Nate Orchard Tops List Of Greatest Utes Of The Decade

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The University of Utah has had a lot of success since 2010. It was also a transition period from the Mountain West Conference to the Pac-12.

KSL Sports compiled the best players to wear a Utah uniform anytime from 2010 to this season.

The Crimson Corner and Cougar Tracks hosts released their teams.

 

In honor of the College Football Hall of Fame, KSL Sports decided to put together the All-Decade team for the University of Utah. This list is solely based off of how they performed in college not the NFL.

Quarterback

Travis Wilson, 2012-2015

The San Clemente, California native set records at Utah for most starts (39) and games played (46) at quarterback, his 24 wins ranks second in school history and he set the school record for total touchdowns with 75 (54 passing, 21 rushing). Through his four years in a Utes uniform, Wilson threw for 7,401 yards, 54 touchdowns and 37 interceptions, while rushing for 1,226 yards and 21 touchdowns.

Running Back

Devontae Booker, 2014-2015

Booker spent two seasons with the Utes and was named a two-time All-Pac-12 performer, making the first team in 2014 and the second team in 2015. He is one of two Utah players to record back-to-back 1,000 yard rushing seasons and one of three to rush over 1,000 yards twice in his career. Booker also set the school record for career rushing average with 120.6 yards per game and for career 100-yard rushing games with 14. In two seasons with the Utes, Booker rushed for 2,863 yards and 21 touchdowns, while hauling in 79 catches for 627 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Honorable Mention: Zack Moss, 2016-2019

It was very difficult to not include Moss on this team. If this list was done at the end of the 2019 season, Moss and Booker would be switching places. The Hallendale High School product is on pace to pass Eddie Johnson for the all-time leading rusher in school history. Entering his senior year, Moss has rushed for 2,647 yards and 23 touchdowns, while catching 38 passes for 297 yards and one touchdown.

 

Wide Receivers

Dres Anderson, 2010-2014

Anderson finished fifth on Utah’s all-time leading receiver with 2,077 yards, while getting 134 receptions. He had seven career 100-yard games is fourth in school history and his 17 touchdown catches is tied for sixth all-time.

Kenneth Scott, 2010-2015

Scott hauled in 127 catches through his career at Utah, which is good for 10th in school history. The Fontana, California native known as “Batman” ended his time in Salt Lake City with 1,464 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Britain Covey, 2015, 2018-Present

As a freshman in 2015, Covey led the team in receiving yards and also as a sophomore in 2018. He currently has two 100-yard receiving games to go with 112 catches for 1,130 yards and 5 touchdowns in his career at Utah.

 

Tight End

Jake Murphy, 2010-2013

In three seasons for the Utes, Murphy played 30 games with 14 starts. He finished with 63 catches for 830 yards and 10 touchdowns as a Ute.

 

Left Tackle

Garett Bolles, 2017

Bolles was named first team All-Pac-12 in his only season with the Utes, starting at left tackle. He played in all 13 games after transferring to Utah from Snow College.

 

Left Guard

Salesi Uhatafe, 2013-2017

A four year starter, Uhatafe played 52 games with 38 starts and was named second team All-Pac-12 in 2017.

 

Center

Caleb Schlauderaff, 2007-2010

Schlauderaff was named an All-American as a senior in 2010 and a first team All-Mountain West selection. He started all four seasons for Utah, playing in 52 games with 49 starts.

Honorable Mention: J.J. Dielman

Dielman started three seasons on the offensive line for the Utes, appearing in 32 games with 31 starts. In 2015, he was named to the All-Pac-12 second team. He played right tackle for three seasons before moving to center as a senior.

 

Right Guard

Isaac Asiata, 2011-2016

Asiata had a fantastic career as a consistent starter on the offensive line for the Utes, playing in 45 games with 43 starts in his career. He was a two-time All-Pac-12 performer and won the Morris Award in 2016.

 

Right Tackle

Tony Bergstrom, 2008-2011

Bergstrom was a three-year starter for the Utes at right tackle. He played 48 games with 39 starts and was named second team All-Mountain West in 2010 and a first team All-Pac-12 selection in 2011.

 

Defensive Ends

Nate Orchard, 2011-2014

Orchard was a three year starter for the Utes and was an All-American, Ted Hendricks Award and Morris Award winner. He finished his career tied for third in school history with 25 sacks and is tied for second with 38.5 tackles-for-loss. Orchard is also tied for second in Utah history with 8 forced fumbles and tied for fifth with five fumble recoveries, while also racking up 186 tackles, 111 solo tackles and 10 pass breakups.

Hunter Dimick, 2012-2016

“Snacks” received All-American and All-Pac-12 honors as a senior after very successful career as a four-year starter. He started 33 games, while playing in 43 contests. Dimick holds the school record for sacks with 28.5 and his 44 tackles-for-loss ranks third all-time. He finished his career with 148 tackles, 87 solo tackles, 12 pass breakups, 2 forced fumbles and 2 fumble recoveries.

Honorable Mention: Trevor Reilly, 2010-2013

Reilly couldn’t be left off of this team, but was a hybrid defender playing both defensive end and outside linebacker. He was selected as an Associated Press All-American Honorable Mention. The Valley Center, California native posted 235 tackles, 131 solo tackles, 20 sacks, 37 tackles-for-loss, 9 pass breakups, 8 forced fumbles, 5 fumble recoveries and 2 interceptions in his career at Utah. His ranks fourth in school history in sacks, sack yards, tackle-for-loss yards, fumble recoveries, third in tackles-for-loss and second in forced fumbles.

 

Defensive Tackles

Star Lotulelei, 2010-2012

Lotulelei was named a first team All-American and a two-time first team All-Pac-12 selection as a star defensive tackle. He was a starter for three years of his career at Utah and compiled 107 tackles, including 48 solo tackles, 7 sacks, 21.5 tackles-for-loss, 4 pass breakups, 4 forced fumbles and, 5 fumble recoveries.

Lowell Lotuleilei, 2014-2017

Star’s brother Lowell was named to the All-Pac-12 team in all four years as a starter. He played 52 games with 43 starts while recording 103 tackles, 53 solo tackles, 10 sacks, 21 tackles-for-loss, 2 pass breakup and 2 forced fumbles.

 

Linebackers

Gionni Paul, 2014-2015

In just two seasons with the Utes, Paul had a major impact on the team. In 2015, Paul should’ve been named the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year. He was a first team All-Pac-12 selection and was awarded two national Defensive Player of the Week awards. Paul recorded 178 tackles, 90 solo tackles, 4 sacks, 16.5 tackles-for-loss, 2 forced, 5 fumble recoveries and 8 interceptions.

Jared Norris, 2011-2015

The Bakersfield, California native was a two-time All-Pac-12 performer as a three year starter, playing in 42 games with 32 starts in his career. Norris finished his career at Utah with 269 tackles, 149 solo tackles, 7 sacks, 24 tackles-for-loss, 8 pass breakups, 4 forced fumbles and 2 fumble recoveries.

Chase Hansen, 2015-2018

Hansen was recruited as a quarterback but moved to safety after his church mission for three seasons before moving to linebacker as a senior. He was named an All-American and first team All-Pac-12 last season. Hansen’s career states included 272 tackles, 164 solo tackles, 8 sacks, 33.5 tackles-for-loss, 16 pass breakups, 4 forced fumbles , 5 FR, 6 INT, 2 TD’s

 

Cornerbacks

Eric Rowe, 2011-2014

Rowe played three seasons at free safety before moving to cornerback for his senior year. He was named a two-time Pac-12 Honorable Mention and was a freshman All-American in 2011. Rowe recorded 260 tackles, 158 solo tackles, 1.5 sacks, 7 tackles-for-loss, 33 pass breakups, 3 fumble recoveries, 3 interceptions and one touchdown.

Jaylon Johnson, 2017-2019

As a sophomore, Johnson was named first team All-Pac-12 was season and will likely be an All-American this season. In just two seasons with the Utes, Johnson has recorded 66 tackles, 54 solo tackles, one sack, 2 tackles-for-loss, 10 pass breakups and 7 interceptions.

 

Safeties

Marcus Williams, 2014-2016

In two of his three seasons in a Utah uniform, Williams was an All-Pac-12 selection. He played in 37 games with 30 starts. Williams finished his career with 189 tackles, 125 solo, 4 tackles-for-loss, 8 pass breakups, 4 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries and 11 interceptions.

Marquise Blair, 2017-2018

As a junior college transfer, Blair started as a safety for two seasons with the Utes. Last season, he was named second team All-Pac-12 and finished his career with 106 tackles, 79 solo tackles, 5 tackles-for-loss, 4 pass breakups, one forced fumble and fumble recovery and 2 interceptions.

Honorable Mention: Brian Blechen, 2010-2014

Blechen was a hybrid defender, playing both linebacker and safety with the majority coming at safety. In 2010, he was a freshman All-American and was an honorable mention All-Pac-12 selection in all four years of his career. Blechen finished his career with 264 tackles, 165 solo tackles, 3.5 sacks, 16 tackles-for-loss, 19 pass breakups, 6 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries and 8 interceptions.

 

Kicker

Matt Gay, 2017-2018

After his first season in 2017, Gay earned the Lou Groza Award, which is given to the best placekicker in college football. After his two-year career at Utah, Gay was named a two-time All-American and first team All-Pac-12. He finished his career hitting 56 of his 65 field goal attempts for 86 percent accuracy. His longest field goal was from 56 yards and was a perfect, 85-for-85 on extra points, while accounting for 253 points.

Punter

Mitch Wishnowsky, 2016-2018

In three seasons with the Utes, Wishnowsky was named an All-American in all three seasons and was a finalist for the Ray Guy Award, which is given to the best punter in college football. He won the award in 2016. Wishnowsky finished his career at Utah with 175 punts for 8,004 yards with a 45.7 yards per punt average with his longest punt traveling 66 yards.

 

Kick/Punt Returners

Reggie Dunn, 2010-2012

Dunn was a dynamic weapon in the kick return game with 48 kick returns for 1,481. He averaged 30.9 yards per return with 100 yards as his longest return and five touchdowns. Dunn was named a first team All-American as a senior and set the NCAA record for most 100-yard kick returns for touchdowns, including a NCAA single season record with four 100-yard kick returns for touchdowns.

Shaky Smithson, 2009-2010

Smithson was named a first team All-American after leading the nation in punt return average and yards as a senior in 2010. He is the only player in Utah history to record 500 yards in punt returns in a single season. Smithson finished his career at Utah with 43 kick returns for 1,050 yards and a 24.4 average. His longest kick return was 61 yards. He had 43 punt returns for 695 yards and a 16.2 return average to go with his longest return of 78 yards and two touchdowns.

Let KSL Sports know which All-Decade team is better, Utah or BYU?