4. College Football News Preview 2020: Utah Utes Defense 3 Things To Know
– Start with this … it’s Utah. The defense is going to be good. The program has a great way to develop talent, the coaching is top-shelf, and there’s going to be good production no matter what. However …
Losing nine of the top 11 tacklers is a problem.
Seven all-star-caliber Utes were drafted, six of them come from the defensive side including the most of the killers on the defensive line and most of the main men in the secondary including new Chicago Bear Jaylon Johnson and Indianapolis Colt Terrell Burgess at safety.
CFN in 60 Podcast: 2020 Utah Utes
Utah preview in 60 seconds
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– The nation’s second-best defense still has talent to work with. Junior Devin Lloyd will be be one of the nation’s best linebackers, and he’s surrounded by good speed and promise with a slew of underclassmen – and former Nevada producer Nephi Sewell – to get around everything. Start with this group, and assume the line will be solid in a next-man-up way.
The tackles are huge, with 310+ pounders Viane Moala and Hauati Pututau going to be more than fine taking over bigger roles. Finding another Bradlee Anae is asking for too much, but junior Mika Tafua leads what should be a decent rotation.
– The secondary is going to need a bit. The Utes had an NFL-level group of defensive backs in the back five if Nephi Sewell ends up moving from safety to linebacker. All five starters might need to be replaced, and they’ll have to do it without the same sure-thing pass rush of last year. At the moment, junior corner Bronson Boyd is the only projected starter who has started a game.