Spring Roundup: Utah Football

The Utes first priority is getting injured players healthy who sat out last year or missed time. QB Brian Johnson’s shoulder still is not 100% but he is still participating, as well as RB Matt Asiata, and WR Brent Casteel come back after early season injuries. Asiata and Casteel have done well in full contact drills and scrimmages so far. These two players are going to be huge for Utah’s success, because with suspensions from WR Marquis Wilson and graduation to WR Brian Hernandez Casteel needs to step up. Plus, with running back the emergence of Darrell Mack adding in Asiata who looked pretty good in his few carries before his season ending injury against Oregon State. QB Corbin Loukes has looked spectacular as well by guiding the first and second teams in scrimmages, Loukes has shown great rushing ability, which is a key for the Ute QB and he has shown the ability to put the ball in the air as well. Louks needs to be prepared to step in for Brian Johnson if we ever goes down, but will spell Johnson time to time like this year for a change of pace.

2008 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
SCHEDULE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
DATE	OPPONENT
8-30-08	at Michigan
9-6-08	UNLV
9-13-08	at Utah State
9-20-08	at Air Force
9-27-08	WEBER STATE
10-2-08	OREGON STATE (Thur.)
10-11-08	at Wyoming
10-18-08	COLORADO STATE
11-1-08	at New Mexico
11-6-08	TCU (Thur.)
11-15-08	at San Diego State
11-22-08	BRIGHAM YOUNG

The defense was young last year and come on strong but the key seniors on the team Malakai Mokofisi and Joe Jinnoni are gone at the linebacker position and will be missed, but Junior Sylvester Stevenson should step in right away to a starting job. Sylvester has had significant playing time since a freshman and will fit in right away and contribute. The Utes doe return multiple starters with 8 on offense and 6 on defense, plus All American K/P Louis Sakoda

Offense 8
LG Caleb Schlauderaff (6-5, 300, So.)
LT Zane Beadles (6-4, 312, Jr.)
RG Robert Conley (6-1, 316, Sr.)
RT Dustin Hensel (6-7, 320, Sr.)
QB Brian Johnson (6-1, 205, Sr.)
RB Darrell Mack (6-0, 219, Sr.)
WR Brent Casteel (5-10, 193, Sr.)
WR Bradon Godfrey (6-3, 197, Sr.)

Defense (6)
LE Koa Misi* (6-3, 263, Jr.)
RE Paul Kruger (6-5, 255, So.)
RLB Stevenson Sylvester (6-2, 220, Jr.)
CB Brice McCain (5-9, 189, Sr.)
CB R.J. Stanford (5-11, 180, Jr.)
FS Robert Johnson (6-3, 190, Jr.)

Here is the list of the JUCO’s that are in spring camp for Utah

Lamar Chapman DB 5-8 160 Jr. JC Compton, Calif./El Camino JC

Aiona Key WR 6-4 209 Jr. JC Citrus Heights, Calif./Mt. SAC

Dudley LaPorte TE 6-3 250 Jr. JC Stratford, Conn./Santa Barbara CC

David Reed WR 6-0 184 Jr. JC New Britain, Conn./Pasadena City College

All players should be an immediate impact to help the time, but the stud of the group is WR Aiona Key who has the chance to start or at least get significant playing time at WR and be a force in the league.

The Utes spring game is this Saturday at Rice-Eccles at 1PM and is free to the public.

Also Utah has one of the most in-depth Spring media guide with tons of info on the team.