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SALT LAKE CITY — Defense has always been a staple of the Utah football program, and that is no different this year. Through seven games, the Utes are ranked seventh overall in total defense across the entire FBS.
There has been a lot of talk about Utah’s run defense, and deservedly so — Utah ranks No. 1 overall in the nation.
But something that deserves equal attention is the incredible individual and team performance from Utah’s secondary. Pro Football Focus, a website measuring statistics of football players across the nation, released a stat that showed Utah sophomore Javelin Guidry as the highest-graded slot corner in the nation.
Guidry has allowed just a 65.8 passer rating when targeted this season, according to PFF. But he is not the only player contributing in the secondary at a high level; Utah as a team has held opposing quarterbacks to just a 108.5 passer rating — this ranks Utah 17th in the nation and 11th in Power Five conferences.
Utah’s secondary only allows 6 yards per pass attempt and allows a 52.8 percent completion percentage; both stats are in the Top 20 of their respective categories in the nation.
Talented junior Julian Blackmon was listed as a Top 5 defensive back before the season began by the NFL. At 6-foot-1 and 190 pounds, he is an ideal candidate for the NFL. He earned second team all-Pac-12 honors last year and hasn't shied away from contact this year. He is known to be a good tackler, totaling 20 tackles this year, while swatting away six passes.
Sophomore Jaylon Johnson is one of the most highly-touted recruits Utah has ever landed. He has interceptions in two of the last three games during a three game win streak — one of the interceptions was returned for a 100-yard touchdown. He is currently third in the NCAA in return yards on interceptions and is a physical player with 26 tackles this year.
With cornerbacks like that, other teams should definetely be afraid to throw the ball. A large part of the reason Blackmon and Johnson are able to play so physically is because of the consistant help they have behind them in safeties Marquise Blair and Corrion Ballard.
Blair has quickly become known as one of the hardest hitters in college football with his body-crushing tackles. He has 26 tackles on the season, even though he was ejected in the second quarter of September's Washington game in the second quarter. At 6-foot-2 and 195 pounds, he is a frightening presence in Utah's secondary.
Ballard is quietly having an incredible season. He missed this years game in Arizona, but still has flown all over the field for 22 tackles. Even more impressively is the turnovers he has created; he has forced two fumbles and has an interception this year.
Blackmon, Johnson, Blair and Ballard all could end up playing on Sundays as all are being scouted by NFL teams for their size, speed and skillset. Add Guidry to the mix and the Utes may just have the best secondary in college football.
Utah will be relying on its defense a lot to close out the season strong. Utah has four remaining Pac-12 games, and if they want to win the South, they will need to win most, if not all, of the remaining games. Utah’s secondary will be sure to play a huge part in helping Utah accomplish its goal this season of winning the South.
Utah is back in action Friday night in Los Angeles to take on the UCLA Bruins. The game will begin at 8:30 p.m.
