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Four Utes Named Phil Steele All-Americans

by Utah Athletics
Dec 17, 2021

SALT LAKE CITY – The University of Utah Football program was well represented on the 2021 Phil Steele All-America teams with Devin Lloyd, Britain Covey, Mika Tafua and Nick Ford all earning All-America status.

Lloyd received his eighth All-America first-team recognition this season and his ninth overall this season while Covey earned his third nod. Tafua and Ford are fresh off of sweeping the Morris Trophy on both sides of the ball with Tafua earning fourth-team honors and Ford being named to the honorable mention squad.

Lloyd leads the Utes this season with 106 total tackles (22.0 TFL, 8.0 sacks), adding four interceptions (2 TDs), six pass breakups and one fumble recovery. His 22.0 tackles for loss ranks second in the FBS with his four interceptions tying for the lead among FBS linebackers.

Covey, who is Utah's all-time leader in career punt return yards (1,092), leads the Pac-12 and is No. 3 in the FBS with 14.7 yards per punt return. His 427 total punt return yards this season leads the FBS with his two punt return touchdowns also tying for the lead nationally.

Tafua has started all 13 games with 48 total tackles (13.0 TFL, 9.5 sacks), leading a Utah defense that ranks in the top-15 nationally in total defense, tackles for loss per game and total sacks. He leads the Pac-12 in sacks and ranks 25th nationally (9.5), notching at least one assisted sack in nine of Utah's 13 games this season.

Ford entered the season as one of just two offensive linemen in the country that has started at every position on the line, leading an offense that ranks second in the Pac-12 and 14th in the FBS in rushing offense (216.1). He has also anchored an offensive line that ranks second in the league and seventh nationally in sacks allowed this season (12).

The Utes will return to action on Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022 when they take on Ohio State in the Rose Bowl. The game is set for a 2 p.m. PT/3 p.m. MT kick on ESPN.

Lloyd's 2021 Honors

  • Reese's Senior Bowl, CBS Sports, ESPN, Walter Camp, FWAA, AP, Sporting News, Phil Steele All-America first-team; AFCA All-America second-team
  • Pat Tillman Defensive Player of the Year
  • Pac-12 All-Conference First-Team
  • Pac-12 Championship Game MVP
  • Lott IMPACT Trophy and Butkus Award Finalist
  • Chuck Bednarik Award and Walter Camp Player of the Year Semifinalist
  • Reese's Senior Bowl Invitee
  • Midseason All-America: The Athletic, ESPN, CBS Sports, AP, Sporting News
  • Rose Bowl Game Pac-12 Player of the Week (Oct. 18)
  • Lott IMPACT Trophy Player of the Week (Oct. 12, Nov. 9)
  • Reese's Senior Bowl Defensive Player of the Week (Sept. 27)
  • Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week (Sept. 7, Oct. 18, Nov. 8)
  • Preseason All-America: The Athletic, Athlon Sports, Walter Camp, Phil Steele

Covey's 2021 Honors

  • CBS Sports, Phil Steele All-America first-team; FWAA All-America second-team
  • CoSIDA Academic All-America second-team
  • Pac-12 All-Conference First Team
  • Pac-12 Scholar-Athlete of the Year
  • CoSIDA Academic All-District
  • Paul Hornung Award Watch List
  • Pac-12 Special Teams Player of the Week (Sept. 20, Nov. 22)
  • Preseason All-America (Phil Steele, Athlon Sports)
  • Preseason All-Pac-12

Tafua's 2021 Honors

  • Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Finalist
  • Morris Trophy Winner
  • Phil Steele All-America fourth-team
  • Ted Hendricks Award Final Watch List
  • Phil Steele All-America Fourth-Team
  • Pac-12 All-Conference First-Team
  • AP Pac-12 All-Conference First-Team

Ford's 2021 Honors

  • Phil Steele All-America honorable mention
  • Offensive Morris Trophy Winner
  • Pac-12 All-Conference first-team
  • AP Pac-12 All-Conference first-team
  • Freddie Solomon Community Spirit Award
  • Pac-12 Offensive Lineman of the Week (vs. UCLA, vs. Arizona State)

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