With its football season set to start on Saturday, the Pac-12 Thursday released its annual list of preseason all-conference honorees as voted on by media, and eight Utah Utes were on the list.
Headlining the group is tight end Brant Kuithe, a first-team honoree who earned the most votes of any offensive player in the conference. Joining him on the offensive first team was lineman Nick Ford, while Ford’s fellow linemen Orlando Umana and Simi Moala received second-team honors.
Representative of the fact that the Utes are replacing nine players from last year on a perennially stingy defense, none were named to that side of the ball’s first team. Lineman Mika Tafua was named to the second team.
Utah also had no players named to the first team of specialists — also unique — but specialist Britain Covey cracked the second team, finishing in a tie with UCLA’s Demetric Felton.
Covey also led a group of Utes who received honorable mention recognition, getting the nod at receiver. No other offensive players got honorable mention for Utah, but defensive lineman Viane Moala and linebacker Devin Lloyd did.
Players had to receive at least four votes to garner honorable mention.
Utah will open its season on Saturday afternoon at home against the Arizona Wildcats.