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SALT LAKE CITY — Devontae Booker was the main man last season for the Utah football team, and there is no question he will be relied upon heavily again this year.
The expectations are high: a 2,000-yard season, a run at the Heisman Trophy and a bowl win for the second consecutive season.
But head coach Kyle Whittingham believes it's possible — and the Beast has embraced the hype.
"The offense runs through Devontae. He's the focal point," Whittingham said. "Really, what's going to be as key as anything for him is getting the throwing game going."
Other coaches in the Pac-12 have put their squads on notice for "the Beast."
"Devontae Booker? He should've gone pro," Arizona coach Rich Rodriguez said in jest. "He's a great player."
Opponents have put him on par with the best running backs in college football.
"You're not going to find a better running back talent in the country," Arizona State coach Todd Graham said.
Oregon coach Mark Helfrich even compared Booker to the greatest NBA player of all time.
You're not going to find a better running back talent in the country.
–Arizona State coach Todd Graham on Utah RB Devontae Booker
"The UCLA game, it reminded me of watching Michael Jordan," Helfrich said. "Everybody knew that Michael Jordan was going to have the ball, and they still couldn't stop him."
That type of respect around the Pac-12 shows why Booker is a Heisman Trophy candidate.
"It's something you dream about as a kid: winning the Heisman, doing the Heisman pose," Booker said. "I played video games a lot as a kid, so playing football, I'd always create a player and win the Heisman with him. Winning a Heisman in real life would just complete everything."
Booker's goal this year is 2,000 yards rushing, and his team believes he can do it.
"I think there were some backs rushing the ball who could have attained that," Whittingham said. "If we're not more efficient in the throwing game than we have the last few years, though, it's going to be tough sledding for Devontae."
Most importantly, Booker has all the confidence in himself.
"I look at myself as being one of the best running backs in the country," he said. "But I'm just trying to stay humble in the process. It's great to be mentioned in it."
Contributing: Matt Glade
