2 questions for Utah’s defense to address during spring football

University of Utah football’s defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley talks with media in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, as winter workouts begin. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

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Utah defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley has been in this position many times before.

Last season, he answered questions about how he was going to replace two NFL safeties in Cole Bishop and Sione Vaki.

The season prior to 2023, Scalley answered questions about how the Utes would replace NFL-bound cornerback Clark Phillips III.

As the Utes gear up for spring camp this March, there are two main questions surrounding Scalley’s defense.

The first concerns the departure of cornerback Cam Calhoun to Alabama.

Calhoun, a Michigan transfer, was one of the Utes’ best defenders in his first year in Salt Lake City and was primed for a starting role next season, but he departed for Tuscaloosa this offseason after totaling 21 tackles, an interception and nine pass breakups. He was one of the best Utes in coverage, holding receivers to a 48.8 completion percentage when targeted.

Players move on in every program in the country, and Utah is no different. The Utes bring back nickelback starter Smith Snowden and outside starter Elijah Davis, plus Kenan Johnson, who started the season on the outside but was injured in the first game of the season.

In his sophomore season, Snowden assumed the full-time nickel role, totaling 48 tackles, two interceptions (including a pick-six) and a forced fumble while holding opponents to a team-low 41.5% completion rate in coverage.

Davis helped fill in as a starter when Johnson was injured, starting nine games and totaling 29 tackles, two interceptions and a pass deflection.

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/2-questions-utah-defense-address-185220992.html

Author : Deseret News

Publish date : 2025-01-16 18:52:00

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