It was the beginning of October last year, starting to feel like fall, and the Utes were headed to Stanford to take on their third-straight ranked opponent after losing to Washington and Washington State to open Pac-12 play. The conditions were right for a Utah win, a win they needed.
Things started right for the Utes with
Zack Moss punching in a seven-yard rushing score to give Utah a 7-0 lead in the first quarter, but it was the first points of the second quarter that sent a surge through the entire team.
Jaylon Johnson picked off a perfect pass in the end zone and ran it back 100 yards for a touchdown that would send Utah on a scoring frenzy that ended with a 40-21 victory over the No. 14 Cardinal.
Utah football fans already knew the strength of the Utah defensive backs just looking on paper, but that night solidified something special. The quickness, the readiness, the toughness and the speed that would define the Utah secondary, and will continue to define it in 2019.
After a season that saw the Utah secondary finish ranked in the top-35 nationally in defensive touchdowns, interceptions, red zone defense, scoring defense and passing efficiency defense (32), the 2019 Ute defensive backs are primed and ready to get back on the field.
Utah currently has 20 defensive backs on the 2019 roster, 10 that saw action, that will include a mix of All-America and All-Pac-12 candidates and newcomers who want to make an immediate mark on the program. Headlining the Utah secondary this fall will be Pac-12 All-Conference selections
Julian Blackmon,
Jaylon Johnson and
Javelin Guidry.
Returning Lettermen (10)
| Julian Blackmon |
Sr. |
6-1, 195 (Layton, Utah) |
| Bronson Boyd |
So. |
6-0, 187 (Arlington, Texas) |
| Terrell Burgess |
Sr. |
6-0, 198 (San Marcos, Calif.) |
| Vonte Davis |
Jr. |
6-0, 190 (Rosenberg, Texas) |
| Javelin Guidry |
Jr. |
5-9, 188 (Murrieta, Calif.) |
| R.J. Hubert |
So. |
6-0, 198 (Logandale, Nev.) |
| Jaylon Johnson |
Jr. |
6-0, 190 (Fresno, Calif.) |
| Nygel King |
Jr. |
6-0, 180 (Tomball, Texas) |
| Tareke Lewis |
Sr. |
5-11, 180 (Palatka, Fla.) |
| Josh Nurse |
Sr. |
6-3, 200 (Fayetteville, Ga.) |
Redshirts (3)
Newcomers (6)
| Lucas Lilly |
So. |
6-0, 185 (Bozeman, Mont.) |
| Aaron Lowe |
Fr. |
6-0, 179 (Mesquite, Texas) |
| JaTravis McCloud |
Fr. |
5-11, 186 (Tulsa, Okla.) |
| LaCarea Pleasant-Johnson |
Fr. |
6-1, 161 (Phoenix, Ariz.) |
| Drew Rawls |
Fr. |
6-0, 184 (Beaumont, Texas) |
| Nephi Sewell |
Jr. (TR) |
6-0, 210 (St. George, Utah) |
Other Returners (1)
Quick Hits on Select 2019 Defensive Backs
Julian Blackmon | SR | Layton, Utah
Two-time Pac-12 All-Conference cornerback will play safety in 2019 … started all 14 games in 2018, leading Utah with 10 pass breakups that tied for fifth in the Pac-12 … 48 tackles and 11 passes defended in 2018 … led Utah with four interceptions and 10 passes defended as a sophomore, earning MVP of the Heart of Dallas Bowl.
Terrell Burgess | SR | San Marcos, Calif.
Was integral for the Utes in the secondary off the bench in 2018, playing in all 14 games while starting two … 16 total tackles in 2018 with three pass breakups … blocked a field goal against Weber State … season-high five tackles and a pass breakup in Utah's win over Arizona last season … has played in 31 total games for the Utes.
Javelin Guidry | JR | Murrieta, Calif.
Has been starting at nickel back since his freshman year … honorable mention All-Pac-12 in 2018 after racking up 42 tackles (3.5 TFL, 0.5 sack) while tying for eighth in the league and second on the team in pass breakups (9) … also one of the fastest players in NCAA football (6.59 60 meter time was tied for seventh in the world at the time).
Jaylon Johnson | JR | Fresno, Calif.
First-team All-Pac-12 in 2018 after starting all 14 games at corner … his four interceptions led Utah and tied for third in the Pac-12 … second in the Pac-12 and eighth in the nation with 126 interception return yards … 100-yard interception return against Stanford was just the third 100-yard return in Utah history … career-high eight tackles and a pass breakup against Northern Illinois.
Tareke Lewis | SR | Palatka, Fla.
Saw action in 11 games last season with two starts at corner against Washington State and Colorado … 16 total tackles on the season, including a season-best four against Washington State … came to Utah after earning first-team all-league at Riverside CC in 2015.
