While picking all-conference teams in mid-June lands somewhere between inexact science and dumb luck, preseason football magazines are out on the stands and have some predictions for fans to chew over until September.
Guru Phil Steele has placed seven Utes on preseason All Pac-12 teams, starring kicker Andy Phillips as his pick for 2016 Special Teams player of the Year.
He’s not on an island when it comes to projecting big things for Utah’s all-time leading scorer: Phillips, a three-time Lou Groza Award semifinalist, was also tabbed as a potential All-American by ESPN’s Mark Schlabach.
Steele is betting big on Utah’s defensive line: He also picked junior tackle Lowell Lotulelei and senior Kylie Fitts to make the Pac-12 first team.