Plus: A deep dive into a 5-star recruit’s decision.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Coach Kyle Whittingham as the Utah Utes host the Arizona State Sun Devils in NCAA football in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023.
Coming into this season, defensive tackle was a major question mark for the Utes.
Former Utah star Keanu Tanuvasa left for BYU. Junior Tafuna is now playing in the NFL. But it appears Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham has changed his outlook on the Utes’ defensive line — in a positive way.
“I think those guys have a ton of upside,” Whittingham said recently. “The defensive tackle position group will be well-stocked for years to come. Right now, we feel like we’re in a good place. Pupu [Sepulona] is really doing a great job. [Karson] Kaufusi is doing a great job.
“We think we’re going to have some real superstars emerge from that group.”
Behind likely starters Dallas Vakalahi and Aliki Vimahi, Utah has several transfers and freshmen that it will rely on for in-season depth. Alongside Sepulona and Kaufusi, two freshmen from the 2025 class, the Utes also brought in LSU transfer Dilan Battle this offseason. Sophomore Jonah Lea’ea also seems primed to make an impact.
Utah defensive coordinator and head coach in waiting Morgan Scalley said the group was one of the most improved positions on defense in fall camp.
If that’s true, then the Utes could be primed for a strong season in the trenches.
“We’ve made a ton of progress. The freshmen came in and really have proven that they can play year one,” Scalley said. “My guess is all of them will see time at some point this season. … We should be solid.”
4 fall camp takeaways
(Anna Fuder | Utah Athletics) Offensive lineman Caleb Lomu participates in Utah football practice in Salt Lake City, Wednesday, July 30, 2025.
It’s that time.
Football starts next week, meaning fall camp is officially over. But for those just tuning in, I’ve decided to put together a season primer, of sorts, to prepare you for anything you might’ve missed.
Here are the four biggest storylines from Utah’s fall camp.
Why the Utes lost out on 5-star Salesi Moa
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Salesi Moa, Fremont wide receiver and strong safety, #8, does his ritual hand shake prior to the game with his father Ben Moa, defensive coordinator for the team on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025 at Weber High School.
This past week, I went up to Ogden to chat with Salesi Moa.
After a whirlwind recruiting process, which came down to Tennessee and Utah, I talked to the 5-star recruit about why he chose the Volunteers over the Utes.
“As a kid, I was always telling myself that I wanted to play on the biggest stage,” Salesi said. “That’s why I chose Tennessee.”
But … the Utes were in the lead … for a while.
“Utah was in the front until the last second,” Ben Moa, Salesi’s father, said. “[Tennessee] even knew it was going to be hard to get a hometown kid, a legacy player.”
For a deep dive into Moa’s recruitment, read my full story.
What’s Next?
It’s time for the season-opener. Utah will travel to take on former Pac-12 foe UCLA on Aug. 30 at 9 p.m. MT in Pasadena, Calif.
That’s it for me this week! Thanks for tuning in.
— Jason Batacao, The Salt Lake Tribune