Phil Steele Likes Utah’s Defensive Line Heading Into 2019

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – ESPN and College Football insider Phil Steele is getting ready to publish his annual preview magazine. His magazine includes ranking the position groups in college football and Steele is high on Utah’s defensive line.

Through his research, Steele has determined that Utah’s defensive line is one of the top five in the entire country.

Part of the tease to his top five defensive lines, he listed Michigan State and Auburn, leaving off two of the top five and did not list them.

Just finished ranking the defensive lines. Three of the top 5 DLines this year are Michigan State, Utah and Auburn.

— Phil Steele (@philsteele042) May 19, 2019

The Utes return a stout defensive line that includes Bradlee Anae, Leki Fotu, John Penisini, Mika Tafua, Pita Tonga and Maxs Tupai, which gives Utah a lot of depth on the line.

Fotu and Anae both decided at the end of last season to return for their senior season rather than entering their name into the 2019 NFL Draft.

Anae was named first team All-Pac-12 last season and led the team in sacks during his sophomore and junior seasons. He has collected 17 career sacks.

Fotu was also named first team all-conference last year after picking up 33 tackles, 5.5 for loss and 3 sacks.

Penisini is entering his senior season with the Utes, Tafua will be sophomore, Tonga and Tupai will be juniors.

Phil Steele’s college football preview magazine will be on sale starting June 25.