Another season of "oh so close". For the third year in a row, the south was there for the taking and Utah couldn't capitalize. For the third year in a row, predictable play calling and lack of execution bit us in the butt. An extremely exciting season ended with a 1-3 November.
There's reason to be optimistic for the future, but we need change. Every year it seems like the defense has to pull more than it's fair share of the weight because the offense can't get things figured out. I'm not going to recommend specific coaching changes, but the two things, IMO, that this offense needs are a more diverse playbook, and a dedicated QB coach. (Scott Mitchell, anyone?)
I think there's a lot to look forward to in the future. Some first year guys will undoubtedly be even better next year, as JUCO or freshman kids tend to really come on strong after a year in the program. Troy, Luafatasaga, and Bolles all made big contributions this year, and I expect all of those dudes will be studs next year. I desperately hope Bolles stays, his experience and talent would be useful on an O line that will be replacing a lot of guys. Some freshmen that made good impressions include Moss, Simpkins, Huntley, Donavan Thompson, Leki Fotu, and Bradlee Anae. All of those dudes were very impressive for true freshmen, and I look forward to watching them grow and develop into studs.
I do have a few areas of concern for next year's team. The secondary is the biggest. Replacing four starting corners and probably a starting free safety is not gonna be easy. I liked what I saw from Fogal, but I'm not sure I'd want him starting at free safety full time. Same can be said for Hobbs at the nickel position. Burgess and Blackmon are promising, and hopefully T-Boney can make the transition to be Utah's next great big cornerback. Still not sure what to think of Hughes, and it'll be interesting to see what Nygel King and Jaylon Johnson bring to the table in spring ball (if Johnson is an early enrollee. Not sure about that).
The offensive line is the next group that concerns me, IF Bolles decides to leave early. However, if he stays, we'd only have to replace two players, as Bolles, Barton, and Uhatafe would all return. Finding a new starting guard and a center with a pretty deep group of candidates such as Paulo, Falemaka, Scott, Grant, and others should be doable.
I have moderate concern about the linebacker group. Outside of Tauteoli, the group showed flashes but did not impress overall, and even Sunia struggled at times. However, with Davir Hamilton being eligible next year, and possibly the addition of Kurtis Taufa, there are some new faces that could make an impact at the position in 2017. I like what I see from Donavan Thompson, he's exactly the type of hard-hitting backer that can get a defense fired up at any time. As I mentioned before, I also think Luafatasaga has his best football ahead of him.
Receivers looked improved overall, but certainly regressed in the last game. Tim Patrick and Butler-Byrd will missed, but Singleton and Wilson appear to be suitable replacements on the outside. There's some good depth on paper there, with guys like Repp, Dana, Simpkins, and Fulks. I've seen enough from the guys who got playing time this year to feel somewhat confident about this group going forward, but I definitely want to see some other guys step up and prove that there is depth in event of an injury.
I have zero concern about the defensive line. The potential loss of Lotulelei would sting, but between having Mokofisi and Fitts back, and having a ton of extremely talented young guys (Tupai, Anae, Fotu, Tonga, Vainuku, Havili-Katoa, Pututau, plus the addition of John Penisini and possibly Jay Tufele or Noah Ellis), I'm not worried.
Quarterback play was improved this year, if only marginally, and I believe it will only get better next year, whether that be due to Troy taking a step forward or Huntley winning the job over him. Troy's focus this offseason should be improving his performance in the red zone. If he can take that step forward, he'll be really good next year.
Running backs have a bright future too. We will miss Joe's speed, but Moss and Shyne both impressed in their first year and should be a formidable one-two punch. If Eno Benjamin decides to join the team, his talents could make this the best RB group in Utah history. On another note, I love Troy McCormick, but I just don't know if he's built to play RB at the PAC 12 level. He seems to be kind of impatient behind the line and tries to run guys over instead of juking them. I love the fearlessness, but I don't think he'll be able to stay healthy a whole year playing running back full time. I'd like to see him switch to slot receiver and maybe try his hand at returning punts instead.
The tight ends should be set as well with Fakailoatonga and Handley returning, and Chad Hekking waiting in the wings. The only issue I see there is that they aren't used often enough.
Special teams is a bit of a question mark... the punting situation is obviously in great hands, but who will replace Andy? Hayes Hicken or Chayden Johnston? I also hope that some electric returners showcase their talents, particularly at PR. Boobie had some exciting moments, but I found myself wondering what he was doing more often than cheering him on for a big play. I love, love, love Fulks at KR. He's got the kind of straight-line speed that makes him a threat to take one back anytime, like Reggie Dunn or Kaelin Clay. I hope he sticks at the position, I'm sure we'd see him take at least one kick back to the house in 2017.
Despite the disappointment so fresh in our minds, there's a lot to look forward to. I believe Utah will win the south within the next three years. I think USC will dominate next year, and maybe the year after depending on whether or not Darnold stays. UCLA will underachieve as long as Mora is their coach. Arizona and AZ State could be down for a couple more years, and I'm not quite sure what to think of Colorado. They lose quite a few seniors, but a lot of their best players this year were underclassment too. With regards to Utah, however, once the 2016 recruiting class are upperclassmen, this team will be something special, especially if this year's recruiting class shakes out like all the mods think it's going to. I'm excited to see what the future holds, and rain or shine, love my Utes.
There's reason to be optimistic for the future, but we need change. Every year it seems like the defense has to pull more than it's fair share of the weight because the offense can't get things figured out. I'm not going to recommend specific coaching changes, but the two things, IMO, that this offense needs are a more diverse playbook, and a dedicated QB coach. (Scott Mitchell, anyone?)
I think there's a lot to look forward to in the future. Some first year guys will undoubtedly be even better next year, as JUCO or freshman kids tend to really come on strong after a year in the program. Troy, Luafatasaga, and Bolles all made big contributions this year, and I expect all of those dudes will be studs next year. I desperately hope Bolles stays, his experience and talent would be useful on an O line that will be replacing a lot of guys. Some freshmen that made good impressions include Moss, Simpkins, Huntley, Donavan Thompson, Leki Fotu, and Bradlee Anae. All of those dudes were very impressive for true freshmen, and I look forward to watching them grow and develop into studs.
I do have a few areas of concern for next year's team. The secondary is the biggest. Replacing four starting corners and probably a starting free safety is not gonna be easy. I liked what I saw from Fogal, but I'm not sure I'd want him starting at free safety full time. Same can be said for Hobbs at the nickel position. Burgess and Blackmon are promising, and hopefully T-Boney can make the transition to be Utah's next great big cornerback. Still not sure what to think of Hughes, and it'll be interesting to see what Nygel King and Jaylon Johnson bring to the table in spring ball (if Johnson is an early enrollee. Not sure about that).
The offensive line is the next group that concerns me, IF Bolles decides to leave early. However, if he stays, we'd only have to replace two players, as Bolles, Barton, and Uhatafe would all return. Finding a new starting guard and a center with a pretty deep group of candidates such as Paulo, Falemaka, Scott, Grant, and others should be doable.
I have moderate concern about the linebacker group. Outside of Tauteoli, the group showed flashes but did not impress overall, and even Sunia struggled at times. However, with Davir Hamilton being eligible next year, and possibly the addition of Kurtis Taufa, there are some new faces that could make an impact at the position in 2017. I like what I see from Donavan Thompson, he's exactly the type of hard-hitting backer that can get a defense fired up at any time. As I mentioned before, I also think Luafatasaga has his best football ahead of him.
Receivers looked improved overall, but certainly regressed in the last game. Tim Patrick and Butler-Byrd will missed, but Singleton and Wilson appear to be suitable replacements on the outside. There's some good depth on paper there, with guys like Repp, Dana, Simpkins, and Fulks. I've seen enough from the guys who got playing time this year to feel somewhat confident about this group going forward, but I definitely want to see some other guys step up and prove that there is depth in event of an injury.
I have zero concern about the defensive line. The potential loss of Lotulelei would sting, but between having Mokofisi and Fitts back, and having a ton of extremely talented young guys (Tupai, Anae, Fotu, Tonga, Vainuku, Havili-Katoa, Pututau, plus the addition of John Penisini and possibly Jay Tufele or Noah Ellis), I'm not worried.
Quarterback play was improved this year, if only marginally, and I believe it will only get better next year, whether that be due to Troy taking a step forward or Huntley winning the job over him. Troy's focus this offseason should be improving his performance in the red zone. If he can take that step forward, he'll be really good next year.
Running backs have a bright future too. We will miss Joe's speed, but Moss and Shyne both impressed in their first year and should be a formidable one-two punch. If Eno Benjamin decides to join the team, his talents could make this the best RB group in Utah history. On another note, I love Troy McCormick, but I just don't know if he's built to play RB at the PAC 12 level. He seems to be kind of impatient behind the line and tries to run guys over instead of juking them. I love the fearlessness, but I don't think he'll be able to stay healthy a whole year playing running back full time. I'd like to see him switch to slot receiver and maybe try his hand at returning punts instead.
The tight ends should be set as well with Fakailoatonga and Handley returning, and Chad Hekking waiting in the wings. The only issue I see there is that they aren't used often enough.
Special teams is a bit of a question mark... the punting situation is obviously in great hands, but who will replace Andy? Hayes Hicken or Chayden Johnston? I also hope that some electric returners showcase their talents, particularly at PR. Boobie had some exciting moments, but I found myself wondering what he was doing more often than cheering him on for a big play. I love, love, love Fulks at KR. He's got the kind of straight-line speed that makes him a threat to take one back anytime, like Reggie Dunn or Kaelin Clay. I hope he sticks at the position, I'm sure we'd see him take at least one kick back to the house in 2017.
Despite the disappointment so fresh in our minds, there's a lot to look forward to. I believe Utah will win the south within the next three years. I think USC will dominate next year, and maybe the year after depending on whether or not Darnold stays. UCLA will underachieve as long as Mora is their coach. Arizona and AZ State could be down for a couple more years, and I'm not quite sure what to think of Colorado. They lose quite a few seniors, but a lot of their best players this year were underclassment too. With regards to Utah, however, once the 2016 recruiting class are upperclassmen, this team will be something special, especially if this year's recruiting class shakes out like all the mods think it's going to. I'm excited to see what the future holds, and rain or shine, love my Utes.
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