Kristin Murphy, Deseret News 
Ravell Call, Deseret News 
We’re coming back bigger, faster, smarter and with heavy hearts because we still believe we don’t get the recognition we deserve. We’re gunning to be the best defense in the country. – Gionni Paul
SALT LAKE CITY — Utah’s linebacking corps is the one Ute position group likely to foster the most energy and leadership this season.
How so? The two defensive captains named for the 2015 season, Jared Norris and Gionni Paul, come from the linebacking group. In fact, Norris even tattooed a Utes-themed logo on his head.
They also bring experience.
“I see this team as one of the best defensive teams I’ve played on, and I played on last year’s defense. I believe that,” Paul said. “We lost a lot of key guys last year, but we’re coming back bigger, faster, smarter and with heavy hearts because we still believe we don’t get the recognition we deserve. We’re gunning to be the best defense in the country.”
Returning experience: Utah’s three projected starting linebackers, Jared Norris (6-2, 240), Gionni Paul (5-10, 225) and Jason Whittingham (6-2, 245) are each seniors with a combined seven varsity letters — nine if counting the two years Paul played at Miami before transferring to Utah. Combined, the three have started in 54 Division I football games and played in 79 total games, with 444 total tackles.
Norris started all 13 games last season and led the team with 116 tackles — 32 more than anyone else on the team. The three would have spent more time on the field together had Paul and Whittingham been able to survive the injury bug. They hope for a healthy season this time around.
“It’s tough when you get injured, your confidence level gets shaken a little bit,” Whittingham said, of overcoming injuries. “You’re not sure if your spot is going to be there when you get back. You’re not sure if your body is going to be the same. Every time I’ve gotten hurt, my confidence has taken a little hit, but then it raises to what it was before just because that trial is just kind of a strength-builder.”
The injuries to both Paul and Whittingham happened in a way that they never were on the field at the same time last season, but Utah never played a game without at least one of them on the field.
Paul missed the first two games of the season recovering from a foot injury he received late in the 2014 spring camp. By the time he got back for the Michigan game, Whittingham was out with a wrist injury, suffered in the team’s second game of the year. Whittingham came back for the final three games of the season, but an injury cut Paul’s season three games short.
Paul, in his eight games played last season, led the team with four interceptions, which doubled anyone else on the team and was more than Utah’s 2013 interception numbers combined. Even as a linebacker, he’s the second best returning pass defender with five last season.
“I told (Utah quarterback Travis Wilson) every day (in practice), ‘You’re not going to play against a better combination than me and Jared in games,’” Paul said.
Whittingham finished with 20 tackles in five games, but finished with 82 the season before.
Behind the trio, walk-on sophomore Christian Drews (6-1, 233) played in 13 games last season, with most of that on special teams. He’s expected to back up Whittingham. Sophomore Uaea Masina (6-3, 223) compiled 10 tackles in two games last season before redshirting with an injury. He played in 10 games as a freshman in 2013. Masina is currently penciled in as Paul’s backup.
Junior Sharrieff Shah Jr. (6-0, 217), son of Utah cornerbacks coach Sharrieff Shah, and sophomore Alex Whittingham (5-10, 209), son of head coach Kyle Whittingham, each return. The two combined to play 14 games last season, with most of those on special teams. Sophomore Clarence Smith (6-2, 232) played four games on special teams.
Key additions: Sophomore Snow College transfer Sunia Tauteoli (6-0, 228), who played and performed well in spring camp, is an addition that could see time on the field. Tauteoli is currently listed as Norris’ backup as the “mac” linebacker on Utah’s two-deep depth chart.
Cody Barton (6-1, 228), a three-star recruit out of Brighton High and brother of offensive lineman Jackson Barton, was among Utah’s prized signees during the off-season. The energetic Barton could also factor into play this season, even as a true freshman.
Kyle Whittingham called both Cody and Jackson Barton “studs” after one practice in fall camp.
Utah also brings in a slew of other freshmen. Jake Jackson (6-3, 225), who committed in 2012 but served an LDS Church mission, is back for his first season as a Ute. Braden Pelly (6-1, 200), Justin Tatola (5-11, 203) and Sam Whittingham (5-10, 202) also join the Utes this season.
Dark Horse: Uaea Masina
Masina was poised for a solid sophomore season last year and did pick up 10 tackles before going down with a season-ending injury and redshirting the season. When the top three guys need a rest or if something happens, Masina gives athleticism at the position. And is the case for all of the non-starters this season, this year could be an evaluation for 2016, when Utah will have a completely different linebacking corps.
General outlook: Utah’s front line of linebackers may be one of the most experienced, not only in the Pac-12 this season but also in the country. The trio of Norris, Paul and Whittingham bring leadership and a spark to the entire defense and, if healthy, play-making ability all season long. Each has a knack for getting to the opponent that has the ball and, as Paul demonstrated in half of the games he played last season, a knack for getting the ball.
Behind that is a group of athletic guys eager to get a head start for next year’s starting jobs. Overall, it’s the most experienced group of all of Utah’s position groups.