Year two in the PAC-12: the Utah 2012 football thread

[LA Ute]

This interesting N.Y. Times article about Jordan Wynn seems to fit here as well as anywhere. Sorry if already posted elsewhere.

The 22-Year-Old Retiree

[Paperback Writer]

It makes me feel a little better to see Mizzou at 0-4 in a new conference and WVU getting crushed.

Still, we have a deficit in athleticism compared to most teams in this conference.

At least Utah is in a different boat then Colorado; things could be a lot worse.

I expected Utah to be at a disadvantage in regards to athleticism with the rest of the PAC-12...at least initially. Utah should expereince a "recruiting bump" as a member of the PAC-12. If that's not occurring, then Utah will continue to have difficulty competing in the PAC-12.

[LA Ute]

At least Utah is in a different boat then Colorado; things could be a lot worse.

I expected Utah to be at a disadvantage in regards to athleticism with the rest of the PAC-12...at least initially. Utah should expereince a "recruiting bump" as a member of the PAC-12. If that's not occurring, then Utah will continue to have difficulty competing in the PAC-12.

It appears to be happening. Whittingham says he needs a full recruiting cycle (4 years) before we will really be at something like parity in athleticism.

[Portland Ute]

It appears to be happening. Whittingham says he needs a full recruiting cycle (4 years) before we will really be at something like parity in athleticism.

Parity in athleticism with whom? We are already, more or less, at parity with Oregon State, Wazzu, Cal, Arizona, and Colorado.

I highly doubt we will EVER be at a level of parity with USC or Oregon. Maybe we can reach the level of Stanford, UCLA, UW and ASU. Although, I think UCLA also will, on average, always have a higher level of talent than Utah.

UW, ASU and Stanford have to recruit to their schools just like we do. UCLA and USC are in an area over-stocked with athletes and plenty of those guys will stay home. Oregon doesn't have the homegrown talent, but they have Nike doing their recruiting (and their recent success, to be completely fair. Prior to that it was all Nike).

I'd argue that Utah has more homegrown talent than Oregon and Colorado and possibly Washington. I'm not sure. Does anyone have stats on that? California and Arizona grow more football talent.

A lot of things at play here in recruiting. One thing I think we might see is that Utah HS recruits become more and more visible to the PAC12 programs AND the other programs in the PAC12 become more desireable to Utah kids knowing that they absolutely will play at least one if not more games at home in SLC in front of their friends and family.

[il Padrino Ute]

Parity in athleticism with whom? We are already, more or less, at parity with Oregon State, Wazzu, Cal, Arizona, and Colorado.

I highly doubt we will EVER be at a level of parity with USC or Oregon. Maybe we can reach the level of Stanford, UCLA, UW and ASU. Although, I think UCLA also will, on average, always have a higher level of talent than Utah.

UW, ASU and Stanford have to recruit to their schools just like we do. UCLA and USC are in an area over-stocked with athletes and plenty of those guys will stay home. Oregon doesn't have the homegrown talent, but they have Nike doing their recruiting (and their recent success, to be completely fair. Prior to that it was all Nike).

I'd argue that Utah has more homegrown talent than Oregon and Colorado and possibly Washington. I'm not sure. Does anyone have stats on that? California and Arizona grow more football talent.

A lot of things at play here in recruiting. One thing I think we might see is that Utah HS recruits become more and more visible to the PAC12 programs AND the other programs in the PAC12 become more desireable to Utah kids knowing that they absolutely will play at least one if not more games at home in SLC in front of their friends and family.

I disagree with this. Unless they are considered one of the best in the country like Hatoli Ngata was, I think more Utah kids are going to choose Utah over other PAC 12 teams precisely because they can stay home and play half of their conference games against PAC12 teams.

By getting invited to the PAC12, the U has essentially overcome the biggest obstacle they faced when competing with PAC12 teams. Most kids left Utah because the exposure in the PAC12 was much greater than in the MWC.

[LA Ute]

WALNUT CREEK, Calif.—The Pac-12 Conference office announced the 2012 Football All-Academic Team today and Utah led the first-team selections with five. The Utes also placed four players on the second team and another five earned honorable mention honors. To be eligible for selection to the Pac-12 academic team, a student-athlete must have a minimum 3.0 overall grade point average and be either a starter or significant contributor.

Making the first team from Utah were senior wide receiver Luke Matthews (3.69/mass communication), senior offensive lineman Tevita Stevens (3.54/Spanish), senior linebacker Dave Fagergren (3.51/business), junior defensive back Brian Blechen (3.18/sociology) and sophomore defensive back Eric Rowe (3.54/undeclared). Matthews and Stevens both earned first-team honors last year as well, while Blechen improved upon last fall’s honorable mention status.

Named to the Pac-12 All-Academic second team were sophomore defensive lineman Nate Fakahafua (3.19/undeclared), sophomore linebacker V.J. Fehoko (3.31/economics), freshman defensive back Charles Henderson (3.47/undeclared) and senior punter Sean Sellwood (3.70/exercise and sport science). Sellwood was a first-team selection last year.

Honorable mention selections were not limited to one per position. Honorable mention recipients from Utah included: receiver Dres Anderson, defensive lineman Viliseni Faunuku, snapper Patrick Greene, kicker Nick Marsh and tight end Dallin Rogers. Anderson, Marsh and Rogers were also honorable mention a year ago.

[Donuthole]

WALNUT CREEK, Calif.—The Pac-12 Conference office announced the 2012 Football All-Academic Team today and Utah led the first-team selections with five. The Utes also placed four players on the second team and another five earned honorable mention honors. To be eligible for selection to the Pac-12 academic team, a student-athlete must have a minimum 3.0 overall grade point average and be either a starter or significant contributor.

Making the first team from Utah were senior wide receiver Luke Matthews (3.69/mass communication), senior offensive lineman Tevita Stevens (3.54/Spanish), senior linebacker Dave Fagergren (3.51/business), junior defensive back Brian Blechen (3.18/sociology) and sophomore defensive back Eric Rowe (3.54/undeclared). Matthews and Stevens both earned first-team honors last year as well, while Blechen improved upon last fall’s honorable mention status.

Named to the Pac-12 All-Academic second team were sophomore defensive lineman Nate Fakahafua (3.19/undeclared), sophomore linebacker V.J. Fehoko (3.31/economics), freshman defensive back Charles Henderson (3.47/undeclared) and senior punter Sean Sellwood (3.70/exercise and sport science). Sellwood was a first-team selection last year.

Honorable mention selections were not limited to one per position. Honorable mention recipients from Utah included: receiver Dres Anderson, defensive lineman Viliseni Faunuku, snapper Patrick Greene, kicker Nick Marsh and tight end Dallin Rogers. Anderson, Marsh and Rogers were also honorable mention a year ago.

WHYSAN

[Sullyute]

WALNUT CREEK, Calif.—The Pac-12 Conference office announced the 2012 Football All-Academic Team today and Utah led the first-team selections with five. The Utes also placed four players on the second team and another five earned honorable mention honors. To be eligible for selection to the Pac-12 academic team, a student-athlete must have a minimum 3.0 overall grade point average and be either a starter or significant contributor.

That is great. I have heard multiple interviews where the Utes coaches have said that academics are a priority and that it is a selling point in recruiting (especially to parents). This seems to reinforce that idea. Great job Utes! :clap:

[Applejack]

That is great. I have heard multiple interviews where the Utes coaches have said that academics are a priority and that it is a selling point in recruiting (especially to parents). This seems to reinforce that idea. Great job Utes! :clap:

Yet another feather in the cap for Dr. Pershing. Way to go braniac Utes!