Utah TE Brant Kuithe Named One Of Top Returning Starters, LB Devin Lloyd Snubbed

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Pro Football Focus released their top returning players’ list in college football and put Utah TE Brant Kuithe on their list but not Devin Lloyd.

Although Brant Kuithe is worthy of this recognition, Pro Football Focus failed to mention one of the top returning linebackers in the country in Devin Lloyd.

Kuithe was listed as the No. 5 returning TE for the upcoming 2021 season.

Here is what PFF said about Kuithe:

“Kuithe has some competition when it comes to the title of best tight end in the Pac-12, but for now, he’s the clear leader in that race. Size-wise, he’s not your prototypical tight end at 6-foot-2 and 230 pounds, and he isn’t anything special when it comes to in-line blocking. However, the receiving ability is what makes him one of the best tight ends in college football.

Over the last two years, the Utah product has broken 16 tackles on 59 receptions while averaging 7.3 yards after the catch per reception and generating an 86.7 receiving grade. That broken tackle total ranks first among Power Five tight ends in that span.

His ball skills have left little to be desired so far, as he is a body-catcher by nature and isn’t one to impress in contested scenarios. Still, it hasn’t hindered his success so far. Kuithe is capable of taking home the Mackey Award in 2021.”

The top-5 returning TEs in college football 🚀 pic.twitter.com/ir4I767vdy

— PFF College (@PFF_College) May 12, 2021

Now the puzzling thing is leaving Devin Lloyd out of the top 10. The Butkus award finalist from 2020 should be included somewhere in the top 10. The only thing I see as the reason why Lloyd was left off the list was because of this disclaimer at the top of every PFF story.

“And remember, this has nothing to do with pro potential.”

The problem is that Devin Lloyd has tremendous pro potential. So we are really back to square one. Here is the top 10 linebackers that PFF listed.

1. Edefuan Ulofoshio, Washington
2. Mike Jones Jr., LSU
3. Carlton Martial, Troy
4. Jojo Doman, Nebraska
5. Micah McFadden, Indiana
6. Jalen Pitre, Baylor
7. Jack Sanborn, Wisconsin
8. Mike Rose, Iowa State
9. Kadofi Wright, Buffalo
10. Nick Anderson, Tulane or Dorian Williams, Tulane

Two sleepers: Ventrell Miller, Florida and Nate Landman, Colorado

The Top-5 returning LBs in CFB💥 pic.twitter.com/UokGWAAmH3

— PFF College (@PFF_College) May 13, 2021

The good thing is that Lloyd recognizes the mistake that PFF made and is using it for fuel.

Thank you for the fuel.. #ringszn https://t.co/y1CBLrMuDn

— devin lloyd (@DevinLloyd_) May 11, 2021

It will be interesting to see what Devin Lloyd can do with this fuel heading into the 2021 season.

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.