The Utah offensive line is undergoing some reconstruction.
Although spring practice commenced last week, the front five have already taken a big hit in this young season.
Last year’s starting center, Zane Taylor, has been shifted to replace starting right guard Neli A’asa, who is out indefinitely with a knee injury. Taylor, a 6-foot-2-inch, 305-lb. junior from Moab, was named as an honorable mention all-conference center during last year’s 13-0 campaign.
Redshirt freshman Tevita Stevens, a 6-foot-1, 275-lb. offensive lineman from Hemet, Calif., will take over center responsibilities until the dust clears along the offensive line.
“No permanent decisions have been made, but we are looking at some new combinations to try and get the best players on the field,” said offensive coordinator Dave Schramm in a statement.
Although only two starting positions have been mixed-and-matched, the backup positions are where everything gets jumbled.
Tyler Williams will be the primary backup at both center and left guard, while Walter Watts, who has been playing right guard and left tackle this spring, will be pitted behind left guard Caleb Schlauderaff. Louis Finner, a 6-foot-3, 295-lb. tackle from Plano, Texas, will be the newest backup to starting right tackle Tony Bergstrom, a sophomore from Salt Lake City.
Christopher Kamrani