I used to have so much angst when Utah players transferred, but with the current sucky college football climate I get it.
Matthews had 29 catches, less than 300 yards and 0 TDs. Im sure he seeking somewhere where he’ll get more production. Best of luck to him.
Rumors OU tampered, er … NIL money offered.
https://x.com/UtahCFBstats/status/1732518026493169839?s=20
Yup…I’m pretty much in the same boat. CFB is just a sideline sport to me. If I weren’t a Utes fan, I probably wouldn’t pay much attention.
Gotta love the portal. It feels like this a bit.
What’s with all the DBs leaving?
reiterating what Jeremiah Jensen said on the radio today is that Utah is loaded with young DB’s. Shah recruits that position well and some DB’s might have been asked to move on. He mentioned Snowden needs time and we may see him play in the Vegas bowl.
Snowden played a lot against CU. He will likely play the nickel with Tao Johnson playing the corner. We still need some quality depth and I imagine the Utes will be looking in the portal.
JT was a senior who had another year with the Covid allowance. He’s started for 4 years, and while he hasn’t had a Clark Phillips or Jaylon Johnson breakout year, he’s been solid.
I wonder if JT has been feeling like he hasn’t been able to shine like he might with a year elsewhere, like Battle did in coming here from Ole Miss. Vaughn has become the one people talk about in being an NFL prospect.
Nothing but respect and appreciation for JT.
Like Utopia said, Tao can play outside corner, 6-1, HS track star, has played some FS, too, which is impressive. I don’t want to lay on expectations, but think Julian Blackmon.
Does anyone know if he will play in the bowl game?
Would be shocked if he did. Not worth the injury risk if he’s headed to the NFL.
I’m going to need a program to watch the bowl game !
Bishop declaring puts some pressure on the safety position for the bowl game, of course.
Obvious names are Vaki and Ritchie, but Scalley said earlier in the year Tao Johnson is the FS of the future. I think he’s close to having that position understood, which is impressive. Marcus Williams had it down as a FR, Clayton Isbell struggled. It’s not easy.
Also, I’ve seen a few snaps where Smith Snowden dropped into coverage as a S in a cover 2, but he’s not exactly built for heavy amounts of run support.
Morgan & Shah have found a formula first used heavily in 2019 with Blackmon & Burgess to use DBs who can be on the LOS or drop back as a S. That provides a ton of flexibility and puts pressure on opposing QBs.
Bill Reilly interviewed Kyle today and he had some interesting comments. First, he sounded worn out and tired. He said they expect 4 - 6 guys to go to the NFL and that none of them would play in bowl game. He indicated that some of those guys probably would have stayed had their been more NIL money. He indicated Snowden will get a lot of time in bowl game because neither safety would be playing. I don’t think he meant to make any declaration on Vaki, but he kind of did.
That would wear anyone down. It’s a nerve wracking time of year to be a HC.
So… Ritchie & Tao on the back end, Snowden & Vaughn outside. The FR need to step up - Elijah Davis, CJ Blocker, Xane Uipi. Davis & Blocker are talented, haven’t seen Uipi with a lot of snaps.
At least we’re not going up against CJ Stroud.
EDIT - I forgot about Johnathan Hall, who’s getting to be an overgrown S, is getting up into LB territory.
Evans, the 3-star JC transfer should be able to contribute immediately at Safety. I’d also expect them to get another experienced S in the portal.
Of course, all eyes are on Satuala, one of the very top HS class of 2024 safeties in the nation, who should be a Ute (fingers crossed).
Satuala will be announcing his commitment at some high school all star game after the first of the year.
The Curios Case of Brant Kuthie.
I think I noticed he was sitting next to Cam Rising at the basketball game. I assume he’ll be coming back, but I’ve heard nothing. Anyone know or heard anything?
Keaton Bills has declared for the draft…
BREAKING: Utah offensive lineman Keaton Bills will enter the 2024 NFL Draft
This is a pretty big one- really solid player filling an area of need.
