For some student-athletes, deciding where to play collegiate football can be a difficult, long and drawn out process, but for junior Julian Blackmon, it was a "no-brainer".

"I started coming to the camps when I was younger because Sharrieff Shah is really close with my dad," Blackmon said. "When I got to high school, he started recruiting me and believed in me, even when I wasn't getting heavily recruited. I have always been a big Utah fan, so I knew this was where I wanted to be."

The Layton, Utah, native found a knack for football at a young age with the sport being a family affair. His two older brothers were active in football when they were younger, giving him motivation to become an elite athlete.

"I wanted to be like my brothers, but I wanted to be better because I was the youngest," Blackmon said. "We've always been together just believing in each other. If one was in trouble, we were all in trouble and if one was doing something good, we all were. We always have each other's backs. I like to be the younger brother though, so that I can prove them right and make them proud."

Blackmon certainly made his family proud with a standout career at Layton High School. He was a two-time all-region selection at both cornerback and wide receiver, also earning second-team all-area in basketball. Playing both offense and defense in high school and then switching to strictly defense in college was hard, but being at cornerback is where Blackmon sees himself flourish.

"The biggest transition for me was just not getting the ball as much," he said. "I always wanted to be more aggressive though, so I kind of chose defense over offensive coming here. I like competition and I believe that at corner, you have a lot more with one-on-ones to prove who is better. I want to prove myself and compete against the best receivers in the Pac-12."

After a breakout sophomore year in 2017, Blackmon has proved that he can run step-for-step with the best wide receivers in the conference, earning second-team all-Pac-12 honors. He started all 13 games, leading Utah in interceptions (4) and passes defended (10) and eventually earned Heart of Dallas Bowl MVP along with AP and ESPN All-Bowl teams. Despite having a great second year at Utah, Blackmon sees room to become even better.

"I am working to understand the game better," he said. "I am mentally and physically preparing myself to have a better year than last year. I think that I did well, but I think that I can expand my game too. It all comes with time and just training and preparing myself the correct way. Anything the coaches need me to do, I am willing to do to get better for the team."

The Utes are coming off a season where they finished third in the Pac-12 in scoring defense and total defense and fourth in passing defense. They will have four starters returning to the secondary in Blackmon, Marquise Blair, Corrion Ballard and Javelin K. Guidry, all showing that the 2018 season will be one to watch.

"I think Utah fans are going to see a lot of energy, a lot of focus and good football," Blackmon said. "They are going to see a lot of great players making great plays and we are bringing in more than just the four returning starters. The whole secondary is good. Once they get that spotlight, fans will be able to be excited for years to come about this group."