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Basically ... The only issue is quarterback depth as the machine will break down if Alex Smith gets hurt. As long as he's healthy, there might not be any stopping the attack with a tremendous offensive line, loaded receiving corps and several good running back options. It'll be a shock it the Utes don't lead the Mountain West in offense.
Star of the offense: Junior QB Alex Smith
Player that has to step up and become a star: Freshman QB Brian Johnson
Unsung star on the rise: Junior TE Jon Clark
Best pro prospect: Senior OG Chris Kemoeatu
Top three all-star candidates: 1) Kemoeatu, 2) Smith, 3) WR Paris Warren
Strength of the offense: Offensive line
Weakness of the offense: Quarterback depth
Quarterbacks
Projected Starter- Alex Smith, Jr. - It didn't appear that Smith was going to be a good fit for the Urban Meyer system as more of a drop-back passing prospect than a runner. Oops. All Smith did was become the perfect player to run the attack and a clutch leader taking the team to the Mountain West title. He was deadly accurate throwing 15 touchdown passes and three interceptions and ran for 452 yards and five scores. He should shine even brighter this year with a loaded offensive line and veteran receiving corps to work with.
Top Backups
- Adam Madsen, Jr. - In the battle for the number two job. the junior has a slight edge even though he struggled in the spring game completing 9 of 20 passes for 151 yards and two
interceptions, but he has the running skills needed in the offense.
- Brian Johnson, Fr. - The hope is for Smith to stay healthy allowing Johnson time to develop. He might have the best passing skills on the roster after throwing for 33 touchdowns in his senior
year of high school, but he needs time in the system.
The Skinny: Alex Smith was the most valuable quarterback in the conference last year and should be a superstar this season. There's nothing, nothing, behind him with no experience and
only one other scholarship quarterback on the roster ... and he's in high school. Star freshman Brian Johnson needs to learn the system in a hurry. The rating would be far higher if there was
any sort of depth.
Player to keep an eye on: Brian Johnson ... Quarterback Rating: 6.5
Running Backs
Projected Starters
- Mike Liti, Soph. - Liti turned into a great player as a freshman finishing thired on the team with 207 yards and three touchdowns before suffering a collarbone injury. He's not the typical
Utah bruiser back, but he has great quickness and is a fantastic fit for the spread attack.
Top Backups
- Marty Johnson, Sr. - Johnson returns for what seems like his 14th season as a power back in the system. He's a 225-pounder who'll pound the ball and be strong around the goal line if he can
finally stay healthy.
- Quinton Ganther, Jr. - The JUCO All-American will push hard from the starting job from the word go. He's a big-time producer with a nose for the end zone and tremendous all-around skills.
The Skinny: There are several good backs in the mix with around six backs ready to handle the load. Other than maybe Quinton Ganther, there isn't a superstar back, but there are several
good ones that'll make the running game go even after the loss of Brandon Warfield.
Player to keep an eye on: Quinton Ganther ... Running Back Rating: 6
Receivers
Projected Starters
- Travis LaTendresse, Sr. - A fantastic possession receiver, the 6-1, 200-pound senior was third on the team with 32 catches for 366 yards and a touchdown last season. He suffered a shoulder
injury causing him to miss all of spring ball, but he'll be back for the fall.
- Steven Savoy, Soph. - Savoy overcame a knee injury two years ago to become the team's most dangerous deep threat averaging 16.6 yards per catch and led the way with seven touchdowns. He was
second on the team with 40 grabs for 663 yards.
- Paris Warren, Sr. - Warren, the former Oregon transfer, is one of the nation's best receivers exploding for 76 catches for 809 yards and four touchdowns. He has the speed to be an elite deep
receiver, but he's used more as medium range go-to guy. He's also a good kick returner.
- Tight end Jon Clark, Jr. - Ute fans are going to love this guy. The Houston transfer is a wide receiver playing tight end with great hands and able to stretch the field. He's not Ben Moa as
an all-around tight end, but he's a better pass catcher.
Top Backups
- Justin Walker, Jr. - Walker provides the best set of wheels on the team with track star speed in a 6-1, 204-pound frame. He'll play behind Paris Warren at the H.
- Jerome Wright, Sr. - The star JUCO recruit of two years ago turned it on at the end of last season finishing with 11 catches for 146 yards. He's a speedster and will push for the starting Z
job behind Travis LaTendresse.
- John Madsen, Jr. - The 6-5, 220-pound walk-on turned into a reliable reserve making three catches for 97 yards and a touchdown. He'll backup Steve Savoy on the X.
- Willie Sao, Soph. - The 260-pound Sao will be the blocking tight end in the mix with Jon Clark catching all the passes. He's a former defensive lineman and very physical.
The Skinny: The coaching staff and QB Alex Smith have to be drooling. The spread attack should fly with four of the top five receivers returning with the one loss, tight end Ben Moa,
replaced by superior pass catching prospect Jon Clark. There's speed, depth and talent to burn.
Player to keep an eye on: Jon Clark ... Receiver Rating: 8
Offensive Line
Projected Starters
- Tackle Tavo Tupola, Soph. - The 300-pound Tupola took over early last year and became a strong left tackle. He's still young and still needs a little more work, but he'll be a top
all-conference candidate this year if he keeps impressing.
- Guard Eric Pettit, Soph. - It'll be up to Pettit and Steve Dahl to combine at left guard. Pettit has the experience as a back up right guard last year, but he doesn't have Dahl's size.
- Center Jesse Boone, Jr. - The former tackle missed most of last year with an ankle problem, and now will get the first shot at replacing Max Peterson in the middle. Andrew Johnson will battle
for the position.
- Guard Chris Kemoeatu, Sr. - He should be in the NFL. The 338-pound Kemoeatu is among the best guards in the country with size and excellent skills. He's a dominant one-one-one blocker and a
lock for all-conference honors.
- Tackle Makai Aalona, Sr. - The 304-pound senior returns at right tackle where he's a strong all-around player and a potentially dominant run blocker now that he has a year of experience.
Top Backups
- OG Steve Dahl, Soph. - At 349 pounds he's a huge player ready to step in at either guard spot. He's not a blob, he can move a little bit for a player of his size.
- C Andrew Johnson, Jr. - Johnson was the main backup at center last year and will be neck-and-neck for the starting job this season along with Jesse Boone. At 300 pounds he provides a nice
sized player on the inside.
- OL Paul Soliai, Jr. - Soliai is a 330-pound JUCO All-American and good enough to play for anyone in America. Pencil him in somewhere, possibly at left guard, once he hits campus this fall.
The Skinny: The line only allowed 16 sacks last year and paved the way for a decent ground attack. Expect this group to be even better with four players with starting experience
returning along with plenty of depth and a superstar in JUCO transfer Paul Soliai coming in.
Player to keep an eye on: Tavo Tupola ... Offensive Line Rating: 8
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