Utah Football Heads To Pac-12 Media Days, Fall Camp Starts Aug. 4

SALT LAKE CITY – The University of Utah Football program will be well represented at the 2021 Pac-12 Football Media Day on Tuesday, July 27 with head coach Kyle Whittingham, junior wide receiver Britain Covey and junior linebacker Devin Lloyd heading to Hollywood, Calif. for the event ahead of fall camp starting on Aug. 4.

Pac-12 Networks will provide exclusive coverage of all 12 teams on Tuesday, featuring interviews and analysis throughout the day. The Utes will join Pac-12 talent Yogi Roth and Ashley Adamson at 4:45 p.m. MT on Pac-12 Networks, with live coverage throughout the day on social media (Twitter: @Utah_Football | Instagram: @UtahFootball).  

Through media interviews, photo shoots and video shoots, the Utes will be on center stage during Tuesday, showing the conference and the country that 2021 is set to be a special season. The trio of Utes will then return to Salt Lake City to kickoff fall camp on Aug. 4 with all practices being closed to the public.

2021 SEASON OUTLOOK

QUARTERBACK: THE LOWDOWN
For the second year in a row, the Utah quarterbacks will head into fall camp in a battle for the starting spot. With one returner and new faces that provide Power Five experience and young talent, the Utes are primed to lift their offense to a new level.  

HEADLINERS RETURNING
After earning the starting spot in Utah's season opener in 2020, sophomore Cameron Rising suffered a season-ending injury on the first play of the second quarter. Through hard work and determination, Rising is set to return to the gridiron in fall camp to once again battle for the starting spot. Rising came to Utah after transferring from the University of Texas in 2019 where he signed as a four-star recruit and the No. 8 pro-style quarterback in the country.

NEWCOMER SPOTLIGHT
The Texas quarterback connection on the current Utah roster is strong with the Utes adding graduate transfer Charlie Brewer (Austin, Texas/Baylor) and freshman transfer Ja'Quinden Jackson (Dallas, Texas/Univ. of Texas) in the spring. The duo competed in spring practices along with true freshman Peter Costelli (Redondo Beach, Calif./Mission Viejo HS), who was a four-star recruit and rated the No. 10 dual quarterback in the nation by 247Sports.

COACH KYLE WHITTINGHAM SAYS
"Offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Andy Ludwig has continued to develop our quarterback position during his time here at Utah and this year will be no different. Each quarterback that will be competing in fall camp brings a different skill set to the table that can make our offense successful. Cameron Rising returns after earning the starting spot in 2020 before suffering a season-ending injury. There should be an intense competition between him and our talented newcomers in transfers Charlie Brewer and Ja'Quinden Jackson, and true freshman Peter Costelli."

OFFENSIVE LINE: THE LOWDOWN
The talent on the offensive line will run deep in 2021 with all five starters returning along with a mix of underclassmen that earned valuable playing time in 2020. The lineup includes two All-Pac-12 selections from a year ago that is headlined by one of the most versatile offensive linemen in the conference and in the nation.

HEADLINERS RETURNING
The Utes will be led by returning starters junior Nick Ford, sophomore Simi Moala, and freshmen Keaton Bills, Sataoa Laumea and Jaren Kump. Ford has been a steady staple for the Utah offensive line and will be one of just two linemen in FBS football in 2021 that has started at every position on the line. Senior Bamidele Olaseni and sophomore Braeden Daniels will also return in 2021 with starting experience with Daniels starting in 15 of the 19 games he has appeared in at Utah.

NEWCOMER SPOTLIGHT
Utah signed two talented offensive linemen during the offseason in Michael Mokofisi (Woods Cross, Utah/Woods Cross HS) and Zereoue Williams (Phoenix, Ariz./Mountain Pointe HS). Both are three-star recruits with Williams earning all-city and all-region honors in football and all-state in basketball at Mountain Pointe and Mokofisi being named all-state and all-region at Woods Cross.

COACH KYLE WHITTINGHAM SAYS
"We return starters at virtually every position on the offensive line this year and we are expecting this unit to take another step forward and become a strength for our offense. Nick Ford, who has started at every position on the line in his time at Utah, will lead a talented group that includes upperclassmen Simi Moala, Braeden Daniels and Bamidele Olaseni. In 2020, we had a talented bunch of newcomers earn valuable playing time with Jaren Kump, Sataoa Laumea and Keaton Bills all earning starts during the season, making this one of the deepest offensive lines we have had here at Utah."

WIDE RECEIVER: THE LOWDOWN
Strength, speed and size are three words that could be used to describe Utah's wide receiver group, providing weapons from sideline-to-sideline in 2021. Returning length on the outside, and a living and breathing video game in the slot will provide the Utah quarterbacks options all over the field, making opposing defenses struggle.

HEADLINERS RETURNING
Utah returns size in junior Solomon Enis and the dynamic duo of juniors Britain Covey and Jaylen Dixon in the slot this season. Enis and Dixon bring a wealth of experience, playing in 33 and 28 career games for the Utes, while Covey has proved to be one of the most electric players in the Pac-12. Covey is a four-time All-Pac-12 selection and has led the Utes in receiving yards three times (2015, 2018, 2020).

NEWCOMER SPOTLIGHT
Similar to the quarterback position, the Utah recruiting team went to work in the offseason to pick up key transfers and find young talent that will add immediate depth at the wide receiver position. True freshman Makai Cope (Culver City, Calif./Culver City HS) joined Utah during spring practices, while transfers Theo Howard (Westlake Village, Calif./Oklahoma) and Munir McClain (Atlanta, Ga./USC) will give Utah added Power Five experience in fall camp.

COACH KYLE WHITTINGHAM SAYS
"We have a talented, athletic and savvy group of wide receivers this season that we believe will add an explosive dimension to our offense. Returning starters Britain Covey, Solomon Enis and Jaylen Dixon, mixed with Power Five experience from transfers Theo Howard and Munir McClain, will give our offense dynamic weapons at every wide receiver position on the field."

RUNNING BACK: THE LOWDOWN
While he can never be replaced, the Utah running back room will look to honor the legacy of Ty Jordan, who tragically passed away after the 2020 season. Utah has had a 1,000-yard rusher in six of the last seven years and the powerful talent representing the U. this season will look to continue that tradition in 2021.

HEADLINERS RETURNING
Utah will have a deep class of running backs in 2021, led by freshman Micah Bernard. Bernard showed his versatility as a back in 2020, playing in all five games with 15 carries and four catches. The dynamic running back played in four games on special teams in 2019 as a redshirt after coming to the Utes as an all-purpose player for Gahr HS.

NEWCOMER SPOTLIGHT
Utah has once again found talent from all over the country, welcoming transfers TJ Pledger (Pacoima, Calif./Oklahoma) and Chris Curry (Fort Myers, Fla./LSU), and true freshman Ricky Parks (Tampa, Fla./Gaither HS). Pledger and Curry both bring College Football Playoff experience with Curry starting in LSU's National Championship game in 2019 while Parks was rated the No. 14 running back nationally as a four-star recruit.

COACH KYLE WHITTINGHAM SAYS
"Utah Football has long been known for having a tough, physical run game year after year and this group is ready to prove that they can continue to carry on that tradition. Returner Micah Bernard showed his versatility in 2020 and will be joined by a group of newcomers that includes Power Five and College Football Playoff experience in Chris Curry and TJ Pledger, along with true freshman Ricky Parks who was highly recruited and considered one of the best high school running backs in the country."

TIGHT END: THE LOWDOWN
The tight end position is used in a variety of ways for teams across the country, but at Utah, they are the true definition of a hybrid. Size, versatility and tenacity describes Utah's tight end group for the 2021 season and they will look to make a lasting impact on the program through their play on the field this season.

HEADLINERS RETURNING
The three-headed monster of juniors Brant Kuithe, Cole Fotheringham and Dalton Kincaid gives Utah's blocking, rushing and receiving units an unmatched boost this season. Kincaid and Fotheringham's have shown their ability as strong blockers, while showing accurate route running, while Kuithe has proved he is a triple threat. The two-time All-Pac-12 tight end has led Utah in receptions in three straight seasons, has scored rushing and receiving touchdowns, and has been a leader on the blocking unit, making him extremely hard for opposing defenses to prepare for.

NEWCOMER SPOTLIGHT
Utah's depth at tight end goes beyond its trio of talent, but also through seven returners who were on the roster in 2020. The Utes added three freshman tight ends during the offseason, including basketball star turned elite football player Isaac Vaha (Pleasant Grove, Utah/Pleasant Grove HS). Vaha joins the Utes after playing just two seasons of high school football, ranking as the No. 7 recruit in the state of Utah.

COACH KYLE WHITTINGHAM
"Our tight end group should be a big part of our offense this season with the returning trio of Brant Kuithe, Cole Fotheringham and Dalton Kincaid. All three are elite tight ends not only in the Pac-12, but nationally, and will play a prominent role in Coach Ludwig's offense, providing a range of skills that will be hard for opposing defenses to match up with."

DEFENSIVE LINE: THE LOWDOWN
Tradition is defined as customs or beliefs that are passed down from generation to generation – or to Utah fans, the Ute defensive line. Year after year, Sack Lake City is in full force because of the way that the Utah defensive staff has been able to reload the position with talent. The 2021 group will be a mix of veteran experience and incoming size that is eager to continue the tradition of the Utes leading the Pac-12 and the nation as a unit.

HEADLINERS RETURNING
The Utes are stacked with familiar faces that have been wrecking havoc in the Pac-12, including returning starters junior Mika Tafua, seniors Viane Moala and Hauati Pututau, and freshman Tennessee Pututau. Tafua, an All-America candidate this season, will lead the way from the edge after earning All-Pac-12 in back-to-back seasons as Utah's tackle leader on the line.

NEWCOMER SPOTLIGHT
Utah had several true freshmen join the squad during spring practices, including Simote Pepa (South Jordan, Utah/Bingham HS), who was rated the No. 6 recruit in the state of Utah in 2017. The two-time all-state and all-region selection led Bingham to back-to-back state titles in 2016 and 2017, earning Deseret News 6A MVP in 2017.

COACH KYLE WHITTINGHAM
"Our defensive line has been a trademark of our program for many years, consistently pumping out NFL caliber players each season and this year should provide more of the same. The size, speed and talent we return up front in starters Mika Tafua, Viane Moala, Tennessee Pututau and Hauati Pututau will mix well with transfer Devin Kaufusi and a host of underclassmen that gained valuable experience in 2020. True freshman Simote Pepa joined us in the spring, adding even more depth and talent to a formidable front line."

LINEBACKERS: THE LOWDOWN
Linebackers coach Colton Swan will return two All-Pac-12 selections from the 2020 season who are looking to create a legacy at Utah in 2021. The powerful dynamic of returning starters with four-star recruits making their debut as Utes promises that Utah's linebacker group will be an explosive unit for the defensive side of the ball this season.  

HEADLINERS RETURNING
Junior Devin Lloyd, who is called "the general" of the defense, will return after earning first-team All-Pac-12 and Sporting News All-America in 2021, ranking in the top-10 in the FBS in solo tackles per game and tackles for loss per game. The Butkus Award Finalist will line up next to junior Nephi Sewell after the duo finished first and second on the team in total tackles in 2020. Sewell earned All-Pac-12 in 2020 after racking up 40 tackles with a team-high tying two interceptions.

NEWCOMER SPOTLIGHT
The Utes welcomed a trio of talented linebackers during spring practices in Ethan Calvert (Westlake Village, Calif./Oaks Christian HS), Trey Reynolds (Queen Creek, Ariz./Queen Creek HS) and Mason Tufaga (Honolulu, Hawaii/St. Louis HS). Calvert, a four-star recruit, was the No. 4 inside linebacker in the country while Tufaga was also a four-star recruit as the No. 2 rated recruit in the state of Hawaii. Reynolds was a standout prep in Arizona, rated the No. 9 recruit in the state as a two-time all-state selection.

COACH KYLE WHITTINGHAM
"Devin Lloyd was our anchor and vocal leader on the defensive side of the ball last season and we will look to him to fill that role for us once again this year. Devin, one of the top linebackers in the nation, paired with Nephi Sewell make for an extremely productive tandem and should make life difficult for opposing offenses. Newcomers Trey Reynolds, Mason Tufaga and Ethan Calvert, among others, will add to the unit and should make this a solid position group for years to come."

CORNERBACKS: THE LOWDOWN
After the Utes were forced to replace All-Americans and NFL talent at both cornerback positions in 2020, a youthful surge of talent took the stage that is set to return with valuable experience under their belts for the 2021 season. 

HEADLINERS RETURNING
Utah will return three starters in freshman Clark Phillips III and sophomores JaTravis Broughton and Malone Mataele, who played at nickel back in 2020. Broughton earned All-Pac-12 honors in 2020 after starting all five games at left cornerback, finishing second on the secondary with 26 tackles and a team-high four pass breakups. Phillips started in every game in his true freshman campaign which included 25 tackles and a streak-extending pick-six to end the season.

NEWCOMER SPOTLIGHT
The Utes signed new talent during the early signing period in cornerback Elisha Lloyd (San Marcos, Calif./Mission Hills HS). The three-star recruit led the Mission Hills defense to allow just 13.5 points per game in 2019 as a junior, also being a strength for his high school track team with the fourth-fastest 60-meter dash time in the state.

COACH KYLE WHITTINGHAM
"With returning starters JaTravis Broughton and Clark Phillips III at the corners and Malone Mataele at nickel back, our secondary will be one of our most experienced groups on the field. Both Broughton and Phillips, starting every game in 2020 earning valuable minutes against the best talent in the Pac-12, will play large leadership roles on the defense this season as well. True freshman Elisha Lloyd, a standout track athlete in high school as well as a talent on the football field, will join us in the fall and should make an immediate impact on the defense."

SAFETIES: THE LOWDOWN
Just like the cornerbacks, Utah fans saw a new safety unit in 2020 after Julian Blackmon and Terrell Burgess found their homes in the NFL. With one starter leaving for a church mission, the Utes will look to a returning starter senior to welcome in a new crop of talented and athletic safeties to the program as the Utes continue producing NFL talent at the position.

HEADLINERS RETURNING
Senior Vonte Davis returns to the Utes after earning the starting free safety in 2020. The Rosenberg, Texas, native has the most playing experience in the safety room with 33 games with the Utes, finishing the 2020 season with 16 tackles and a team-high tying two interceptions and four passes defended. He is joined by freshman Kamo'i Latu who earned valuable experience as a true freshman last season, seeing action in all five games on special teams.

NEWCOMER SPOTLIGHT
The safety unit will have a combination of true freshman talent and Power Five transfer experience in the newcomer group this season. The Utes welcomed true freshmen Cole Bishop (Peachtree City, Ga./Starr's Mill HS) and Darrien "Bleu" Stewart (Las Vegas, Nev./Desert Pines HS) during spring practices with both showing early signs of competing for the starting strong safety spot.

COACH KYLE WHITTINGHAM
"With starter Nate Ritchie leaving on his church mission, we will look to senior Vonte Davis to step into a larger leadership role on the defense this season after earning the starting spot in 2020 at free safety. The strong safety position should feature an intense competition with Kamo'i Latu, Darrien "Bleu" Stewart and Cole Bishop all battling for the starting job."

SPECIAL TEAMS: THE LOWDOWN
While the Utes will be looking for a new starting punter, Utah returns All-Pac-12 performers at kicker, snapper and return specialist. With the combination of accuracy and versatility at all three positions, Utah will look to take a step forward in re-growing a special teams tradition that the Utes are known for.

HEADLINERS RETURNING
In the kicking game, sophomore Jadon Redding is coming off a first-team All-Pac-12 performance in 2020 where he tied for first in the FBS in field goal percentage while also leading the conference in field goals per game. Senior Keegan Markgraf also returns for one more season as Utah's starting snapper, earning a semifinalist spot in the Patrick Mannelly Award voting for the nation's best snapper in 2020. On kick and punt returns, a fully healthy Britain Covey will be expected to continue his ways as being one of the most versatile players in college football after earning first-team All-Pac-12 and Phil Steele All-America in 2020 as a return specialist.

COACH KYLE WHITTINGHAM
"Having a fully healthy Britain Covey as a return specialist gives our team a dynamic weapon on special teams, which will be complimented by placekicker Jadon Redding. Redding is coming off an All-Pac-12 first-team season in 2020 and we are expecting the same production out of him this fall. Returning long snapper Keegan Markgraf is one of the best in the country and will handle all the snapping duties for us in the upcoming season. There will be a competition in fall camp to solidify the starting punter spot."