Other than the very talented Arnold Parker at strong safety, both defensive backs and special teams have promise but little experience.
The cornerbacks and kickers are two of Utah's biggest questions. There may be talent there, but few have played much in those pressure-cooking spots. New special-teams coach Gary Andersen is also looking for a returner to replace "the magic man," Stevonne Smith, now in the NFL.
However, safety could be a huge position, with the rangy 6-foot-2 Parker, an honors candidate, strong but quick enough to be a corner, and his near-twin showing up in junior-college transfer Antwoine Sanders. "He hasn't made a tackle yet, but he can flat-out run and has size and intelligence," defensive coordinator Kyle Whittingham says.
He moved into the starter's spot this week at free safety.
Backup free safety Anthony White isn't as big, 5-10, but is one of the stronger DBs in the weight room. Sophs Dave Revill and Aaron Bryant are other backups. Whittingham calls his safeties "another strong point, even though there's not a great deal of experience. We have five really good Mountain West Conference safeties."
Corners are Whittingham's "biggest question, without a doubt. They're youthful," he says. Utah's defense depends on competent corners, and Whittingham wants a couple to emerge. "They are good athletes. We're not trying to pick the best of the worst," he says. Local product Bo Nagahi, a redshirt freshman, this week took over the starting right corner spot from senior Yohance Scott. In the nickel package, Nagahi moves to nickel backed by Cody Weight with former starting running back D'Shaun Crockett at right corner.
Special teams were sublime and awful last year, and the best parts, Steve Smith and Patrick Dyson, are gone now.
Oklahoma transfer Brian Lewis, now on scholarship, will punt, kick off and probably kick the longer field goals. He punted as a freshman at Oklahoma before going on a mission. He won the field-goal job in spring, but Ryan Kaneshiro has improved his leg strength some and may do kicks from the 25 and in.
Nagahi is the top punt returner. "Unbelievable in high school," Andersen says. Morgan Scalley is another option. Kickoff returns are "way up in the air," Andersen said, with Nagahi, Dameon Hunter, Scalley and walk-on Marty Johnson vying. Brad Burtenshaw held some last year and leads the list over Brett Elliott and Kaneshiro. Ryan Brand came from Mount San Antonio College to replace four-year long snapper Brian Bachhuber. "We found a kid who's very good," Andersen said.
E-MAIL: lham@desnews.com