Lots Of Confidence In Utah Football’s Offensive Line

SALT LAKE CITY – Utah Football has been hard at work during fall camp as they make final preparations for the 2024 season. It seems good progress has been made across the board, perhaps no more so than along the offensive line.

From top to bottom, Utah coaches have raved about the progress of both specific individuals and the unit overall. This is a group that needed a top-five starting unit to separate itself but also valuable depth to keep pace with those five.

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What’s the confidence level in Utah’s offensive line?

“Got a lot of confidence in the whole group- have a lot of confidence in the whole trajectory of the entire offense- but we all know that’s the group that makes or breaks the whole thing,” Utah offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig said of the offensive line.

For offensive line coach Jim Harding, the progress of certain individuals has provided him with nearly ten guys that he’d have confidence in playing.

“The nice thing is I have we have eight guys that I’d feel comfortable playing- a center, swing guard, and swing tackle,” Harding shared. “Hopefully here in the next couple of weeks, we get a couple of guys back that have been injured. Get a couple other guys rolling in those spots to get to 10 guys that you’d be happy to play.”

What’s allowed for this sort of development is the combination of a couple of things. First, the collection of linemen have good qualities to work with.

“I think the offensive line is athletic, is smart, we have excellent depth, and impressive length” Ludwig described of the group. “Very pleased with where they are, with their growth under the leadership of Jim Harding. I think they have a chance to be an elite group.”

Alex Smith will be inducted into the Utah Football Ring of Honor at halftime of the 2024 home opener against Southern Utah University on Aug. 29th. 🙌

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The second factor is they’ve been able to practice without as much cross-training. That’s due largely to the ability of these guys and them performing well in certain spots.

“I think we’ve shuffled guys less this camp than in years prior. I think that has to do with- we have guys that have excelled in those roles,” Harding shared before elaborating further on what that meant for the starting unit. “We have rotated guys in to get a look at different combinations but those front five guys have answered any challenge they’ve been given.”

Another freshman starting left tackle for Utah Football?

Caleb Lomu seems to have secured the starting left tackle spot. An impressive accomplishment in and of itself for any redshirt freshman, even more so given the context of the offensive line.

When you consider Spencer Fano earned True Freshman All-American honors in that same left tackle spot last season- Fano’s move to right tackle so Lomu can start at left tackle has made for a very unique situation.

“Have started freshman tackles throughout (my career),” Ludwig shared. “In terms of that dynamic- starting (a freshman) at left, then moving (that freshman) to right, so another freshman can come in (at left), never. This would be a first in my 36, 37 years.”

Who else has made progress along the offensive line?

Nearly as important as five guys emerging as starters is having quality depth behind them. The good news for Utah is that they’ve seen big development from key pieces in the room.

“Keith Olson, Zereoue, Ike Garcia” Harding identified as guys that have made a push into the top eight. “(Ike) is battling an injury but he’s starting to get back, but Keith, from practice one to practice 15, has probably made the most improvement.”

Harding then identified one more that has made good progress and rounded out the depth of the room.

“Another guy that sticks out is Solatoa Moea’i,” Harding said. “He’s really improved in this last week, rotating in with the ones. Room for improvement but has really held his own and is someone that I’m really proud of.

Johnny Maea has established himself as a good backup option behind Jaren Kump at center. Alex Harrison is in the mix for the top eight as well but his availability has been limited in camp.

Utah Football Schedule

Utah will kick off the season against Southern Utah on August 29. You can find Utah football’s conference schedule here.

Steve Bartle is the Utah insider for KSL Sports. He hosts The Utah Blockcast (SUBSCRIBE) and appears on KSL Sports Zone to break down the Utes. You can follow him on X for the latest Utah updates and game analysis.

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