Utah’s Defense Could Be Best In Program History In 2019

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – It’s another season with Utah’s strongest side of the football coming on defense.

They return a lot of talented players, three of which decided to return to Utah for their senior season rather than jump to the NFL. Those three defensive players include defensive end Bradlee Anae, defensive tackle Leki Fotu and safety Julian Blackmon.

Head coach Kyle Whittingham and defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley decided to move Blackmon from cornerback to safety in order to get the most out of his depth at corner and to fill the void at safety left by Corrion Ballard and Marquise Blair.

Another Strong Defensive Line

Ever since Whittingham has been the head coach at Utah, the Utes have always had a great defensive line and this year could provide the best unit in school history.

“We are blessed,” Whittingham said. “We have been fortunate through the years to have some of the best defensive lines in the country. We will see how things play out but this could be as good or better than any of them preceding, but there is a lot that has to be accomplished between now and when we start playing.”

According to preseason college football publications, Utah has a top five defensive line unit in the country with Phil Steele ranking them as No. 1. It all starts with Anae, who feels like he is the best pass rusher in the Pac-12.

“I believe so,” Anae said. “Not just because of what people portray me as, just because of my ability to prepare. Failing to prepare is preparing to fail. I do value the stuff that is done in the off-season.”

Best Cornerback In The Country?

Jaylon Johnson as a junior is set up to have a huge season for the Utes. The first team All-Pac-12 corner had four interceptions last season, including a 100-yard return for a touchdown against Stanford. Now as a junior, he and Whittingham both believe that Johnson is one of the best corners in the country. Whittingham was asked where he ranks Johnson among the best corners in program history.

“Eric Weddle was a corner here but a safety at the next level, so maybe that is not a fair comparison because Jaylon is a pure corner and I have to say he is as good or better than anyone we have ever had come through here. I believe he is one of the top two or three corners in the country this year,” Whittingham said.

Johnson has the confidence that he is the best in the country.

“I feel that I am the best cornerback in the country,” Johnson said. “Just based on my preparation, based on how I come about the game, that’s just my confidence in everything I do. You have to be confident, otherwise you are setting yourself up to get beat.”

The depth behind Johnson at cornerback is deep with young and talented players. That led Whittingham to move Blackmon from corner to safety.

“You want to get your five best guys out there that we feel first of all, Julian’s best fit and opportunity at the next level is as a safety,” Whittingham said. “We have a lot of faith in Tareke Lewis and this move allows him to get on the field. It just solidified the whole secondary, we will see if it plays out that way.”

Biggest Question Mark

When asked about Utah’s biggest weakness on the defensive side of the ball, Whittingham had a hard time finding that answer.

“That’s a good question,” Whittingham said. “People first think the obviously thing is that we lost Chase Hansen and Cody Barton but we have a couple of guys in Francis Bernard, Manny Bowen and Devin Lloyd at that linebacker spot that we think are going to be as productive as Chase and Cody were and that’s a big statement because they were great for us. But, these guys are talented, so if their is any question mark defensively would probably be there.”