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SALT LAKE CITY — With eight days to go until the Utes host SUU in the season-opener, KSL.com continues its countdown and will look at two newcomers to the squad, both wearing No. 8, in Chris Hart and Alec Dana.
Chris Hart, freshman, defensive end/linebacker
Hart comes from Florida powerhouse St. Aquinas High School, where he was a three-star recruit. There, his team won the Class 7A title his senior season with him at the linebacker slot. He was also a second-team all-state selection for his classification by the Miami Herald. At 6-foot-2, 245 pounds, Hart possesses decent speed for his size.
You can see his high school highlights here.
After redshirting last season, some thought that Hart might emerge as one of Utah’s starting linebackers, and he even appeared on the two-deep roster coming out of spring camp. However, injury kept him from participating in fall camp early on, which allowed other players to surpass him on the depth chart. Hart has since rejoined his teammates in practice, but it’s unclear what his role will be on this team moving forward this season after he’s missed time.
Alec Dana, sophomore, wide receiver
A speedster out of Chaffey College, Ute fans hope that Dana could help this year’s receiving corps in its attempt to be relevant in Pac-12 play. Also a track athlete, the receiver compiled 543 yards and three touchdowns in his lone season at the JUCO level. He was a three-star recruit by Rivals and Scout, as he originally committed to Washington State out of high school.
Dana is a downfield threat that the Utes sorely need. In a game with Chaffey, Dana broke the school record by registering 247 receiving yards to go with his two touchdowns. Right now, Dana doesn’t have a place on the two-deep roster, but don’t be surprised to see Whittingham test out his speed at times throughout the season.
Side note: Dana has speed but also athleticism, evident by his posting of him doing a backflip in the Utah locker room on his Twitter account. Check it out here.
Twitter: @GriffDoug
