Best Value Athletes, Coaches In Utah Sports

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The stock market has been the subject of many news articles and social media posts during the last day or so.

With the controversy surrounding the market, we thought we’d take a look at some of the best values that Utah sports teams have had in players and coaches.

Here is the list we came up with.

Utah Jazz

Jordan Clarkson – Guard

The Jazz first acquired Clarkson in a trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers in December 2019. Utah received Clarkson in exchange for Dante Exum and a pair of second round draft picks. Following his addition to the team, the Jazz posted one of the NBA’s best offenses. Clarkson helped Utah to a first round playoff appearance against the Denver Nuggets. During the off-season, the Jazz signed Clarkson to a four-year contract extension. This season, the sixth man has been one of the most productive second unit players in the league. Clarkson and the Jazz currently own the top record in the NBA.

Jordan Clarkson had 31 points off the bench tonight.

He’s averaging 18 points on 48/39/97% shooting this season.

He leads the NBA in bench scoring. pic.twitter.com/BVi4u1cxj4

— StatMuse (@statmuse) January 28, 2021

Real Salt Lake

Kyle Beckerman – Former Midfielder

After a slow start to his MLS career with the Miami Fusion, Beckerman emerged as a great talent with the Colorado Rapids. In 2007, Real Salt Lake traded Mehdi Ballouchy to Colorado in exchange for Beckerman. The midfielder quickly became a star with RSL. Not only was Beckerman a standout player for Real Salt Lake but he was a key member of the United States Men’s National Team. Before his retirement in December 2020, Beckerman was honored as one of the greatest players in MLS history.

#BuildThe5tatue @KyleBeckerman

🎥: @x_hems pic.twitter.com/wQqq1dASCO

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 22, 2020

Utah Utes

Britain Covey – Wide Receiver

Despite playing in BYU’s backyard at Timpview High in Provo, Covey joined the Utes in 2015. During his first season with Utah, Covey earned First-team Freshman All-American honors. During his career, the wide receiver has earned four All-Pac-12 selections. He has 132 catches for 1,497 yards and 8 touchdowns in 33 career games. In the return game, Covey also has a pair of tocuhdowns.

Oh just a 91 yard (!) touchdown pass from Jake Bentley to Britain Covey. The second longest touchdown pass in school history!

Watch live: FS1#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/yXeLN8iaSN

— Utah Athletics (@utahathletics) December 19, 2020

BYU Cougars

Zach Wilson – Former Quarterback

The opposite of Covey, Wilson grew up in Salt Lake County and was a fan of the University of Utah. After he wasn’t recruited by Utah, Wilson committed to Boise State before signing with BYU at the end of his recruitment. After a couple of seasons at the Cougars’ starter, Wilson led BYU to an 11-1 record in 2020. He passed for 3,692 yards and completed 74 percent of his passes during an impressive junior campaign. Wilson is currently preparing for the 2021 NFL Draft, where is he is expected to be taken early in the first round.

CRITICS: Zach Wilson isn't an NFL quarterback!

Zack Wilson: *shows them video of this*#BYUFootball #BYU @kslsports pic.twitter.com/kubPWzItmG

— Jeremiah Jensen (@JJSportsBeat) October 25, 2020

Utah State Aggies

Craig Smith – Men’s Basketball Head Coach

After Stew Morrill’s successful run as Utah State’s head coach came to an end in 2015, the Aggies struggled for three seasons under Tim Duryea. In 2018, Smith was hired after four seasons at South Dakota. During his first two seasons at USU, Smith led the Aggies to a combined record of 54-15 and two Mountain West Conference Tournament titles. This season, Smith and the Aggies are off to another great start with a 13-5 record, including 10-2 in conference play.

What a job that Craig Smith has done at Utah State. Aggies again have a dog in the Mountain West fight. The winning streak is at NINE.

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) January 15, 2021

Weber State Wildcats

Jay Hill – Head Football Coach

After more than a decade of coaching as an assistant with the Utah Utes, Hill was hired as Weber State’s head coach in 2014. After building up the Wildcats during his first few seasons in Ogden, Hill has turned Weber State into an FCS power. The Wildcats have won three consecutive Big Sky Conference championships. During Hill’s tenure, Weber State has a 47-29 overall record, including 5-4 in the postseason. Hill and the Wildcats are currently preparing for the start of their 2021 spring football season.

Weber State says goodbye to Montana and hello to the FCS Semifinals for the first time in school history after a 17-10 win. #WeAreWeber @KSL5TV @kslsports https://t.co/mswkFuB8kZ @weberstatefb @weberstate pic.twitter.com/TRnVd9tQcX

— Jeremiah Jensen (@JJSportsBeat) December 14, 2019

Southern Utah Thunderbirds

Todd Simon – Men’s Basketball Head Coach

Following a successful career as a high school coach, Simon returned to UNLV as an assistant coach in 2013. He previously coached with the Rebels from 2004-06. In 2016, Simon served as UNLV’s interim head coach. After his time with the Rebels, Southern Utah hired Simon as the Thunderbirds’ head coach in 2016. After struggling in his first two seasons, Simons has turned the T-Birds into a consistent winner. Two seasons ago, SUU posted a .500 record. Last season, the T-Birds went 17-15. This season, Simon has Southern Utah off to its best start in years. The Thunderbirds are currently 11-3 overall and 6-2 in conference games.

Welcome to the T-BIRD NATION Todd Simon #TBirdNation pic.twitter.com/moc8G2EvVY

— SUU Thunderbirds ⚡️ (@SUUThunderbirds) March 22, 2016

Dixie State Trailblazers

Paul Peterson – Head Football Coach

After serving as Snow College’s head coach from 2017-18, Peterson took over as Dixie State’s head coach in 2019. In their final season as a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, the Trailblazers went 8-3 in Peterson’s first season. Peterson and Dixie State are currently preparing for their first season as an FCS Independent. The Trailblazers will begin play as a member of the Western Athletic Conference in 2022.

Month away from our first game with @TarletonFB. We play 17 games in 2021! Can’t wait… I have a years worth of game day energy bottled up! 😤🏈🦬 @DixieState_FB pic.twitter.com/o9Inwo0riE

— Coach Peterson (@CoachPPeterson) January 28, 2021