SALT LAKE CITY — Special seasons have been accompanied by extraordinary senior quarterback play at the University of Utah.
— In 2004, Alex Smith became a Heisman Trophy finalist while leading Utah to a 12-0 season and a Fiesta Bowl championship. The Mountain West Conference Player of the Year passed for 2,952 yards with 32 touchdowns and just four interceptions. He rushed for 631 yards and 10 scores.
“It’s hard to compare. Not every quarterback has the same style and so forth. But I’m telling you right now he has been incredible this year.” — Utah quarterback Kyle Whittingham
— In 2008, Brian Johnson led the Utes to a 13-0 season and a win over Alabama in the Sugar Bowl. Johnson, who was named the game’s Most Outstanding Player, capped his career as the winningest starter (26-7) in team history. As a senior, he threw for 2,972 yards with 27 touchdowns and nine interceptions.
— In 2019, Tyler Huntley guided Utah to its second consecutive Pac-12 South title and a school-record College Football Playoff ranking (No. 5). His completion percentage (73.7) is among the national leaders. The first-team all-conference honoree has 2,966 yards passing with 18 touchdowns and four interceptions. He’s also ran for 257 yards and five TDs.
As Huntley prepares for his final game with the Utes — Tuesday’s Alamo Bowl in San Antonio against Texas — the former Florida prep star has worked his way into the conversation when it comes to leaving the program on a high note like Smith and Johnson did.
“It’s hard to compare. Not every quarterback has the same style and so forth,” said Utah quarterback Kyle Whittingham. “But I’m telling you right now he has been incredible this year.”
Huntley led the Utes to eight straight victories at one point and helped them enter the national playoff discussion. He was even mentioned in Heisman Trophy talk.
While praising Huntley’s leadership and win-loss record, Whittingham noted that the two-time team captain exceeded most people’s expectations on the outside.
“I can’t say enough good things,” Whittingham said. “I hate to make comparisons but he’s right up there with Brian and Alex and the very talented ones that have come through here.”
The return of offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig, who left the program after the Sugar Bowl victory, proved to be quite pivotal. Ludwig and Huntley proved to be a good match.
“He connected with him. I guess that’s the best word I can use. (They) connected right out of the gate. Tyler believes in Andy. Andy believes in Tyler,” Whittingham said. “Tyler hung on every word, principle, philosophy that Andy brought to the table for him and assimilated it and just put it in action.”
Huntley has started all 13 games and is ranked sixth nationally in ESPN’s Total QBR system — netting strong consideration for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, as well as the Davey O’Brien and Manning awards. He tops the Pac-12 in completion percentage, passing efficiency, passing yards per completion and yards per pass attempt.
The Utes have a 24-8 record with Huntley as their starter. Such numbers, Ludwig acknowledged, puts him in the same class as Smith and Johnson.
“I would agree with that,” Ludwig said. “He’s had a sensational senior season, an excellent career and we’re looking to cap it off the right way.”
Ludwig describes his relationship with Huntley as very professional.
“The young man is driven and focused. He wants to be a great player. (He) doesn’t say a whole lot in the meeting room, but his eyes are burning out of his sockets when you’re talking,” Ludwig said. “He does a great job of preparation. I think he appreciates the way we go about preparing the game plan and discussing the details of each play. He does a nice job putting it on tape.”
2019 Alamo Bowl
No. 11 Utah (11-2) vs. Texas (7-5)
Alamodome, San Antonio
Tuesday, 5:30 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Radio: ESPN 700AM