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04/24/2025 at 11:59 AM #243408
In reply to: Speculation on this Fano tweet? What is RSNB?
ThurstonW
ParticipantDoes the fact that the pic is of Fano and SNOWDEN indicate anything?
04/24/2025 at 11:37 AM #243403Topic: Speculation on this Fano tweet? What is RSNB?
in forum Football04/21/2025 at 11:23 PM #243190In reply to: Help me feel good about 2025 football
Rick
ParticipantInteresting perspective Caleb. I think you fit into “we suck no matter what category” with that response.
Having watched the team a little in spring and spoken with a few insiders, I think the floor is 7-5 and the ceiling is 10-2. Utah is capable of defeating everyone on our schedule and losing to five or six of them, but only if injuries become a significant factor again. As much as I’d like to say that won’t happen again, we said after the 2023 season and then 2024 happened.
The parts are in place to sit back and enjoy this season. The offense is going to be interesting to watch and over-analyze as we tend to do. I don’t get Proud’s angst about the defense. I see talent everywhere – every position group and good depth. I do think the defensive line has something to prove this season, including depth at defensive end; but I sure like the guys lining up as starters right now.
Proud asks about playmakers. How many do you need? I think Fano, Barton, Damuni, Hall, Johnson and Davis will all be playmakers – perhaps even in that order. I think there are three or four more we could list and a few more who will emerge. By the way, I shouldn’t omit the defensive tackles but if they do their job, Barton, Damuni and Hall will make a lot of plays. I have all kinds of optimism for the defense.
On offense, if your best playmaker is the quarterback, you’re in pretty good shape. We saw that when Rising was healthy. Of course, he had terrific tight end play both of those years and a good to great running game. I see parallels to that this season – best playmaker at quarterback, a tight end room that looks good coming out of spring and a remade running back room that looks good. It will be great if Parker meets expectations. All of these position groups depend upon an offensive line that features a first-round tackle and a future high-level draft tackle at each end.
I don’t think we’ll win every game but we’ll win a lot.
04/17/2025 at 2:53 PM #242986In reply to: Spring Transfer Portal
22Ute22
ParticipantWe desperately need D-line talent. We have no viable backup DT’s and Fano is our only good DE. Fitzgerald and Daley could improve, but it’s not a guarantee.
04/13/2025 at 9:58 PM #242829In reply to: Paying Only-U Kanobi and
MDUte
ParticipantI posted some of my thoughts on the NIL thread but I like how Krindorr shared his thoughts by position group. I’ll try and do the same.
First of all, Utah has a big advantage in talent over TSPP. And it’s across the board. This is due to our NIL advantage when it comes to Football. We are head and shoulders above them when it comes to Football NIL and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise because it simply isn’t true.
QB: HUGE edge to Utah
Dampier’s performance this Spring has everyone completely giddy up on the hill. He’s the real deal and it’s gonna be one helluva an exciting offense to watch next year because of Dampier…CAN’T WAIT!! He’s almost impossible to sack he’s so elusive and electric. And his arm is terrific and has been showcasing his ability to make all of the throws all Spring long. If there’s one area he needs to continue to improve on is his accuracy as he will miss an occasional throw here and there that he should make. But make no mistake about it, Dampier is LEGIT!We all know what Retzlaff brings to the table. He’s performed well but nothing out of this world by any stretch of the imagination. He’s been below 60% accuracy and slightly above for the time he’s been in Provo which is serviceable but nothing to write home about. And he’s been known to miss reads that have led to critical INTs at key times in games. After seeing him for the past 2 years, I wouldn’t expect him to all of the sudden make a ginormous leap forward this coming year. At the end of the day, Retzlaff is not going to beat you with either his arm or his legs.
OL: MASSIVE edge to Utah
This might be the best OL in Utah’s history. Our 2 starting tackles (Fano/Lomu) are likely 1st round draft picks. And our middle 3 have had a tremendous Spring and the “gelling” has already started to happen WAY ahead of schedule than typical years where Utah’s OL starts slow. This year’s OL is the best position group on the team. And Dampier is going to have all the time in the world behind our OL which he never had at NM. The OL is stronger in Pass Pro right now than Run Blocking but that’s nothing to be worried about. Harding will get those kinks worked out in Fall, like always, and we can fully expect our run game to be solid like we’re used to.TSPP has talent across the OL with guys like Gentry and others who saw time last year. But they have big shoes to fill with the loss of Pay. They’ll have a long ways to go to get their OL fully in sync but not even close to the level of Utah’s OL this year.
RB: Edge to Utah
Both Wayshaun Parker and LJ Martin are talented RBs. But if I had to place a bet on who is going to average more yards and rush for more yards, I’m going with Parker because of the big advantage he will have running behind Utah’s OL this year. Additionally, Martin has struggled with injuries and I’m not so sure he makes it through the season next year. Behind Parker, Na’Quari Rogers appears to be a solid #2 that gives Utah a 1-2 punch with Parker and Rogers. And then add in our speedster, Daniel Bray, who’s going to bring some electricity to the backfield…and I’m feeling very bullish about our RBs. Still hoping Utah brings in 1 more bruiser from the Portal after Spring who can run between the tackles to pick up that 1st down on short yardage plays.WR: Advantage BYU
Utah’s WRs are starting to come along. But for the life of me, I don’t understand why BYU can continue to roll out 3* talent at WR every year and get solid production and yet Utah has to always struggle in this regard. I’m hopeful that Beck is the answer to fixing our WR production this year. But until I see it, you have to give the advantage to BYU with Roberts, Marion, and Phillips. For Utah, I’m expecting big things from Z. Williams, Creed Whittemore, Otto Tia, and Ryan Davis. Lots of talent and potential with those 4 to be every bit as good as what BYU has at WR. But they have to prove it on the field. One note worth mentioning is Utah does have an X-factor with Nate Johnson as our gadget-guy this year. Sounds like he’s been showing promise at Receiver with the ability to mix in some jet sweeps, reverses, and quick slants or outs to make plays in space.TE: Advantage Utah
Sorry, but BYU has not shown their ability to utilize the TE in years. The reports out of Provo have all been very favorable about Carsen Ryan being a major weapon for BYU. But I’ll believe it when I see it. For Utah, Bentley has had himself a massive Spring with every bit as much buzz as Carsen Ryan. And Landen King is filling the Brant Kuithe role, incredibly well in Beck’s new offense. And Hunter Andrews might be the most exciting new weapon to emerge in the offense for next year. He has electric break-away speed and has been making big plays all Spring. And aside from receiving, Andrews has shown to be a very capable blocker as well.DL: Advantage Utah
Had concerns about DT before Spring but no longer. Vimahi, Vakalahi, and Lea’ea are all stout and on the level of what Utah has every year at DT. The question was with depth behind our Big 3. And both incoming Freshman, Karson Kaufusi and Sione Motuapuaka as well as Sophomore Mike Tauteoli have all shown the ability to be in the rotation next year. Likely only 1 or maybe 2 of them will make the rotation but the fact that we have a legitimate 6 deep at DT is HUGE news coming out of Spring. BYU added Tanuvasa obviously and that was huge for their DL but they don’t have near the depth Utah has.DE: Advantage Utah
Logan Fano will headline Utah’s DEs this year as the unofficial Mayor Sack Lake City. But watch out for Lance Holtzclaw, Kash Dillon, John Henry Daley, and Paul Fitzgerald. All 4 have had a great Spring. BYU has brought in help at DE with the additions of Spencer Clegg and Tausili Akana. Clegg still has to get rid of the mission rust and many expect him to take until mid-season to be fully adjusted. Akana was a big get in the off-season but never saw the field in 2 years at Texas. Reports were that he has struggled to put on weight. So although BYU has talent at DE, the reports I’ve seen suggest a big question mark at the moment.LBs: Advantage Utah
Barton, Hall, and Damuni are all 100% healthy finally (knock on wood) and looking nasty as ever. Barton was struggling most of last year with nagging injuries which hampered his play. And Damuni was out all year rehabbing. So Jonathan Hall got invaluable playing time which is going to pay big dividends this year. BYU has Jack Kelley returning who emerged out of nowhere last year as a legit star. Kelley is their one proven dude at LB and I’m not sure who will be their next 2 after Kelley. But I’ll put our 3 headed monster up against any trio in the B12 any day.DBs: Advantage Utah
Headlined by Smith Snowden who is poised to take another big step forward and have a CP3-esque season this year. Scooby Davis has emerged as a legit Corner on the outside. Jackson Bennee is a name to watch out for this year and has had himself a tremendous Spring. Incoming transfers, Donovan Saunders and Rock Caldwell, should also help bolster our DB room but are still getting up-to-speed in Scalley’s defense. The hope is that Utah will add one more quality DB from the portal post-spring. I don’t know anything about BYU’s cornerback room but this is going to be another one of Scalley’s outstanding, nasty defense this year. And knowing that, I would find it very hard to believe that BYU has an advantage anywhere on the defensive side of the ball.Safety: Advantage Utah
Safety Pride has reloaded once again and is probably the strength of the defense. Rabbit Evans and Tao Johnson are going to be amazing. And the depth behind them with Nate Ritchie, Nate Tilmon, and Jackson Bennee is superb. From what I’ve heard, Scalley’s been pulling guys from safety to backup other positions because they’re trying to get the best guys on the field and we just have so much incredible talent in the Safety room. BYU has Raider Damuni returning at Safety who is solid. And I would expect Satuala to have a breakout season in his 2nd year, assuming the hype is all true. But I’m not so sure they don’t have a considerable drop-off in talent after these 2.Special Teams: Advantage Utah
We finally have a kicker this year…enter Legatron, Dillon Curtis! This kid has the range to split the uprights from 70 yards out! He’s the best kicker we’ve had since Matt Gay and Utah is absolutely set at kicker for the next four years! At punter, Orion Phillips, has been averaging a solid 43.5 yards/punt. Nothing to write home about, but all reports are that Phillips appears to be solid. One nice thing Utah fans can look forward to is Curtis handling kickoffs and kicking the ball out of the endzone this year to not run the risk of giving up anymore kickoff returns. I give Utah the edge in STs over BYU because of Dillon Curtis. He’s a special recruit at place kicker and we’re super lucky to have him.All in all, Utah’s talent avg is 2.5 points higher than BYU’s across the field. This is due to Utah’s NIL advantage. BYU massively overachieved last year with lower-level talent. And everyone knows Utah would’ve been right there contending for the B12, as expected, had Cam not gone down in the freak injury against Baylor with the gatorade truck. Utah didn’t run a plug-n-play offense under Ludwig like we are going to under Beck. This meant our season truly was derailed when we no longer had a backup (like Barnes who had been in Ludwig’s offense for 3 years) who could run Ludwig’s prostyle offense. But the most exciting thing to look forward to next year, without question, is Dampier running Beck’s offense. It’s going to be an exciting brand of offense that Utah fans are going to love…can’t wait!
Time to win us another conference championship and go to our first CFP! Go Utes!!
04/13/2025 at 9:02 PM #242826In reply to: Paying Only-U Kanobi and
krindor
ParticipantDE: Slight edge to Utah
Utah has historically had a very strong DE rotation, but has more questions than normal this year. Fano looks to be a stud, but the spot opposite him and the depth is uncertain. I’d like to see Kash Dillon lock it up, but it’s a battle between him, Fitzgerald, Holtzclaw and Jones.Meanwhile BYU has Logan Lutui as the only returning quasi-starter (and even that is arguable since Batty and Bagnah were the two main guys), but a whole mess of high-upside potential that hasn’t done anything yet. Tausili Akana (weight struggles that are reportedly being solved), Ephraim Asiata (ongoing weight struggles), Hunter Clegg (inexperience and mission rust), Viliami Po’uha, Kini Fonohema give BYU upside at EDGE that hasn’t existed in a long time. And I haven’t even mentioned Schoonover. He and Lutui have the most experience, but the advanced metrics for those two have been pretty weak so far. Fano vs those guys is enough to be a moderate edge for Utah, but the sheer number of upside youngsters for BYU brings it down to a slight edge for Utah and, if enough of them pop or excel enough, could even flip it to a BYU advantage.
DT: Push
This is another interesting spot, with BYU building around a Utah transfer. And make no mistake, Keanu Tanuvasa can be REALLY good. After all, he started last year for Utah over everyone that is coming back (though he was generally DT2 behind Tafuna). But Tanuvasa was also injured a lot and Dallas Vakalahi replaced him without any drop-off. If you argue Vakalahi = Tanuvasa (defensible, if a bit exaggerated i n my mind), then Vimahi and others at Utah are enough to give Utah the edge. But if Tanuvasa is healthy and the best DT on either team, then it’s closer to a tie or BYU advantage. Overall, I’ll split the difference and call it a push.LB: Slight advantage to BYU
This is going to be one of my more controversial takes, because Utah has a very good LB group.Lander Barton finally seems recovered and was playing like an early round draft pick to end last season. Jonathon Hall came over from safety and immediately impressed and Damuni is back for one more year. It’s a REALLY good group
And yet, BYU’s may be just as good or even better with Jack Kelly, Isaiah Glasker, and Harrison Taggart. The biggest difference is that if injuries hit, BYU has just a bit more high end depth with Siale Esera and Ace Kaufusi already having shown what they can do. Utah relies a bit more on true freshman like Cyrus Polu and Christian Thatcher (both highly touted, but still true freshman). It’s a nitpick since both programs have absolutely fantastic LBs, but this one goes slightly to BYU.
Cornerbacks: Slight advantage to Utah
BYU lost both their starting CBs from last year in Jakob Robinson and Marque Collins. Evan Johnson played on the boundary a LOT when Robinson went into the slot and did well, so it’s not a complete rebuild, but I’m more nervous than most about Bamba being picked on. BYU is also counting on Kabeya picking up the slot role. BYU has a great corners coach and deserves the benefit of the doubt, but there’s definitely some questions marks this year. There’s a reason the fanbase so openly courted Snowden to enter the portal.Interestingly, the same (great coach, benefit of the doubt, some questions) is true for Utah. Snowden is (as mentioned) a stud and Scooby Davis played a lot (and fairly well) last year, but Utah is relying on someone else to step up at the 3rd spot. If Utah had kept Calhoun, they’d be incredibly set – but now need to hope one of Saunders, Cotton or another CB step up. That said, there’s slightly fewer questions and more proven production for Utah so they get the edge for now. My guess is that both schools do well at this position though, just because of the history of the associated coaches.
S: Advantage to Utah
BYU has a lot of good young talent at Safety, none of which really shined above the rest last year. Damuni and Satuala have the most pedigree, and Jay Hill loves Prassas, but most of the starts and snaps last year went to two former walk-ons in Tanner Wall and Crew Wakley. Wakley is gone now and the others have more upside, but until we see it, potential is just code for “haven’t done anything yet”.Meanwhile Utah has some truly excellent safeties with both Tao Johnson and Rabbit Evans returning, Nate Ritchie (who started as a freshman) still around as a backup, Nate Tilmon impressing as a true freshman and Jackson Benee somehow the big story of spring camp. BYU certainlhy isn’t bad at this spot, but it’s a real strength for Utah.
K/P/returners: Advantage to BYU
Utah and Utah fans are justifiably excited about Dillon Curtis and his massive leg…but it sounds like there’s a bit of work to do regarding accuracy. And BYU’s Will Ferrin is simply a top kicker, finishing first team all-Big 12 last year. So that’s a small BYU advantage for now.At punter, both schools seem fine, not incredible, but BYU also has some exceptional return talent. Pair that with the consistency of their kicker and they seem to have the moderate advantage on ST for now at least.
04/13/2025 at 7:45 PM #242818In reply to: Paying Only-U Kanobi and
krindor
ParticipantAs someone who follows both teams, here’s my thoughts – starting with the offense
QB: Slight Utah Lean…but with extremely High Variance
BYU had a great season last year, but a lot of it was despite Retzlaff instead of because of him. He definitely had moments where he rose to the occasion, but he also led the conference in interceptions and hurt the team a lot when he made big mistakes.Dampier is clearly more electric and may be better than Retzlaff….if he’s everything he’s cracked up to be. CBS Sports ranks Dampier as a top 10 returning QB from last year. The caveat is the jump in competition, and it’s hard to put him above a proven commodity yet. The upside is certainly higher, but so is the downside until we see something. I’ll give the slight lean to Utah here, but no outcome would be too surprising and I really wouldn’t argue with almost any take here.
RB: BYU Advantage
Utah brings in Wayshawn Parker who was one of the best RB in the portal and had 735 yards with 5.4 ypc. He’s the clear #1 and guys behind him have either a proven track record or a high ceiling…but generally not bothBYU counters with LJ Martin who had 718 yards on 5.2 ypc…which puts him pretty close to Parker. Arguments between the two can be made either way – Martin did it against better competition, but Parker did it as a true freshman, whereas Martin was a sophomore (and had a correspondingly better line). Martin also has had quite a history of nagging injury. If it were just a Parker-Martin comparison, I’d give it a slight advantage to Martin for those reasons, but BYU also has more established quality backups in Moa and Haunga so they take this category with a bit more room to spare
WR: Major advantage BYU
This isn’t (or shouldn’t be) a surprise. BYU is fairly loaded at WR with lots of high-end and demonstrated performers. Chase Roberts is the headliner (and somehow still doesn’t get enough credit from the BYU fan base), but with Marion, Phillips, and Kingston, BYU also has multiple other guys who’ve shown they can play at this level. Add in a couple high end youngsters who BYU is really excited about (Hagen, McKenzie) and BYU’s biggest issue at WR is having enough targets to go around.Utah has largely opted for quantity at the WR position, bringing in a LOT of options and trusting (hoping?) that a few of them will step up. There’s absolutely some exciting possibilities there and I know we all love Zacharyus Williams….but for now, the Utah WR room remains mostly projection.
TE: Push
On the one hand, this is clearly a BYU advantage since Carsen Ryan was the leading TE for Utah last year and is now on BYU. But Carsen Ryan has also never had as many receptions as even the 14 that Landen King got in 2023 (Ryan’s career high is 13). There’s a lot of justifiable excitement in BYU camp about Ryan and an expectation that he’ll take the next step…but if we’re looking at spring hype, then Utah also gets credit for the excitement around redshirt freshman Hunter Andrews or Dallin Bentley (who is also getting rave reviews in spring, despite only 3 receptions in 2 years so far). Carsen Ryan gets the slight edge over any one of Bentley, King, or Andrews…but Utah’s superior depth at the position is enough to push it to an effective tie. We’ll see where the spring hype is justified, but until Ryan and/or Bentley and/or Andrews live up to (or fail to live up to) the hopes, I’ll call this a push.OL: Utah major advantage
Let’s start at the bookends. Utah has two tackles who are likely to be drafted (both possibly very early) with Fano and Lomu. BYU is replacing both starters. On the interior, Utah brings every player back and has several high end backups. BYU has more turn over.That’s not to say that BYU’s cupboard is bare. Jatta played well in limited time as a RS last year, Gentry had time starting at Michigan pre-injury, Lapuaho looked very good last year, Mitchell was a solid injury replacement for Pay, and so on. But there’s some losses and some new pieces. That said, Utah getting the advantage here is less about BYU and more about what Utah has across the OL.
03/24/2025 at 10:27 AM #242218In reply to: Utes pickup a 2027 QB – Thaddeus Thatcher
Central Coast Ute
ParticipantThat is a good point. The Fano family was also treated poorly by a member of the coaching staff down there. I think that was the final straw.
03/23/2025 at 8:38 PM #242211In reply to: Utes pickup a 2027 QB – Thaddeus Thatcher
Yergensen
ParticipantApologies, I intended something different. I think BYU lost both the Fanos (both highly recruited) partly due to Logan’s discontent.
03/20/2025 at 2:56 PM #242147In reply to: New Utah Football Docuseries
ProudUte
ParticipantTwo of the four captains named Fano.
Go Utes!!!
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