Quarterback

Jordan Wynn, 6-1, 195, Soph.

Now, for the encore. After capping last season with Most Valuable Player honors in the Poinsettia Bowl, Wynn enters his first full campaign as the designated starter. He stepped into the role midway through the eighth game of 2009, replacing current backup Terrance Cain. The Utes were 7-1 with Cain, who is now a senior, as the starter. Cain has pushed Wynn throughout camp and gives Utah a solid replacement if needed.

Running backs

Matt Asiata, 5-11, 230, Sr.

Eddie Wide, 5-10, 195, Sr.

Depth — and lot's of it. With Asiata and Wide in the backfield, the Utes have one of the most powerful running back duos in the nation. Asiata led the Utes in rushing in 2008 and was on top of the Mountain West Conference last season before being sidelined with a knee injury in the fourth game. Wide stepped in and became just the 10th player in U. history to rush for more than 1,000 yards in a season. Another player to watch is transfer Tauni Vakapuna.

Offensive line

LT: John Cullen, 6-5, 285, Jr.

LG: Caleb Schlauderaff, 6-4, 300, Sr.

C: Zane Taylor, 6-2, 309, Sr.

RG: Tevita Stevens, 6-1, 290, Soph.

RT: Tony Bergstrom, 6-6, 310, Jr.

With four returning starters, Utah had only one gap to fill up front. The Utes did so in a big way — replacing All-American left tackle Zane Beadles, who is now with the NFL's Denver Broncos, with Cullen, who was considered the top junior college offensive lineman in the nation. Taylor and Schlauderaff were named to the MWC's preseason all-conference team, while Stevens and Bergstrom are proven commodities, as well.

Wide receivers

Jereme Brooks, 5-7, 170, Sr.

Luke Matthews, 6-1, 201, Soph.

Shaky Smithson, 5-11, 202, Sr.

Brooks is the top returnee, with 56 catches in 2009. The veteran leads a pack of talented but relatively inexperienced receivers. Smithson, the only other senior in the mix, will assist in that regard. He'll also add some explosiveness. So, too, will junior college transfers Dexter Ransom and Mo Lee. Matthews is part of a group of young contributors that will likely include DeVonte Christopher, Griff McNabb, Reggie Dunn and Fatu Moala.

Tight end

Brad Clifford, 6-4, 245, Sr.

Kendrick Moeai, 6-5, 240, Soph.

Yes, it's true, the Utes do know how to utilize the tight end position. Moeai caught two touchdown passes in the Poinsettia Bowl victory over Cal. It may be a sign of things to come. Clifford is the established veteran of a solid corps of sizable tight ends at Utah. The cast includes sophomore Dallin Rogers and freshman Westlee Tonga. All four may be in a rotation that could see significant action this season.

Defensive backs

CB: Conroy Black, 6-0, 180, Jr.

CB: Brandon Burton, 6-0, 185, Jr.

CB: Lamar Chapman, 5-8, 176, Sr.

FS: Justin Taplin-Ross, 6-3, 214, Sr.

SS: Brian Blechen, 6-2, 208, Fr.

Speed and athleticism may have increased in the secondary as the Utes replace three graduated starters. Taplin-Ross stepped up in spring ball and earned one of the safety spots. The senior will start at free safety, while true freshman Brian Blechen is ticketed to be the starter at strong safety. At cornerback, Burton is an all-conference candidate and part of a three-man rotation that will include the quickness of Black and Chapman.

Linebacker

J.J. Williams, 6-0, 220, Jr.

Matt Martinez, 6-0, 223, Jr.

Chaz Walker, 5-11, 218, Jr.

Chad Manis, 6-5, 235, Sr.

After losing all three starters in 2009 to graduation, the Utes will likely employ a committee of linebackers to do the jobs this season. Williams is the most experienced, having started seven games before serving an LDS Church mission. He appeared in all 13 games last season as a reserve. The other linebackers in the mix are talented, as well. The group includes Martinez, Walker, Manis, sophomore Boo Andersen and junior Jamel King.

Defensive line

LE: Junior Tui'one, 6-4, 265, Sr.

T: Sealver Siliga, 6-3, 305, Jr.

NT: Dave Kruger, 6-5, 290, Soph.

RE: Christian Cox, 6-1, 250, Sr.

As usual, the Utes just seem to reload here each year. Siliga was impressive in camp and appears poised for a breakout year. Kruger will likely be the other starter at tackle and is backed by highly touted linemen James Aiono and Latu Heimuli. Neli A'asa and Star Lotulelei are behind Siliga on the depth chart. At end, the Utes have a lot of depth with Tui'one and Cox, as well as Derrick Shelby, Trevor Reilly and Joe Kruger.

Specialists

K: Joe Phillips, 5-11, 192, Sr.

P/H: Sean Sellwood, 6-3, 200, Soph.

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KR: Shaky Smithson, 5-11, 202, Sr.

KR: Reggie Dunn, 6-0, 170, Soph.

LS:Patrick Greene, 6-2, 227, Soph.

Phillips earned a scholarship after establishing himself as one of the nation's most reliable kickers in 2009. He made 20 of his 22 field goal attempts and was 38-of-39 on PATs. Redshirt freshman Nick Marsh is the designated backup and is scheduled to handle kickoff duties.Sellwood averaged 42.9 yards per punt last season to earn Freshman All-American honors from Rivals.com (second team) and Phil Steele (third team). The native of South Africa has steady hands as well and will also been Utah's primary holder. DeVonte Christopher is the backup. Smithson, who will also be the primary punt returner, and Dunn are a formidable pair to return kickoffs for the Utes. They have the speed and athleticism to give Utah solid field position on a regular basis. Brooks, Black and Christopher provide solid options as well. All five players in the mix are threats to return the ball all the way to the end zone. So, too, is McNabb. He's currently No. 2 on punt returns. Greene handled all snapping duties on field goals, punts and PATs in 2009 — hiking the ball 139 times in such situations. Manis is listed as the backup at snapper.

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