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SALT LAKE CITY -- Under the helm of head coach Kyle Whittingham, the University of Utah has been known for its tough defenses. In recent years, the Utah football program has put defensive players like Paul Kruger, Sione Pouha and Paul Soliai in the NFL, showing the great talent to play under Whittingham.
And this season's defense is not about to be shown up by the defenses of previous years. This week we take a look at the defensive ends of Utah's defensive line.
Tevita Finau:
- Number: 97
- Class: Senior
- Hometown: Lahaina, Hawaii
- Last College: Phoenix College
- Height /Weight: 6-4 /283
- Birthdate: 01/13/1986
- Experience: 1VL
- Number: 99
- Class: Sophomore
- Hometown: Orem, Utah
- High School: Pleasant Grove HS
- Height /Weight: 6-7 /270
- Birthdate: 06/04/1992
- Experience: 1VL
- Number: 90
- Class: Senior
- Hometown: Houston, Texas
- High School: Hightower HS
- Height /Weight: 6-3 /271
- Birthdate: 03/04/1989
- Experience: 3VL
Tevita Finau is Utah's co-starter at the left end position, recording five total tackles and one pass deflection this season. Finau joined the Utes in the fourth week of the season last year, playing in his first game the following week against Iowa State. He played the remaining eight games of the season, earning his first start against TCU.
Prior to joining the Utah roster, Finau played for Phoenix College where he was named second-team All-American NJCAA in 2007 and Co-Defensive Player of the Year in 2008. While at Phoenix College, Finau recorded a total of 142 tackles with 30 for a loss of yards. He also had seven sacks and four forced fumbles with the team.
Born in New Zealand, Finau grew up loving the sport of rugby. "Rugby was my first love," Finau said. As a fan of rugby, Finau said he watched Australia play before recently switching over to South Africa.
Finau said he wasn't interested in football until high school, focusing on other sports. "I didn't play football until my sophomore year in high school. I was more of a basketball guy," he said. "I decided my sophomore year to go out for football and I just ended up liking it more. I like to hit guys so both fell into place."
Watching Michael Strahan, former defensive end for the New York Giants and single-season sack holder, Finau has tried to develop Strahan's "motor" skills and "non-stop-play."
"Regardless of what down it is or what quarter, he's going the same speed from the start to the end," Finau said.
Finau attributes his success in football to his wife and daughter.
"Settling down and getting married really opened up my eyes to what's important," he said. "She definitely plays a big part in my life, as well as my daughter."
Joe Kruger:
Sophomore Joe Kruger is the brother of former Utes player Paul Kruger, who currently plays for the Baltimore Ravens, and Utah defensive lineman Dave Kruger. With his quick speed, Kruger is the co-starter at right end, recording a total of nine tackles with one for a loss of yards this season.
As a true freshman, Kruger played in all 13 games with the Utes last season, mostly on special teams. Playing at Pleasant Grove high school, Kruger was named first-team all-state and all-conference as a senior in 2009, where he ranked in the nation's top 25 defensive ends by Rivals.com. As a senior, he led the state in sacks (15) and had a total of 51 tackles. Kruger attributes much of his success to his brother Paul and his father.
"I actually didn't like (football) when I first started playing, but my dad kind of made me. I started liking it after a while -- started doing well and just kept doing it," Kruger said. "Paul has taught me a lot. Every time I do something wrong, he's correcting me. He knows a lot and he's taught me a lot, especially just out on the playing field and just in life."
Derrick Shelby:
As an experienced member of the Utah roster, Derrick Shelby is the co-starter at right end, recording eight total tackles with two for a loss of yards, one sack and a recovered fumble for a touchdown against BYU this season. In his 37 games with the Utes, Shelby has started 30 games, originally playing at tackle as a freshman before switching to end. With the Utes, Shelby has a total of 122 tackles with 20 for a loss of yards, five sacks and four forced fumbles.
Switching from offense to defense after high school, Shelby said he's followed the game of Julius Peppers, a starting defensive end for the Chicago Bears. "I was just looking at someone that was killing it on Sunday's and that was Julius Peppers at the time," Shelby said.
Prior to the start of every game, Shelby said he only has one pre-game ritual: "I listen to one CD every time before I play," he said. "This season it's ‘Finally Famous' by Big Sean, but that's pretty much all I do."
*Email: jfurlong@ksl.com*Twitter: @JFurKSL