It's not often that first-year players make an impact on a successful college football program.
That was the case at the University of Utah this year, where only a handful of the 2004 recruits had much of an impact on the best season in Ute football history. However several are expected to see increased playing time in '05.
The most visible of the '04 recruits was running back Quinton Ganther, who shared running back duties with Marty Johnson after joining the Utes from Cirtus Community College in California, where he was an all-American.
Ganther had 103 rushes for 620 yards, and his 6.0 per-rush average was best on the team as he earned honorable mention MWC honors. His top game came in the regular-season finale against BYU, when he rushed for 122 yards. He also cracked the 100-yard mark with 106 against New Mexico.
Freshman quarterback Brian Johnson saw a lot more time than anticipated in his first season. The 17-year-old from Texas was expected to redshirt but instead earned the backup role behind quarterback Alex Smith.
With the Utes winning every game by double digits, Johnson got into all but two games and completed 14 of 21 passes for 142 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed 21 times for 92 yards and a touchdown.
Eugene Oates was a backup cornerback who saw a lot of action this year after transferring from Fort Scott CC in Florida. He finished 17th on the team in tackles with 15 and also had a sack.
Justin Walker was the leading kickoff returner with seven returns for 239 yards, a 34.1-yard average. Walker, who came from West L.A. Community College, is known as one of the fastest players on the team and should see a lot more time next season with Utah's top three receivers moving on.
Fano Tagovailoa was supposed to see a lot of action as a quarterback, receiver or returner. He didn't play as much as expected, however, rushing 11 times for 45 yards and completing two passes for 49 yards.
Defensive lineman Kelly Talavou, who transferred from Idaho, sat out this year and is expected to challenge for a starting spot next fall. So is Paul Soliai, a 330-pounder from American Samoa, who is penciled in as a starter in early projections for next year's offensive line. Another offensive lineman from American Samoa, Terrence Apted, could challenge for a starting spot.
Three running backs from last year's class, who will be in the mix next year are former USC tailback Darryl Poston and Hawaiian Ray Stowers, who were both injured, and Brent Casteel out of San Francisco.
Paul Kruger, a converted quarterback from Timpanogos High, impressed coaches in the fall as a defensive lineman, but he ended up redshirting. He is expected to serve an LDS mission before playing again.
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