Utes, Aggies Land Players On Top 100 List – BYU Left Out
Jul 17, 2019, 1:22 PM
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Sports Illustrated featured a few Utes and an Aggie on their list of the “Top 100 College Football Players” but no Cougars made the list.
“It’s dang independence rearing its ugly head again,” said Jason Buck, former BYU defensive end on Rivals Podcast when his co-host informed him of the snub, “you get no national media recognition.”
Scott Mitchell and Jason Buck, hosts of Rivals Podcast, aired their grievances and praises of the list on their most recent episode.
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Utah
The University of Utah football team landed four players on the list.
- Zack Moss, RB, came in at 88
- Leki Fotu, DL, came in at 77
- Jaylon Johnson, CB, came in at 51
- Bradlee Anae, DL, came in at 22
Moss was injured for a large part of last season. Mitchell thinks that is a big reason he is the lowest-ranked Ute.
“Zack Moss is a special running back… he was able to find holes in very small spaces…there are some guys who always find a way to make some people miss,” said Mitchell.
@PresMoss2 – Maxwell Award pic.twitter.com/3pkj1NKEbK
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) July 16, 2019
Two defensive linemen for Utah made the list, Anae and Fotu, Mitchell said the reason they are ranked higher than Moss is because of the national recognition Utah’s entire defensive line is getting.
“Jaylon Johnson might be the top pro prospect at Utah, he is a talent at cornerback,” said Mitchell.
Buck commented it is great recognition for a defensive back to get that high of a ranking.
.@BradleeAnae & @LekiFotu have been named 2 of the best defensive lineman for the 2019 season by @usatodaysports 😤#IsThatGood #DLineU https://t.co/tfV5ypsAKn pic.twitter.com/PuetloUfZU
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) July 3, 2019
Utah State
The Utah State Aggies landed one player on the list.
- David Woodward, LB, came in at 80
Woodward is going into his junior year. He walked away from last season with five sacks and two interceptions.
On the podcast, Buck was shocked to learn that Utah State star quarterback Jordan Love didn’t make the list.
“I think he is the best quarterback in the state right now,” said buck.
Love recently participated in the Manning Passing Academy where he got to workout with Peyton, Eli and Archie Manning.
One young man who got rave reviews from the Mannings and everyone who saw him throw the past few days at @mpa_info was @USUFootball QB. @jordan3love Jordan Love..
Very impressive young man and he can spin the football. pic.twitter.com/nkxzOtmiHO— Michael Detillier (@MikeDetillier) June 30, 2019
Love is entering his junior season with Utah State after throwing for 3,567 passing yards and 32 touchdowns. He was named second-team All-Mountain West. In their bowl game win over North Texas, Love threw for 359 yards and four touchdowns in the Aggies’ dominating 52-13 win.
Buck blames independence, or not being part of a conference when it comes to Sports Illustrated snubbing BYU.
When asked which BYU player belongs on the list Buck said Zach Wilson, their young quarterback.
Zach Wilson named to the 2019 Maxwell Award watch list.
📝 https://t.co/bDzTQBxceb#BYUFOOTBALL #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/ZgVi7YFWoc
— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) July 15, 2019
Mitchell said Wilson will make the list next year if he stays healthy.
Listen to the entire discussion on Rivals Podcast below.