How Two Utah Football Transfers Fit In With Program
Mar 17, 2022, 1:23 PM
(Photos courtesy of Getty Images)
(Photos courtesy of Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Kyle Whittingham and the Utah football program picked up two key transfers on the defensive side of the ball to bolster their depth in 2022.
The additions of Gabe Reid and Mohamoud Diabate were big for the Utah football program as they try to fill the void left by Devin Lloyd and Nephi Sewell at the linebacker position.
KSL Sports spoke to Kyle Whittingham on Thursday morning via phone to discuss a variety of topics, including the additions of Reid and Diabate.
What Florida Transfer Mohamoud Diabate Brings To Utah’s Defense
Mohamoud Diabate announced on January 4 that he was transferring to Utah football. He is a great athlete that is expected to come in and contribute.
“Tremendous athlete,” Whittingham told KSL Sports. “He’s got a big frame, 6’4-plus, still hasn’t quite filled out all the way. He’s about 225 pounds but tremendous football player, instinctive, runs well. He was just very productive at Florida and he’s a guy that has a nose for the ball. We think he’s gonna be a great asset to our defense. Still not exactly sure the role that he will play, may rush the passer off the edge in certain situations, play some inside linebacker. We’re still getting to know him and one thing that’s unfortunate he will not be able to be with us in spring football because he’s rehabbing an injury from the past season but he should be good to go shortly thereafter. That’s really the downside right now is we’re not going to be able to have much work with him in spring ball because of his limitations.”
I’m incredibly thankful for the past 3 years here at the University of Florida. Thank you to all who invested their time into me during my time. I appreciate all the fans of Gator Nation and the support throughout my time here in Gainesville, I will always be a Gator. pic.twitter.com/tf8OsEaVER
— Mohamoud Diabate (@MDiabate11) January 5, 2022
Diabate spent three seasons with the Gators and played in every game along the way. He is a 6’3 linebacker from Auburn, Alabama. Every season in Gainesville, Diabate improved his game. He started his career with only 18 tackles, including 4.5 sacks as a freshman in 2019. Diabate improved significantly in 2020 by recording 69 tackles.
This past season, Diabate had 89 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss. In 37 games played, the Alabama native recorded 176 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, six sacks, one interception, two pass deflections and three forced fumbles.
Where Will Stanford Transfer Gabe Reid Play On The Field For The Utes?
On March 2, Gabe Reid announced he was joining his brother Karene at Utah. At Stanford, Reid played both linebacker and defensive end. Whittingham was asked where Reid fits within their system.
“We’ll see where he fits in,” Whittingham said. “He won’t be here until summer, he’s finishing up his academics at Stanford. We’ll see how we come out of spring ball and where we think he fits best based on our needs and proceed from there.”
Reid spent five seasons with Stanford before entering the portal as a graduate transfer that led him to join Utah football. His younger brother Karene finished his freshman season with the Utes.
— Gabe Reid (@gabereid90) March 2, 2022
He joined Stanford in 2017 after serving a two-year church mission in American Samoa. He didn’t see any action as a true freshman in 2017. During his sophomore season in 2018, Reid played in all 13 games with four starts, finishing with 5.5 sacks, 7.5 tackles for loss and 35 tackles.
As a junior in 2019, Reid played 12 games, including starts in the final seven contests, recording 43 tackles, nine tackles for loss and two sacks. In 2020, he played in all five games, putting up 27 tackles, four tackles for loss, two sacks and a forced fumble. In his final season on The Farm in 2021, Reid started in 11 of the 12 games he played, posting 62 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks, eight quarterback hurries, one interception and three pass breakups.
Trevor Allen is a Utah Utes Insider for KSLSports.com and host of the Crimson Corner podcast. Follow him on Twitter: @TrevorASports.
