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SALT LAKE CITY — For a team that ranked fourth in the nation in interceptions last year, the University of Utah secondary doesn't always get the love it deserves. How could it? When multiple major media and news outlets project the Ute defensive line to be one of the country's best, there isn't always much love to go around.
Don't sleep on this group; however, they're ready to make noise.
"Ask on any kid on the football field and he'll tell you the same thing: We are relentless, smart, nasty ballhawks; that's who we are," says cornerbacks coach Sharieff Shah. "I require a lot as a cornerback coach," adds Shah. "In this defense, you're asked to play a lot of man coverage. You cannot be scared."
The Utes weren't scared last year. If the defensive line was the bomb, the Ute secondary was always ready to light the fuse. In helping to make the Utes the fourth most-efficient defense in the land last season, they picked off marquee quarterback Jared Goff five times, BYU freshman sensation Tanner Mangum three times (twice a pick-six), and Jake Rudock and Jim Harbaugh's Michigan Wolverines three times (one pick-six).
In fact, the Utah defensive backfield managed at least one interception in nine of 13 games, something Shah recognizes as key to success.
"We still, in homage to coach Pease, maintain the mantra of four (turnovers) and a score, because if you're able to get four turnovers and score, you're not going to lose many ball games from a defensive standpoint," he says.
The Utes boast the personnel to achieve such a task. Junior free safety Marcus Williams is back after a stellar sophomore year that saw him record five interceptions and be named first team, Pac-12 all-conference at his position. CBS currently projects Williams as the No. 1 overall free safety for his draft class (2018).
In addition to Williams, the Utes boast three experience-laden senior cornerbacks in Dominique Hatfield, Justin Thomas and Reginald Porter. Hatfield's not shy about his leadership or style of play.
"Just my attitude, I've always been a natural leader," he says. "We're an old group now. I just try to come with attitude, heart and courage. I've got to play big." As for his goals? "Every day I look at it on my wall; I need seven interceptions, 50 solo tackles and first-team Pac-12."
It's exactly those kind of expectations that serve to inspire and elevate the younger DBs. In addition to sophomore Chase Hansen, already a fan favorite, the Utes have added true freshman Terrell Burgess and Julian Blackmon, tabbed by Shah as up-and-comers in the program.
"We're like family," says Blackmon. "I just do everything I can to make Coach Shah proud."
In this their swan song, the experienced group already knows how it wants the history books to describe them, echoing their coach and leader: "We are relentless, smart, nasty ballhawks. That's what we preach," Williams says.
In order to achieve their goal of a Pac-12 title, nothing short of just that will be acceptable.
Stephen Lindsey is a student at the University of Utah currently working as an intern with KSL.com in Salt Lake City. Contact him at th3sl3@gmail.com or interact via his twitter handle, @th3sl3
