I don’t think Harding is a poor coach. But, I do think that our offensive line has not been top-tier like we need to be to compete at this level. Just my uneducated opinion. I admit that I am limited in what I know about the Oline and their specific assignments.
Yes, Fano is getting a lot of positive pub right now. That’s a great thing!
Fano being All American doesn’t count as good?
Not all the All-American teams have been announced yet but some of those which have have Fano here:
CBS Sports: 2nd team
USA Today: 2nd team
PFF: 1st team
This from PFF:
Fano’s ability to maul defenders in the run game made him the most valuable FBS tackle, according to PFF’s wins above average metric. His 91.8 PFF run-blocking grade is more than three points better than any other offensive tackle in college football. The true sophomore is no slouch in pass protection, either, earning an 80.3 PFF grade in that aspect.
He’s already getting 1st round draft projections.
In this time – NIL craziness – this is a big deal. Tanuvasa is an NFL tackle. Having he and Fano back on the D’line is terrific.
Oh, did we tamper and just throw buckets of money at Fano while he was a starter at BYU?
Or did he have time to sit with his injury and decide he wanted to play elsewhere with his brother and then transferred normally?
Transfers are one thing, unlimited transfers that are being negotiated mid-season or just turning into bidding wars every offseason is something totally different.
I say again, why not have every player forced into the portal each season, and let’s just have a bidding war to see who plays where next season? Because we are damn close to that now.
ya no one complaint when we got Logan Fano from BYU
Any Prick. Yes I mean Calhoun who loves over the bag after utah turned him into something is exactly why we went 5-7 last year. Spencer Fano is going to be a 1st Rd NFL draft pick. Who will likely make tens of millions over a ten year period. Utah paid him but I am sure there are 20-30 other programs who could pay him more. But he stays why ? Because he is not chasing the bag.
This is a teach a man to fish program. It always has been. Does Utah have money sure. But we never have nor never will be the big dawgs who have been paying players for decades. We are the teach you about life so you will be successful long term program…
How to work hard, compete, value teamwork loyalty, sacrifice all of the things these back chasing Calhouns don’t understand. We have sent Dozens of nobody’s and made them into legit NFL ling term prospects.
Look, I am all about players getting paid. I am all about players taking advantage of NIL. What I am not about lying, manipulation, expectation and feeling like you have arrived before you’ve done anything (See IW). Earn it. This attitude will not work in the real world. NFL or not. And for those of you saying they’d better cash out now. I would argue we (The program) turned calhoun into what he is. My guess you won’t here nearly anything from him going forward.. How many guys who have left turned out better than when they were here ? Maybe Jackson maybe…
We can’t play this game. If dudes want to enter the portal leave… But, I cannot stand running from competition of breaking commitments for more money when the program has given you everything.
And before you bring up coaches doing this.. I am talking about Utah. Whitt doesn’t do that.. If you want to talk more New School same with Scalley.
This will backfire.. CFB cannot sustain this. I will continue to support Utah because I believe in the culture and the coaches for THIS program. But, the sport is set for a rude awaking. We the people control. Just like in politics. We drive the market and people across the country are done.
majority of these transfers will not pan out… Also F TDS.
It’s boosters and byu recruiting him.
They are actively recruiting Utah’s best players.
Smith Snowden has been offered by byu. The Fano brothers have both been offered by BYU
They are willing to over pay to get good players and destroy Utah at the same time.
I’m with Rick on this one. Until I see the defense fail, I’m going to assume that they’ll get the job done. I don’t think they will be as good as 2018 but that’s a really high bar with seniors all over the place.
D Line – Luther and Powell have earned the benefit of the doubt that they will have those spots ready even if Fano is the only name we know at this point.
LB – I’m hoping for the same senior bump out of Lander that we saw from Cody and Francis Bernard. Hall looks like he can play the hybrid LB/S that Nephi Sewell did and allow Scalley to go back to the 4-2 as his base. Not worried
S – Need either Ritchie or a portal guy to step up and play box safety. Tao should be better in his 2nd year at Free. Solid should be the floor
CB – Corners will give up plays because that’s what corners do. Toughest position on the field in my opinion. Calhoun should be better and Johnson may be ready to go. If Snowden can play outside, it would be best for his future because the league values that more than slot. But it’s best for the team to keep him inside. Really the only thing lacking is concentration on turnover worthy balls. Gotta have those picks when the QB makes a mistake.
I don’t think defense will be too bad honestly, I would like to see a DE from the portal but I think we still have talent at other positions.
CB – Calhoun and Kenan Johnson are supposed to be back, and Elijah Davis was serviceable last year and Snowden could improve enough to play outside (but he is short and a better nickel)
LB – Barton, Hall, and Damuni are a solid three but yes depth is TBD
DT – Tanuvasa and Vakalahi I think will be a decent interior, probably want some more depth though.
S – Tao Johnson back and Nate Ritchie and Rabbit Evans, honestly needs improve but potential is there to be solid.
DE – my personal biggest defensive concern but Fano, Fitzgerald, and Henry-Daley could be fine plus lots of younger guys that could be good, would like to see another portal guy here though.
