Utah Football 2008 position-by-position analysis

    Brian Johnson, Matt Asiata and Brent Casteel led the long list of key players who spent much of 2007 in the training room and off the field for the Utes. Despite the injuries, the Utes went 9-4 and won a seventh bowl game in a row.
    The good news for the Utes is those players are finally healthy, boosting Utah's optimism for a solid 2008 season.
    We break down their roster by position:
   
   Offense
   
    Quarterback
    After Brian Johnson returned to the starting lineup in 2007, the Utes won eight of their last nine games and Johnson was named the Poinsettia Bowl Offensive MVP. Even though he played, and the Utes won, Johnson's shoulder still wasn't 100 percent. The injury altered Utah's offensive plans as the Utes went away from the spread with Johnson and kept him more in the pocket to limit his exposure to the defense.
    When they needed to run, the Utes turned to sophomore Corbin Louks, who played in the final 10 games of the season using his speed (4.42 in the 40) to trip up defenses.
    He's expected to be in the mix again this season, although how much time he'll get is questionable if Johnson remains healthy.
    After a spring in which it was evident Johnson wasn't fully recovered, his summer workouts have gone much better and he is said to show no lingering effects from the injury.
    Sophomore Chad Manis and freshman DeVonte Christopher, who joined the team in time to participate in spring practice, are the backups.
   
    Wide Receiver
    With Utah expected to return to its spread offense now that Johnson is healthy, there are high expectations for the wide receivers. As a group they were disappointing in 2007, with the Utes averaging just 202.2 passing yards a game, ranking only seventh in the conference.
    The group gets a boost with the return of Brent Casteel after his 2007 season ended with a knee injury in the second game. In 2006 he led Utah in all-purpose yards, with 600 passing and 262 rushing.
    Two other seniors who should be in for big seasons are Bradon Godfrey and Freddie Brown. Godfrey had 50 catches for 524 yards in 2007 while Brown was tabbed as Utah's most improved player in the spring by coach Kyle Whittingham.
    Jereme Brooks and Elijah Wesson will have limited roles again.
    Two highly touted newcomers are JC transfers David Reed and Aiona Key. Their summer arrival has been delayed as they finish academic work, but both could be pushing for a starring role once they learn Utah's system.
   
    Running Back
    Last year after Matt Asiata went down in the first game it seemed the Utes didn't have a running back who could carry a game. Now it seems they have a couple.
    Asiata was strong in the spring after recovering from his broken leg but won't automatically be given the starting role. He'll have to earn it back from Darrell Mack, who went from being a redshirt to a conference star in Asiata's absence.
    He finished as the school's ninth 1,000-yard rusher, totaling 1,204 yards.
    Ray Stowers is a capable backup and Eddie Wide was used when Utah needed someone to get out to the corners.
    Freshman Sausan Shakerin was a highly sought after recruit, but don't be surprised if he is redshirted this season. Wide and Mack also have redshirt seasons available.
   
    Offensive Line/Tight End
    Johnson will have a seasoned line in front of him, with four of the five starters returning. Zane Beadles and Robert Conley excelled in 2007 as expected. Sophomore Caleb Schlauderaff was a surprise in his rookie season, taking advantage of an ankle injury to Corey Seiuli to earn a starting role. The two will battle in fall camp for the starting spot in 2008. Dustin Hensel is the other returning starter.
    Center is the spot in question, with Zane Taylor and Tyler Williams contending for the starting job. Taylor was the more impressive player in spring.
    Utah returns tight ends Brad Clifford and Colt Sampson. Offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig promises this position will be used more this season, but the duties could fall to a newcomer rather than a returner.
    Transfer Dudley LaPorte had 30 receptions, 500 yards and four touchdowns to lead the junior college tight ends in 2007.
   
    Defense
   
    Defensive Backs
    They're young, untested and inexperienced - that was the description for Utah's secondary headed into 2007. By the end of the season doubts were replaced with accolades as Utah led the nation in pass efficiency defense and was 11th in pass defense.
    Replacing team leader Steve Tate will be tough, but many of the players who made Utah's defense so good are back, with Brice McCain, Robert Johnson and Joe Dale headlining the group. McCain is the team's fastest player (4.28 in the 40) while Johnson had a knack for making the big plays when Utah needed them most in 2007 and Dale earned Poinsettia Bowl defensive MVP honors.
    R.J. Stanford, RJ Rice and Terrell Cole are also experienced returners. Damilyn Tanner, Deshawn Richard and Lamar Chapman lead a group of newcomers who could be impact players.
   
    Defensive Line
    The line is Utah's biggest concern going into fall camp. Martail Burnett and Gabe Long are gone and in their place ... how about a To Be Determined?
    Isley Filiaga left the team citing injuries while another lineman, Zeke Tuinei-Wily, left the team after he was suspended indefinitely in the spring.
    The Utes thought they had solved some of the problems by signing Cottonwood High standout Keni Kaufusi, but they withdrew his offer after a run-in with the law in the spring.
    The departures leave the Utes thin on experience. Paul Kruger and Koa Misi and will be called upon to carry the line. Sophomore Lei Talamaivao will also have high demands despite his youth.
    Kenape Eliapo, Aaron Tonga and Greg Newman have to improve their efforts to be solid backups. The freshman to watch is Dave Kruger, Paul's younger brother who'll push for the starting spot at nose tackle.
   
    Linebackers
    This is another area in which the Utes don't have much experience, but unlike the line, things don't seem to be as dire.
    Junior Stevenson Sylvester, sophomore Nai Fotu and redshirt freshman Mo Neal should be known not only to Ute fans, but conference opponents, by the end of the season if they can deliver on the potential they've shown coaches.
    Mike Wright and Kepa Gaison are improving players. Redshirt freshman Chaz Walker didn't have any problems moving from safety to outside linebacker in the spring and will add depth.
   
    Special Teams
    The Utes have one of the best kicker/punters in the nation with Louie Sakoda returning. The senior was a first-team All-America as a punter and showed up on several lists for All-America honors as a kicker, too, after finishing in the top five nationally in punting average (44.3) and field goal percentage (86.4).
    He is the MWC Special Teams Player of the Year for the last two seasons and will be on the watch lists for all the top national awards.
    Ben Vroman will handle kickoffs.
    Jereme Brooks, Casteel and Brandon Burton will contend for the returning duties.