A year ago Ute fans knew very little about Jakob Poeltl. He was from Austria and 7-feet tall. That was about the extent of what Poeltl brought to the table. Most if not everyone, had no idea how to pronounce his last name. By the end of the season, Poeltl rolled off the tongue easily for everyone. He was a recruiting victory for coach Larry Krystkowiak, as Poeltl had picked the Utes over Pac-12 foes Arizona and Cal.
Poeltl's game, which he brought from the Europe at the Arkadia Traiskirchen Lions, translated well to to the college game at Utah, and Jakob found his way into the starting lineup, supplanting senior Dallin Bachynski.