Three Utes Make SI’s All-America College Football Team
Dec 11, 2019, 11:48 AM
Utah Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham and players celebrate their 35-7 win over the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Arizona on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019. (Spenser Heaps, Deseret News)
(Spenser Heaps, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Bradlee Anae, Julian Blackmon and Jaylon Johnson all made Sports Illustrated’s All-America college football team.
Anae, defensive end for Utah, made first-team alongside Blackmon at safety.
Johnson, Utah’s lockdown corner, made the second team.
First team: @JumpManJuice23 & @BradleeAnae
Second team: @NBAxJay1Congrats, Utes! https://t.co/ct6N6Udw1X
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) December 11, 2019
The three were cornerstones of Utah’s spectacular defense this season. The Utes run defense was at times the best in the country. As a unit, they only allowed an average of 247.6 yards per game.
Anae ranks 7th nationally in sacks and is tied for the all-time sack record at Utah with Hunter Dimick. He made 26 solo tackles this season.
Blackmon moved from cornerback to safety this season and the transition seemed seamless. He posted four picks and forced two fumbles this season.
“To be named one of Sports Illustrated’s First-Team All-America athletes was the final thing I wanted to cross off,” Blackmon tweeted.
To be named one of Sports Illustrated’s First-Team All-America athletes was the final thing I wanted to cross off. S/O to my teammates for making me look like I know what I’m doing in the post🥺And a coach who trusted I wasn’t THAT naive to change positions in months😂
— Julian Blackmon (@JumpManJuice23) December 11, 2019
Johnson made the second team with 34 solo tackles and two interceptions.
Anae and Blackmon are seniors while Johnson is a junior. You’ll have one more chance to watch this group together at the Alamo Bowl on New Year’s Eve.
