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It went down in the stat book as half a sack. But watching the play confirms that Hunter Dimick didn't get enough credit.

On a brisk evening at Oregon State, the sophomore defensive end ripped past the left tackle before launching his 6-foot-3, 266-pound frame into Sean Mannion's face, conjuring the uncanny image of a bear enveloping prey.

"I remember seeing him kinda jump up and just maul Mannion," teammate Jason Fanaika said. "That's what stands out to me."

Talking about Dimick inevitably summons these kinds of memories for the people who have watched him over the years. His father remembers a boy who could level his Pee Wee football peers as an oversize tailback. His Syracuse high school coaches speak with awe at the recollection at how Dimick knocked two quarterbacks out of a game and keyed the play that scored a defensive touchdown in an improbable playoff upset against Alta.

Utah is just the latest destination where Dimick is building a new portfolio of highlights, and, amazingly, he's doing it in relative obscurity. He enjoys playing on the same line as teammate Nate Orchard, one of the few players in the country who has more sacks this year than he does.

But Pac-12 coordinators are getting to know his name. And he wants to show offenses every game how hard he's been working.

"In the summers, we're up at 6:30 in the morning, running up a hill in Sugar House — it sucks, to tell you the truth," he said. "But it gets us prepared for this. You start to get tired, you look back on that type of stuff."

Only time stands in the way: Dimick is a future star on Utah's defense. And the "future" part may be conservative.

In Dimick, the Utes have a lineman who plays with energy, speed, power and violence. He combines well-thought technique with relentless energy. Trying to chip block Dimick on the edge is one of Devontae Booker's least favorite practice activities.

"He's coming hard, just, you know, knocking helmets, whatever he's got to do to get to the quarterback," Booker said. "I gotta pretty much stay in the way of him from doing that."

Dimick's quantum leap from bit player as a freshman to sack-collecting stud as a sophomore reflects a host of changes. Teammates and observers are quick to note his strong technique: the way he sheds blocks with his hands, uses his leverage and bolts off the line. Behind Orchard, there's no one with a quicker first step.

It also is physical. Even though Kyle Whittingham once dubbed him "Snacks" during a team meeting, you're more likely to see him chowing down on his daily plate of spinach.

But Dimick's much-discussed energy has origins in his childhood. His dad, Rich Dimick, would like to take credit for it, but said his son has always been that way. When he was 5, he would yank his dad out to play catch. When he was 8, he was fixated on doing 200 push-ups like an Army Ranger he saw on TV.

To this day, Hunter and Rich go to the gym together when Hunter's out of school.

"He doesn't miss a day of working out, even when he's off," he said. "I used to make fun of him, but now I have a hard time keeping up with him now; we still go. He makes me feel good for an old guy, I guess."

Dimick was the first FBS football recruit out of Syracuse High School, and his legacy still looms on the walls of the weight room there, where he holds numerous records. He's remembered as a tough two-way player who never seemed to lose steam until the game was over. Rich remembers after that 16-10 win over Alta, seeing his son finally release his exhaustion and nearly drop.

Even as a sophomore, coaches said, he was admired by older players. Now, young Titans admire him still when he makes the occasional visit.

"Over all the great players we've had, he's the one we talk about and tell stories about," Syracuse assistant Mike Knight said. "He'll come in the room, and they'll appreciate him all the more for who he is."

The time is coming when he'll fill the same role at Utah. Dimick is happy to hide in Orchard's shadow for now, but he'll be ready when the time for the next leap comes.

"I like to preach about hard work," he said. "I've always been about that: Keep your mouth shut, go to work and most likely you'll end up where you want to be."

kgoon@sltrib.com Twitter: @kylegoon —

Hunter Dimick file

• Tied for seventh nationally in sacks (9)

• 43 tackles, 12.0 TFL, 2 forced fumbles

• 36 career sacks in high school career at Syracuse

• Led the state in sacks in 2010 and 2011 as a prep —

No. 25 Utah at Stanford

Saturday, 4 p.m.

TV: Pac-12 Network