Talent Perspective: Arizona Wildcats Vs Utah Utes
Sep 24, 2024, 9:00 AM | Updated: 10:56 am
SALT LAKE CITY – In this one, we’ll get a better idea of the talent in the showdown between the No. 10 Utah Utes and the Arizona Wildcats.
Basing game previews on recruiting rankings doesn’t always provide the most accurate reflection of teams. However, it is still a valuable piece of the puzzle when assessing matchups both individually and amongst position groups.
Utah and Arizona have been on different levels in recruiting for the majority of the last decade. In recent years, the Wildcats had been improving as a recruiting power but Jedd Fisch’s departure from Arizona has left that trajectory in limbo.
Arizona-Utah Position Group Talent Averages
The position group talent averages are generated by 247 Sports’ Industry-Generated Composite Ratings for each player. This is a fairly even matchup in terms of talent averages between position groups. Utah has an advantage at most positions but this is a tight matchup from a talent perspective.
|
Utah Utes |
Arizona Wildcats |
|
|
Quarterback |
0.9274 |
0.8691 |
|
Running back |
0.8857 |
0.8724 |
|
Wide Receiver |
0.8887 |
0.8765 |
|
Tight End |
0.8734 |
0.8551 |
|
Offensive Line |
0.8813 |
0.8541 |
|
Defensive End |
0.8771 |
0.8539 |
|
Defensive Tackle |
0.8704 |
0.8367 |
|
Linebacker |
0.8761 |
0.8821 |
|
Cornerback |
0.8788 |
0.8788 |
|
Safety |
0.8745 |
0.8461 |
|
Overall |
0.8786 |
0.8600 |
Top Five Talents For Arizona-Utah
Arizona
Justin Flowe, LB – .9967; Tetairoa McMillan, WR – .9779; Marquis Groves-Killebrew, CB – .9535; Kendrick Reescano, RB- .9377; Rayshawn Luke, RB – .9178
Utah
Lander Barton, LB – .9587; Spencer Fano, OT – .9564; Caleb Lomu, OT – .9458; Van Fillinger, DE – .9276; Cameron Rising, QB – .9096
Intriguing Talent Arizona-Utah Matchups
Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan vs Utah CBs
After facing a tremendous talent at running back talent last week, the Utes face an even better talent at receiver this weekend. McMillan (.9779) is a tremendous receiver with a ton of talent. He has a great combination of athleticism and size at 6-foot-5, 212 pounds. Through three games this season, he’s totaled 458 yards and 4 touchdowns on 23 receptions. He’s a threat at all three levels and a major point of focus for the Wildcats. Limiting McMillan is going to take a top-notch effort from Utah’s secondary. That will be spearheaded by Zemaiah Vaughn (NR), while Elijah Davis (.8685) and Cam Calhoun (.8942) will also likely see snaps against him.
Arizona LBs vs Utah RBs
Arizona’s top-rated position group is the linebackers. They’ve brought in transfers and some highly touted high school prospects in recent years. However, it’s not the most highly rated players that are leading this group. Jacob Manu (.8637) and Taye Brown (.8500) were mid-three-star prospects coming out of high school, yet they are the heart of the defense. They are the top two tacklers for Arizona, Manu with 26 and Brown with 20. With the way that Utah has run the ball this season, this will be another good test for Micah Bernard (.8644) and the other running backs.
Arizona Ss vs Utah TEs
The Wildcats like to play three safeties in their 4-2-5 defense. Dalton Johnson (.8444), Gunner Maldonado (.8719), and Treydan Stukes (.8715) give the Wildcats three versatile defenders who will be primarily responsible for defending Utah’s tight ends. Brant Kuithe (.8451) obviously headlines the group but Utah has plenty of options like Carsen Ryan (.9010) and Dallan Bentley (.8667) to take advantage of the matchup.
Utah Football’s Remaining 2024 Schedule
- Utah Football vs. Arizona Wildcats on Saturday, September 28
- Utah Football @ Arizona State Sun Devils on Friday, October 11
- Utah Football vs. TCU Horned Frogs on Saturday, October 19
- Utah Football @ Houston Cougars on Saturday, October 26
- Utah Football vs. BYU Cougars on Saturday, November, 9
- Utah Football @ Colorado Buffaloes on Saturday, November 16
- Utah Football vs. Iowa State Cyclones on Saturday, November 23
- Utah Football @ UCF Knights on Friday, November 29
