Eight Utes named to Phil Steele's preseason all-Pac-12 teams

Led by tight end Brant Kuithe's preseason first-team nomination, a total of eight Utes were named to Phil Steele's all-Pac-12 teams for the upcoming college football season

Utah fans are hoping for a college football season, and not just because they love their Utes and want to put last season's brutal finish officially behind them.

They can't wait to see the return of wide receiver and special teams star Britain Covey.

As a freshman in 2015, Covey led the Utes in receiving while being named a freshman All-American. He then served a two-year mission before returning in 2018 and leading the Utes in receiving again, this time being named to the all-Pac-12 first team as a return specialist.

But a knee injury in the 2018 Pac-12 championship severely limited him in 2019, as he played in just four games before electing to shut it down and redshirt.

He's now healthy and ready to pick up right where he left off, and college football analyst Phil Steele agrees. 

In Steele's 352-page college football preview, Covey was one of eight Utes named to the preseason all-Pac-12 teams — although he was chosen twice, being named a second-team wide receiver and punt returner.

Altogether, tight end Brant Kuithe was the only Utah player to earn first-team honors, while five others were named to the second team, one to the third team and one to the fourth. 

Notably missing though is defensive end Mika Tafua. 

Tafua, who was named all-Pac-12 honorable mention last season, started at right end last year opposite Bradlee Anae and finished with 47 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss and three sacks. He is poised for a major breakout season and with his continued development, could blossom into an all-American candidate over his final two seasons.

FIRST TEAM OFFENSE
Brant Kuithe, TE: Kuithe, who earned all-Pac-12 second-team honors last season with 34 catches for 602 yards and six scores, is expected to take on a much bigger role in Utah's offense this upcoming season.

He had two major breakout games this past season — against UCLA when he caught five passes for 132 yards and a score — and against Colorado when he caught three passes for 63 yards and two scores while adding two rushes for 59 yards and a touchdown. Look for the 6-foot-2, 235-pound junior to really breakout this season and potentially earn all-American recognition if things go accordingly.

SECOND TEAM OFFENSE
Britain Covey, WR/PR: Covey redshirted all of last season to recovery from a knee injury suffered in the 2018 Pac-12 championship game against Washington, but now that he's healthy, it appears he's receiving the same status throughout the conference he had prior to the injury.

Covey was Utah’s leading receiver in 2015 and 2018 — he served a two-year LDS church mission in 2016 and 2017 — but he was also an all-Pac-12 return specialist both years.

In 2018, Covey averaged 8.8 yards per punt return and was often so dynamic in tight spaces that he typically made something out of nothing. Covey's return should give in an instant spark to Utah's return game and receiving corps, as his ability to play in the slot or in the backfield are traits Utah's offense could use.

Simi Moala and Nick Ford, OL: The strength of Utah's offensive line will come from the right side where Moala is expected to be the starting tackle while Ford slides in at guard. They have 33 combined starts and each earned all-Pac-12 honorable mention recognition last season. 

SECOND TEAM DEFENSE
Viane Moala, DL: Moala is expected to take on a massive role this season as Leki Fotu and John Penisini, last season's starting tackles, were both taken in the NFL draft. Moala is a transfer from Hawaii who after sitting out in 2018, found himself as a major part of the rotation last year to finish with 14 tackles and 1.0 sacks.

Devin Lloyd, LB: Lloyd returns as the starting middle linebacker, one of two returning defensive starters from last season's dominating unti.. After finishing last year with a team-high 91 tackles and earning all-Pac-12 honorable mention accolades, Lloyd will carry a larger role this season as the leader and heartbeat of the defense.

THIRD TEAM OFFENSE
Orlando Umana, OL: On offense, Utah is expected to be strong in the trenches as center Orlando Umana has been named to the team. Umana, who was named all-Pac-12 honorable mention last season, has 25 career starts with 21 coming at center.

His leadership will be vital to breaking in a new quarterback on offense and paving for whoever is running the ball

FOURTH TEAM SPECIALISTS
Keegan Markgraf, LS: Markgraf has been arguably the most consistent Ute of the past two years, appearing in all 28 games at short snapper. He then took over the long-snapping duties at the halfway point of the 2018 season and hasn't let go of the position. 

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