It’s changing into more and more uncommon within the switch portal period, however it’s taking place at Utah.
All three of Utah’s beginning linebackers have returned for 2024, and the group is shaping as much as be rock-solid in 2024, anchored by seniors Karene Reid and Levani Damuni and junior Lander Barton.
Like lots of Utah’s place teams final season, the linebacker unit needed to modify to accidents — Barton’s season ended after getting harm at USC on Oct. 21 — however the Utes didn’t miss a beat as skilled Stanford switch Damuni took on an elevated position for the remainder of the season.
In line with Professional Soccer Focus knowledge, Barton, Reid and Damuni all graded out within the high six gamers on Utah’s protection amongst gamers that performed 100 snaps or extra, and the attention check backed that up.
Barton made an enormous leap from his freshman to his sophomore season, flying everywhere in the subject and making some impactful performs. He had 34 tackles, two interceptions (together with a pick-six), two go breakups and a pressured fumble in simply seven video games earlier than sustaining the season-ending harm.
Reid was a gradual drive with 67 tackles, an interception and 4 go breakups (third-most on the crew), whereas Damuni actually got here into his personal whereas enjoying elevated snaps from late October on — main the crew in tackles with 87 (2.5 for loss with a mixed sack).
Each Reid and Damuni elected to return again for the 2024 season, fortifying a place that has been traditionally sturdy for Kyle Whittingham’s crew.
“Tremendous impactful,” Reid stated concerning the trio sticking collectively for one more yr. “I believe it’s actually helped our management and we’ve been in a position to unfold out and develop the group quicker as an entire. I believe since my freshman yr, it’s been a brand new set of backers since 2021, and so simply management and maturity has been large up to now.”
That veteran management is essential to have, particularly because the linebackers are the “quarterbacks” of the protection. Defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley places quite a lot of duty on the sturdy security and the linebackers to “talk just about every little thing to all people.”
“It makes it good, that’s for positive, to have the expertise. They’re primarily coaches on the sector and do a fantastic job,” linebackers coach Colton Swan stated.
Different returning contributors embody sophomore Sione Fotu — who performed 110 snaps on protection final yr, the overwhelming majority at linebacker, with 18 tackles and a go breakup — and senior Josh Calvert, who performed 28 snaps with three tackles.
Whereas spring soccer is efficacious for each member of the crew — Reid stated that this yr’s camp focus is on takeaways, one thing the Utes’ protection has been traditionally good at however noticed a dip in final yr, taking the ball away 15 instances, rating 97th within the nation — it’s particularly essential within the improvement of underclassmen.
The beginning spots are probably locked up for the yr, however gamers are working to turn out to be major backups and see the sector in sure conditions. The linebacker room noticed Justin Medlock and Owen Chambliss switch out within the offseason, plus Hayden Furey and Jason Siaosi graduate, so there’s now alternative for among the younger guys to show themselves and maybe crack the two-deep.
Three-star 2024 signees Hunter Andrews and Kana’i Lopes are two true freshmen which have caught Swan’s eye up to now in Utah’s opening week of follow. Andrews primarily performed operating again in his senior season at Magnolia Excessive College in Magnolia, Texas, however stated that he may have a better ceiling at linebacker in faculty. Lopes had 45 tackles and a fumble restoration for St. John Bosco Excessive College in Bellflower, California.
“Each of these guys are doing nice issues. They’ve bought a really excessive ceiling, very promising in what they’ve proven to date,” Swan stated.
Returned missionaries Moroni Anae, who walked onto the crew in 2018, noticed motion in three video games on protection in 2020, after which left for a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints mission, is now again with crew. Trey Reynolds, who performed seven snaps within the 2021 season, additionally returned dwelling from his mission and has been taking part in spring ball.
“Each of these guys have been in this system earlier than, so that they may be a bit of bit forward of the 2 freshmen that I discussed earlier. However out of these 4 guys, quite a lot of actual promise from younger gamers, from an athletic standpoint, from a psychological standpoint, doing nice issues and actually excited for the way forward for them,” Swan stated.
The linebacker group ought to be the sturdy level on Utah’s protection with three skilled gamers main the best way.
“That is my fourth yr, my senior yr, so I’m simply attempting to squeeze every little thing that I’ve left in me, man,” Reid stated.
