Rick

I’ll add a meaning to Dampier’s complimentary exaggeration:

He has incredible confidence in his O’Line.

How about that one?

I don’t mean to quibble too much over Rising but the shoulder injury against USC affected his arm strength (and it seemed even his throwing motion). Coming out of high school I seem to recall that he was one of the stronger-armed quarterbacks.

Terrific article Yerg – thank you for posting.

My goodness guys – There is more talent in the running back room this season, there is better coaching in the running back room and there are two all-American tackles on the O’line. I’m guessing our offensive coordinator knows all of these things and will particularly use those tackles to spring running backs (and whomever else runs the ball) to…[Read more]

Good leadership for this team – both captains and the council. The team is leaning hard on the veterans. All of these guys have a significant care factor and a love for the program. Dampier, Parker and perhaps a receiver will get their turn next year.

It isn’t that I disagree with many on this board who criticize Whitt’s decision making; but it can’t be emphasized enough that he went all in on a healthy Rising for 2024. I think how he handled 2023 deserves some scrutiny but if Rising is healthy in 2024 the U contends for the the league championship just as projected. I also think he and Ludwig…[Read more]

I wish the U would. Greg was one of the most undersized D’tackles ever. He survived, even excelled, by playing with extreme effort and throwing his body around. Think about the collisions this man created and suffered. Brutal.

These stories always set me off a little. I don’t understand why football at every level hasn’t adopted rugby-style…[Read more]

Vakalahi, Vimahi and Fano are all high level defensive lineman. It will be one of the most important battles of fall camp to determine if there is a starter at the other end or if it’s a committee. That will be telling. I like those three a lot. John Henry-Daley and Kash Dillon at end positions are hopefully ready to contribute. On paper, they…[Read more]

I think running back is going to surprise us although I certainly see your concern given how new the room is.

My #1 worry is wide receiver position group and then depth at D’Tackle

I don’t know about that Chasqui. I think Sitake’s a figurehead and that Hill essentially saved his job. Hill is a creative defensive mind who takes the foundation of the Whittingham’s defensive philosophy and mixes in the appearance of chaos. By the way, I don’t say figurehead lightly. I think Sitake is a Lavell Edwards clone and gets out of the…[Read more]

BeachUte,
Overall, you may be right – I think 8-4 is a good year, 9-3 creeping toward great. Both of those records seem to make sense to me.

I don’t agree with your defense point – too much is coming back to call it an overhaul. Gents, Lander Barton may be the best defensive player in the Big-12 this season. Just like Dampier on offense, we need…[Read more]

Wow – terrific breakdown ALUF,

I think Baylor gets us and one of BYU or Kansas. If healthy, this team can be 10-2 and in the title game with 9-3 a possibility. If injuries mount again I don’t see 5-7 as the basement. I think Beck’s offense is creative enough but without too much complexity that we’ll be all right offensively regardless of injury.…[Read more]

I need to read the Herren books.

May I add a couple of biographies to your list?

-“Bill ‘The Hill” and the Jump Hook” – memoir of Billy McGill the Ute legend. Billy and a cowriter are the authors. Terrific. I never realized just how close to the very best players in the world at that time – Chamberlain and Russell – McGill was. If he stays…[Read more]

I just read the D’News article about the day. Repeated what I posted only better along with some other quotes and information. It’s worth a read.

I’m happy to read that he didn’t dwell on the Tanuvasa stuff. Lander addressed it a little as well. He said that he was angry at first but emphasized how football has become a business and he’s not…[Read more]

That’s interesting DT. I know he’s a strong receiver as well. He’d certainly pair well with the Pula kid. Dare I suggest letting him play two-way a little if he comes our way?

Thanks for setting me straight. Perhaps that makes us a little less enticing except he probably gets an opportunity for playing time even sooner on the offensive side of the ball.

I hope he comes. If he’s thinking at all long-term Utah should be the choice given our coaching and the defense we play. Moa has all the intangibles to be an NFL free safety. Add our legacy at the safety position and we should be highly considered as long as the NIL is reasonable. I think BYU should get second consideration there given their…[Read more]

Sure we have hotspots – but largely in the West. There are significant Utah alums in LA, Orange County and San Francisco. Phoenix follows with the rest of the Western cities being a little less – Denver, Las Vegas, Boise and Portland.

Washington D.C. is right behind LA and Orange County.

I’d love to see football and basketball focus on out of…[Read more]

I don’t disagree with you Ute Dub but it will be interesting to see what Alex and staff do – or try to do.

Alex has said that he doesn’t want a “new team” every year. I’m hearing that the best way they think that’s done will be leaning into high school recruiting with a smaller mix of portal players with one-to-two years of eligibility left. I…[Read more]

Come on CC – we’re due – at least at the QB position.