Editor's note: In anticipation of the 121st college football season in Utah, DeseretNews.com writer Jay Yeomans is ranking the 50 greatest Division I college football players of all time from the state of Utah. We're counting down the 50 days until Sept. 1 when Southern Utah at Utah and Weber State at Utah State kick off at 6 p.m. Rankings are based on what the player did during his college career.
12. Phil Olsen, Utah State, defensive line (1967-69)
Olsen was an elite defensive lineman during his time in Logan and one of the best defensive players to ever play at any of the Utah schools.
His best season came in 1969, when he was the team MVP and was named as a first-team All-American by seven different publications to become just the second player in school history to earn consensus All-American honors.
For his outstanding play with the Aggies, he was named to the Utah State All-Century team as well as making it to the Utah Sports Hall of Fame and the Utah State Hall of Fame.
He has been on the ballot for the College Football Hall of Fame the last two years.
Jay Yeomans is a sports writer for DeseretNews.com. Contact him at jyeomans@deseretdigital.com.