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The University of Utah Athletics
Vaki, Elliss Earn Sporting News All-America
12/13/2023 9:10 AM | Football
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The University of Utah Football program was well represented today on the 2023 Sporting News All-America teams with defensive end Jonah Elliss earning first-team and Sione Vaki being name as a second-team athlete.
Elliss, a first-team All-Pac-12 selection, has also earned AP, FWAA, Walter Camp, USA Today, College Football Network and CBS Sports All-America along with being a finalist for the Lombardi Award, the Lott IMPACT Trophy, the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year and the Ted Hendricks Award.
Vaki, also a first-team All-Pac-12 pick, was named to the Sports Illustrated All-America squad while also earning finalist recognition for the Paul Hornung Award and the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year.
Elliss ranked first in the FBS in sacks per game (1.20) with 12.0 total sacks through 10 games played. He also ranks fourth in the FBS in tackles for loss per game (1.6) with 16.0 total.
Overall in 2023, he has produced 37 total tackles with three pass breakups and a forced fumble, recording a sack in four straight games with multiple tackles for loss in five games this season. His 12.0 sacks is the most by a Ute since 2019 (Bradlee Anae, 13.0), tying him for seventh all-time in single-season sacks.
Vaki started all 12 games at safety this season with 51 tackles (8.5 TFL, 2.0 sacks) and three passes defended (1 INT, 2 PBU), also adding 317 rushing yards (2 TDs) and 203 receiving yards (3 TDs).
He averaged 4.3 tackles per game, which included five games with five-or-more stops. He had back-to-back outings with a season-high nine tackles (vs. UCLA, at Oregon State) with his game against the Beavers including a career-best 3.5 tackles for loss. Out of his 8.5 total tackles for loss this season, 7.5 came during conference play, which tied for 10th in the league.
UP NEXT
Utah is set to play in the 2023 SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 23 against the Northwestern Wildcats in Allegiant Stadium. For more information about the bowl and to stay up-to-date on all things Utah, visit the Bowl Central Page here.
FOLLOW US!
To get an inside look at the Utah Football program during its journey through the 2023 season, follow the Utes on social media along with visiting www.UtahUtes.com.
Twitter: @Utah_Football
Instagram: @UtahFootball
Threads: @UtahFootball
Facebook: Utah Football
TikTok: @Utah_Football
Elliss, a first-team All-Pac-12 selection, has also earned AP, FWAA, Walter Camp, USA Today, College Football Network and CBS Sports All-America along with being a finalist for the Lombardi Award, the Lott IMPACT Trophy, the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year and the Ted Hendricks Award.
Vaki, also a first-team All-Pac-12 pick, was named to the Sports Illustrated All-America squad while also earning finalist recognition for the Paul Hornung Award and the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year.
Elliss ranked first in the FBS in sacks per game (1.20) with 12.0 total sacks through 10 games played. He also ranks fourth in the FBS in tackles for loss per game (1.6) with 16.0 total.
Overall in 2023, he has produced 37 total tackles with three pass breakups and a forced fumble, recording a sack in four straight games with multiple tackles for loss in five games this season. His 12.0 sacks is the most by a Ute since 2019 (Bradlee Anae, 13.0), tying him for seventh all-time in single-season sacks.
Vaki started all 12 games at safety this season with 51 tackles (8.5 TFL, 2.0 sacks) and three passes defended (1 INT, 2 PBU), also adding 317 rushing yards (2 TDs) and 203 receiving yards (3 TDs).
He averaged 4.3 tackles per game, which included five games with five-or-more stops. He had back-to-back outings with a season-high nine tackles (vs. UCLA, at Oregon State) with his game against the Beavers including a career-best 3.5 tackles for loss. Out of his 8.5 total tackles for loss this season, 7.5 came during conference play, which tied for 10th in the league.
UP NEXT
Utah is set to play in the 2023 SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 23 against the Northwestern Wildcats in Allegiant Stadium. For more information about the bowl and to stay up-to-date on all things Utah, visit the Bowl Central Page here.
FOLLOW US!
To get an inside look at the Utah Football program during its journey through the 2023 season, follow the Utes on social media along with visiting www.UtahUtes.com.
Twitter: @Utah_Football
Instagram: @UtahFootball
Threads: @UtahFootball
Facebook: Utah Football
TikTok: @Utah_Football
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