped the Utes to average 194.0 rushing yards per game with 5.1 yards per carry and nine rushing touchdowns … Utah finished the season with three games with 200+ yards rushing, including a season-best 229 against Oregon State … was integral in allowing just one sacks in the final three games of the season with the Utes passing for a season-high 305 yards against Washington State.

#0 Devin Lloyd :: LB :: JR :: First-Team All-Pac-12 DefenseLed Utah in total tackles (48) and tackles for loss (10.0), adding 2.0 sacks, one quarterback hurry and a forced fumble … Butkus Award Finalist … he ranks eight in the FBS and fifth in the Pac-12 in solo tackles per game (6.6), second in the FBS and in the Pac-12 in tackles for loss per game (2.0) and is fifth in the Pac-12 in total tackles per game (9.6) … had three double-digit tackle games … back-to-back games with career-high 11 tackles, against USC and Washington … 10 tackles with a career-high four tackles for loss against Washington State … his four tackles for loss in a game ranks as the second-most by a Pac-12 player this season.

#97 Jadon Redding :: PK :: SO :: First-Team All-Pac-12 Special Teams Finished the season perfect from field goal range and on PATs, going 8-for-8 on field goals and 17-for-17 on PATs, leading the Utes in points scored this season (41) … one of five players in the FBS and one of two in the Pac-12 to not miss a field goal this season … was 2-for-2 from 20-29 yards, 3-for-3 from 30-39 yards and 3-for-3 from 40-49 yards … three of his last four field goals of the year were from 40+ yards, including his career-long 44-yarder against Washington State … won back-to-back Pac-12 Special Teams Player of the Week honors for his 12 points and career-high three made field goals against both Oregon State and Colorado.

#18 Britain Covey :: RS/WR :: JR :: First-Team All-Pac-12 Special TeamsLed the Utes in punt returns (8), punt return yards (129) and punt return touchdowns (1), also finishing the season with four kickoff returns for 113 yards (28.2 ypr) … averaged 16.1 yards per punt return, which ranks second in the FBS and first in the Pac-12 … his 64-yard punt return for a touchdown against Oregon State was the second-longest by a Pac-12 player this season … ranked second on the team in all-purpose yards (509) … career-high 88 kickoff return yards against Colorado, averaging 29.3 per return (3 returns) … end the season ranked fifth in career punt returns (63), fourth in career punt return yards (665) and seventh in career punt return average (10.6).

#22 Ty Jordan :: RB :: FR :: Pac-12 Offensive Freshman of the Year, Second-Team All-Pac-12 OffenseLed Utah in carries (83), rushing yards (597), rushing yards per game (119.4), rushing yards per carry (7.2),

#80 Brant Kuithe :: TE :: JR :: Second-Team All-Pac-12 OffenseLed the Utes in receptions (25), gaining 236 yards (9.4 ypc) … he also had six rushes for 50 yards (8.3 ypc) … his blocking helped the Utes to average 194.0 yards per game on the ground … had at least four catches in four of Utah’s five games … led all Pac-12 tight ends and tied for fourth among TEs in the FBS in receptions per game (5.0) … career-high eight receptions against Oregon State with a season-best 76 yards … season-high 94 all-purpose yards against Washington State with six catches for 61 yards (10.2 ypc) and three carries for 33 yards (11.0 ypc).

#78 Sataoa Laumea :: OL :: R-FR :: Second-Team All-Pac-12 OffenseStarted every game at right guard, becoming just the second freshman in the Kyle Whittingham era to start every game in a season on the offensive line … helped the Utes to average 194.0 rushing yards per game with 5.1 yards per carry and nine rushing touchdowns … Utah finished the season with three games with 200+ yards rushing, including a season-best 229 against Oregon State … was integral in allowing just one sacks in the final three games of the season with the Utes passing for a season-high 305 yards against Washington State.

#42 Mika Tafua :: DE :: JR :: Second-Team All-Pac-12 DefenseLed the defensive line in total tackles (14) while tying for the lead in tackles for loss (3.0) … also had a team-high 3.0 sacks along with two pass breakups, a team-best three quarterback hurries and a forced fumble … season-high five tackles against USC and Oregon State, recording a sack in both games … career-high three quarterback hurries and two pass breakups against Colorado … two tackles and a key forced fumble in Utah’s comeback victory against Washington State.