Player Profiles

2006 UTAH FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE • WWWUTAHUTES.COM 57 UTE RETURNER PROFILES

award as a senior after recording 93 mer Cory Chipman … sociology major tackles, 6 sacks and an for … enjoys hunting, fishing, camping and 61 the defense and not allowing a sack as an horse riding … born Sept. 2, 1982. PETE ANEIRO offensive tackle … lettered three years in Snapper baseball and two in basketball … honor- YEAR G/GS UT AT TOT TFL SACK 6-0, 200, Sr. 2005 5/0 0 2 2 1.0-2 0 able mention all-state and first-team SQ Alta Loma, Calif. all-region baseball player in 2005 … Mt. San Antonio CC baseball team captain was a second-team all-region player in 2004 … National Honor Society … ranked 37th out of a 47 UTAH: Scheduled to start at long snap- class of 542 with a 3.92 GPA. CHET BLASUCCI per … walked on to the team in fall Defensive Line of 2005 … has one year of eligibility PERSONAL: Son of Brad Beadles 6-1, 241, Jr. remaining. and Jamie Legerski … parents are both JC 2005–Practiced with the scout teams. graduates of Wyoming … mother played La Canada, Calif. basketball for Wyoming and father Snow College PRIOR TO UTAH: 2004 Special Teams played baseball for Hutchinson J.C. … Player of the Year at Mt. San Antonio has three siblings … elementary educa- UTAH: Mid-year junior college transfer College … did not have a bad snap in tion major … full name is Zane Dae participated in spring drills … switched two years … the Mounties were 2003 Beadles … born in Casper, Wyo., on from linebacker to defensive line in the Mission Conference champions and Nov. 19, 1986. spring … benches 425 pounds—best on won the 2003 National Bowl … prior to the team. JC, lettered two years at Etiwanda High (Calif.) … team captain as a senior in PRIOR TO UTAH: Went to Pasadena 2002 … Etiwanda’s 2001 Special Teams City College in spring 2005 before Player of the Year … also won the team’s 96 transferring to Snow College for fall Hatchetman Award. DEREK BEARDALL Defensive Line semester … prepped at La Canada High 6-1, 299, Sr. (Calif.) where he made the all-C.I.F. first PERSONAL: Son of Pete Aneiro 1VL team … first-team all-conference player (a-near-oh) ... father is an equipment Highland, Utah was the Glendale News Press MVP … manager at Citrus College ... father and Snow College all-Rio Hondo offensive MVP … won grandfather were also long snappers ... four letters in football, and two in track sociology major … full name is Peter and volleyball. Vincent Hall Aneiro ... born Aug. 28, UTAH: Walk-on will figure into the rota- 1984. tion at tackle … was No. 2 at nose guard PERSONAL: Son of David and Loa in the spring. Blasucci … father has an LDS Church 2005–Appeared in five games … made 2 music CD out … two brothers and one assisted tackles … figured in on a tackle- sister … enjoys art … served an LDS for-loss against both Utah State and church mission to Jacksonville, Fla. … 68 Brigham Young for a total of one. ZANE BEADLES plans to major in economics and health Offensive Line education (emergency services) … name PRIOR TO UTAH: Played two seasons 6-4, 308, Fr. is pronounced Blass-oo-chee … full at Snow College … team captain … led RS name is Cheston Blasucci … born April team to the Golden Isles Bowl in 2003 Sandy, Utah 10, 1982. Hillcrest HS and to the Top of the Mountain Bowl in 2004 … first team all-conference and honorable mention all-state at American UTAH: Started at left guard in the Fork High (Utah) … team captain as a spring. senior played varsity ball as a junior and 2005–Redshirt. senior … four-sport athlete with letters in football, track and field, soccer and HIGH SCHOOL: First-team all-state, wrestling. all-region lineman played both ways for Hillcrest High (Utah) … Hillcrest PERSONAL: Son of Mont and Rachelle team captain and three-year starter did Beardall … two brothers and one sister… not miss a game during his high school brother Dan was an all-conference kicker career … won team’s “Top Lineman” for Utah in 2005 … married to the for-

58 2006 UTAH FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE • WWW.UTAHUTES.COM UTE RETURNER PROFILES

69 14 JASON BOONE KYLE BRADY Offensive Line Linebacker 6-4, 300, Jr. 6-1, 232, Jr. 2VL 2VL Fillmore, Utah Tooele, Utah Millard HS Tooele HS

UTAH: All-conference candidate will UTAH: Inside track to start at stud start at right tackle for the second year … linebacker after taking over the position signed with Utah in 2002 but did not join four games into last season … when Utah the team until spring 2003. is in the nickel formation, he will move 2005–Started in all 12 games at right to middle linebacker … nice balance of tackle … 916 total plays led the Ute strength and speed … versatile athlete offensive linemen … ranked second in played three positions as a redshirt pancake blocks (10) and knockdowns freshman (wide receiver, running back, (26) … totaled 8 knockdowns and a 94% linebacker) before settling in on defense. grade on 79 plays against Wyoming … 2005–Played in all 12 games and made 4 knockdowns and an 85% grade in both 5 starts … 26 total tackles … 1.5 tackles the New Mexico and Arizona games … for a loss of 8 yards and assisted on 1 Starting OL Jason Boone also plays on the punt team. 3 knockdowns and an 86% grade in 81 sack (5 yards) … returned an interception plays at BYU … also started on the punt for 12 yards against New Mexico, the team. only pick by a Utah linebacker this sea- 2004–Appeared in the last 11 games … son … 6 tackles and assisted on a sack 7 knockdowns during the regular season versus Air Force … 5 tackles against San … 100% grade against UNLV with 3 84 Diego State … had 5 games with 3 tack- knockdowns in 14 plays … 1 knockdown LANCE BORDELEAU les or more … academic all-MWC. Tight End and an 89% grade in 9 plays versus San 2004–Saw action in all 12 games … 20 6-4, 255, Fr. Diego State … named Academic all- RS tackles, 5 solo and 15 assisted … assisted MWC and to the Utah Athletics Aca- Simi Valley, Calif. on 1 tackle for loss … career-high 6 tack- demic Honor Roll … also started on the Royal HS les, 4 solo, against Utah State … figured punt team. in on 5 tackles against UNLV, including 2003–Redshirt. one for a loss … assisted on 4 tackles vs. UTAH: Gained 20 pounds of muscle in Colorado State and 3 against Texas A&M HIGH SCHOOL: All-state offensive off-season strength training. … academic all-MWC … elected to the and defensive tackle … played for Mil- 2005–Redshirt. Utah Football Leadership Committee. lard High’s (Utah) 2001 state champion- 2003–Redshirt. ship team … also wrestled for Millard’s HIGH SCHOOL: All-league, all-county 2002 state champion team … honor roll. and all-CIF first team … Ventura City HIGH SCHOOL: Utah’s 2002 “Mr. Lineman of the Year … named all-area Football” … first-team all-state and PERSONAL: Son of Coley Boone and by the Ventura County Star … Daily region MVP as a junior and senior … Sherry Peterson ... both parents attended News’ honorable mention all-area team Utah 3A MVP as a senior … 2002 Prep BYU ... father played football for BYU … as a senior, caught 28 passes for 348 Star Western Region first team … honor- ... from family of 10 children (five boys, yards and 4 TDs … led Royal High able mention all-state and all-region as a five girls) ... brother Jesse was an all- School (Calif.) to the Marmonte League sophomore … state’s career interception conference center for Utah … brother title in 2004 … played in the 2005 East- record holder (31) … senior year rushed Aaron played wide receiver for Kentucky West Shrine Game. for 1,400 yards, had 700 receiving yards, … sister Amy played basketball and vol- scored 28 touchdowns and had 15 inter- leyball at George Mason University and PERSONAL: Son of Michael and Karen ceptions … Tooele High won 2002 3A played semi-pro ball for the San Diego Bordeleau (pronounced board-a-low) … Utah state football championship … team Waves of the NWBL ... enjoys hunting one sibling … enjoys wakeboarding and captain in football and basketball … also and camping … economics major … full snowboarding … psychology major … lettered in baseball and track … first- name is Jason Rostenbach Boone … born full name is Lance Tyler Bordeleau … team all-state and all-region in baseball April 20, 1984. born Sept. 17, 1986. as a junior and second-team all-state as a sophomore … honor roll.

2006 UTAH FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE • WWW.UTAHUTES.COM 59 UTE RETURNER PROFILES

PERSONAL: Son of Roger and Elaine PRIOR TO UTAH: Redshirted at Citrus also had a recovery and 2 pass Brady … oldest of eight children (7 boys College in 2004 … at Damien High break-ups … career-high 8 tackles vs. Air and 1 girl) … exercise and sport science (Calif.), he was first-team all-league in Force … 7 tackles, including a sack, and major … full name is Kyle Roger Brady both football and basketball … lettered 1 pass breakup against Georgia Tech in … born Nov. 7, 1984. three times in both sports … 45 catches Emerald Bowl win … 6 tackles against for 685 yards and 5 touchdowns as a both Wyoming and Brigham Young … YEAR G/GS UT AT TOT TFL SACK senior in 2003 … set the school record 5-tackle, 2-sack outing versus UNLV … 2004 12/0 5 15 20 0.5-0 0 2005 12/5 8 18 26 2.5-8 0.5-5 for longest reception (97 yards) … career also blocked a kick. Total 24/5 13 33 46 3.0-8 0.5-5 numbers were 61 receptions, 895 yards 2004–Played in 9 games, mostly for and 6 touchdowns … Damien High won special teams … 5 tackles (3 solo) … back-to-back league titles (2002-03) … QB sack for 5 yards against Utah State honor roll student all four years. … tallied 3 tackles vs. USU … also had a pair of tackles vs. UNLV … blocked a PERSONAL: Son of Fred and Susan kick in the Fiesta Bowl. Brown ... one sister … father is a coun- 2003–Redshirt. selor at LAUSD … cousin played for the NFL’s Washington Redskins … business HIGH SCHOOL: All-conference and major … born June 24, 1986. all-area … David Starr Jordan High (Calif.) team captain … lettered in three YEAR G/GS REC YDS AVG TD LONG sports … first person from his high 2005 4/0 2 43 21.5 0 37 school in 18 years to qualify for state track and field meet … student vice president of athletics.

93 PERSONAL: Son of Willie Burnett, MARTAIL BURNETT Jr. and Kristy Brewer … three brothers Defensive End … married to the former Misty Eby … 6-3, 252, Jr. political science major … full name is 2VL Martail Marta Burnett … first name is Los Angeles, Calif. pronounced mar-tell … born Jan. 10, David Starr Jordan HS 1985.

Junior linebacker Kyle Brady grabbed his first career YEAR G/GS UT AT TOT TFL SACK UTAH: All-conference candidate will 2004 9/0 3 2 5 1.0-5 1.0-5 interception against New Mexico in 2005. start for the second year at open end … 2005 12/8 22 31 53 7.0-28 3.5-18 outstanding athlete has the best vertical Total 21/8 25 33 58 8.0-33 4.5-23 jump on the team (40.5 inches) … began his career at safety, moving to defen- 88 sive end in spring of 2004 … gained 15 FREDDIE BROWN pounds from a Wide Receiver year ago while 6-3, 217, So. still maintaining 1VL his body composi- La Verne, Calif. tion. Citrus JC 2005–Played in all 12 games and started 8, includ- UTAH: In the eight-man rotation at wide ing the last 6, receiver, backing up at one of the four at open end … positions … late scholarship addition in 53 total tackles 2005 joined the team in August camp ranked fifth on the having already used his redshirt year … team and was the 36-inch vertical jump. most of the Ute 2005–Played in 4 games, making 2 defensive line- catches for 43 yards … long reception of men … recorded 37 yards against Wyoming … other catch 7 tackles for a loss for 6 yards came against New Mexico … and 3.5 sacks … academic all-MWC. Junior Martail Burnett is an all-conference candidate at defensive end.

60 2006 UTAH FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE • WWW.UTAHUTES.COM UTE RETURNER PROFILES

PERSONAL: Son of Charles Casteel and Jacqueline Broden … has three sisters … undergraduate studies major … full name is Brenton Casteel … born July 12, 1985.

YEAR G/GS REC YDS AVG TD LONG 2005 12/5 39 426 10.9 2 41

YEAR G/GS RUSH YDS AVG TD LONG 2005 12/5 35 208 5.9 1 59

66 ROBERT CONLEY Offensive Line 6-1, 310, So. 1VL La Marque, Texas La Marque HS

Sophomore Robert Conley (#66) is already an all-conference candidate at offensive guard. UTAH: Could be one of the conference’s best offensive guards as just a sophomore yard effort versus Air Force … 4 catches … slated to start at right guard … strong, for 77 yards against TCU … rushed for athletic player has enormous potential. 5 career-high 74 yards and a TD against 2005–Freshman played in all 12 games, BRENT CASTEEL Arizona … returned 4 kicks for 102 starting the last 5 at right guard … most Wide Receiver yards against San Diego State. of his 523 total plays came in the games 5-10, 193, So. 2004–Redshirt. he started … 9 pancake blocks and 7 1VL knockdowns … led Utes with 3 pancake San Francisco, Calif. blocks against Georgia Tech in Emerald Antioch HS HIGH SCHOOL: First-team all-league and all-conference … Antioch High Bowl victory … posted 2 knockdowns (Calif.) team captain … also lettered in against New Mexico and BYU. UTAH: Will start at receiver … also a basketball. 2004–Redshirt was named to the Utah threat to run with the ball … incredibly Athletics Academic Honor Roll. strong legs … 500-pound squat is best of the receivers and ranks sixth overall HIGH SCHOOL: First-team all-state, … has a great burst of speed … Athlon all-district and all-county as a senior in Sports named him its preseason first- 2003 … helped La Marque HS (Texas) team all-MWC kick returner and placed win 2003 4A Division II State Champi- him on the second team as a receiver. onship … 68 pancake blocks in 2003 … 2005–Honorable mention Freshman also lettered in power-lifting (465-pound All-American by The Sporting News … bench and 700-pound squat) … Who’s played in all 12 games and started in 5 Who Among Young Americans. … H-back’s 39 receptions ranked third on the team and 426 yards rated fourth PERSONAL: Son of Ezzard Conley and … 35 rushes for 208 yards … led team April Williams … two sisters (Christina and ranked fourth in the MWC with 20 and Chasmine) … undergraduate studies kickoff returns for 464 yards … averaged major … full name is Robert Blake Con- 10.9 yards per catch, 5.9 yards per rush, ley … born April 17, 1986. 23.2 yards per kick return and 91.5 all- purpose yards per game … 7 grabs for 46 yards and a score against UNLV … snagged 2 passes for 46 yards and score against New Mexico … had two games with 5 catches, including a 5-catch, 47- Sophomore WR Brent Casteel is a major talent.

2006 UTAH FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE • WWW.UTAHUTES.COM 61 UTE RETURNER PROFILES

PERSONAL: Son of Dr. James and PERSONAL: Son of Kenape and Ronda Dunn … father graduated from Tunufai Eliapo …both parents are in 19 USC, but played football and baseball at the ministry … one brother … name is DANNY COPINGA Wyoming … one brother … enjoys gui- pronounced ken-ah-pay, ee-lee-ah-po … Defensive Back tar … pre-business major … full name is enjoys singing and basketball … political 6-1, 197, Fr. Kevin Vrooman Dunn … born Jan. 24, science major … born Mar. 22, 1986. TR Salt Lake City 1987. Brigham Young

UTAH: Enrolled in school in the spring 31 and played his way into a possible role 92 CASEY EVANS on special teams … has five years to play KENAPE ELIAPO Defensive Back/LB four (attended BYU fall semester of 2005 Defensive Line 6-0, 200, Sr. 3VL but did not play football). 6-0, 290, Fr. RS Salt Lake City San Francisco, Calif. Olympus HS HIGH SCHOOL: First team all-state as So. San Francisco HS a senior and second team as a junior … National Football Foundation and Col- UTAH: Second-team all-MWC defen- lege Hall of Fame Scholar-Athlete Award UTAH: Came out of spring ball as the sive back a year ago will play both safety winner … Kava Bowl MVP as a junior No. 2 tackle and will make the game-day and linebacker this fall … plans have … led Skyline High (Utah) to football rotation … reminds coaches of a young him starting at strong safety in the nickel state championship in 1999 …. lettered Lauvale Sape (former Ute now playing formation and rover linebacker in the all four years in football and twice each for the Buffalo Bills) … made a quick 4-3 … will also see time at free safety … in basketball and track … member of transition to defensive line after playing originally joined Utah as a walk-on (he 4x100-meter regional championship linebacker in high school … big strength has since earned a scholarship) … Athlon relay team as a sophomore. gains. Sports picked him for its preseason all- 2005–Redshirt. MWC first team. PERSONAL: Son of Hyo and Charlotte 2005–Second-team all-MWC defensive Copinga … father wrestled for Ricks HIGH SCHOOL: First-team all-league back started all 12 games at free safety College … one of five siblings and the linebacker for South San Francisco HS … 5 was tied for league only son … full name is Daniel Haatje (Calif.) … conference player of the year. lead … 0.42 interceptions per game Copinga … born Sept. 14, 1984. ranked second in the MWC and 16th in the nation … 8 passes defended (5 picks,

14 KEVIN DUNN Quarterback 6-3, 220, Fr. RS Santa Barbara, Calif. Santa Barbara HS

UTAH: Talented redshirt freshman is playing behind three experienced upper- class quarterbacks. 2005–Redshirt.

HIGH SCHOOL: All-league in 2003-04 and 2004 all-county … Santa Barbara High (Calif.) MVP and team captain … set school passing record with 3,332 yards… does everything left handed except throw. Senior safety/linebacker Casey Evans looks to improve on his second-team all-conference honors from a year ago.

62 2006 UTAH FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE • WWW.UTAHUTES.COM UTE RETURNER PROFILES

3 pass breakups) was second on the team and Coaches award in 2003 … Oaks … 89 total tackles ranked second on the Christian High was the 2004 state cham- team and eighth in the MWC … also 62 pion and 2003 CIF champ … four-year record 4.0 tackles for a loss and 2.0 sacks KEPA GAISON letterman in both football and basketball … earned MWC Defensive Player of the Kicker/Punter … team was the 2002-03 CIF basket- 6-0, 208, Fr. Week honors twice: against Air Force ball champion … honor roll … home RS (12 tackles, 1 interception, 0.5 tackles for Kaneohe, Hawaii schooled until high school. loss) and BYU (career-high 13 tackles, The Kamehameha School forced fumble, fumble recovery) … PERSONAL: Son of Mike Giuliani … against BYU, he set up a critical score by one brother and one sister … undergradu- forcing a fumble, recovering the ball and UTAH: Walked on in fall of 2005 … ate studies major … full name is Joseph returning it 30 yards to the BYU 7-yard best shot at playing time is at punter … Michael Giuliani (pronounced jewell-ee- line … 9 tackles and an interception strong leg. an-nee) … born Mar. 7, 1986. against UNLV … 8 stops and an inter- 2005–Redshirt. ception vs. Arizona … 7 tackles at TCU and 6 vs. New Mexico. HIGH SCHOOL: First team all-state in 2004–Played in all 12 games … 36 total 2004 and a second-team honoree in 2003 tackles … 2.5 tackles for loss … sea- … punted and saw action on the offen- 81 son-high 6 tackles against Arizona and sive line … led Kamehameha to the Divi- BRADON GODFREY Colorado State … 5 solo tackles and 1 sion I state title in 2004 … lettered in Wide Receiver 6-3, 207, So. forced fumble vs. Arizona … 5 tackles football, track and soccer … honor roll. RS in season-opener vs. Texas A&M … 4 Layton, Utah tackles against North Carolina, includ- PERSONAL: Son of Blaine and Don- Southern Utah ing 1.5 tackles for a loss of 3 yards … 4 nalei Gaison … father is AD at Kame- stops versus Wyoming (3 unassisted) … hameha School and also played safety elected to the 2004 Utah Football Lead- for the (1981-84) … two UTAH: Outstanding spring camp … ership Committee. brothers and one sister … enjoys surfing goes into fall as the backup at one of the 2003–Special teams star played in 11 and music in spare time … name is pro- receiver positions … coaches expect him games … fumble recovery against BYU nounced Keppa Guy-son … full name is to contribute this year … walk-on. allowed Utes to run out the clock in a 3-0 Bart-Jonah Iokepa Gaison … born March 2005–Redshirt practiced with the scout victory … 5 total tackles included 4 solo. 20, 1987. teams last year but could not play per NCAA transfer rules. HIGH SCHOOL: First-team all-state in 2000-01 … region 5 MVP as senior PRIOR TO UTAH: Played as a fresh- in 2001 … 1,002 rushing yards, 22 man at Southern Utah (2004) and was touchdowns (16 rushing, 4 receiving), 69 11 named Great West Freshman of the tackles and 9 interceptions in 2001 … re- JOE GIULIANI Year … prepped at Layton HS (Utah) turned 2 interceptions for touchdowns … Linebacker … lettered three times each in football, 6-1, 201, Fr. played for Olympus High’s (Utah) 2001 basketball and track … two-time all-state RS region 5 championship team … also Simi Valley, Calif. and a three-time all-region honoree in lettered in basketball and lacrosse … all- Oaks Christian HS football … team captain … also all-state region in basketball in 2002 … Olympus in basketball and track … honor roll. was region hoop champ in 2000 … honor roll … Rice Athletic Scholarship. UTAH: Moved from safety to rover PERSONAL: Son of Kirk and Heidi linebacker in spring camp … expected to Godfrey … one brother and three sisters PERSONAL: Son of Terry and Kathy contribute on special teams. … full name is Bradon Cache Godfrey Evans … three brothers and two sisters 2005–Redshirt. … born Oct. 17, 1985. … behavioral science and health major … full name is Casey Matthews Evans HIGH SCHOOL: First-team all CIF … born April 26, 1984. and all-county as a junior and senior … three-time first-team all-league … YEAR G/GS UT AT TOT TFL INT FR Oaks Christian High (Calif.) co-MVP … 2003 11/0 4 1 5 0-0 0 1 2004 12/1 17 19 36 2.5-6 0 0 school record for career receptions (100), 2005 12/12 43 46 89 4.0-16 5 1 receiving yards (1,779) and interceptions Totals 35/13 64 66 130 6.5-22 5 2 (14) … 25 career receiving touchdowns, including 14 his senior year … won team’s “Hitter of the Year” award in 2004

2006 UTAH FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE • WWW.UTAHUTES.COM 63 UTE RETURNER PROFILES

8 63 85 TOMMY GRADY KYLE GUNTHER DREW HACKETT Quarterback Offensive Line Wide Receiver 6-7, 235, Jr. 6-4, 302, Jr. 6-3, 196, Sr. SQ SQ SQ Huntington Beach, Calif. Camarillo, Calif. Boise, Idaho Oklahoma Adolfo Camarillo HS Boise State

UTAH: Tall, big-armed Oklahoma UTAH: Came out of spring camp as the UTAH: Walked onto the team in 2005 transfer earned the No. 2 quarterback job starting center—a position he will try to with two years of eligibility remaining. in spring ball and is still in the picture retain in the fall … strong and mobile 2005–Played for the scout teams. to start come fall … joined the Utes the … benches 410 pounds and squats 560 week classes began in 2005 but could not pounds (third on the team). PRIOR TO UTAH: Attended Boise play in games per NCAA transfer rules 2005–Played in three games (Utah State, State … lettered in football, baseball, … has two years of eligibility remaining. Wyoming and Georgia Tech), mainly on basketball and track and field at Bishop 2005–Played for the scout teams as a special teams. Kelly High (Idaho) … member of the transfer. 2004–Played in seven games, including medley relay team that held the state three conference games … took part in a record … led baseball (2000) and track PRIOR TO UTAH: Played in five season-high 14 plays against UNLV … (2002) teams to state titles … member of games for Oklahoma in 2004 as Jason saw the field for 12 plays against North National Honor Society. White’s backup ... completed 12-of-14 Carolina, 8 plays against Utah State and (.923) pass attempts for 63 yards and 6 plays vs. Texas A&M. PERSONAL: Son of Kevin and Bec- 1 TD … was 8-9 passing vs. Houston 2003–Redshirt. cie Hackett … has an older brother who and also had a 9-yard rush … redshirt in plays baseball for Albertson College … 2003 … as a prep, he was rated the No. HIGH SCHOOL: Two-time all-league enjoys sports, snowboarding, wakeboard- 9 player (all positions) in California and … all-county senior year … Daily News ing and academics … pre-med major … No. 55 nationally by Rivals.com ... led all-area … Adolfo Camarillo High full name is Andrew Kevin Hackett … Edison High (Calif.) to the 2001 state School (Calif.) team captain … set born Sept. 12, 1984. championship and to the playoffs in 2002 school strength records in bench, clean ... passed for 2,474 yards—completing and squat … made high school Who’s 177-320 passes—and 15 touchdowns as Who of America … Golden State Excel- a senior ... threw for 2,791 yards and 33 lence Award … enjoys snowboarding, touchdowns to only 3 interceptions as surfing and guitar. a junior ... invited to the Elite 11 Quar- terback Camp in Mission Viejo, Calif., PERSONAL: Son of Keith and Tamara following his junior year. Gunther … father played football for Oregon and mother played volleyball for PERSONAL: Son of Larry and Christie UCLA … one brother … mass communi- Grady ... brother Jeff played quarterback cation major … full name is Kyle Coury at Fresno State for current Utah offensive Gunther … born June 26, 1985. coordinator Andy Ludwig … enjoys deep sea fishing and once caught a 400-pound marlin ... sociology major … born March 18, 1985.

YEAR G/GS ATT CMP IT PCT YDS TD LONG 2004* 5/0 14 12 0 .923 63 1 10 *at Oklahoma

Shaun Harper (see bio on following page) is pictured here intercepting a pass in Utah’s win over Georgia Tech in the 2005 Emerald Bowl.

64 2006 UTAH FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE • WWW.UTAHUTES.COM UTE RETURNER PROFILES

PERSONAL: Son of Jerry and La Tanya Harper … interested in becoming an en- 21 gineer or accountant … mother ran track 16 SHAUN HARPER for Chattanooga State … sociology major BRIAN HERNANDEZ Defensive Back … full name is Shunta Jerrell Harper … Wide Receiver 5-9, 180, Sr. born Aug. 12, 1984 in Tennessee. 6-0, 175, Sr. 3VL 1VL San Diego, Calif. Phoenix, Ariz. YEAR G/GS UT AT TOT TFL PBU Mission Bay HS 2003 12/5 14 15 29 0-0 5 Pima CC 2004 12//0 5 4 9 0-0 0 2005 12/3 12 7 19 1-1 2 UTAH: Backup left corner has a 35-inch Totals 36/8 31 26 57 1-1 7 UTAH: All-conference candidate … vertical jump. Utah’s top returning receiver is extremely 2005–Played in 12 games and made competitive, fast and sure-handed … 3 starts … 19 total tackles included runs great routes and is very tough to de- 12 solo… also had 2 pass breakups, 2 fend one-on-one … makes big gains after interceptions and 1 tackle for a loss… 65 the catch … missed spring ball following recorded a season-high 6 tackles, 4 of DUSTIN HENSEL ankle surgery on Jan. 5, but should be Offensive Line which were solo, and an interception at full strength by fall. 6-7, 322, So. UNLV … figured in on 4 tackles at BYU JC 2005–Overcame serious ankle injury … 3 tackles and an interception vs. Geor- La Palma, Calif. to play in 11 games and start in 5 … 39 gia Tech in the Emerald Bowl. Golden West CC receptions for 709 yards and 3 TDs … 2004–Saw the field in all 12 games … 9 39 receptions ranked third on the team, total tackles … season-high 3 stops vs. while 709 yards was second … aver- Utah State, all unassisted … 2 total tack- UTAH: Mid-year junior college transfer aged a team-best 18.2 yards per catch les vs. Wyoming and UNLV … elected participated in spring drills … will go … 100-yard games came against San to the 2004 Utah Football Leadership into fall as the backup right tackle. Diego State (career high 148 yards on 7 Committee. catches) and Colorado State (112 yards 2003–Played in every game and started PRIOR TO UTAH: Second-team on 3 catches) … 81 yards and 2 TDs vs. five (four at right corner and one at left all-Mission Conference in 2004 while Brigham Young … 79 yards and a TD corner) … started in the Liberty Bowl … playing for Golden West JC … one of his against Air Force … 8 receptions for 75 career-high 5 tackles vs. New Mexico … junior college coaches was former Ute yards on bum ankle in Emerald Bowl 4 tackles vs. Utah State and San Diego player and assistant coach Alex Gerke … win over Georgia Tech … had the two State … 5 pass breakups was tied for first-team all-Empire League in 2003 as a longest receptions of the year by a Ute, second-most on team … also played for senior at John F. Kennedy High (Cali- making a 60-yard catch vs. Air Force special teams … 29 total tackles. fornia) … earned three letters in football and a 56-yard grab vs. Colorado State … 2002–Redshirt. and two in basketball. returned 1 punt for 7 yards against UNLV … academic All-MWC. HIGH SCHOOL: First-team all-county PERSONAL: Son of Mitch Hensel and all-Western League … Mission Bay and Linda Fleming … youngest of four PRIOR TO UTAH: Began his col- High (Calif.) Most Improved Player in children … sister Kristy played softball lege career at Georgia Tech in the fall 2001 … Mission Bay was CIF Division at San Diego State and sister Traci played of 2002—leaving for family medical 3 champion in 2000 and 2001 … did not softball at Long Beach State … history reasons at the semester break …walked start playing football until high school major … full name is Dustin Jon Hensel on at Arizona State in spring of 2003 … … won CIF Sportsmanship/Citizenship … born Nov. 22, 1985. transferred to Pima Community College award … 2002 U.S. National Football in spring of 2004 and made first-team Award recipient … also lettered in track all-region, first-team all-conference and and baseball … recognized by Tau Beta honorable mention JC Gridwire All- Pi Engineering Society for getting one American … 50 receptions for 767 yards of nation’s best math scores on PSAT … and 8 touchdowns in the regular season U.S. Achievement Academy award for … prepped at Mountain Pointe High being a national math winner … chose School (Ariz.), where he was the four- Utah over Arizona ... Who’s Who Among time Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year American HS Students. … first-team all-region as a senior and second-team his junior year … all-around MVP at the University of Miami football camp following his junior year … Moun- tain Pointe’s team captain as a senior in

2006 UTAH FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE • WWW.UTAHUTES.COM 65 UTE RETURNER PROFILES

2002 … first-team all-region receiver and returner in 2002 and the Central Region Offensive Player of the Year … also 70 made the all-city, all-Southeast Valley JEREMY INFERRERA and all-Tribune teams as a senior … 5A Offensive Line 6-3, 296, Jr. state all-star team … set Mountain Pointe RS records for receptions in a season (49), Honolulu, Hawaii receiving yards in a season (699), career Hawaii receptions (75) and career receiving yards (1,233) … Hall of Fame Scholar Athlete … competed UTAH: Came out of spring ball as the for 2002 5A state champion track team No. 2 guy at both center and left tackle … on state champion 4x400-meter relay … opportunity to win the starting job at and runner-up 4x100-meter relay team center stalled in the spring when he hurt … Tempe City Outstanding Athlete of the thumb on his snapping hand, but he the Year … National Honor Society … will compete come fall … has quickness graduated 18th out of a class of 516 and agility. 2005–Redshirt transferred from Hawaii PERSONAL: Son of Julio and Karen in the fall and could practice but not play Hernandez … oldest of six children … in games per NCAA rules. sister Katie attends Arizona State and brother Scott plays football at Mesa PRIOR TO UTAH: Part-time starter Junior Joe Jiannoni will start at linebacker for the second Community College … business major for Hawaii from 2003-04 … one of only straight year, splitting his time between “mac” and rover. … full name is Brian Julio Hernandez … two true freshman starters on UH’s 2003 born April 13, 1984. team appeared in 13 games and started eight … in 2004, he played in 10 games, YEAR G/GS REC YDS AVG TD LONG starting five, at right tackle … recorded 2005 11/5 39 709 18.2 3 60 44 9 knockdowns in 2003 and 11 in 2004 JOE JIANNONI … 2003 graduate of St. Louis School in Linebacker Honolulu ... participated in football and 6-1, 235, Jr. track and field. … earned all-ILH and 1VL all-state honors … state medalist in the La Quinta, Calif. discus. La Quinta HS

PERSONAL: Son of parents are Mona and Colin Inferrera (pronounced in- UTAH: Could emerge as an all-confer- fur-air-a) … brother Daniel was a wide ence candidate … will start at middle receiver for Hawaii … also has a sister, linebacker in the 4-3 package and at Desiree … sociology major … born July either “mac” or rover when the Utes go 30, 1985. with the nickel formation … aggressive, active player … missed the last half of spring ball with a mid-foot sprain that should be fully healed by fall … fast (4.7 40), strong (385-pound bench press) and athletic (37.5-inch vertical jump). 2005–Played in all 12 games, starting the last 11 at middle linebacker … finished fourth on the team in total tackles with 73 … 2.5 tackles for a loss … assisted on 1 sack … career-high 9 tackles at TCU Senior Brian Hernandez is one of the best receivers in (8 solo) … had 8-tackle games against the Mountain West Conference. UNLV, New Mexico and BYU … turned in 7-tackle games against Utah State and San Diego State … recovered a fumble vs. Arizona.

66 2006 UTAH FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE • WWW.UTAHUTES.COM UTE RETURNER PROFILES

2004–Saw action in 8 games … 17 (surgery on Dec. 1) … finished No. 1 for 478 yards (3.1 yards per rush) … tackles, 4 solo and 13 assisted … 1.5 in the MWC and No. 4 in the nation in averaged 47.8 rushing yards per game tackles for losses 4 yards … season-best total offense (337.0 yards per game) … and led the Utes in rushing TDs (8) … 8 tackles vs. UNLV, including 1.5 for a also No. 1 in the MWC (11th in the na- rushed for 70-plus yards 3 times: 98 vs. loss of 4 yards … 3 tackles each against tion) in pass efficiency (151.0) … No. 2 North Carolina, 73 vs. UNLV and 70 vs. Texas A&M and Utah State. in the MWC in passing yards per game Utah State … MWC Offensive Player of 2003–Redshirt. (289.2 average) … completed 63.6% of the Week against Wyoming completed his passes (210-of-330) for 2,892 yards 32-of-45 passes for 384 yards and 4 HIGH SCHOOL: Three-time all-Desert and 18 touchdowns … 7 interceptions touchdowns, and also led Utah in rushing Valley League (first-team in 2001) … was tied for the fewest of any MWC QB with 67 yards and a TD.… tossed 3 TDs 2001 all-CIF … La Quinta High School ... four 300-yard passing games: 417 and passed for 264 yards in a 20-of-29 (Calif.) Most Valuable Linebacker in yards vs. San Diego State, 384 yards performance against UNLV … complet- 2001, Most Valuable Offensive Back in vs. Wyoming, 370 vs. New Mexico and ed 21-of-29 passes for 305 yards and 2 2002 and team MVP in 2002 … La Quin- 305 yards vs. Air Force … 4 TD passes scores against Air Force (also rushed for ta won Division VIII CIF and Desert Val- against Wyoming and New Mexico tied 3 scores) … rushed for a career-high 98 ley League championships in 2000 and the Mountain West Conference sopho- yards, scoring 1 TD, on 22 carries against 2001 … also wrestled … National Honor more record also held by former Utes North Carolina … 5-5 as the starter … Society … President’s Award. academic All-MWC. 2004–True freshman appeared in 10 PERSONAL: Son of Michael and games as the backup to 2005 No. 1 NFL Tracey Jiannoni (pronounced jee-a-no- draft pick and Heisman Trophy finalist nee) … three brothers and one sister … Alex Smith … scored 2 touchdowns (1 sociology major … full name is Joseph rushing, 1 passing) … pass efficiency Michael Jiannoni … born Dec. 27, 1984. of 129.7 … passed for a career-best 53 yards and 1 touchdown on 5-of-8 passing YEAR G/GS UT AT TOT TFL INT vs. Utah State … 2-for-2 vs. San Diego 2004 8/0 4 13 17 1.5-4 0 2005 12/11 34 39 73 2.5-12 0.5-5 State with a season-long 33-yard pass Total 20/11 38 52 90 4.0-16 0 … 2-for-2 for 40 yards and a 20-yard completion vs. North Carolina … rushed for a season-best 55 yards and a TD vs. Colorado State … academic All-MWC 3 … also named to the Utah Athletics Aca- BRIAN JOHNSON demic Honor Roll. Quarterback 6-1, 205, Jr. HIGH SCHOOL: First-team all-district QB Brian Johnson was second-team all-MWC in 2005. 2VL and second-team all-state quarterback for Baytown, Texas Robert E. Lee High (Texas) … District Robert E. Lee HS Brett Elliott (2002) and Alex Smith MVP … passed for 2,900 yards and 33 (2003) … broke the school and tied the touchdowns and rushed for 540 yards MWC single-game record for completion and 12 touchdowns in 2003 … com- UTAH: Returning starter hopes to be percentage in just his second career start, pleted 71.6% of his pass attempts … also completely recovered from December completing 85.7% of his pass attempts lettered in basketball. knee surgery by fall camp … limited (18-of-21) against Utah State on Sept. 10 to throwing drills in the spring but will … made Utah’s single-season top 10 in PERSONAL: Son of Stacey and Shonna compete for the starting job come fall … these categories: 200-yard passing games Johnson … father played football for extremely efficient passer has a strong, (10, tied for second), 300-yard passing UTEP … two sisters, Bianca and Britte- accurate arm and good running ability … games (4, No. 4, tie), total offense per ny, play basketball … mass communica- demonstrated leadership and poise as a game (337.0, No. 2), total yards (3,370, tion major … full name is Brian Delance first-year starter … 3,604 passing yards No. 4), total plays (482, No. 4), pass Johnson … born Feb. 16, 1987. ranks 11th in Utah’s career record books efficiency (151.01, No. 5), yards per and his four career 300-yard games is completion (8.76, No. 5), yards per play YEAR G/GS ATT CMP IT PCT YDS TD LONG tied for fifth … 149.73 career passing (6.99, No. 6), completions (210, No. 6), 2004 10/0 21 14 1 66.7 142 1 33 efficiency currently ranks second.. completion percentage (63.6, No. 6), 2005 10/10 330 210 7 63.6 2892 18 60 Total 20/10 351 224 8 63.8 3034 19 60 2005–Second-team all-conference touchdown passes (18, No. 7), passing quarterback started in the first 10 games yards (2,892, No. 7), passing yards per YEAR G/GS RUSH YARDS AVG. TD LONG before suffering a season-ending knee game (289.2, No. 5) … team’s second- 2004 10/0 21 92 4.4 1 16 injury against New Mexico on Nov. 12 2005 10/10 152 478 3.1 8 26 leading rusher carried the ball 152 times Total 20/10 173 570 3.3 9 26

2006 UTAH FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE • WWW.UTAHUTES.COM 67 UTE RETURNER PROFILES

against San Diego State … 3 tackles 2005–Played in 7 games, starting 2 … against Colorado State. 12 carries for 28 total yards … also had 80 2 receptions for 4 yards … 5 carries for CHRIS JOPPRU PRIOR TO UTAH-First-team all-Mis- 14 yards against Wyoming … starts came Tight End sion Conference while at Palomar JC … against Wyoming (6 yards) and North 6-6, 246, Fr. Palomar was the 2003 Mission Confer- Carolina (4 yards). RS Minnetonka, Minn. ence co-champion … prepped at Castle 2004–Redshirt was named to the Utah Minnetonka HS High School (Hawaii)—the 2002 state Athletics Academic Honor Roll. runner-up and OIA champion …first- 2003–Played in nine games and started team all-state and Hawaii all-star … also three … broke his collarbone in first UTAH: Size and pass-catching skills lettered in basketball. quarter against Wyoming on Nov. 15 and could earn him playing time at tight end.. missed season finale against BYU … true 2005–Redshirt. PERSONAL: Son of Joe and Sue Lefiti freshman began season as the backup but … sociology (criminology) major … stepped in as the starter with four games HIGH SCHOOL: All-state, all-confer- name is pronounced so-lee la-fee-tee … remaining in the regular season when ence, all-metro … as a senior in 2004, born Apr. 2, 1985. former Ute Brandon Warfield was injured had 47 receptions for 725 yard and 6 … career-best 81 yards on 13 carries vs. TDs … led Minnetonka High (Minn.) to YEAR G/GS UT AT TOT TFL SACK UNM … 47 yards and 2 touchdowns the class 5A state championship … team 2005 11/6 10 14 24 3.5-15 1.0-10 vs. Air Force … 42 total carries for 207 also won Classic Lake Conference and yards and 3 TDs … 4.9 yards per carry sectional title … also lettered in track and was best of U. running backs … also had basketball … basketball team captain and 3 receptions for 25 yards and 1 kickoff Most Improved Player. return for 25 yards.

PERSONAL: Son of Sheldon and Kay HIGH SCHOOL: First-team all-CIF Joppru … father played basketball and Southern Section in 2001-02 … 2002 Di- football at North Dakota and later played vision VI CIF-SS Offensive Player of the in the World Football League … brother Year … Orange County Register 2002 Bennie was an All-America tight end at Offensive Player of the Year … 2002 Michigan and a second-round draft pick L.A. Times Back of the Year … 2002 Sky of the Houston Texans … brother J.J. View Conference Offensive MVP … lettered two years at Arizona … under- all-league three years … fourth-leading graduate studies major … full name is all-time rusher in Orange County history Christopher Mark Joppru … born Feb. 6, (5,699 yards) … set Foothill High School 1987. (Calif.) records in single season rush- ing yards (2,344), career rushing yards (5,699), single-season touchdowns (33) and career touchdowns (78) … player of 97 Soli Lefiti is projected to start at end again this fall. the week 10 times in his career … once SOLI LEFITI had 99-yard touchdown run. Defensive Line 6-4, 265, Sr. PERSONAL: Son of the late Kolotolu 1VL and Seini Liti (pronounced litty) … three Kaneohe, Hawaii 20 brothers and one sister … interested in MIKE LITI Palomar CC Polynesian culture and dance … mass Running Back 5-10, 215, Jr. communication major … full name is Maikolo Liti … born May 7, 1984. UTAH: Pegged to start at end for the 2VL second straight year … missed spring Santa Ana, Calif. Foothill HS YEAR G/GS RUSH YDS AVG TD LONG drills after January shoulder surgery but 2003 9/3 42 207 4.9 3 32 will be full strength by fall. 2005 7/2 12 28 2.3 0 6 Total 16/5 54 235 4.4 3 32 2005–Played in 11 games, starting the UTAH: Came out of spring ball as the last six … 24 total tackles, includes 3.5 co-backup running back … career has for a loss and 1.0 sacks … defended 2 been plagued by injuries … strong and passes … career-high 10 tackles, with agile …along with his running skills, he 1 sack, against New Mexico … made is a good blocker and can also catch the 4 stops and assisted on a tackle for loss ball out of the backfield.

68 2006 UTAH FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE • WWW.UTAHUTES.COM UTE RETURNER PROFILES

PERSONAL: Raised by grandparents Larry and Fairleigh Moore … enjoys deep sea fishing and golf … pre-business 54 major … first name is pronounced der-ell TAYLOR MILLER … born Oct. 10, 1986. Linebacker 6-1, 222, Jr. YEAR G/GS RUSH YARDS AVG TD LONG 2VL 2005 9/0 39 147 3.8 0 18 Las Vegas, Nev. Cimarron HS

UTAH: Backup rover linebacker expects 1 to get his first significant playing time for BRICE MCCAIN the defense this season after two years Defensive Back spent primarily on special teams. 5-9, 180, So. 2005–Played in 8 games, mostly on spe- 1VL cial teams … 3 total tackles … 2 tackles Terrell, Texas in Emerald Bowl win over Georgia Tech Terrell HS … other tackle came against Wyoming. 2004–Played 10 games, mostly on special teams … 2 assisted tackles for UTAH: Team’s fastest player (4.32 40) Sophomore Darrell Mack is one of three returners battling the season … figured in on one stop in … leading candidate to start at right cor- for the starting job at running back. each the Texas A&M and Colorado State ner … 36-inch vertical jump … athletic games … academic all-MWC. player is a true man-to-man cover corner. 2003–Redshirt. 2005–Appeared in 10 games with 1 start … 12 total tackles included 10 solo stops 12 HIGH SCHOOL: 1998 and … season-high 5 tackles (4 solos) against DARRELL MACK ‘99 Defensive Player of Year ... USA Colorado State … 2 tackles against Utah Running Back Today honorable mention All-American State, San Diego State and Brigham 6-0, 216, So. ... first-team all-state and all-conference 1VL Young … academic all-MWC. ... 114 tackles, 3 interceptions and 1 TD Spring Valley, Calif. as senior at Cimarron High (Nev.) ... 14 Monte Vista HS HIGH SCHOOL: All-state and all-area tackles in 1999 state championship game … all-district as a running back and de- ... Cimarron was state 4A champ in 1998- fensive back … county and Terrell High UTAH: Loads of ability … co-backup 99 ... lettered two years in football and (Texas) MVP … played cornerback, wide running back in spring ball. four years in track ... scholar athlete. receiver and running back and returned 2005–Played in 9 games … 39 rushes for punts and kickoffs … also lettered in 147 yards … averaged 3.8 yards per rush PERSONAL: Son of Larry and Rhonda basketball and track … ran 100 meters … also caught 3 passes for 13 yards … Miller ... both parents attended BYU ... in 10.3 seconds … on 400 meter relay rushed for a career-high 65 yards on 16 father played football for BYU and St. team that placed second in the state (40.6 touches against Wyoming … 36 yards on Louis Cardinals of the NFL ... enjoys seconds) … son of Darrell Brockins and 9 carries against Utah State … went 23 outdoor sports ... business major … full Tammie McCain … has six siblings and yards on 6 rushes against Georgia Tech name is Taylor Stewart Miller ... born two stepbrothers … brothers Tony and in Emerald Bowl … caught 2 passes for a July 8, 1981. Ricky play college basketball … under- career-high 9 yards against Wyoming. graduate studies major … born Dec. 10, YEAR G/GS UT AT TOT TFL PBU 1986. 2004 10/0 0 2 2 0-0 0 PRIOR TO UTAH: First-team all-state, 2005 8/0 2 1 3 0-0 0 all-CIF and all-league as a senior in 2004 YEAR G/GS UT AT TOT TFL SACK PBU Total 18/0 2 3 5 0-0 0 … East County MVP and Union Tribune 2005 10/1 10 2 12 0 0 0 first team … rushed 247 times for 2,452 yards and 27 touchdowns in 2004 … as a junior, he made first-team all-CIF and all-league and was East County Rookie of the Year … MVP of the CIF Cham- pionship after rushing 52 times for 254 yards … 2003 season rushing totals: 237 attempts for 1,626 yards.

2006 UTAH FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE • WWW.UTAHUTES.COM 69 UTE RETURNER PROFILES

single-game records for touchdowns (5), rushing yards (313) and carries (20) … 22 42 Carlsbad made the C.I.F. North County MALAKAI MOKOFISI PATE MOLENI Division I finals from 1999-01. Linebacker Tight End 6-2, 228, Jr. 6-3, 264, So. PERSONAL: Son of George and Sue 1VL SQ Laie, Hawaii West Valley City, Utah Molifua … father played football at Kailua HS Hunter HS Southern Utah … three sisters … in- terested in music production … under- graduate studies major … last name is UTAH: Goes into fall as the backup stud UTAH: Blossomed into a player to pronounced mo-lee-foo-a … full name linebacker … one-time walk-on has since watch in the spring when he moved from is George Taaga Molifua …born Jan. 25, earned a scholarship … came to Utah as defensive line to tight end … made some 1984 in Oceanside, Calif. a safety. impressive grabs in practice in spring 2005–Saw action in 4 games and made 3 ball. starts … 15 total tackles … career-high 7 2005–Saw action on special teams in the tackles with 1 for loss against Arizona … first four games of the season. 4 assisted tackles, including two shared 2004–Redshirt. 64 tackles for loss, vs. Utah State … 3 tack- CLINT MOWER les against TCU. HIGH SCHOOL: First-team all-state as Long Snapper/DB 6-0, 192, So. 2004–Appeared in 8 games … 8 stops, 5 a senior in 1999 ... Hunter High (Utah) JC solo and three assisted … made 5 stops team captain ... lettered twice in football Alpine, Utah vs. Utah State, 4 of which were unas- and track. Dixie State College sisted and one for a loss of 2 yards … 2 tackles vs. UNLV and a solo tackle vs. PERSONAL: Son of Fisi and Liahona New Mexico. Moleni (pronounced Mo-lenny) ... both UTAH: Walked on to the team in the 2003–Redshirt. parents went to BYU ... has four sisters spring of 2006 and earned the backup job and six brothers ... brothers Fisi (1996- at long snapper. HIGH SCHOOL: Second-team all-state 99) and Stan (2001) both lettered for in 2001 … 2002 Kailua (Hawaii) team Utah … married (Krisann) … enjoys PRIOR TO UTAH: Transfer from captain … Kailua won 2001 Oahu Inter- singing and music ... political science Dixie State College … played in NJCAA scholastic Association championship. major … first name is pronounced Pot- National Championship, the 2003 Dixie tay... full name is Alipate Mauriri Moleni Rotary Bowl … lettered four times in PERSONAL: Son of Alifeleti and ... born Oct. 29, 1982 in Hamilton, New football and baseball at Lone Peak High Pelenaise Mokofisi (pronounced moko- Zealand. (Utah) … named second team all-state fee-see)… father played football for in 2002 … team captain … helped Lone Eastern Arizona … raised by his paternal Peak to 2002 regional title and state grandparents in Hawaii … three sisters championship berth … honor roll student and one brother … uncle Filipo Mokofisi starred for Utah in the mid-1980s and 46 PERSONAL: Son of Douglas and Jody was drafted in the eighth round by New GEORGE MOLIFUA DoHan Mower … one of seven siblings Orleans in 1986 … enjoys body board- H-Back … born Nov. 2, 1984. 5-10, 213, Fr. ing and spear fishing … sociology major HS … full name is Malakai Cliff Mokofisi Oceanside, Calif. … first name is pronounced Mal-a-ky … Carlsbad HS born June 24, 1985.

YEAR G/GS UT AT TOT TFL PBU UTAH: Originally signed with Utah as 2004 8/0 5 3 8 1.0-2 0 2005 4/3 5 10 15 2.0-6 0 a fullback in 2002 but went on an LDS Totals 12/3 10 13 23 3.0-5 0 church mission … enrolled in classes in January 2006 as a mid-year freshman … participated in spring drills when he was moved from fullback to H-back.

HIGH SCHOOL: First-team all-county as a senior in 2001 … Carlsbad High (Calif.) Offensive MVP … set school

70 2006 UTAH FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE • WWW.UTAHUTES.COM UTE RETURNER PROFILES

56 37 3 GREG NEWMAN LOMA OLEVAO JOHN PEEL Defensive Line Linebacker Defensive Back 6-4, 260, So. 6-1, 232, Jr. 6-2, 196, So. SQ 1VL SQ Thousand Oaks, Calif. Kahuku, Hawaii Scottsdale, Ariz. Colorado Kahuku HS Chaparral HS

UTAH: Joined Utes as a walk-on transfer UTAH: Versatile enough to play both UTAH: Moved from receiver to safety from Colorado in fall of 2005 … could middle and rover linebacker and will midway through spring camp and practice but not play due to NCAA trans- back up at both positions … has shown cracked the two-deep at both free and fer rules … has three years of eligibility steady improvement since moving to the strong safety … strong (benches 320 remaining. defense a year ago … tried out receiver pounds, squats 425). and tight end before crossing the line … 2005–Saw action in first five games of PRIOR TO UTAH: Redshirted at signed with Utah in 2000 before leaving the season and in the Emerald Bowl, Colorado in 2004 … in high school, he for LDS church mission. all on special teams … 3 tackles for the was named a PrepStar All-American and 2005–Played in 9 games, mostly on spe- year, including 2 solo stops against TCU all-West, as well as SuperPrep all-Far cial teams … 3 tackles included 2 stops and an assisted tackle against Utah State. West … Defensive Player of the Year against Utah State and 1 tackle against 2004–Redshirt injured knee in preseason for Ventura County and the Marmonte Wyoming. camp and underwent surgery … named League … twice named first-team all- 2004–Played for the scout teams … to the Utah Athletics Academic Honor CIF, all-Marmonte League and all-Ven- made the Dean’s List and named to the Roll. tura County … second team all-league Utah Athletics Academic Honor Roll. honoree as a sophomore … MVP of the 2003–Redshirt. HIGH SCHOOL: Two-time first-team CIF Championships, when he had 14 all-region and all-state … Junior All- tackles, 2 for loss, and an interception HIGH SCHOOL: Lettered from 1998- American in 2002 … Super All-State … had 115 tackles his senior season … 99 for Kahuku High (Hawaii) ... honor team … N.E. Valley Player of the Year three-year starter on defense for Westlake roll. … set state records for most touchdowns HS (Calif.) also played some fullback in a career (40) … holds every receiving … helped Westlake reach the state finals PERSONAL: Son of Fakaloloma and record at Chaparral High (Ariz.) … as a twice, going 14-0 and winning the title Akanesi Olevao (pronounced Oh-lay- senior, had 55 receptions for 1,180 yards his senior year. vow) ... brother of former Ute all-confer- and 19 TDs … career stats included 145 ence linebacker Kautai Olevao ... sociol- receptions, 2,700 yards and 40 TDs … PERSONAL: Son of Terry and Yvonne ogy major … full name is Fakaloloma Chaparral was 2002 Arizona 4A state Newman … hobbies include snowboard- Isosefina Olevao ... born Dec. 24, 1981. ing, cars and computers … attained the Star rank in Boy Scouts … second YEAR G/GS UT AT TOT TFL PBU cousin, Jentry Beckstead, pitches in the 2005 9/0 2 1 3 0-0 0 Colorado Rockies farm system … pre- business major … born Feb. 1, 1986.

John Peel will wear No. 3 this year after switching from receiver to free safety in the spring.

2006 UTAH FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE • WWW.UTAHUTES.COM 71 UTE RETURNER PROFILES champion … team made 4A state semi- PERSONAL: Son of Glen and Stacey finals and was East Sky region champ in Pettit ... married (Allana) … enjoys water 2003. and snow skiing ... sociology major … 9 full name is Eric Steele Pettit ... born DARRYL POSTON PERSONAL: Son of Dan and Claudia Mar. 31, 1983. Running Back 5-11, 197, Sr. Peel … father played football and mother 1VL played tennis and track at Northern Il- Huntington Beach, Calif. linois … mother now runs marathons … USC sister Jamie is a student at Arizona State … business major … full name is Jona- thon Daniel Peel … born May 9, 1986 in UTAH: Goes into fall camp as the start- Bloomington, Ind. ing running back … had a great spring … received a medical extension from the NCAA after the 2005 season … fast- est Ute running back (4.5 40) …37.5” vertical jump ranks fourth on the team 75 … transfer from Southern Cal arrived on ERIC PETTIT campus in May of 2004 and, because of Offensive Line past injuries, received a waiver from the 6-4, 305, Sr. NCAA that would have allowed him to 2VL West Jordan, Utah play immediately had he not gotten hurt West Jordan HS (knee). 2005–Played in 7 games, recording 6 rushes for 19 yards (3.2 average) … 4 UTAH: Playing status hinges depend on touches for 14 yards against Wyoming … recovery from back injury that kept him season-best 9-yard run against Wyoming out of spring ball … can play both guard … also played on special teams … let- spots … signed with Utah in 2001 but Senior Eric Pettit started in seven games last year and tered. did not enroll in school until 2002 spring can play both offensive guard positions. 2004–Played in one game before suf- semester. fering a season-ending knee injury that 2005–Started the first 7 games at right required surgery … saw action in season- guard and played in 11 total … 4 pancake opener vs. Texas A&M (1 carry for 3 blocks and 9 knockdowns … tallied a yards). season high 3 knockdowns in 33 plays 33 against Wyoming … had knockdowns BRADY PHILLIPS PRIOR TO UTAH: Played in four against Air Force and CSU, earning an Running Back games at USC as a true freshman in 80% grade against CSU. 5-10, 192, Fr. 2001, rushing 8 times for 16 yards and HS 2004–Played in 8 games and started 3 at 1 TD … also caught a 10-yard pass … Provo, Utah left guard … 6 knockdowns in 186 plays Utah Valley State sprained his knee and missed four games … on the field for 62 plays in the first six before returning for 2001 Las Vegas games but played in 57 vs. UNLV … had Bowl against Utah, when he rushed 3 a season-best 3 “knockdowns” for a 75% UTAH: Walked on to the team in the times for 12 yards … played in the first grade against UNLV … 50 plays and a spring of 2006 … could potentially play three games of 2002, rushing 4 times for 90% grade vs. San Diego State … 87% on special teams. minus 2 yards and a touchdown before a grade on 17 plays against Colorado State season-ending back injury … because his … 2 “knockdowns” against Utah State. PRIOR TO UTAH: Attended both Snow injury happened so early in the season, 2003–Played against San Diego State College and Utah Valley State College, he was able to redshirt … as a senior at and Wyoming … graded out at 100% on but did not play football … all-state and Edison High (Calif.) in 2000, he was 3 plays vs. SDSU and at 75% on 6 plays team captain at Timpview High (Utah) named a Super Prep All-American, Prep vs. Wyoming. … rushed for 1,600 yards and 28 TDs Star All-American, Super Prep all-Far 2002–Redshirt. in 2001 … lettered three times each in West and Prep Star all-Western Region football and track … honor roll student player … also named to Long Beach HIGH SCHOOL: All-state and all- as a senior. Press Telegram Best of the West first region ... earned three letters at West team and all-CIF Division I … rushed Jordan High (Utah) ... team captain two PERSONAL: Son of Kevin and Linda 263 times for 1,619 yards (6.2 average) years. Phillips … one of five siblings … born with 20 TDs and had 280 receiving yards Feb. 4, 1984. with 2 TDs in 2000, when Edison went

72 2006 UTAH FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE • WWW.UTAHUTES.COM UTE RETURNER PROFILES

10-3 … in 1999, he rushed for 1,800 Cubs and is now a baseball scout … one was 1-of-4 passing for 21 yards and an yards and 29 TDs, with 12 receptions for brother, John, plays baseball for Florida interception (0-1 vs. Utah State, 0-0 vs. 339 yards … his career rushing totals set Marlins … undergraduate studies major Wyoming, 1-3 for 21 yards and 1 inter- a new school record: 3,419 yards and 29 … nickname is “Pooch” … full name is ception vs. New Mexico). touchdowns … also sprinted for Edison’s Alexander Richard Puccinelli … born track team, finishing fifth in the 100 me- Mar. 26, 1985. PRIOR TO UTAH-All-conference ters at the 2000 CIF Division I meet. in 2004 … set Butte College career YEAR G/GS UT AT TOT TFL PBU touchdown record (41) … MVP of 2003 2004 5/0 0 3 3 0 0 PERSONAL: Son of Darryl Poston Sr. 2005 12/3 4 3 7 1.0-5 0 Tri-Counties Bank Holiday Bowl, which and Jonnica Whitney … economics ma- Totals 17/3 4 6 10 1.0-5 0 Butte won … also played in 2004 bowl jor … full name is Darryl Michael Poston game … attended high school at Chico … born Aug. 8, 1983. High (Calif.) … all-conference … Chico HS team captain and Offensive Player of YEAR G/GS RUSH YDS AVG TD LONG the Year … set school records for aver- 2001* 4/0 8 16 2.0 1 9 2002* 3/0 4 -2 -0.5 1 - 15 age passing yards per game (249.0) and 2004 1/0 1 3 3.0 0 3 BRETT RATLIFF single-game attempts (56) and comple- 2005 7/0 6 19 3.2 0 9 Quarterback tions (36) … Chico High was conference Totals 15/0 19 36 1.8 2 9 6-4, 224, Sr. champ in 1999 and 2000 *at USC 1VL Chico, Calif. Butte College PERSONAL: Son of Gaylon and Karen Ratliff … married to the former Shailey Christensen … father played football and 45 UTAH: No. 1 quarterback in the spring ran track for Cal Poly Pomona … sociol- ALEX PUCCINELLI will go into fall camp as the co-favor- ogy major … nickname is Ratty … born Defensive End ite to win the starting job … 2-0 as the Aug. 8, 1985. 6-1, 245, Jr. starter (wins over BYU and Georgia Tech 1VL in the Emerald Bowl) … good downfield YEAR G/GS ATT CMP IT PCT YDS TD LONG 2005 5/2 77 48 2 62.3 642 8 48 Toluca Lake, Calif. thrower and decision maker can also hurt Notre Dame HS teams with his running … has deceptive speed … extremely confident and poised UTAH: Backup at open end … has expe- under pressure. rience as a part-time starter … will also 2005–Led Utah to its two biggest vic- contribute on special teams. tories of the season after assuming the 2005–Played in 12 games and had 3 starting job in game 11 … in his first starts at open end … 7 total tackles … re- game as the starter, he led Utah to an corded 2 stops each in the TCU and San upset victory over BYU in overtime … Diego State games … tackle for a loss of second win came against Georgia Tech 5 yards against TCU … lettered. in the Emerald Bowl … named MWC 2004–Appeared in 5 games and made 3 Offensive Player of the Week for his assisted tackles … figured in on stops vs. performance against BYU, completing Texas A&M, Utah State and UNLV … 17-of-32 passes for 240 yards and 4 TDs, elected to the Utah Football Leadership while rushing for 112 yards (5.9 average) Committee. and a score … set Emerald Bowl and 2003–Redshirt. Utah bowl records for completions (30), passing yards (381) and touchdowns (4) HIGH SCHOOL: All-state … MVP of against Georgia Tech … completed 73% San Fernando Valley … Mission League of his passes against Georgia Tech (30- MVP and Defensive Player of the Year 41) … in his two games as the starter, … over 100 tackles and 23 sacks as se- he was 47-73 (64.4%) for 621 yards nior in 2002 … Notre Dame High School (310.5 average), 8 touchdowns and just (Calif.) team captain … also lettered in 1 turnover (an interception) … season baseball … academic all-CIF. passing stats for five games: 48-of-77 for 642 yards and 8 TDs (2 interceptions) … Brett Ratliff is a strong candidate to start at quarterback this season. The senior is 2-0 as Utah’s starter. PERSONAL: Son of Pat and Ronnie season rushing stats: 22 carries for 101 Puccinelli … father played baseball yards (4.6 average) and 1 TD … in the for University of Arizona and Chicago 3 games he saw action as the backup, he

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single-season records for total yards PERSONAL: Son of Don Richards … (1,666), touchdowns (22) and rush- father graduated from Utah State … one 59 ing TDs (21) … lettered three years in sister … married (Jessica) … econom- BRENT RAWLINGS football. ics major … full name is Derrek Adams Punter Richards … born Dec. 12, 1983. 5-7, 171, Jr. PERSONAL: Son of Reynold T. and 1VL Sandra Rice ... two brothers and one YEAR G/GS REC YDS AVG TD LONG Sandy, Utah 2004 11/0 2 53 26.5 0 33 Alta HS sister ... father graduated from Utah ... 2005 12/6 16 239 14.9 4 52 full name is Reynold J. Rice ... born Sept. Totals 23/6 18 292 16.2 4 52 14, 1984. UTAH: Backup punter. 2005–Played in 2 games, totaling 7 punts … averaged 36 yards per punt with a long of 47 at UNLV … put 2 punts inside the 20 … career-high 6 punts against 26 New Mexico (34.2 yard average). DERREK RICHARDS 2004–Played for the scout teams … Wide Receiver 5-11, 175, Jr. named to the Utah Athletics Academic 2VL Honor Roll. American Fork, Utah 2003–Redshirt. American Fork HS

HIGH SCHOOL: Lettered in football and baseball at Alta High (Utah) … UTAH: Starting receiver came to Utah as honor roll and Honor Society. a walk-on but has since earned a scholar- ship … is also on the first-string kickoff PERSONAL: Son of Bill and Sallie return team … second-fastest Ute (and Rawlings … both parents are attorneys fastest receiver) runs a 4.4 40 … best on and graduates of Long Beach State … the team in spring agility tests. sister Brittany is a cheerleader for Juan 2005–Played in 12 games and started the Speedy Derrek Richards is slated to start at both receiver Diego Catholic High School … sociol- last 6 … 16 catches for 239 yards and 4 and on the kick return team. ogy major … full name is Brent Daniel TDs … averaged 14.9 yards per catch Rawlings … born Mar. 17, 1985. …career-best 87 yards (2 TDs) against New Mexico … career-long 52-yard YEAR G/GS NO YDS AVG LONG I20 catch against New Mexico … 7 kick- 2005 2/0 7 252 36.0 47 2 24 off returns for 151 yards … returned 2 KYLER RUSHTON kickoffs for 50 yards at Brigham Young Linebacker … returned 3 kicks in Emerald Bowl for 6-0, 203, Fr. 61 yards, including a career-long 28 yard RS return. Las Vegas, Nev. 83 Cimarron HS RJ RICE 2004–Saw action in 11 games … totaled Defensive Back 93 all-purpose yards … made 2 catches 5-8, 187, So. for 53 yards … caught a pass for 33 UTAH: Moved from safety to linebacker TR yards vs. San Diego State and for 20 in the spring … signed with Utah in 2001 Salt Lake City yards vs. North Carolina … also returned before leaving for a LDS church mission Southern Utah a kick for 40 yards against Utah State … (enrolled in school in January 2004). 1 rush for no gain vs. UNC. 2005–Redshirt suffered ACL injury in 2003–Redshirt. UTAH: Walked on to the team in spring fall camp. of 2006 and established himself as a HIGH SCHOOL: Scored 12 touch- potential special teams player … transfer HIGH SCHOOL: All-state and all-con- downs as a senior at American Fork High is eligible to play immediately. ference junior and senior years (1999-00) (Utah) in 2002 … set school 100-meter ... 2000 conference defensive MVP ... record (10.7 seconds) … track team cap- PRIOR TO UTAH: Attended Southern Gatorade Nevada player of the year ... tain finished second at state champion- Utah in 2003 before leaving for an LDS Cimarron High (Nevada) team captain ... ships in 100- and 200-meter dashes. church mission … first team all-state and school record for most interceptions ... all-region in high school … Olympus played for state champion team in 1998 High (Utah) team captain … set school and ’99.

74 2006 UTAH FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE • WWW.UTAHUTES.COM UTE RETURNER PROFILES

PERSONAL: Son of Stephen and Kel- PERSONAL: Son of Dale and Cindy ley Rushton ... father graduated from Sampson ... father played football at Utah State (mother also attended USU) ... Southern Utah ... married (Patrice) … undergraduate studies major … full name enjoys hunting and fishing ... business is Stephen Kyler Rushton ... born Oct. major … full name is Colt Jay Sampson 14, 1982 in St. George, Utah. ... born Mar. 18, 1983.

35 73 LOUIE SAKODA BRYCE SCANLON Kicker/Punter Offensive Line 5-10, 175, So. 6-2, 280, So. 1VL SQ San Jose, Calif. Evanston, Wyo. Branham HS Evanston HS

UTAH: After punting and kicking off UTAH: Moved from defensive to of- as a true freshman, he is now the No. 1 fensive line in the spring … has worked place-kicker as well … came to Utah as a hard to increase his size and strength … walk-on but is now on scholarship. up 10 pounds from a year ago … 405- 2005–Starting punter in all 11 games … After starting at punter as a true freshman, Louie Sakoda pound bench press ranks sixth on the could add place-kicking to his duties this fall. 54 punts for 2,002 yards, an average of team … signed in 2003 but did not enroll 37.1 yards … 22 of his punts (41%) were in school until January 2004. downed inside the opponent’s 20-yard 2005–Appeared in 1 game (Wyoming). line … career-long 52-yard punt came 2004–Redshirt. against Colorado State … averaged 42.3 yards on 3 punts against the Rams … HIGH SCHOOL: All-state and all-con- averaged 41.0 yards on 6 punts against 89 ference as a senior in 2002 … Evanston COLT SAMPSON Air Force … 5 of his 9 punts against High School (Wyo.) team captain two Tight End TCU ended up inside the 20 … placed 4 6-4, 246, So. years … 160 tackles his senior season of 7 punts inside the 20 against Arizona SQ … also all-state in wrestling … state and … academic all-MWC. Pleasant Grove, Utah Rocky Mountain national champion at Pleasant Grove HS 215 pounds … won Rocky Mountain HIGH SCHOOL: Two-time all-league Nationals in wrestling … three-time player for Branham HS (San Jose, Calif.) scholar-athlete … senior class vice … named Most Outstanding Special UTAH: Moved from linebacker to tight president. Teams Player … two-time all-academic end in the spring … signed with Utah in team … connected on 95 percent of his 2001 before departing for an LDS church PERSONAL: Son of Floyd Scanlon and field goal attempts (98-for-103) … had a mission, returning in 2004. Diana Majors … father played football at long field goal of 47 yards as a senior … 2005–Played for the scout teams. Missouri … one of five children … half averaged 51 yards per punt as a junior … 2004–Redshirt was named to the Utah Samoan … second cousin to Junior Seau also helped baseball team to league title Athletics Academic Honor Roll. of the … pre-physi- in 2004 … three-year varsity baseball cal therapy major … full name is Bryce player at pitcher and center field. HIGH SCHOOL: All-state as a senior Viliamu Scanlon … born Sept. 5, 1984 in in 2000 ... Pleasant Grove High (Utah) San Diego. PERSONAL: Son of Raymond and team captain ... lettered three years in Mary Sakoda … family studies major … football, basketball and baseball ... set born Oct. 28, 1986. school record in basketball for blocked shots ... Pleasant Grove High student of YEAR G PUNT AVG LONG I20 the month and student of the day ... Eagle 2005 11 54 37.1 52 22 scout.

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mission … enrolled in January 2005. 2005–Redshirt. 74 6 COREY SEIULI ERIC SHYNE HIGH SCHOOL: First-team all-state Offensive Line Defensive Back as senior in 2001 and honorable all- 6-3, 315, So. 5-10, 178, Sr. mention all-state in 2000 … 7 blocked JC 1VL Provo, Utah Pomona, Calif. kicks and 12 sacks … scored 2 defensive Dixie State College Reedley CC touchdowns … Brighton High (Utah) football and basketball team captain … two-time all-region basketball player was UTAH: Mid-year junior college transfer UTAH: Nice spring camp gave him the honorable mention all-state in 2000-01 participated in spring drills and won the inside track to start at left corner come season … Brighton played in 2000 state backup job at left guard … joined the fall … will play crucial role in Utah’s basketball championship game … Salt Utes off an LDS church mission and has cover game … defensive production Lake Tribune Prep of the Week … honor not played football since 2002. champ in spring ball. roll student had a 3.70 GPA. 2005–Played in 10 games … played PRIOR TO UTAH: 2002 all-conference mostly on special teams to start the sea- PERSONAL: Son of Terry and Debbie player for Dixie State College … Dixie son but worked his way into the rotation Smart … both parents attended BYU … won the 2002 conference title and Rotary at corner … 9 total tackles … season- three sisters and two brothers … under- Bowl … prepped at Timpview High high 4 tackles against Wyoming. graduate studies major … full name is (Utah) … second-team all-region … won Steven Andrew Smart … born Dec. 20, three letters in football, two in track and PRIOR TO UTAH: Started college 1983 in California. one in wrestling … made the honor roll career at Washington before transferring as a junior and senior. to Reedley Community College … first- team all-conference at Reedley … key PERSONAL: Guardians are his aunt stats included 6 interceptions, 5 blocked and uncle, Peti and Brad Taylor … two field goals and 6 blocked punts … Reed- 52 siblings … last name is pronounced say- ley won the Northern California cham- AARON SMITH Linebacker oo-lee … undergraduate studies major … pionship and played in the Producers 5-11, 218, Jr. full name is Corey Ifi Seiuli … born Aug. Dairy Bowl … three-sport high school RS 19, 1984 in Los Angeles. athlete (football, basketball, track) was Draper, Utah all-conference and all-CIF in football … Northern State league MVP … rushed for over 1,600 yards as a junior and senior at Pomona High (Calif.). UTAH: Walked onto the team in the spring of 2005 … has two years of eligi- PERSONAL: Son of Larry and Pinky bility remaining. Shyne … three siblings … sociology 2005–Redshirt. major … born July 6, 1982. PRIOR TO UTAH: Attended Northern YEAR G/GS UT AT TOT TFL SACK State in 2001 before going on a LDS 2005 10/0 2 7 9 0-0 0 church mission from 2002-03 … prepped at Alta High School (Utah) … first team all-state once and all-region twice … three-time Alta HS Linebacker of the 40 Year … team captain … held record for ANDREW SMART most tackles in a season … also lettered Defensive Line in wrestling … held school marks for 6-3, 238, Fr. pins and reversals in a season. RS Salt Lake City Brighton HS PERSONAL: Son of Richard Smith and Lisa Cassita … one brother … enjoys sports, video games, boating, the Senior defensive back Eric Shyne was Utah’s Defensive UTAH: Vying for time at five-technique outdoors and spending time with family Production Champ in the spring while starting at corner. (strong side) end … possibility to play … pre-architecture major … full name on special teams as well … signed with in Aaron LeRoy Smith … born April 15, Utah in 2002 but left for an LDS church 1983.

76 2006 UTAH FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE • WWW.UTAHUTES.COM UTE RETURNER PROFILES

PRIOR TO UTAH: First-team juco HIGH SCHOOL: All-state, all-ILH All-American in 2003 and honorable and ILH Offensive Player of the Year 4 mention All-American in 2002 … two- in 2002 and 2003 … 2003 all-region … SEAN SMITH time all-conference offensive lineman IHL all-star … Iolani High (Hawaii) was Wide Receiver for Coffeyville CC… Nuuuli Poly-Tech ILH Division II champion in 2002-03 … 6-3, 217, Fr. High (American Samoa) team captain as played in 7 games as a senior and rushed RS Pasadena, Calif. a senior. 143 times for 1,027 yards (7.2 yards per Blair HS carry) and caught 22 passes for 273 yards PERSONAL: Son of Florence Levao … also lettered in track and wrestling … and stepfather Rev. Foto Levao … honor roll. UTAH: Thrived in move to receiver in mother played softball for San Francisco spring ball after practicing at running State … one of eight children … enjoys PERSONAL: Grandson of Sauao Stow- back in his redshirt season … definitely volleyball, basketball, soccer and boxing ers … undergraduate studies major … slated for playing time after cracking the … sociology major … full name is Paul full name is Raynold Cornwall Stowers two deep at receiver … size, 4.5 40 speed Fuapapa Soliai … born Dec. 30, 1983 in … born Feb. 2, 1985. and 35-inch vertical leap will make him Orange County, Calif. difficult to defend. 2005–Redshirt. YEAR G/GS UT AT TOT TFL SACK 2005 12/0 1 4 5 1.5-12 1.0-10 HIGH SCHOOL: All-conference, 91 all-state, All-American … league Of- CASEY SUTERA fensive Back of the Year … led Blair Defensive Line High School (Calif.) to its best record in 6-3, 262, Jr. RS 10 years as a senior … rushed for over Murray, Utah 1,500 yards, with 18 rushing touchdowns Southern Utah … also had 547 receiving yards and over 400 yards in kickoff returns. UTAH: Started at end in place of injured PERSONAL: Son of Barbara Smith … returner Soli Lefiti in the spring and undergraduate studies major … born July will enter fall camp as the backup … 14, 1987. also works as a backup deep snapper … walked onto the team in the spring of 2005. 2005–Redshirt could practice but not play in games due to NCAA transfer 90 rules. PAUL SOLIAI Defensive Tackle PRIOR TO UTAH: Played two years 6-4, 315, Sr. Senior Paul Soliai is likely to start at nose guard. at Southern Utah (2003-04)—the first 1VL under current Ute defensive coordina- Pago Pago, Amer. Samoa Coffeyville CC tor Gary Andersen (head SUU coach in 2003) … honorable mention all-state 39 and all-region at Murray High (Utah) … UTAH: Former offensive tackle tran- RAY STOWERS team captain … also lettered in track and sitioned well in his move to defense Running Back field … track team captain … third in the 6-1, 214, So. region in discus. last fall … odds are he will start at nose SQ guard … size and agility create match-up Honolulu, Hawaii problems … 500-pound squat is tied for Iolani HS PERSONAL: Son of Frank and Tam- the lead on the defensive line. mie Sutera … two brothers … enjoys fly 2005–Played in all 12 games … 5 tackles fishing, weight lifting, hanging out with and 1.5 tackles for a loss … made 4 stops UTAH: Injuries have stalled his once friends and family and snowboarding … against Utah State, including an assisted promising career … missed spring ball exercise and sport science major … full tackle for loss … 10-yard sack against after second shoulder surgery. name is Casey Frank Sutera … born July Arizona. 2005–Re-injured his surgically repaired 17, 1984. 2004–Redshirt. shoulder during fall camp and missed the season. 2004–Redshirt had shoulder surgery.

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a season-long 9-yard run … returned 2 kicks and 3 punts … had season bests 17 with a 33-yard kick return against UNLV FANO TAGOVAILOA and a 26-yard punt return vs. Colorado Wide Receiver State. 6-1, 202, Sr. 2VL Leone, American Samoa PRIOR TO UTAH: Played in 2003 Coffeyville CC bowl game for Coffeyville CC … three- sport high school athlete lettered in football, basketball and track … Samoa UTAH: Versatile athlete has settled in at Athlete of the Year and football cham- receiver after spending the 2004 season pionship MVP … Leone High won the at quarterback … backup wide receiver is American Samoa championship. expected to play a role in Utah’s eight- man rotation … joined the team as a mid- PERSONAL: Guardians are Fiti and year junior college transfer in the spring Lesina Bese … brother Junior Tagovailoa of 2004 as a safety. plays football at Coffeyville CC… 2005–Started the first 3 games and sociology major … full name is Fanolua played in all 12 games … 6 catches for Tagovailoa … name is pronounced fa-no, 66 yards (11.0 yards per catch) … 4 kick tongo-vy-loa … born July 13, 1983. returns for 107 yards … 2 receptions Opponents can’t hold Kelly Talavou back for long. Big, for 32 yards versus San Diego State … YEAR G/GS REC YDS AVG TD LONG strong and fast, he will play both tackle and nose guard. 2004 8/0 0 0 0 0 0 season-long 24-yard catch against Utah 2005 12/3 6 66 11.0 0 24 State … long kickoff return was for 40 Totals 20/3 6 66 11.0 0 24 but not play per NCAA transfer rules … yards at BYU … 32-yard kickoff return sidelined by shoulder injury and subse- vs. Utah State. quent surgery in mid-October. 2004–Took snaps at quarterback in 8 games … completed 2-for-2 passes 98 PRIOR TO UTAH: Lettered as a true for 49 yards … 11 rushes for 45 yards freshman for Idaho in 2002 and again … 15.6 all-purpose yards per game … KELLY TALAVOU Defensive Line in 2003 … played in all 11 games as a 1-for-1 against both Utah State and San 6-2, 310, Sr. freshman and had 23 tackles, 2 tackles Diego State … completed a season-long 1VL for loss and a sack … played in all 11 45-yarder vs. SDSU … rushed 5 times Santa Ana, Calif. games as a sophomore in 2003 and had against USU for 20 yards … scampered Idaho 30 total tackles, 4 tackles for loss and twice for 11 yards vs. Arizona, including a sack … career-high 9 tackles against Montana … spent his senior year of high UTAH: Big, strong, quick and difficult school at Fountain Valley High (Ca- to solo-block, he will vie for all-confer- lif.), where he was a two-way starter … ence honors in 2006 … starter at nose 2001 Sunset League MVP … all-county guard a year ago, he has now moved to defensive tackle … Fountain Valley’s Of- tackle, although he will see time at both fensive Lineman of the Year as a senior, positions … strongest defensive line- he had 36 solo tackles and 6 tackles for man benches 410 pounds and squats 500 loss … MVP of the Los Angeles/Orange pounds … fastest defensive lineman runs County all-star game. a 2-second 20. 2005–Started all 12 games at nose guard PERSONAL: Son of Kelemete and … 31 total tackles, 2 for a loss, and 1.5 Puaula Talavou … one of six children … sacks … 2 pass breakups … made a sea- younger brother Fulio plays football for son-high 5 tackles, including an assisted Arizona State … sociology major … full tackle for loss against San Diego State name is Kelly Simone Talavou … born … 4 tackles against Utah State … had 3 Oct. 4, 1984. games with 3 tackles, including 3 stops and a pass breakup against Brigham YEAR G/GS UT AT TOT TFL SACK Young … 2 tackles and a pass breakup at 2002* 11/1 10 13 23 2-1 1.0-0 North Carolina. 2003* 11/9 15 15 30 4-16 1.0-8 2005 12/12 7 24 31 2-12 1.5-10 Versatile Fano Tagovailoa is expected to contribute at 2004–Transfer from Idaho enrolled at Totals 34/22 32 52 84 8-29 3.5-18 receiver and on the return teams. the U. in spring 2004 … could practice *at Idaho

78 2006 UTAH FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE • WWW.UTAHUTES.COM UTE RETURNER PROFILES

full name is Stephen Tate … born Jan. season … 6 cuts vs. UNLV and 5 cuts 11, 1983. against both BYU (in just 40 plays) and 28 Utah State … 4 knockdowns against STEVE TATE YEAR G/GS UT AT TOT TFL SACK Arizona. Defensive Back 2001* 10/0 15 11 26 2.0-5 1-3 2004–Started all 12 games at left tackle 5-11, 200, Jr. 2005 12/5 26 20 46 2.0-4 0-0 … in regular season games, participated 1VL Totals 22/5 41 31 72 4.0-9 1-3 *at Utah State Salt Lake City in 760 plays (third most among Utah’s Utah State offensive linemen) … averaged 69.1 plays per game … 32 total knockdowns … season-best 10 knockdowns against UTAH: Scheduled to start at free safety BYU … 4 knockdowns against CSU and this fall, but will also see action at strong North Carolina … elected to the Utah safety … off-season shoulder surgery Football Leadership Committee. limited him to running drills in the spring 2003–Played in 11 games and started last … one-time walk-on transfer from Utah nine at left tackle … despite not playing State is now on scholarship. against Texas A&M, led the team with 47 2005–Played in all 12 games, making 5 knockdowns in the regular season… av- starts (the last 4 at strong safety) … 46 erage grade was 80% … 9 knockdowns total tackles, 2 tackles for a loss and an vs. UNLV was the best for a Ute offen- interception … 42 of his 46 tackles came sive lineman all season … 8 knockdowns in the games he started … career-high against Cal … named team’s co-offen- 10 tackles against both New Mexico sive line player of the game vs. Air Force and Georgia Tech … 10 tackles (8 solo) and Wyoming … graded out at 94% vs. against Georgia Tech in the Emerald AFA. Bowl led all tacklers for both teams … 2002–Redshirt. first career interception also came against Georgia Tech (return of 45 yards) … 9 Steve Tate will start at free safety again this fall. HIGH SCHOOL: First-team all-state tackles against Air Force included 6 solo as a senior in 1998 ... Kahuku High was stops … 7 tackles against BYU (6 solo) 1998 state runner-up ... lettered four … Academic All-MWC. years in football and basketball ... honor 2004–Redshirt made the Dean’s List and 78 roll. was named to the Utah Athletics Aca- TAVO TUPOLA demic Honor Roll. Offensive Line PERSONAL: Son of Vaenuku and 6-4, 300, Sr. Saineha Tupola ... married (Andria) … 3VL PRIOR TO UTAH: Transfer from Utah Kahuku, Hawaii sociology major … full name is Tavo Tu- State played in 10 games at safety and Kahuku HS pola-Toatai ... name is pronounced tah-vo for special teams in 2001 … 26 total too-poll-a … born Dec. 23, 1980. tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 1 sack and 1 fumble… left for LDS church mission UTAH: Could be the best offensive after 2001 season … 2000 5A MVP tackle in the Mountain West Confer- and all-state quarterback while playing ence … has started at left tackle since for Skyline High (Utah) … state’s Mr. his freshman year … athletic, mobile Football led 5A in rushing yards (1,660), player was a safety in high school who rushing touchdowns (24) and yards per grew into offensive line stature while on carry … also passed for 664 yards and an LDS church mission to Tucson, Ariz. 2 TDs as a senior … played for state (2000-02) … quickness creates match-up championship teams in 1998 and 1999 … problems for opposing defenses … Ath- high honor roll. lon Sports picked him for its preseason all-MWC first team. PERSONAL: Son of Wynn and Chris 2005–Second-team all-conference of- Tate … both parents graduated from fensive lineman started all 12 games at Utah … one brother and two sisters … left tackle … participated in 832 plays … grandfather, Hal, played football for Utah 27 knockdowns and 5 pancake blocks … … brother-in-law plays football for Utah led Utes with 7 knockdowns vs. Georgia State … married to the former Savanna Tech in the Emerald Bowl … also had 3 Thompson … served a LDS church mis- cuts vs. the Yellow Jackets … 8 cuts vs. sion from 2002-04 … business major … New Mexico was the most by a Ute all OT Tavo Tupolo should make first-team all-MWC in 2006.

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HIGH SCHOOL: First-team all-state as PERSONAL: Son of Hedayat Ka- senior in 2001 … three-time first-team zemini and Shelly Vroman … one of four 38 all-conference … 2001 senior all-star siblings … father played soccer at Weber REGGIE TURNER team … Valley Christian High (Ariz.) State … born April 22, 1984. Linebacker team captain as junior and senior … also 6-1, 239, Sr. lettered in track and basketball … set SQ Culver City, Calif. school record in discus (176’9”) and shot West Los Angeles CC put (52’11”) … National Honor Society 7 … four-time Student-Athlete Award … MOMBROSO showed dairy heifers for 4-H. WASHINGTON UTAH: Came to Utah as a mid-year JC Defensive Back transfer in 2005 … one year of eligibility PERSONAL: Son of John and Cheryl 6-0, 180, Jr. remains. Voss … one brother and two sisters … JC 2005–Played for the scout teams. economics major … full name is Jason Bloomington, Calif. Scott Voss … born Feb. 17, 1984 in New San Bernardino Valley CC PRIOR TO UTAH: Made the Western Mexico. State all-conference team after helping UTAH: Mid-year junior college transfer West Los Angeles CC to the 2004 Ameri- participated in spring ball … solidly in can Bowl with a 75-tackle season … also two-deep at right corner. had 6 sacks and recovered 2 … prepped at Westchester High (Calif.) … PRIOR TO UTAH: Played for San all-city and all-conference in both foot- Bernardino Valley College in 2004-05 ball and baseball … threw two no-hitters and was an all-conference cornerback in … won Westchester’s Student-Athlete 2005 … team captain had 60 tackles and award twice. 3 interceptions his sophomore year … prepped at Bloomington High (Calif.), PERSONAL: Son of Elonda Turner … where he was an all-conference corner- economics major … born June 23, 1984. back in 1998 … 80 tackles and 6 inter- ceptions his senior year … Bloomington won three straight conference champion- ships (1996-98).

18 PERSONAL: Son of Arnell and JASON VOSS Deborah Washington … first name is Tight End pronounced how it looks (mom-bro-so) 6-3, 268, Sr. … one of four children … married to 2VL Tempe, Ariz. Jason Voss backed up on the offensive line and played the former Tiffany Brooks … daughter Valley Christian HS on special teams in 2005. He is now a tight end. Bayani … enlisted in the U.S. Army and took part in Operation Iraqi Freedom … sociology major … full name is Mom- UTAH: Came to Utah as a defensive broso Arnell Washington … born Nov. lineman, moved to the offensive line a 30 10, 1981. year later and now plays tight end … best BEN VROMAN vertical leap (33 inches) and squat (480 Kicker pounds) of the tight ends. 5-11, 187, So. SQ 2005–Saw action in all 11 games, mostly Salt Lake City as a special-teamer … made the two- Skyline HS deep at right tackle … 1 solo tackle vs. Colorado State. 2004–Regular on special teams … ap- UTAH: Goes into fall camp as the No. 2 peared in 11 games … played 12 downs place-kicker. on the offensive line vs. North Carolina 2005–Kicked off vs. Air Force. for a 91% grade … 89% grade on 9 plays vs. San Diego State … 14 downs of work HIGH SCHOOL: Named second team vs. UNLV and 6 against Texas A&M. all-state kicker … lettered twice each 2003–Played for defensive scout teams. in football and soccer … all-region and 2002–Redshirt. team captain in soccer.

80 2006 UTAH FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE • WWW.UTAHUTES.COM UTE RETURNER PROFILES

Arizona and Wyoming … led Utah with with 4 forced fumbles … led Utes in in- 10 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, a forced terceptions (3) … 4 sacks ranked second 32 fumble and a 24-yard interception return on team … 60 total tackles, 4.5 tackles ERIC WEDDLE for a touchdown in win over Arizona … for loss, 4 pass breakups and 1 fumble Defensive Back recorded 9 tackles, 3 pass breakups and recovery … part of some of the biggest 6-0, 200, Sr. 1.5 TFL against Wyoming … leading plays of the season … in closing minutes 3VL Alta Loma, Calif. punt returner finished with 24 returns for of Utah’s upset win over No. 19 Oregon, Alta Loma HS 154 yards (6.4 average) … career-long he forced, then recovered, a fumble while 44-yard punt return against Utah State. sacking Oregon’s QB on Utah’s 38- 2004–Second-team all-MWC choice yard line… helped preserve Utah’s 3-0 UTAH: Preseason first-team All-Ameri- played and started in 11 games (missed victory over BYU by forcing a fumble can by The Sporting News and Athlon Arizona game with a knee injury) … on the BYU 22 that was recovered by Sports … named the No. 1 strong safety despite missing one game and all but Utah, which then ran out the clock … in the nation by The Sporting News … a few plays of another, he was Utah’s season-best 10 tackles vs. Wyoming … preseason MWC Defensive Player of third-leading tackler (75) and led the sec- academic all-MWC. the Year by TSN and Lindy’s (which also ondary in tackles … 4 interceptions was tapped him as one of the top-10 defen- second on the team and 5 pass breakups HIGH SCHOOL: Two-time league sive backs in the nation) … Nagurski, ranked third … tied for the team lead offensive and defensive MVP … three- Bednarik and Lott Trophy candidate with 4 double-digit tackles games … time all-league … two-time all-CIF … … 2005 MWC Defensive Player of the led all tacklers in the Fiesta Bowl with first-team L.A. Times and Daily Bulletin Year is versatile enough to play virtually career-high 11 stops … also had a sack, … second-team all-Southern Section any skill position … during his career, tackle for loss and pass breakup against CIF … Rival & Student Sport Maga- he has played strong safety, cornerback, Pittsburgh in the bowl game … tied sea- zine all-region team … Alta Loma High nickel back, quarterback, returned punts, (Calif.) Best Receiver and MVP … team punted, held for the field goal kicker and ALL-AMERICA CANDIDATE ERIC WEDDLE captain and rookie of the year … senior played safety on the kickoff coverage year had 129 tackles, 5 interceptions, 4 teams … has started in the defensive Preseason All-American (The Sporting News) forced fumbles, 5 recovered fumbles, secondary since he was a true freshman Preseason All-American (Athlon Sports) 587 yards rushing, 22 touchdowns, 965 … after playing corner as a freshman, he No. 1 strong safety in the nation (TSN) yards passing and 5 TD passes … Alta moved to strong safety for 2004 and most Nagurski, Bednarik and Lott Trophy candidate Loma HS was 2000 Mt. Baldy League 2005 MWC Defensive Player of the Year of 2005 before moving back to corner to champion … also lettered in basketball 2005 First-Team All-Mountain West Conference finish last season … pre-fall plans have 2005 Emerald Bowl Defensive MVP and baseball. him starting at strong safety in the 4-3 and sliding to nickel when that formation PERSONAL: Son of Steven and Debo- is used … is also Utah’s starting punt son tackle high with 11 in back-to-back rah Weddle … one sister … married to returner and holder … has the ability and games against North Carolina and UNLV the former Chanel Blaquiere … Chanel athleticism to single-cover just about … 2 pass break-ups and an interception played soccer for Utah State … very anybody … 11 career interceptions is tied vs. North Carolina … 10 tackles against active in community service, includ- for the sixth-most ever at Utah. Air Force … returned an interception for ing helping out at the Utah Food Bank, 2005–MWC Defensive Player of the 34 yards to go along with 6 tackles and a speaking on the importance of education Year, first-team all-conference defensive pass breakup against San Diego State … at the Utah youth correctional facility, back and Emerald Bowl Defensive MVP recovered a fumble for 31 yards and had visiting children at the Utah Primary … started all 12 games … led the MWC an interception against Colorado State … Children’s Hospital and tutoring kids in passes defended with 16 (4 intercep- 1 interception and 8 tackles against BYU with learning disabilities at three differ- tions, 12 pass breakups) … 11 tackles … elected to the Utah Football Leader- ent elementary schools… special educa- for loss ranked second on the team and ship Committee … made the Athletics tion major … full name is Eric Steven seventh in the MWC … 78 total tack- Honor Roll and the Dean’s List with his Weddle … born Jan. 4, 1985. les was third on the team … had 3 of 3.50 GPA fall semester. Utah’s 5 total forced fumbles … held 2003–Named a first-team Freshman All- YEAR G/GS UT AT TOT TFL SACK 2003 12/9 29 31 60 4.5-33 4-30 All-America receiver Calvin Johnson American by Scripps/FWAA (Football 2004 11/11 47 28 75 4.5-21 1-3 of Georgia Tech to 2 receptions for 19 Writers of America Association) and Col- 2005 12/12 49 29 78 11.0-46 4-29 yards in an incredible Emerald Bowl lege Sports Report.com… second-team Totals 35/32 125 88 213 20.0-100 9-62 performance … 4 pass breakups against Freshman All-American by The Sporting New Mexico tied a Utah single-game News and College Football News … record … career-best 12 tackles against honorable mention all-MWC … played North Carolina … named MWC Defen- in all 12 games and started the last nine sive Player of the Week twice—against at right corner … tied for league lead

2006 UTAH FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE • WWW.UTAHUTES.COM 81 UTE RETURNER PROFILES

Hospital volunteer … on senior class ad- career-long 25-yarder, against Wyoming visory board … member of Big Brothers, … 2 catches for 44 yards and 1 rush for 13 Big Sisters. a career-long 14 yards against Georgia JJ WILLIAMS Tech … 5 punt returns for 25 yards … 44 Linebacker PERSONAL: Son of George and Myla yards in kickoff returns (on zero returns). 6-0, 225, Fr. Williams … father played football for RS Aurora, Colo. BYU and Chaminade and mother at- HIGH SCHOOL: Three-time all-state Grandview HS tended UCLA before graduating from and 2A Utah state MVP … set state Hawaii … one brother … pre-law major records for career touchdown receptions … full name is Tyler Kaina Williams … (35), receiving yards (2,370) and yards UTAH: Walk-on first tried out at defen- born Feb. 28, 1987 per reception (21.7) … other career sive back but moved to linebacker in the totals include: 109 receptions, 43 rushes spring. for 532 yards (12.4 average), 6 rushing 2005–Redshirt. touchdowns, 9 touchdowns off of inter- ceptions … led Juan Diego High (Utah) HIGH SCHOOL: Twice named all- 2 to 2A state championship in 2002 and league at Grandview High (Colo.) … a MARQUIS WILSON 2004 … also lettered in basketball and two-time defensive MVP … team captain Wide Receiver track … three-time all-state in basketball as a senior … also lettered in baseball … 5-11, 179, So. and team captain two years … basketball 1VL baseball team won conference in 2004 … team was 2003 region champion … 2A Salt Lake City academic all-state. Juan Diego HS state 100-meter champion in 2003-04 and 200-meter champion in 2003 and 2005 PERSONAL: Son of Doug and Rhonda … set the state record for the 200 meters Williams .. one brother and two sisters … UTAH: Will start at receiver as a true in 2005 … on state record-setting 4 x brother plays football at the University sophomore … backup punt returner … 100-meter relay team in 2005. of Pennsylvania … father played football runs a 4.5 40 and has a 35.5-inch vertical for BYU … business major … full name jump. PERSONAL: Son of Sean Robinson and is Jayson Williams … goes by J.J. … 2005–True freshman came out of a Derrick Fisher … one brother … plays born Feb. 26, 1986. planned redshirt year at the season’s mid- the saxophone … also enjoys painting way point … played in the final 7 games and drawing …undergraduate stud- and started against San Diego State, ies major … first name is pronounced Wyoming and Georgia Tech … 9 recep- mar-keeze … full name is Marquis Keith tions for 149 yards (16.6 average) … also Wilson … born Nov. 11, 1986. 57 had 3 rushes for 20 yards … snagged 3 TYLER WILLIAMS passes for 50 yards against New Mexico YEAR G/GS REC YDS AVG TD LONG Offensive Line … 2 catches for 33 yards, including a 2002 7/3 9 149 16.6 0 25 6-1, 292, Fr. RS Mililani, Hawaii Kamehameha HS

UTAH: No. 2 at center going into the fall … 415-pound bench press is best of the offensive linemen and ranks second overall … 560-pound squat ranks third on the team. 2005–Redshirt.

HIGH SCHOOL: All-state pick by both daily newspapers … all-league … played in East-West All-Star game … helped Kamehameha High win the 2004 state championship … enjoys weight lifting and holds the world record for ages 13- 15 in the 275-pound weight class, bench pressing 397 pounds … participated in YMCA Leadership program … Shriner’s Marquis Wilson has an inside track to start at wide receiver. He played very well as a true freshman last season.

82 2006 UTAH FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE • WWW.UTAHUTES.COM UTE RETURNER PROFILES

23 10 49 JARRELL WOODS JOSH WOODS MIKE WRIGHT Running Back Defensive Back Linebacker 5-10, 195, Fr. 5-10, 190, Fr. 5-11, 214, Jr. RS RS TR Northville, Mich. Northville, Mich. Bountiful, Utah Novi HS Novi HS Southern Utah

UTAH: Walk-on is Utah’s strongest UTAH: Walk-on is Utah’s strongest UTAH: Walked on to the team in spring running back … benches 385 pounds and cornerback … benches 365 pounds and of 2006 and established himself as a squats 565 pounds … performed well squats 535 pounds … 36.5-inch vertical potential special teams player. overall on the spring tests, recording a jump was also the best of the corners. 39-inch vertical jump and 4.55 40 time. 2005–Redshirt. PRIOR TO UTAH: Attended Southern 2005–Redshirt. Utah from 2004-05 and participated on HIGH SCHOOL: Three times all-con- the football team … prepped at Bounti- HIGH SCHOOL: All-state honor- ference … Detroit Free Press all-area ful High (Utah) … first-team all-state able mention, all-county, all-area dream second team … team captain as a senior and all-region in football as a senior team, all-north and all-conference … … 97 tackles, 1 interception and 5 sacks … Bountiful was the 2003 Utah state conference champs in football in 2004 as a senior … Novi HS (Mich.) won champion … also lettered in basketball … lettered in football and track … all- conference championships his junior and baseball … second-team all-state and conference in the 100 and 200-meter in and senior years … earned three letters first-team all-region baseball player … track … academic all-state and academic in football and four in track … two-time high honor roll. all-conference. all-region and a member of 4x100-meter and 4x200-meter school-record-holding PERSONAL: Son of Richard and Jane PERSONAL: Son of James and Deidra teams. Wright … mother is a Utah graduate … Woods … twin brother Josh is also a cur- full name is Michael Wright … born June rent Ute … one sister and three brothers PERSONAL: Son of James and Deidra 6, 1986. … uncle Ike Spencer was a running back Woods … twin brother Jarrell is also a for Utah in the early ‘70’s … full name is current Ute … one sister and three broth- Jarrell Woods … born Sept. 3, 1986. ers … uncle Ike Spencer was a running back for Utah in the early ‘70’s … full name is Joshua Neal Woods … born Sept. 3, 1986.

2006 UTAH FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE • WWW.UTAHUTES.COM 83 NEWCOMER PROFILES

95 one sister … born Dec. 18, 1986 in St. 29 NELI A’ASA Louis, Mo. JUSTIN JONES Defensive Tackle Defensive Back 6-2, 300, Fr 51 5-10, 169, Fr. HS JOE FAIFILI HS Big Rapids, Mich. Defensive Tackle Marshall, Texas Big Rapids HS 6-2, 296, Fr. Marshall HS All-conference and all-region as a senior HS All-district cornerback in 2004-05 and … Rivals.com Top 50 defensive tackle Laie, Hawaii all-district kick returner and punter in … first freshman in Big Rapids High Kahuku HS 2005 … honorable mention all-state as (Michigan) history ever to play for the U.S. Army All-American … Rivals.com a senior … Marshall High (Texas) team varsity … started all four years … set Top 50 defensive tackle … Kahuku High captain … set school records for career school records in career tackles, tack- (Hawaii) team captain … Kahuku won interceptions (9) and kickoff returns for a les for loss and sacks … averaged 12 the state championship in 2003-04 … touchdown (5) … had 51 tackles, 23 pass tackles and 2 sacks a game in 2005 … lettered in football and track and field … breakups and 4 interceptions in 2005 … Big Rapids won 2003 regional, district played the first three games of his senior Marshall HS was a state finalist in 2004- and conference championships … son of year at Granger High in Salt Lake City 05 and the district champion in 2005 … John and Laloasi A’asa … both parents before transferring back to Kahuku HS son of Leonard and Doris Jones … father graduated from Hawaii, where his father for the remainder of the 2005 season … played football for Jackson State … one played football … one brother and one son of Samuela and Thelma Faifili … brother … full name is Justin Leonard sister … speaks Samoan … name is parents live in West Valley City but he Jones … nickname is J.J. … born June 6, pronounced Nelly Ah-ah-sa … full name considers Laie, Hawaii, his home … last 1988. is Neli Suameli A’asa … born Feb. 16, name is pronounced fy-feely … one of 1988 in Pago Pago, Samoa and grew up eight children … enjoys singing, playing 55 in the villages of Leone and Futina. the piano and dancing … full name is PAULI LATU Joseph Samson Samuelu Faifili … born Defensive Tackle NICK BINKS May 16, 1988. 6-0, 295, Fr Defensive End HS 6-5, 209, Fr. SEAN FITZGERALD West Valley City, Utah HS Wide Receiver Hunter HS Bountiful, Utah 6-3, 177, Fr. All-American was also a two-time all- Bountiful HS HS state and three-time all-region player Plans to serve an LDS church mission Mission Viejo,Calif. for Hunter High (Utah) … Rivals.com before enrolling at Utah … all-state in Mission Viejo HS Top 50 defensive tackle … team captain 2005 and region Defensive MVP … Plans to serve an LDS church mission started as a sophomore … son of Matt Bountiful High (Utah) Defensive MVP before enrolling at Utah … all-league, and Salote Latu … two brothers and two in 2004-05 and team MVP in 2005 … all-county and all-C.I.F. Division 2 … sisters … name is pronounced pow-lee team captain … Bountiful won 2003 Mission Viejo High (Calif.) Offensive la-too … full name is Pauli Ma’afu Latu Utah state championship … lettered Player of the Year … Mission Viejo was … born April 2, 1988. three years in football and basketball and the No. 2 ranked team in the nation in one year in baseball … son of John and 2004 and ranked first in California … Christie Binks … father is a Utah gradu- 2004-05 South Coast League champions 36 ate … full name is Nicholas Binks … … 2004 C.I.F. Southern Section champs MOOKIE MURPHY born Sept. 11, 1987. … 39 catches in 2005 for 826 yards and Defensive Back 11 touchdowns … National Football 5-10, 172, Fr. 43 Foundation Scholar-Athlete … honor HS roll … son of Patrick and Lori Fitzgerald Salt Lake City JOE DALE Juan Diego Catholic HS Defensive Back … one sister and one brother … enjoys First-team all-state as a junior and senior 5-11, 190, Fr. beach volleyball and photography … full and honorable mention all-state as a HS name is Sean Patrick Fitzgerald … born sophomore … Juan Diego Catholic High Irving, Texas April 28, 1988. School (Utah) team captain … Juan Di- Nimitz HS ego won the 2004 2A state championship First-team all-district … lettered three and was the 2003 2A runner-up … on years in both football and basketball at three regional champion teams (2003-04 Nimitz High School (Texas) … son of 2A, 2005 3A) … four letters in football Joe and Shirley Dale … two brothers and

84 2006 UTAH FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE • WWW.UTAHUTES.COM NEWCOMER PROFILES and three in track … led Juan Diego to bench press, squat and power clean … 50 the 2004 2A state track championship honor roll … son of Barbara Sims … one STEVENSON SYLVESTER … 2004 state 200-meter champion was brother … enjoys surfing and fishing … Linebacker also on the victorious 4 x 100 meter relay full name is Mathew Earl Sims … born 6-2, 205, Fr. team … 4 x 100-meter relay team broke Oct. 30, 1985. HS the state record in 2005 … son of B. Las Vegas, Nev. Murphy and Cheryl Harris … has eight 82 Valley HS siblings … enjoys playing Xbox … full TONY SMITH First-team all-state and all-league line- name is TreVon Nurell Murphy … born Wide Receiver backer and tight end in 2005 … Valley Nov. 10, 1987. 6-0, 176, Fr. High (Nevada) MVP and team captain HS … recorded 67 tackles (44 solo) in 2005 72 Pleasanton, Calif. … also had 22 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, CALEB SCHLAUDERAFF Foothill HS 4 caused fumbles and 5 pass breakups Offensive Line Played quarterback at Foothill High … as a senior tight end, had over 400 6-5, 270, Fr. (Calif.) … 1,570 passing yards ranked receiving yards and 6 touchdowns … HS fifth in the area … 17 touchdown passes won three letters in football and two in Shelton, Wash. to 3 interceptions … set a Foothill High basketball … hoops team won the 2004 Shelton HS record for quarterbacks by rushing for conference and region titles … also All-stater in 2005 was a three-time 125 yards in a game … won two letters played in the band for two years … son all-conference and two-time all-region in football and baseball and three in track of Worrel Sylvester and Angela Levi … selection … played in the all-state game … qualified for the North Coast Section mother played basketball for Southern … ranked in the top 25 recruits in Wash- and made all-league in the 200-meters Utah for four years … raised with his ington, Oregon, Idaho and Alaska by the … made honor roll twice … won the two brothers and four cousins from age News Tribune and in the top 15 juniors in National Punt, Pass and Kick contest four to 15 before moving to Las Vegas … Washington by the Seattle Times … two- … played for the runner-up team in the brother Jason plays basketball for Santa year Shelton High (Wash.) team captain Babe Ruth World Series … son of Ted Rosa JC, cousin Geno will be a freshman … Shelton won the Narrows League and Janice Smith … father played base- football player at Utah State in the fall championship in 2004 … won three ball for Chabot CC and the Modesto A’s and cousin Jennifer played basketball for letters in football and one in basketball … one sister and one brother … sister Cerro Coso CC … coached in basketball … set 15 school records in the weight is a competitive dancer … full name is by his mother, who critiqued him after room … grew four inches and gained 50 Anthony Michael Smith … born Mar. 3, every football, basketball, baseball and pounds his freshman year … member 1985. soccer game he ever played … played the of National Honor Society … son of saxophone from fifth through 10th grade Mark and Pam Schlauderaff … father 25 … full name is Stevenson Ellis Sylvester graduated from Minnesota and mother R.J. STANFORD … born July 18, 1988. from Washington … dad is a doctor and Running Back mom is a nurse … two brothers … oldest 5-11, 180, Fr. 67 brother plays football for Eastern Oregon HS ZANE TAYLOR … name is pronounced kay-leb schlah- Chino, Calif. Defensive Tackle der-off … full name is Caleb Hunter Chino HS 6-3, 295, Fr. Schlauderaff. First-team all C.I.F. and all-league … HS conference offensive player of the year Moab, Utah 87 in 2004-05 … Chino High (Calif.) MVP Grand County HS MATT SIMS … carried the ball 233 times without a All-state and state MVP as a junior and H-Back fumble as a senior, when he rushed for senior … Rivals.com Top 70 defensive 6-1, 259, Jr. 1,800 yards and 28 touchdowns … Chino tackle … led Grand County High (Utah) JC HS was the Sierra League champion in to the 2005 2A state championship … Lompoc, Calif. 2003-04 … won three letters in football won four letters in football, wrestling Allan Hancock College and track … 2004 league 100-, 200- and and track and field … three-time 2A First-team all-conference tight end at Al- 400-meter champion … son of La Shawn state wrestling champion (2004-06) … lan Hancock College … played in 2005 Stanford … one sister … full name is 2006 state shot put and discus champion American Bowl … prepped at Lompoc Raymond Perry Stanford Jr. … born May … senior class president participated in High (Calif.), where he was an all-league 6, 1988. student government all four years of high offensive lineman and all C.I.F. in 2003 school … National Honor Society … son … won three letters in football and of Tom Taylor and Kristin Millis ... both baseball … set Lompoc High records for parents graduated from Utah State …

2006 UTAH FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE • WWW.UTAHUTES.COM 85 NEWCOMER PROFILES three sisters and a brother … grandfather game as a sophomore … participated in 71 (Sam Taylor) played football for West- the Tonga Bowl in Nuku’alofa, Ton- WALTER WATTS minster College (Utah) … enjoys hiking, gatapu in 2002 … son of Iki and Okaneti Offensive Line river rafting, acting and movie trivia … Tonga … six brothers and four sisters … 6-2, 329, Fr. full name is Zane Charles Taylor … born brother Joe is an offensive tackle at Mt. HS April 23, 1988. Sac … brother Iki is an artist, mechanic Los Banos, Calif. and barber … full name is Aaron David Los Banos HS 27 Tonga … born Oct. 10, 1983 in Salt Lake All-conference … “Best in Bay Area” … KENTON THOMAS City. Los Banos High (Calif.) MVP … won Running Back two letters in football and basketball … 6-1, 198, Fr. 86 October Student of the Month … son of HS NANO TONGA Walter III and Lanette Watts … father Phoenix, Ariz. Defensive Line played basketball at Utah from 1989-91 Greenway HS 6-5, 240, So. and started for Utah’s 1990-91 team that All-state and first-team all-Arizona as HS finished 30-4 and made the NCAA Sweet a senior … played in Arizona All-Star West Valley City 16 (he was the team’s second-leading game … three-years first-team all-region Granger HS scorer and rebounder that year) … full … set Greenway High School season Signed with Utah in 2002 as an aca- name is Walter Watts IV … born Oct. 11, records for yards per carry (11.6) and demic non-qualifier … went on an LDS 1988. points (344) in 2005 … career rushing church mission from 2003-05 … enrolled totals: 393 carries for 3,093 yards (7.9 in classes spring semester of 2006 but 58 average) and 22 touchdowns … career did not participate in spring football … ZEKE WILY receiving totals: 78 catches for 1,733 second-team all-state in 2002 … helped Defensive Tackle yards (22.2 average) and 19 touchdowns Granger High (Utah) to region 3 champi- 6-4, 300, Fr. … career defensive statistics: 95 tackles, onship … as senior in 2001, had 63 total HS 6 interceptions, 4 fumble recoveries and tackles, 15 sacks and 10 tackles for loss Orem, Utah 3 blocked kicks … 428 yards in returns … also lettered in basketball and track … Orem HS for his career … Greenway was the clocked in 11.2 seconds for 100-meters All-state and all-region in 2005 … Orem state runner-up in 2002 and made the and 24.3 seconds for 300-meters … high High (Utah) team captain … won three state playoffs in 2002, ’03 and ’05 … jumped 6’3”… son of Sione and Anas- letters in football and one in basketball region champs in 2002-03 … won four eini Sebelo … full name is Hingano Tau- … spent his junior year in Samoa and letters in football and track and two in moepeau Tonga … born May 17, 1984. was named the Samoan Islands defensive basketball … qualified for the state track player of the year … son of Sefo and Ipo meet all four years … son of Kenny and PETER TUITUPOU Hemaloto … both parents are gradu- Kira Thomas … father played football Tight End ates of BYU-Hawaii, where his mother for UC-Davis … born Aug. 10, 1988 in 6-4, 223, Fr. played volleyball … one of five children Sacramento, Calif. HS … full name is Ezekiel Wily … born Jan. Orem, Utah 31, 1988 in Hawaii. 99 Mountain View HS AARON TONGA Will serve an LDS church mission before Defensive Line enrolling at Utah … second-team all- 6-2, 290, Jr. state and first-team all-valley as a senior JC in 2005 … Mountain View High (Utah) Pomona, Calif. team captain … 28 catches for 391 yards Mt. San Antonio College his senior year … won two letters in All-Mission Conference and juco football and three in basketball … honor preseason All-American in 2005 … Mt. roll … son of Paul and Carolyn Tuitupou San Antonio College team captain had 8 … both parents graduated from BYU- sacks as a sophomore and 5 sacks and 12 Hawaii, where his father played tennis tackles for loss as a freshman … Mt. Sac and rugby … mother is assistant dean was the 2004 Mission Conference cham- of undergraduate education at BYU … pion … hometown is Pomona, Calif., youngest of seven children … name is but prepped at Taylorsville High (Utah) pronounced too-ee-too-po … born Feb. where he was all-state as a senior and all- 21, 1988. region twice … Taylorsville team captain … played in the 5A state championship

86 2006 UTAH FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE • WWW.UTAHUTES.COM