A lot is expected out of Utah senior linebacker Devin Lloyd this season, as one of the veteran leaders for the Utes’ defense.
His impact was recognized Thursday, as Lloyd was named a second-team preseason All-American by Walter Camp.
Lloyd’s experience will be vital for the young Utah defense in 2021 — he has 19 career starts over 33 games, and last year he led the Utes in total tackles (48) and tackles for loss (10), while adding two sacks, a forced fumble and a quarterback hurry during the team’s pandemic shortened five-game season.
The 6-foot-3, 232-pound Lloyd earned a handful of honors following the 2020 season, highlighted by being named second-team All-American by Sporting News. He also earned Pac-12 all-conference first-team and Phil Steele All-America honorable mention honors, and was a finalist for the Butkus Award, given annually to the nation’s top linebacker.
It’s not the first preseason recognition for Lloyd — in April, he was named a top 10 talent among upperclassmen in college football this season by Bleacher Report.
Lloyd shared his reasoning why he opted to return to Utah this season instead of leaving early to pursue a pro career.
“More than anything, I want to leave with a championship, with a nice little ring on my finger. Hopefully a couple of rings,” he told the Deseret News in March. “I want to bring everyone along with me, too. I know this team wants to be great. I’m not the only one on this team that wants to be great.”