Editor’s note: Fifth in a series that pegs the best player to don every jersey number in Utah football history.
SALT LAKE CITY — Whew! This is it. The final installment of the Deseret News series on notable jersey numbers in Utah football history. Please check out the previous editions on deseret.com. This grouping covers numbers 80 through 99.
No. 80: Roy Jefferson, end/cornerback
All-American was also the 1964 Western Athletic Conference Player of the Year. Jefferson excelled on offense, defense and as a placekicker for the Utes. The former California prep star went on to have a distinguished NFL career — with the Steelers, Colts and Redskins — winning a Super Bowl and playing in three Pro Bowls. In 1968, he led the NFL in receiving.
Also considered: Brant Kuithe, Craig McEwen, Dale Nosworthy, Dennis Smith
No. 81: Marv Bateman, punter
Received All-America recognition in both 1970 (FWAA, The Sporting News) and 1971 (Time, TSN). Set NCAA records both years, averaging 45.6 yards a a junior and 48.1 as a senior. Drafted by the Dallas Cowboys and later became an All-Pro with the Buffalo Bills.
No. 82: Jake Murphy, tight end
Honorable mention All-Pac-12 in 2012, Murphy led the Utes with four touchdown catches that year. In three seasons with the team, he made 63 receptions and scored 10 TDs.
Also considered: Jerry Liston
No. 83: Luther Elliss, defensive end
Consensus All-American in 1994, Elliss was also the WAC Defensive Player of the Year. He was a three-time first-team All-WAC selection and drafted 20th overall by the Detroit Lions in 1995. Made two Pro Bowls during an NFL career that ended in 2004 with Denver.
Also considered: Steve Folsom, George Seifert
No. 84: Speedy Thomas, wide receiver
Became the first Utah receiver to top 1,000 yards in a season. He made 60 receptions and netted 1,006 yards in 1968, scoring seven touchdowns along the way.
Also considered: Dick Graham
No. 85: Jereme Brooks, wide receiver
All-Mountain West and a senior in 2010. Brooks finished his career at Utah with 152 catches for 1,843 yards. He scored 19 touchdowns, 14 receiving.
Also considered: Guy Morrell, Reed Nostrum
No. 86: Jason Kaufusi, defensive end
Two-time first-team All-Mountain West honoree (2001, 2002) had his career shortened by injury. Finished with 137 tackles (73 solo) with 38.5 tackles for loss, 16 sacks, 11 pass breakups, nine quarterback hurries and two forced fumbles for the Utes.
Also considered: Gary Kerl
No. 87: Marv Fleming, end
Became the first player in NFL history to play in the Super Bowl five times. Played five seasons for both the Green Bay Packers and Miami Dolphins. During his career at Utah, which included first team All-Skyline Conference recognition in 1961, Fleming caught 35 passes for 598 yards and scored six touchdowns. Cousin of Roy Jefferson.
Also considered: Orville Nellestein
No. 88: Freddie Brown, wide receiver
Finished his Utah career in a big way on a big stage. Caught 12 passes for 125 yards in the 2009 Sugar Bowl victory over Alabama. Led the Utes with 77 receptions for 900 yards in earning All-Mountain West honors that season.
Also considered: Travis LaTendresse
No. 89: Dick Bubak, end
Utah won conference championships all four years he played. In 1953, Bubak made the All-Skyline Conference first team. Also excelled as a catcher in baseball. Went on to become the first head football coach at Layton High School.
No. 90: Sione Pouha, defensive tackle
Before playing for the NFL’s New York Jets from 2005-12, Pouha made his mark at East High and with the Utes. He was a first team All-Mountain West selection during the undefeated Fiesta Bowl championship season (2004-05), capping his college career with 89 tackles (14.5 for loss, 7.5 sacks).
Also considered: Mike Butera, Fleming Jensen, Jeff Reyes, Derrick Shelby
No. 91: Tenny Palepoi, nose tackle
Made second team All-Pac-12 as a senior in 2013. Had 74 tackles (12.5 loss, six sacks) in two years with the Utes. Received All-NJCAA recognition while at Snow College and later played for the NFL’s Chargers.
No. 92: Star Lotulelei, defensive tackle
Picked up a lot of hardware as a senior, making six All-America teams. In 2011, Lotulelei won the Morris Trophy as the Pac-12’s top defensive lineman. He was drafted in the first round by the Carolina Panthers.
No. 93: John Frank, defensive end
The 1999 Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of the Year put up some big numbers at Utah. He finished his collegiate career with 124 tackles, 29 tackles for loss, 27 sacks and six forced fumbles. Frank received first team all-conference honors twice.
Also considered: Martail Burnett, Lowell Lotulelei
No. 94: Steve Fifita, nose guard
Concluded a stellar junior season by being named Defensive MVP in Utah’s Fiesta Bowl victory over Pittsburgh. Over four seasons with the Utes, the two-time All-Mountain West first teamer racked up 136 tackles, 2 tackles for loss and 13.5 sacks. Played for the Miami Dolphins from 2006-08.
Also considered: Christian Cox, Chase Dominguez
No. 95: Keith Embray, defensive end
From 1990-91, Embray notched 132 tackles for Utah. He had nine sacks and six quarterback hurries. In 2000, the former Ute played in 14 games for the NFL’s Tennessee Titans and made 10 tackles with 3.5 sacks.
Also considered: Coleman Petersen
No. 96: Lance Wingert, linebacker
Junior college transfer from Fullerton tallied 99 tackles over the 1984 and 1986 seasons. Wingert made seven tackles for loss, recorded two sacks and had an interception.
Also considered: David Lobaugh
No. 97: Matt Gay, kicker
Former UVU soccer player made an impact playing football for the Utes. He was a two-time All-American and winner of the Lou Groza Award as the nation’s top kicker in 2017. Made school record eight kicks from 50 yards or greater. Drafted by the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
No. 98: Ma’ake Kemoeatu, nose guard
Three-year starter made 160 tackles and nine sacks for the Utes. Although undrafted in 2002, Kemoeatu went on to have a lengthy NFL career with the Ravens, Panthers and Redskins. He won a Super Bowl and made 266 tackles.
No. 99: Steve Clark, defensive lineman
An All-American in 1981, Clark registered 12 sacks and three fumble recoveries as a senior. He also made 62 tackles and forced a fumble. The two-time All-WAC selection was drafted by the Miami Dolphins after making 213 career tackles, including 20 sacks, for Utah.
Also considered: Leki Fotu, Lewis Powell