This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

To deny Tom Hackett's importance to the Utah football program is to be frankly, naive.

The 2014 Ray Guy winner can flip field position at the drop of a hat, regularly pins opponents in the shadow of their own end zone and likens his skills to dropkicking breakfast meats when it comes to his role on the team.

The ESPN Pac-12 blog recognized his importance to the Utes Monday, naming him as the most important player to the team in 2015. Quarterbacks were ineligible for the list, but there are arguments to be made for Devontae Booker, who racked up 10 touchdowns and 1,512 yards rushing last season, or defensive stalwarts like Hunter Dimick and Jared Norris.

Still, Hackett is a valuable weapon for the Utes, who racked up a staggering combined 55 punts that landed inside the 20-yard line, led the nation in punt yards (3,736) and set several school records in 2014.

What do you think? Is he more important to the team than players like Booker?

Twitter: @BrennanJSmith