Can we discuss the depth chart, next years sick defense? (add or correct below)

[gUrthBrooks]

Free Safety – Ballard, Afia, Blackmon (word on the street, he projects as safety in the NFL)
Strong Safety – Marquise Blair, Afia, Blackmon
Corner – Jaylen Johnson, Vonte Davis
Corner – Blackman, Tyrone Smith
Nickel – Guidry
LB – Hansen (per K-Whit interview with Bill Riley), Barton
LB – Thompson, ?
DE / LB Hybrid – Bryant Pirtle (so nice to have a Pirtle back at the U)
DT – Leki Fotu
DT – Penesini
DE – Bradley Anae

[rbmw263]

it’s blackmon btw

[rbmw263]

I’m so mad we were robbed of about 7 games worth of marquise Blair.

 

I want to see growth from afia as well. that makes the Hansen move to LB all cream and no downside 

[gUrthBrooks]

He put a nasty hit on the North Dakota right guard in the first game and the hits kept coming.

[Tony (admin)]

Is Chase durable enough for LB? I wonder about that.

[gUrthBrooks]

Not if DT’s from his own team roll up on his ankle 20 yards downfield…other than that…hamstring issue?

[Ute Bc]

Didn’t he have neck injuries this season? (Chase)

[KiYi-Ute]

Yup. He tweaked it in the USC game during a hard tackle. Was never quite right since then. I think it was similar to Kam Chancellor’s injury, but less severe. 

[Utah]

Tafua will be a monster at DE. So will Tupai. 

[gUrthBrooks]

Everyone says that about Tupai, they been saying it since before his senior year. I’ll wait and see.

[Utah]

I’ve said it before, but Whitt is an open book. And Whitt said the light went on for Tupai at the end of last year. 

Physically, Tuapi may be the most gifted end we have ever had (scratch that, he has Fitts potential. Fitts is unreal). But, he seems like a kid that wants to make sure he will succeed before putting himself out there. 

If the light has gone on for him and Tuapi feels he mentally knows what’s up…woohooo. 

[BD]

“But, he seems like a kid that wants to make sure he will succeed before putting himself out there. “

 

This seems true about Tupai. Remember he committed about a month late after February just to make sure his decision was right, IIRC. Also,  I think he requested to redshirt his freshman year. It seems he takes his choices seriously. 

[crazyute]

DE- Anae, Repp, Hart
DT- Fotu, Tonga
DT- Penesini, Pututau
DE- Tafua, Tupai, Jordan

LB- Thompson, Barton, Sione Lund?
LB- Hansen, Pirtle, Lloyd

CB- Blackmon, Smith
CB- Johnson, Trae Strong, Davis
NB- Guidrey, Burgess
SS- Blair, Afia
FS- Ballard, Nurse, Nigel King

[Utah]

I think this is the winner. Spot on. Look at that defense. 

[FtheY]

What about Heninger? I thought he was serviceable this year all things considered – do we think the other guys at DE are just better (Tafua) or will outpace him in development by fall (Tupai, Repp)?Just wanted to be sure he wasn’t forgotten. Idk the # of downs played, but it seemed like he got more time than Repp and already has the weight. 

[Utah]

I like Heninger a lot. BUT, he’s a walkon for a reason. I’d love for him to win playing time. 

I guess what I’m saying is that I’d expect the bigger, faster, stronger guys to play more. 

That being said, he played a lot last year for a freshman, which is amazing. Also, if Repp doesn’t put on weight I could see him falling on the depth chart fast. 

[FtheY]

Utah – makes sense to me. I’m curious to see how he develops. He definitely has more game time experience than some of the others. 

[noneyadb]

DT is going to be a big issue next year.

[crazyute]

We have a couple chiming off missions who will be around for spring. One is a Pututau kid

[gUrthBrooks]

Nope.

[EagleMountainUte]

This is the defense that will win the South. 

[noneyadb]

Guidry at Corner. Likely Lewis and Nurse there as well. Highly doubt Davis breaks threw the 2 deep rotation his first year. If Hughes transfered because he wanted more playing time, something good is brewing. 

[Anonymous]

Everyone keeps forgetting about Javelin Guidry.  To my mind he is the most exciting player in the DB.