2007 Statistics

QUARTERBACK
This will again be an offense that puts most of its eggs in the basket of dual-threat Brian Johnson. Andy Ludwig knows the Baytown (TX) native is a gamer, a guy who can throw an INT and then execute a perfect play-action pass to win the game on the very next play. Johnson runs this spread attack in the same improvisational way Alex Smith did, making split decisions that are almost always right when hindsight in the film room proves his smart play. Sure, the numbers for Johnson went down across the board compared to his 2005 campaign (his last healthy year), but the most recent win totals under his leadership speak volumes - the then-junior was 8-1 as a starter once he returned from a shoulder separation to make 2007 the best team win total under coach Whittingham yet. The shoulder injury probably cost three wins and a possible foray into the chaotic BCS tussle that was the '07 college football season. The stat that did improve - his 66.5 completion percentage - was only surpassed by 13 other QBs, so his 54th ranking in efficiency doesn't really tell the whole story on him. Expectations for one of the top running QBs are high now that it seems he has taken a proverbial corner, one that takes him towards his beckoning potential. Sophomore Corbin Louks is a bit smaller but a step faster than Johnson. He will be tutored by Johnson the same way Smith taught Johnson the subtle aspects needed for that extra bit of production, yards which equal more points/wins. Louks seems like Johnson in that he is just awaiting his shot to show his ample wares. The offense slows down if Louks is put in, but it may not mean any less ability for the offense to achieve its objectives.

RUNNING BACK
What Ludwig didn't have to do was sub out for Darrell Mack much since he was head and hands above the other RB choices. Yes, Mack is back, and he looks faster and better than he did in gaining 1,200+ yards and scoring 15 total TDs (12 rushing). His one knock, that he doesn't block so well, opens the door for a guy who does, Matt Asiata. A broken leg kept Asiata's '07 campaign from counting, so the junior still has two years left here. Asiata, who is faster than Darrell, will keep Mack from having to "carry the load" in the one-back sets since the JUCO product also plows so well for Johnson's runs/scrambles with his huge frame and deceptive speed. But the guy really turning heads this spring has been Eddie Wide, the fastest of this trio. Appropriately, Wide has added 20lbs and seems to have become a power runner more than the scat-back type he was upon arriving. Wide stood out at a number of different places at which he was lined up this spring, shifting the focus enough to force three RBs to be considered since all have raised their individual (and therefore the collective RB) bar(s). The odd guy out this spring was oft-injured Ray Stowers, the No.2 rusher last year who didn't lose a single yard on his 47 carries. If Stowers is on the back-burner, then newbie Sausan Shakerin will probably redshirt. Add in the QBs' running prowess to see why stopping the Ute ground attack will be priority one for defenders.

RECEIVER / TIGHT END
The receivers left much to be desired this spring, but it was due to vacancies, not a poor showing from the starters. Big Freddie Brown got extra reps due to the injuries, and they were needed as he started spring slow, but then floored by the end. Brent Casteel is still nursing the leg that was broken in the second game of '07; this kept him from being the best Ute snarler, which will be what he is still considered coming into fall. That is a slight to Marquis Wilson, but we intentionally say this to motivate Wilson to reach his high potential. Off-field troubles have kept this rare Ute four-star prospect from ever being an impact player here (except at PR). Without Wilson, Brandon Godfrey is the lone returning starter and the top returner for catches. The former transfer/walk-on is an over-achiever and a genuine leader. A pair of three-star JUCO guys come in and will see reps right away since the spread offense needs depth to the multiple-WR sets. Dudley LaPorte had the most catches (50) of any junior college tight end, so his arrival should also impact the ability for Utah to find yardage downfield. Rugby enthusiast Brad Clifford also looks like he will give senior Colt Sampson a challenge for reps.

OFFENSIVE LINE
The line stays pretty much intact, with only the center boasting a new face...and that face looks to be Zane Taylor's. The three-time Utah prep wrestling champ was a DT who took to the OL captain's position very quickly and displaced heir apparent Tyler Williams. The other returning starters are also 300+-pounders who can move when needed. Caleb Schlauderaff took over at left guard when Corey Seiuli hurt his ankle against UCLA, and the running game seemed to kick into a higher gear with the personnel change. The Schlauderaff-Seiuli battle will only make everyone better as limits are pushed in a good way. Besides the left guard replacement, the rest of the OL started the entire season together. Zane Beadles has started since his freshman year, controlling his side nicely. Like Beadles, RG Rob Conley garners All-MWC status. Improving senior Dustin Hensel is the biggest OLman, but his footwork is solid for any job needed. The backups - especially Watts, Williams and Seiuli - will be able to fill any gaps in front of them without the O skipping a beat. Without any weak points, this offense, which is already balanced, should moderately improve numbers across the board.

DEFENSIVE LINE
The run stopping wasn't bad by any means in '07, but losing Burnett will hurt since finding another who can supply so many TFLs and sacks is usually tough. The replacements for the nose guard positions are both strong candidates, especially Isley Filiaga - he set the state's prep record with a 475lb bench press. Filiaga came from BYU, so the hungry sophomore is still an underclassman after sitting out last year and will be a great Ute for years to come. He doesn't have the spot sewn up since Kenape Eliapo is regarded by the Utah OLmen as the best tackle this spring. Lei Talamaivao looked great for seven games, then he proved why freshmen are often not ready for the rigors of an entire collegiate-level football season. He "hit the wall", so to speak, and learned from that disappointing experience how to use the off-season to tone up. Tonga was a JUCO transfer who also had conditioning troubles last campaign, but everyone says both DTs have shown vast improvements this spring to buoy possibly the defense's biggest area of concern. One of the three incoming froshes will be expected to contribute. The ends are still strong, even without Burnett - Paul Kruger is actually an ex-QB prospect who just killed at everything he did as 21-year old freshman (had an INT, five pass break-ups and three sacks to tie for third on the team in each, led the Utes with three fumble recoveries and had the fourth most tackles). Koa Misi moving back to his more natural position will also help. Many thought Misi was the top DLmen last year; his foray inside due to injuries showed leadership by example that will only increase. It is no small statement to say Misi was the third leading Ute tackler, and his starting nod means Greg Newman will not go to Ann Arbor as a starter in his last year here...oh well, since Newman is an excellent utility guy like Misi who can slide inside and will see plenty of time. Ever since Urban Meyer was here, Utah has been a great example of a mid-major that still fields a big enough line that they can compete on equal size-speed terms with BCS-aligned foes (just ask UCLA).

LINEBACKER
Las Vegas ex-TE Stevenson Sylvester headlines a LB corps that will start slow but pick up steam as they gel. Sylvester covers both the run and pass equally well, proven by his 10 TFLs and five pass break-ups. Junior Mike Wright did a serviceable job as a replacement, but he needs to step up his gap shooting and block shedding to bolster that front interior we know is stocked by new faces. The knock on Nai Fotu was his coverage skills, but improvements seen this spring show he is no longer a/the weak link underneath. Gaison and Martinez are the top reserves, but few behind the starters know what to expect. This can be a great unit if they just rely on each other.

DEFENSIVE BACK
The strength of the defense will again be the secondary. How much better can the No.11 pass defense get? Well, with almost every member of the two-deep returning, moderate improvements are expected. The corners are led by Brice McCain, the defense's most tenured player and possibly the team's fastest (10.3-seconds in the 100). McCain plays much bigger than his 5'9 frame reflects, as evidenced by his 26 starts. Sean Smith was the team leader in INTs (four), and he got them in the seven games before he lost his starting role; this 6'3 junior is an ex-RB/KR who reciprocates McCain's ability to send business his way...foes will again be stuck, unable to throw away from either/both. That usually makes the third receiver a safe option, but with ex-RB R.J. Stanford topping McCain and Smith for total (solo) tackles after commandeering Smith's starting spot, no receivers are safe once across the line of scrimmage. Stanford plays physically against the run better than Smith, reflecting Smith's need to stop thinking about tackling since he hasn't quite achieved that killer defensive mentality yet. JC-transfer Tanner and third-fastest Ute Burton are emerging, so Jones could redshirt if these two pass him in summer practice to provide the depth needed. Joe Dale has climbed the learning curve quickly, earning Poinsettia Bowl Defensive MVP honors for his career high in tackles (12) and game-saving INT to stop Navy's final drive. Dale needs to work on his pursuit during laterally developing plays and/or options, with his marginal ability this way the main reason the Tate/Johnson tandem was chosen after two starts last year and why R.J. Rice and Deshawn Richard are on his tail for the start this time. Rice served well as a starter when forced into the role, and his work ethic (which keeps the 5'8 senior on top since others have better physical packages for ruling the deep middle) is contagious. Richard has the stopping skills along the line, but it's Terrell Cole's three forced fumbles (led team) that get his number called for the dime looks. Robert Johnson makes foes sing the blues, as proven by his over-the-top performance versus UCLA that earned him Nagurski and MWC Defensive Player of the Week status. Shoulder surgery was unavoidable after the injury that hindered Johnson's 2007 efforts lingered into the off-season and would have meant more marginal results. As the nation's top efficiency defense, only two teams forced a worse completion percentage (Utah's was 50.47) and only Southern Cal tied them for allowing the least aerial scores (nine).

All that has to happen for this defense to again be the Mountain West's tops in scoring allowed is for the run stopping to be a top 40 unit. Last year was the first time since the undefeated 2004 season that the Utes allowed only two teams to break the 30-point barrier. Along with last year's 29.6% rate during opponent's third-down tries (ranked 5th nationally), many signs point to further Utah defensive dominance.