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The Lowdown: Defensive Line
6/26/2018 10:19 AM | Football
This summer, UtahUtes.com will feature "The Lowdown" on each position group on the field. The 2018 Utah defensive line is stacked with size and speed, including a possible All-Pac-12 candidate returning at defensive end. Â
THE LOWDOWN: DEFENSIVE LINE
With almost a dozen Utah defensive linemen on current NFL rosters, the prospect of replacing three senior starters is a routine for a unit nicknamed "Sack Lake City." Despite the turnover from the 2017 season, Utah is returning depth at every position with some newcomers looking to make a splash.
"Our defensive line has been a strong unit for us for more than two decades and we don't see that changing anytime in the foreseeable future," head coach Kyle Whittingham said. "It seems as though every year we graduate starters to the NFL, but always find a way to reload with quality replacements coming up through the system."
Junior defensive end Bradlee Anae (6-3, 254), one of the best edge rushers in the Pac-12 if not the nation, will move from right to left end to replace NFL draft pick Kylie Fitts. Anae started 10 games last season, leading the team in sacks (7.0) and tied for the team-high in tackles for loss (10.0).
At the tackle position, four players are in a virtual dead heat, where Leki Fotu (6-5, 233), Hauati Pututau (6-3, 296), Pita Tonga (6-1, 301) and John Penisini (6-2, 315) could start for almost any team in the country.
Fotu and Tonga come into the 2018 season with the most experience at the tackle position with Fotu playing in 13 games with two starts and Tonga seeing action in 11. Tonga recorded 13 tackles last season while Fotu was able to bring in 22 tackles (3.5 TFL) and a blocked field goal.
Pututau and Penisini saw action at both defensive tackle and on special teams. Penisini played in 12 games with one start while Pututau played in 11 games.
The Utes also had some newcomers make a statement during spring ball with Mika Tafua (6-3, 250, Fr.), Paul Maile (6-2, 285, Fr.) and Rex Jordan (6-4, 237, Jr.) all getting some looks.
Tafua signed with the Utes last October, but cracked the two-deep during spring camp. The Laie, Hawaii, native was a first-team all-state selection at Kamehameha High School, also earning co-Defensive Player of the Year honors by the Interscholastic League of Honolulu.
Maile was a star for East High School in Salt Lake City as a two-time first-team all-state honoree, also garnering all-region honors. He was rated the 12th-best recruit in the state of Utah by 247sports after racking up 92 tackles (9.0 sacks, 1.0 TFL) as a senior.
Jordan comes to Utah after transferring from Mt. San Jacinto College where he was first-team SCFA American Division Mountain League in 2017. He was a team captain during his time at Mt. San Jacinto, going for 45 total tackles (12 TFL, 4.5 sacks) in 2017.
Joining the team this fall is Jackson Cravens (6-3, 310, Fr.) and David Fotu (6-5, 285, Fr.). Both are expected to make an immediate impact with Utah football already in their blood.
David, the younger brother of Leki Fotu, was a first-team all-state defensive tackle at Herriman High School and was rated the 27th-best recruit in Utah by 247sports. Cravens, nephew of Kyle Whittingham, was a first-team all-state selection as a junior, also earning All-Valley 4A Defensive Player of the Year in 2016.
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THE LOWDOWN: DEFENSIVE LINE
With almost a dozen Utah defensive linemen on current NFL rosters, the prospect of replacing three senior starters is a routine for a unit nicknamed "Sack Lake City." Despite the turnover from the 2017 season, Utah is returning depth at every position with some newcomers looking to make a splash.
"Our defensive line has been a strong unit for us for more than two decades and we don't see that changing anytime in the foreseeable future," head coach Kyle Whittingham said. "It seems as though every year we graduate starters to the NFL, but always find a way to reload with quality replacements coming up through the system."
Junior defensive end Bradlee Anae (6-3, 254), one of the best edge rushers in the Pac-12 if not the nation, will move from right to left end to replace NFL draft pick Kylie Fitts. Anae started 10 games last season, leading the team in sacks (7.0) and tied for the team-high in tackles for loss (10.0).
At the tackle position, four players are in a virtual dead heat, where Leki Fotu (6-5, 233), Hauati Pututau (6-3, 296), Pita Tonga (6-1, 301) and John Penisini (6-2, 315) could start for almost any team in the country.
Fotu and Tonga come into the 2018 season with the most experience at the tackle position with Fotu playing in 13 games with two starts and Tonga seeing action in 11. Tonga recorded 13 tackles last season while Fotu was able to bring in 22 tackles (3.5 TFL) and a blocked field goal.
Pututau and Penisini saw action at both defensive tackle and on special teams. Penisini played in 12 games with one start while Pututau played in 11 games.
The Utes also had some newcomers make a statement during spring ball with Mika Tafua (6-3, 250, Fr.), Paul Maile (6-2, 285, Fr.) and Rex Jordan (6-4, 237, Jr.) all getting some looks.
Tafua signed with the Utes last October, but cracked the two-deep during spring camp. The Laie, Hawaii, native was a first-team all-state selection at Kamehameha High School, also earning co-Defensive Player of the Year honors by the Interscholastic League of Honolulu.
Maile was a star for East High School in Salt Lake City as a two-time first-team all-state honoree, also garnering all-region honors. He was rated the 12th-best recruit in the state of Utah by 247sports after racking up 92 tackles (9.0 sacks, 1.0 TFL) as a senior.
Jordan comes to Utah after transferring from Mt. San Jacinto College where he was first-team SCFA American Division Mountain League in 2017. He was a team captain during his time at Mt. San Jacinto, going for 45 total tackles (12 TFL, 4.5 sacks) in 2017.
Joining the team this fall is Jackson Cravens (6-3, 310, Fr.) and David Fotu (6-5, 285, Fr.). Both are expected to make an immediate impact with Utah football already in their blood.
David, the younger brother of Leki Fotu, was a first-team all-state defensive tackle at Herriman High School and was rated the 27th-best recruit in Utah by 247sports. Cravens, nephew of Kyle Whittingham, was a first-team all-state selection as a junior, also earning All-Valley 4A Defensive Player of the Year in 2016.
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