Utah football position preview: Defensive ends, tackles and linebackers entering 2026 fall camp

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The Utah Utes enter fall camp with plenty of reasons to believe they can make a run at the Big 12 championship.

The Utes are coming off an 11-win season in which the offense averaged 41.2 points and 482.9 yards per game. They return their starting quarterback, their leading rusher and several important defensive pieces.

But this is not the same team.

Morgan Scalley is entering his first full season as Utah’s head coach. Kevin McGiven has taken over the offense. Utah officially lists more than 100 players on its 2026 roster, but plenty of roles will still be decided over the next month.

Here's the fourth installment of a six-part look at Utah's roster.

Defensive end: B-

Utah has to replace a lot of production off the edge.

The Utes lost two starters who combined for 16 sacks and 92 tackles last season. The next group is talented, but each player will be taking on a larger role.

Lance Holtzclaw should be one of the leaders of the room.

Holtzclaw finished last season with 26 tackles, four tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. He played some of his best football late in the year and started the Las Vegas Bowl.

Kash Dillon is a player with a breakout season opportunity.

Dillon recorded 35 tackles and 3.5 sacks last season while playing behind Utah’s veteran edge rushers. He has the length, athleticism and motor to become the next productive defensive end in the program.

North Texas transfer Ethan Day may be too productive to keep out of the rotation. Day finished last season with 53 tackles, seven tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and a forced fumble. Whether he officially starts or not, he should play a lot.

Paul Fitzgerald gives Utah another veteran option, while Nicholas Igwe, Alex Cloward, Fameitau Siale and PJ Takitaki provide developmental depth.

My projected starters are Holtzclaw and Dillon, with Day rotating heavily behind both.

Utah does not need one player to replace all the lost production.

It needs three or four dependable players who can hold up against the run and create pressure.

Defensive tackle: B+

Utah’s defensive tackle room is young and deep.

It is also largely unproven.

Karson Kaufusi and Pupu Sepulona, both blue-chip prospects, played as freshmen last season. Kaufusi recorded 13 tackles in 177 snaps, while Sepulona had 13 tackles in 137 snaps. Those experiences should help, but both players are now being asked to make the jump from rotational freshmen to starters.

Kaufusi has the frame and athleticism to become a disruptive interior defender.

Sepulona gives Utah a powerful option in the middle who can take on double teams and control the run game.

The Utes also added several transfers.

Jireh Moe arrives from San Jose State and received plenty of praise during spring camp. Lucas Samsula started seven games at Wyoming last season and recorded 15 tackles and 1.5 sacks. Jamal Wallace brings size and experience after transferring from Tennessee.

Dilan Battle adds even more size to the room.

Utah should be able to rotate bodies.

The question is whether anyone becomes a difference-maker.

Defensive tackle has been one of the program’s most dependable positions for years. For that to continue, Kaufusi and Sepulona need to make a significant sophomore jump, and at least one of the transfers needs to provide immediate production.

Linebacker: B

Johnathan Hall is now the leader of Utah’s defense.

Hall led the Utes with 67 tackles last season while adding six tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, one interception and four pass breakups. He has played safety and linebacker during his Utah career, giving him the versatility and experience to run the defense.

Utah lost Lander Barton and Levani Damuni, so Hall’s leadership will matter as much as his production.

Trey Reynolds may start beside him.

Reynolds started four games last season and finished with 28 tackles, 1.5 sacks and two interceptions. He has been in the program for several years and should be ready for a larger role.

Cyrus Polu may force Utah to play three linebackers more often.

Polu only played 96 defensive snaps last season, but he was one of the most discussed players during spring camp. He is physical, athletic, and should be the first linebacker off the bench if he doesn't earn a spot in the starting lineup.

Elijah Elliss brings additional athleticism, while Tayson Reid and former 4-star Brock Fonoimoana help fill out the room. Freshmen LaGary Mitchell and Preston Pitts are players to watch in the long term.

Utah may not have the same established names it had entering last season.

But Hall is proven, Reynolds has experience, and Polu has the potential to become one of the defense’s breakout players.