UTAH UTES

Three Utah Lineman Named To Outland Trophy Watch List

Aug 1, 2023, 2:14 PM

SALT LAKE CITY – There has been talk this offseason Utah football is running deep on their lines and the Outland Trophy watch list proves it as three Utes are listed.

Keaton Bills (offensive line), Sataoa Laumea (offensive line) and Junior Tafuna (defensive line) have all been named to the preseason watch list for the prestigious award given out to the best interior linemen in the country.

The Utes are just one of five teams on the list with three candidates and the only Pac-12 team with a defensive lineman named.

Earlier in the offseason all three players were named to the Preseason All-Pac-12 list while Tafuna and Bills were also given preseason All-American status.

Taking A Look At Utah’s Outland Trophy Candidates

All three of Utah’s Outland Trophy nominees have been an impressive and important part of Utah’s back-to-back Pac-12 Titles and Rose Bowl appearances over the past two season and will be a critical part of whatever the Utes accomplish in 2023.

Keaton Bills

Bills has played left guard in every one of his 33 career games and 25 starts at Utah. Bills was recognized last season with All-Pac-12 honors while helping the Utes to 217.6 rushing yards per game. The offensive line along with Bills only allowed 1.07 sacks per game in 2022.

Sataoa Laumea

Laumea has played in 33 games as a Ute, starting 31 with 19 spent at right guard and 13 at right tackle. Alongside Bills, Laumea’s efforts helped Utah to the 11th-best rushing offense in the FBS in 2022. Laumea is a three-time All-Pac-12 selection while earning first team in 2022.

Junior Tafuna

Tafuna has played in 27 games at Utah with 25 consecutive starts. In 2022, Tafuna earned All-Pac-12 second-team after posting 27 tackles (3.5 TFL, 1.0 sack), an interception, two quarterback hurries and a pass breakup.

Michelle Bodkin is the Utah Utes Insider for KSLsports.com and host of both the Crimson Corner Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and The Saturday Show (Saturday from 10 a.m.–12 p.m.) on The KSL Sports Zone. Follow her on TwitterInstagram, and Threads: @BodkinKSLsports

Are you on Threads yet? Let’s connect, give us a follow @kslsports

Download the new & improved KSL Sports app from Utah’s sports leader. You can stream live radio, video and stay up to date on all of your favorite teams.

 

  • Utah Utes Scoreboard

  • Utah Utes Team Leaders

  • Utah Utes Standings

Utah Utes

Troy-Williams-Memphis-Showboats-UFL...

Kyle Ireland

Showboats QB Troy Williams Carted Off After Scoring Touchdowns In Week 7

Memphis Showboats quarterback Troy Williams scored a pair of touchdowns during Week 7 of the 2024 United Football League season.

4 hours ago

Julia-Jimenez-Hits-Grand-Slam-To-Force-Game-Three-In-NCAA-Super-Regional-Series-With-SDSU...

Michelle Bodkin

Utah Softball Falls Short Of Pac-12 Title Repeat To UCLA Bruins

Utah softball had another incredible run in the Pac-12 Tournament but unfortunately wasn't able to retain their title, falling to UCLA.

21 hours ago

coors field...

Brian Preece

Locals In MiLB: Former Cottonwood Hurler Porter Hodge Earns Promotion To Triple-A

After earning a spot on the Chicago Cubs' 40-man roster following 2023, former Cottonwood Colt Porter Hodge is one step away from the bigs.

23 hours ago

tyler-bradbury-talks-to-media-ahead-of-utah-lacrosses-first-game-in-the-ncaa-tournament-2024...

Michelle Bodkin

Another Great Season Comes To A Close For Utah Lacrosse

It wasn't the result Utah lacrosse was hoping for against Duke in their second appearance in the NCAA Tournament.

1 day ago

bryson van sickle...

Brian Preece

Van Sickle’s Complete Game Propels Utah Baseball To Huge Win Over Arizona

Call Bryson Van Sickle a big-game hunter after he threw the second CG of the year in a 6-1 win over the first-place Arizona Wildcats.

2 days ago

Zack Moss former Utah Utes RB Cincinatti Bengals Reds first pitch...

Chandler Holt

Former Utah RB Zack Moss Throws First Pitch At Cincinnati Reds Game

Bengals RB and former Utah star Zack Moss threw the first pitch at the Cincinnati Reds game against the Diamondbacks.

3 days ago

Sponsored Articles

Follow @kslsports...

KSL Give-A-Thon

The KSL Sports Zone, KSL 5 TV, FM100.3, 103.5 The Arrow, and KSL NewsRadio have teamed up to raise money for the kids being served by Primary Children’s Care!

ksl-sports-newsletter...

KSL Sports

KSL Sports Newsletter: Sign Up Now

Sign up today for the KSL Sports newsletter. Get the latest Utah sports news delivered to your inbox.

...

KSL Sports

Jazz Notes Newsletter: Sign Up Now

Sign up today for the Jazz Notes newsletter. Get insider analysis, game recaps and opportunities to win tickets!

Follow @kslsports...

The Road Home Mediathon 2023

The KSL Sports Zone and KSLSports.com are proud to support the all-day Mediathon 2023 at the Road Home, an annual tradition to raise money and other essential items for the Road Home, a Homeless Shelter.

3 kids wearing real salt lake jerseys smiling...

Real Salt Lake

6 Reasons You Need to Experience a RSL Matchday

RSL Games are a great way to spend time with your family with fun activities, good food, and traditions you can only experience at the field.

High angle view of the beautiful Rose Bowl Stadium...

KSL Digital Sales

How to Prepare for the 2023 Rose Bowl

Everything you need to know to plan your 2023 Rose Bowl trip in Pasadena, California. This year, the Utes will face Penn State.

Three Utah Lineman Named To Outland Trophy Watch List