Utah Utes Defense: Preview 2025
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2025 Utah Utes Preview
Utah Offense Breakdown
Season Prediction, Win Total, Keys to Season
- The defense fought the good fight. It was third in the nation in third down stops, second in first downs allowed, and it only broke down and buckled late in the season. Coordinator and almost-certain future Utah head coach Morgan Scalley has a strong base to build around, starting with …
- The linebacking corps is missing Karene Reid, but it has a great tackler in Lander Barton. He led the team with 72 tackles, but he could be more dynamic on the outside.
Levani Damuni came up with a team-best 87 tackles as the big hitter in 2023, but he missed all of last year. He’ll pile up the stats on the inside, and 230-pound Johnathan Hall should be an impact player on the other side of Barton.
- The tackle position got interesting with big interior pass rusher Keanu Tanuvasa leaving for BYU. As always, though, the Utes have some very big, very tough guys on the inside. There’s just not a ton of experience or developed depth. Aliki Vimahi could be the best of the lot, but for Utah, this bunch might need a little time.
The ends are a bit more settled. Logan Fano should rise up into even more of a pass rusher, and there’s good depth for fall camp to figure out the rotation on the other side.
- There will be a little bit of piecing things together in the secondary, but there’s enough versatility to be more than fine. The corners are hardly a concern, Elijah Davis is a good one, but the safeties are stronger.
Smith Snowden is a super-quick all-around playmaker who did a little of everything, including finishing fourth on the team with 48 tackles. Safety Tao Johnson was second on the team with 70 tackles and broke up four passes
Season Prediction, Win Total, Keys to Season
2025 Utah Utes Preview
Utah Offense Breakdown
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