Utah Football Has Been The ‘Perfect Fit’ For Devin Kaufusi Since Transferring From BYU

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Devin Kaufusi had to transition from being a BYU player to transferring to their rival Utah and now switching positions on the d-line.

The adjustment for Devin Kaufusi has been great as he was taking advantage of a great opportunity to play for Utah. He spoke about the adjustment and having a full year with the Utes when he met with the media on Thursday morning during spring football availability.

“Utah seemed like the ideal fit for me with school in mind,” Kaufusi said. “What’s crazy, I was in the transfer portal the week before the pandemic hit. It’s been a perfect fit so far. I’ve been loving it. The guys and the coaching staff and the support staff has been an absolute dream to work with.”

Pleased to announce that I have officially committed to the University of Utah. There I will further my football career and education. Thank you @CoachPowell99 @UtahCoachWhitt @SafetyPride @Utah_Football UTAH MAN AM I💯 pic.twitter.com/HjTcNwabba

— Devin Kaufusi (@devskaufusi) April 8, 2020

Transitioning From Defensive End To Tackle At Utah

When Kaufusi was at BYU, he played defensive end just like his brothers Bronson and Corbin did for the Cougars. After the move to Utah, Kaufusi would play defensive end and tackle before ultimately playing tackle full time. He had to put on some weight but has great potential being 6’7 tall.

“Hard for sure you know I love working out but it’s always finding enough food for me,” Kaufusi mentioned. “Utah does a great job feeding us here, which is awesome. I remember a similar thing happening to my uncle’s, my dad saying they’re all pretty skinny guys. But as soon as they got to Utah and had the cafeteria available to them, they all put on the weight and became the players they did with it. I was 295 at the start of camp. I’m around 290 right now and so hopefully to put on, breakthrough 300 between this offseason and fall camp.”

Utah defensive line coach Lewis Powell is pleased with the transition that Kaufusi has made to defensive tackle and putting on the necessary weight to play that position.

“Man, that guy got here last year at 240 pounds and now he’s 295 pounds or 290,” Powell said. “He’s been awesome. The weird thing is he hasn’t lost any of his explosiveness or his athleticism. So, he is a force out there. Him and big V (Viane Moala) in the middle. We call them the Twin Towers, being both 6’7″ and just being agile and being able to bend and do what we’re asking him. We love how he has developed in a short time.”

Devin Kaufusi Is Excited To Play In Renovated Rice-Eccles Stadium

The south end zone project featuring the Ken Garff Performance Zone is nearly completed and will be finished when the 2021 football season starts this fall. Utah held their second scrimmage of spring ball last weekend at Rice-Eccles Stadium and Kaufusi was blown away.

“I want a full Stadium in Rice-Eccles, that stadium is amazing,” Kaufusi stated. “It took my breath away when I walked into the scrimmage last week, I totally forgot that we were in renovation for it. I walked through the the north tunnel and it’s a totally different feeling in there. The fans are gonna love it and I mean that’s all we were talking about for that weekend was having fans in the stadium in this brand new Rice-Eccles is going to be one the top atmospheres in college football. So I think that’s what we all really want.”

Devin Kaufusi said he was blown away by the renovation of the south end zone. Also mentioned that fans are going to love the new look and can't wait to see a packed RES.#GoUtes @kslsports

— Trevor Allen (@TrevorASports) April 15, 2021

On top of the newly renovated stadium, Kaufusi and the Utah football team is looking forward to paying tribute to running back Ty Jordan, who tragically lost his life on Christmas Day in Denton, Texas.

“Just to play it and pay it forward for Ty Jordan,” said Kaufusi. “I mean, he was such a crucial part to the success that happened last season and his impact on the team. We have him in mind and in our prayers and hearts and so we would just love to do everything we can to represent him.”

Trevor Allen is a Utah Utes Insider for KSLSports.com and host of the Crimson Corner podcast. Follow him on Twitter: @TrevorASports. You can download and listen to the podcast, here.