Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY — He caused fits for opposing Pac-12 offenses last year and is set on having an even better season in a starting role.
Defensive end Kylie Fitts is ready to take the next step and make a name for himself as Utah’s next premier defensive lineman, joining the ranks of former Utes Nate Orchard, Trevor Reilly, Star Lotulelei, and a slew of other successful defenders to come out of the University of Utah.
It didn’t take long for the former UCLA Bruin to fit in to Utah’s already stout defense. In his junior season, Fitts stepped up when fellow defensive end Hunter Dimick went down with an injury and totaled 41 total tackles, eight tackles for loss for 45 yards and a team high seven sacks. He added 10 deflected passes, which is the most for any linemen in the country, a team high four forced fumbles and one blocked kick.
“I knew when I came in I’d have to work and get my name out there,” Fitts said. “I was pretty motivated to have a successful season.”
That successful season landed Fitts on several preseason watch lists for the upcoming season, including the Bednarik Award, which is awarded to the best defensive player of the year, and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, which is awarded to the most outstanding defensive player.
Now with a full season to play in a starter role, Fitts cements an already immovable and deadly line that features a potential first-round pick in the NFL draft in Lowell Lotulelei, a workhorse tackle with a Utah pedigree in Filipo Mokofisi and Dimick, a speedy pass rusher keen on attacking the opposing team’s quarterback.
In totality, the group is projected as a top five defensive line in the country, with Phil Steele ranking Utah’s front unit as the third-best in the country, coming in behind Alabama and Missouri.
Lotulelei dominates the conversation in relation to the defensive line, and for good reason, but Fitts is ready for a breakout year after scratching the surface of his potential in one season of play. Now stronger and bigger (10-15 pounds heavier), Fitts is ready for “more physicality.”
Opposing offenses will struggle to know how to contain Utah’s defensive line. Give Fitts an inch and the quarterback is in peril. Focus on Fitts and Lotulelei, Mokofisi and Dimick become a deadly counterpart to stuff the run and inhibit much of what Pac-12 offenses hope to gain.
Last season, Utah held Pac-12 opponents to an average 22.3 points per game, despite the conference averaging 32.8 points per game. That ranked Utah as the 31st best scoring defense team in the nation. In addition, Utah held opponents to only 3.28 yards per carry, which is far less than the Pac-12 average of 4.63 yards per carry, which ranked the Utes as the sixth best rushing defense in the country.
While each player on the defensive line is expected to have a solid season, watch for Fitts to excel and bring more physicality to an already potent defensive unit.
