SALT LAKE CITY — The Kyle Whittingham era has been defined by Utah’s stout and physical defenses.

Year after year, the program continues to churn out impact players on the defensive side of the ball, and the 2018 season will be no different. In fact, this year’s defense may be one of the most well-rounded defenses in the Whittingham era and could help the Utes to finally winning the Pac-12 South title.

On Monday, I previewed the offensive position groups, so now it’s time to look at the other side of the ball. Here’s a look at the two-deep favorites on the defense, and at how the depth chart should shape up for each position.

Defensive line

At the defensive tackle positions are juniors Leki Fotu (LT) and John Penisini (RT), who are expected to start coming into fall camp. Both have playing experience and combined for 26 total tackles in 2017. Fotu appears to be a lock at the left tackle position, but there’s potential for sophomore Pita Tonga to claim the right tackle spot. Tonga had 13 total tackles last season and was a disruptor in the trenches. He and Penisini will both likely see some good playing time. Behind Fotu will likely be sophomore Hauati Pututau, who played in 11 games last season.

Junior Bradlee Anae has quickly emerged as a force at the defensive end position, and will likely be the star of the defensive line. In one year as the starter, Anae recorded 39 total tackles, seven sacks and forced three fumbles. He’ll line up on the left side of the line this year, switching from his position as right end last year. Behind him, though, is an up-and-coming redshirt freshman in Mika Tafua with a lot of potential. Tafua should get some playing time, but he’s behind the star DE, but could move to the right DE spot.

Junior Caleb Repp is slated to be the starter at the right DE spot, but his size has been what’s kept him from more playing time; bulking up from his days of playing wide receiver takes time. Repp’s spot as a starter is not guaranteed, though, as sophomore Maxs Tupai is there to fight him for the spot. Tupai hasn’t played a ton, but he’s a physical athlete with a knack for disrupting opposing offenses.

All in all, the defensive line should be a fun position group to watch in fall camp to see who comes out on top. Regardless, Utah has the talent to compete and make an impact. And with assistant coach Gary Andersen leading the group, there’s no question the defensive line will be ready for the season.

Linebacker

In a move that many Utah fans have been waiting for, senior Chase Hansen has finally made the switch to linebacker. It’s hard to ignore the impact Hansen has on the Utah defense. His instinct and ability to lay the blows on offenses have made the one-time quarterback and safety a force to be reckoned with in the Pac-12. Hansen is unburdened by injury this year and could have a big season in a new position at rover linebacker. Behind Hansen is redshirt freshman Devin Lloyd, a 6-foot-3, 230-pound athlete from California. Lloyd has received early praise from Whittingham and is a name to watch this fall.

At the mac linebacker position is senior Cody Barton and junior Donavan Thompson. Barton came into the program looking a little like a fish out of water as he was thrown into an inexperienced position group and forced to learn through his mistakes. Barton, though, delivered the hits and has been near the top each year of total tackles for Utah. The senior from Salt Lake has developed into a solid linebacker and is poised to have a breakout year as the starter.

Thompson, too, has emerged as a force at linebacker. Last season, Thompson played in every game and finished the season in the Top 10 of total tackles for Utah with 38 tackles. Although he’s likely to be No. 2 on the depth chart, Thompson should get more than enough playing time and will be an impact player at the position.

One name to watch for is former BYU linebacker Francis Bernard. Although Whittingham cannot comment on the linebacker until his transfer is official, Bernard is expected to be with Utah this fall. If everything works out as planned for Bernard, he’ll be one to contend for a starting spot, or at least significant playing time. He hasn’t played for a year, so he could be a bit rusty, but showed a lot of talent at BYU.

Safety

The move of Hansen to linebacker was made easier with the depth and talent left at the safety position. Senior Marquise Blair, who joined the team last season, quickly found a home at Utah and went to work disrupting offenses. Simply put, Blair hurts people and is not who receivers want to see chasing them down. Blair will start at strong safety and should continue to be a strong asset in the secondary.

Behind Blair at the No. 2 position is junior Terrell Burgess. He played in all 13 games last season and recorded 18 total tackles. He hasn’t proven to be a better option than Blair, but one worthy of the rotation without significant drop-off.

At free safety, senior Corrion Ballard is projected to start. Ballard finished the 2017 season just behind Blair (No. 6) in total tackles for the season and gave Utah some great consistency last season, despite a tough acclimation period to Utah’s defense. With a year under his belt at Utah, Ballard should have a big season, particularly next to Blair. Behind Ballard is junior Philip Afia, who is also a serviceable free safety that has a lot of experience, and one that will replace Ballard when he graduates.

Cornerback / Nickelback

It’s a position group that Whittingham has glowingly talked about as potentially the best Utah has ever had, and for good reason. Utah is led by junior Julian Blackmon. The Layton native finished last season with 48 total tackles, six pass breakups and four interceptions. There’s no wonder he was named the Heart of Dallas Bowl most valuable player.

Lining up opposite of Blackmon is sophomore Jaylon Johnson. As a freshman, Johnson because one of the most difficult corners to go against, according to Pro Football Focus. Few quarterbacks threw his way due to his coverage and ability to disrupt passes. Although Blackmon has gotten most of the headlines for the position group, Johnson is one to watch this year.

Behind Blackmon and Johnson is Tyrone Smith and Josh Nurse. Both have experience at the position, but not quite to the level of the guys ahead of them. They’re serviceable options and will be part of the rotation at corner, but don’t expect them to get the nod as the No. 1 guy.

At nickel, the starter is sophomore Javelin Guidry, who had a great freshman season. Guidry could deliver the hits, play well in coverage and be an overall force for the secondary. Guidry is a natural and should be even better this year with a full year in Morgan Scalley’s defensive schemes. Behind him is junior Tareke Lewis, who just joined the team after qualifying academically. He had a good spring and earned the No. 2 spot, but it’s anyone’s guess as to what kind of player he is in game situations.

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