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The http://bit.ly/1sx4PmA";>Utes will see grad transfer Stevie Tu'ikolovatu again — probably a little sooner than they thought.

The 320-pound defensive tackle has declared his intention to transfer to South Division rival USC, adding much-needed bulk on the Trojans' front line and getting a chance to knock around his old teammates on Sept. 23 in a visit to Rice-Eccles Stadium.

While it may not be the destination the Utes had in mind (last month, the Omaha World Herald reported he had ties to the Cornhuskers), Tu'ikolovatu has no restrictions since he's graduated from Utah.

Tweeted Tu'ikolovatu: "Ready to get back to work, FIGHT ON"

The 24-year-old from East High left in search of more playing time, behind Lowell Lotulelei and Filipo Mokofisi on Utah's depth chart. But he's plenty capable: He had 28 tackles last year, including two sacks and four fumble recoveries.

Intra-conference transfers are somewhat rare, but they happen: http://bit.ly/1nnPn3j";>Utah defensive end Kylie Fitts came from UCLA in 2014 — though he had to sit out a year because he wasn't a grad transfer.

While it won't be ideal for Utah to have to face an old teammate, the Utes feel confident with the defensive line pieces they return, as well as the newcomers: Lotulelei was first-team All Pac-12 last year, and at end, Hunter Dimick and Kylie Fitts have been productive rushing the passer and batting passes.

In an interview on Thursday prior to Tu'ikolovatu announcing his transfer to USC, coach Kyle Whittingham said the program was excited to welcome several newcomers on defensive line, including http://bit.ly/1oIxPqt";>Bradlee Anae, Leki Fotu and Maxs Tupai. In a picture defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley posted on Twitter, Whittingham was dwarfed by the trio.

The Utes also bring in returned missionaries Pita Tonga and Howard Pututau on the defensive line, rounding out the deepest position group on the team.

"It's great that we're getting these guys trickling in," Whittingham said. "It's great to get them here in the weight room and working out. You look at Anae, Tupai, Foku — they're a pretty good-looking group of guys. We really think we helped ourselves in recent years at this position."

Other house-keeping items:

• Whittingham said he's still gathering information and waiting for the legal process to play out for receiver Kenric Young, http://bit.ly/1XyGCdh";>who is facing misdemeanor assault charges in North Salt Lake Justice Court stemming from a fight at a pool party. Said Whittingham: "The legal process is still in motion. We're waiting for final analysis. We need to know how exactly the thing went down, and at that time, we'll determine if there's punishment required."

• Whittingham cannot comment on expected transfer Karsen Liljenquist, http://bit.ly/218D9zX";>who is still waiting to be granted admission to the university. But a source close to the program said Utes expect the Weber State linebacker will be admitted this month and sit out a year due to NCAA transfer rules.

• Athlon Sports released its preseason all Pac-12 teams, and the Utes have five projected first-teamers: J.J. Dielman, Lowell Lotulelei, Kylie Fitts, Marcus Williams and Andy Phillips. http://athlonsports.com/college-football/pac-12-football-2016-all-conference-team";>You can read the entire list of projected standouts on the Athlon website.

kgoon@sltrib.com
Twitter: @kylegoon