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The University of Utah Athletics
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Dynamic Talent: 2019 Wide Receivers Preview
7/11/2019 2:02 PM | Football
Explosive, dynamic, quick – those are just three words used to describe this year's Utah wide receivers group. A group that may be young, but will come to the gridiron this fall with experience, length when needed, fast hands and a tenacity to find the end zone.
The Utes currently have 13 wide receivers on the 2019 roster, and while eight of those are underclassmen, 10 saw playing time in 2018. With lengthy talent on the outside returning with Samson Nacua and Solomon Enis, the Utes also bring back electric slot receivers Jaylen Dixon and Britain Covey along with seasoned veteran Demari Simpkins.
Covey, a two-time all-Pac-12 return specialist who is known to be one of the most dynamic players in the Pac-12, will return for his junior campaign after his 2018 was cut short due to injury. Dixon's breakaway speed caused issues for opposing defenses as he averaged a team-high 18.4 yards per catch last season, finishing second on the team to Covey with 589 yards.
Returning Lettermen (9)
Redshirts (2)
Newcomers (2)
Quick Hits & Highlights on select 2019 Receivers
Britain Covey | JR | Provo, Utah
Utah's leading receiver in 2015 and 2018 … two-time All-Pac-12 returner and a 2015 Freshman All-American … led the team in receptions (60), yards (637) and yards per game (49.0) in 2018 with one touchdown … 1,174 all-purpose yards with five 100-yard all-purpose games in 2018 had 79 receiving yards, a 46-yard touchdown pass and a career-long 38-yard kickoff return against USC last season.
Jaylen Dixon | SO | Frisco, Texas
Has the potential to earn all-conference this season … played in all 14 games, starting six last season as a redshirt freshman … had seven 35-plus yard catches in 2018 … two 100-yard games … career-best 125 yards on four catches with a 47-yard touchdown against Colorado … also had 114 yards on nine receptions and a score against Northwestern.
Solomon Enis | SO | Phoenix, Ariz.
Played in all 14 games with two starts as a true freshman last season … 13 catches for 179 yards and a touchdown … averaged 13.8 yards per catch … had a 27-yard touchdown reception against USC … two catches for 34 yards included a season-long 29-yard reception in his collegiate debut against Weber State.
Samson Nacua | JR | Provo, Utah
Has played in 27 games in two seasons for the Utes … originally was a walk-on that earned a scholarship in 2016 … third on the team with 31 receptions for 362 yards and a team-best five receiving touchdowns in 2018 … career-best 70 receiving yards against Stanford that included a 57-yard touchdown catch … 10-yard one-handed touchdown catch against Colorado.
Demari Simpkins | SR | Carol City, Fla.
Has played in 40 games with 25 starts in three seasons with Utah … started all 14 games in 2018 as a junior with 26 catches for 297 yards and two touchdowns … season-best 78 yards that included a 68-yard touchdown reception against Arizona … had a career-high 99 receiving yards on four catches against Washington State in 2017.
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The Utes currently have 13 wide receivers on the 2019 roster, and while eight of those are underclassmen, 10 saw playing time in 2018. With lengthy talent on the outside returning with Samson Nacua and Solomon Enis, the Utes also bring back electric slot receivers Jaylen Dixon and Britain Covey along with seasoned veteran Demari Simpkins.
Covey, a two-time all-Pac-12 return specialist who is known to be one of the most dynamic players in the Pac-12, will return for his junior campaign after his 2018 was cut short due to injury. Dixon's breakaway speed caused issues for opposing defenses as he averaged a team-high 18.4 yards per catch last season, finishing second on the team to Covey with 589 yards.
Utah WR Britain Covey spoke with @espn700bill about rehabbing, Utes offseason and more
— ESPN 700 (@ESPN700) June 3, 2019
LISTEN:Â https://t.co/ANfVxc2fzb
Returning Lettermen (9)
| Britain Covey   | Jr. | 5-8, 170 (Provo, Utah) |
| Jaylen Dixon  | So. | 5-9, 170 (Frisco, Texas) |
| Solomon Enis   | So. | 6-3, 205 (Phoenix, Ariz.) |
| Samson Nacua | Jr. | 6-3, 200 (Provo, Utah) |
| Demari Simpkins   | Sr. | 5-10, 180 (Carol City, Fla.) |
| Dylan Slavens  | So. | 5-11, 180 (Springville, Utah) |
| Bryan Thompson | So. | 6-2, 200 (Moreno Valley, Calif.) |
| Derrick Vickers    | Sr. | 5-11, 185 (Bakersfield, Calif.) |
| Tyrone Young-Smith | Sr. | 6-4, 203 (Fresno, Calif.) |
Redshirts (2)
| Terrell Perriman | R-Fr. | 5-11, 185 (Miami, Fla.) |
| Dominique Thompson | R-Fr. | 5-11, 185 (Bueno Park, Calif.) |
Newcomers (2)
| Donte Banton | Fr. | 6-0, 190 (Lauderhill, Fla.) |
| Devaughn Vele | Fr. | 6-4, 207 (San Diego, Calif.) |
Jaylen Dixon has had one impressive first season with the Utes pic.twitter.com/Dqf4EkHK0L
— PFF College (@PFF_College) December 28, 2018
Quick Hits & Highlights on select 2019 Receivers
Britain Covey | JR | Provo, Utah
Utah's leading receiver in 2015 and 2018 … two-time All-Pac-12 returner and a 2015 Freshman All-American … led the team in receptions (60), yards (637) and yards per game (49.0) in 2018 with one touchdown … 1,174 all-purpose yards with five 100-yard all-purpose games in 2018 had 79 receiving yards, a 46-yard touchdown pass and a career-long 38-yard kickoff return against USC last season.
Jaylen Dixon | SO | Frisco, Texas
Has the potential to earn all-conference this season … played in all 14 games, starting six last season as a redshirt freshman … had seven 35-plus yard catches in 2018 … two 100-yard games … career-best 125 yards on four catches with a 47-yard touchdown against Colorado … also had 114 yards on nine receptions and a score against Northwestern.
Solomon Enis | SO | Phoenix, Ariz.
Played in all 14 games with two starts as a true freshman last season … 13 catches for 179 yards and a touchdown … averaged 13.8 yards per catch … had a 27-yard touchdown reception against USC … two catches for 34 yards included a season-long 29-yard reception in his collegiate debut against Weber State.
Samson Nacua | JR | Provo, Utah
Has played in 27 games in two seasons for the Utes … originally was a walk-on that earned a scholarship in 2016 … third on the team with 31 receptions for 362 yards and a team-best five receiving touchdowns in 2018 … career-best 70 receiving yards against Stanford that included a 57-yard touchdown catch … 10-yard one-handed touchdown catch against Colorado.
Demari Simpkins | SR | Carol City, Fla.
Has played in 40 games with 25 starts in three seasons with Utah … started all 14 games in 2018 as a junior with 26 catches for 297 yards and two touchdowns … season-best 78 yards that included a 68-yard touchdown reception against Arizona … had a career-high 99 receiving yards on four catches against Washington State in 2017.
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