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The University of Utah Athletics
Spring Football: Linebacker Preview
3/28/2018 1:20 PM | Football
SALT LAKE CITY - The Utes hit the field for the eighth practice of the spring season today with the annual Red vs. White Game looming on April 14.Â
After graduating a large defensive class from the 2017 season, a new generation of Utes are ready to step into the spotlight. That couldn't be more true for the linebacker crew.Â
Of the 13 linebackers on the spring roster, three saw action at the linebacker position, but with youth also comes energy. Although there will be some fresh faces in the linebacker group this spring and fall, Utah fans will recognize two newcomers to the position.Â
Chase Hansen, who played last season as a safety, and former defensive lineman Chris Hart have made the switch to linebacker this spring. Hansen, despite missing four games due to injury, was second on the team in 2017 in tackles per game (6.38) and third in total tackles (51). Â
Previewing The Spring Depth Chart...
Mac Linebacker #30 Cody Barton (LB | 6-2 | 230 | Sr. | Salt Lake City, Utah)
Has played in 36 career games with nine starts at linebacker ... had 45 tackles and was second on the team with 4.0 sacks in 2017 ... second on the team in tackles in 2016 (66).Â
2017 Highlights: Tied for the Pac-12 lead with three fumble recoveries ... season-best 10 tackles, a pass breakup and a 13-yard fumble return against Colorado.Â
Fun Fact: Comes from a long line of successful Utah athletes. Father, Paul, played football and baseball for Utah; mother, Mikki Kane-Barton, is a member of the Utah's Crimson Club Hall of Fame and was a two-time honorable mention All-America basketball player for the Utes. Older brother, Jackson is a senior offensive tackle for the Utes.Â
Mac Linebacker #3Â Donavan Thompson (5-10 | 222 | Jr. | Miami, Fla.)
Saw five starts in 2017 and racked up 38 tackles (2.0 TFL), adding three pass breakups ... also saw action in eight games in 2016 as a freshman.Â
2017 Highlights: Had a career-high 12 tackles (1.0 TFL) and a pass breakup against Washington State.Â
Fun Fact: Scored a touchdown in his state championship game in 2015 on a fumble return.Â
Rover Linebacker #22 Chase Hansen (6-3 | 223 | Sr. | Highland, Utah)
Has been on of Utah's most consistent defenders when healthy ... has played in 30 career games with 22 starts ... started in eight games in 2017 to finish third on the team in tackles ... divided his time between quarterback and strong safety as a redshirt freshman in 2015 before moving to defense full time his sophomore season.Â
2017 Highlights: Season-best 11 tackles against Oregon ... also had an interception against Arizona.Â
Fun Fact: Served his church mission in Brisbane, Australia.Â
Rover Linebacker #8 Chris Hart (6-2 | 220 | Jr. | Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)
Recently made the move from defensive end to linebacker before spring camp ... played in seven games last season and in four in 2016.Â
2017 Highlights: Recovered a fumble against Arizona.Â
Fun Fact: Is a sociology major.Â
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ÂCircle drill ?? https://t.co/J9fB9WB4td
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) March 28, 2018
After graduating a large defensive class from the 2017 season, a new generation of Utes are ready to step into the spotlight. That couldn't be more true for the linebacker crew.Â
Of the 13 linebackers on the spring roster, three saw action at the linebacker position, but with youth also comes energy. Although there will be some fresh faces in the linebacker group this spring and fall, Utah fans will recognize two newcomers to the position.Â
Chase Hansen, who played last season as a safety, and former defensive lineman Chris Hart have made the switch to linebacker this spring. Hansen, despite missing four games due to injury, was second on the team in 2017 in tackles per game (6.38) and third in total tackles (51). Â
Previewing The Spring Depth Chart...
Mac Linebacker #30 Cody Barton (LB | 6-2 | 230 | Sr. | Salt Lake City, Utah)
Has played in 36 career games with nine starts at linebacker ... had 45 tackles and was second on the team with 4.0 sacks in 2017 ... second on the team in tackles in 2016 (66).Â
2017 Highlights: Tied for the Pac-12 lead with three fumble recoveries ... season-best 10 tackles, a pass breakup and a 13-yard fumble return against Colorado.Â
Fun Fact: Comes from a long line of successful Utah athletes. Father, Paul, played football and baseball for Utah; mother, Mikki Kane-Barton, is a member of the Utah's Crimson Club Hall of Fame and was a two-time honorable mention All-America basketball player for the Utes. Older brother, Jackson is a senior offensive tackle for the Utes.Â
Mac Linebacker #3Â Donavan Thompson (5-10 | 222 | Jr. | Miami, Fla.)
Saw five starts in 2017 and racked up 38 tackles (2.0 TFL), adding three pass breakups ... also saw action in eight games in 2016 as a freshman.Â
2017 Highlights: Had a career-high 12 tackles (1.0 TFL) and a pass breakup against Washington State.Â
Fun Fact: Scored a touchdown in his state championship game in 2015 on a fumble return.Â
Rover Linebacker #22 Chase Hansen (6-3 | 223 | Sr. | Highland, Utah)
Has been on of Utah's most consistent defenders when healthy ... has played in 30 career games with 22 starts ... started in eight games in 2017 to finish third on the team in tackles ... divided his time between quarterback and strong safety as a redshirt freshman in 2015 before moving to defense full time his sophomore season.Â
2017 Highlights: Season-best 11 tackles against Oregon ... also had an interception against Arizona.Â
Fun Fact: Served his church mission in Brisbane, Australia.Â
Rover Linebacker #8 Chris Hart (6-2 | 220 | Jr. | Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)
Recently made the move from defensive end to linebacker before spring camp ... played in seven games last season and in four in 2016.Â
2017 Highlights: Recovered a fumble against Arizona.Â
Fun Fact: Is a sociology major.Â
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