TEMPE, Ariz. — While Utah's seniors were picking up their bowl gifts after a practice in Salt Lake City last month, offensive lineman Jesse Boone decided to take inventory of those left behind.

"I took a look up and down and I didn't think we were in too bad of shape for next season," said Boone. "I'm excited to get it going."

After consecutive seasons of senior success and leadership, Boone is confident he and the other juniors on this year's team can carry the torch.

Linebacker Spencer Toone agrees. He was one of nine juniors who started for the Utes in the Fiesta Bowl.

"I think there's a lot of good leadership," said Toone. "There's a real strong corps of juniors."

Topping the class is Heisman Trophy finalist Alex Smith, who may opt to pursue a National Football League career instead of returning for his senior season.

"We'd love to have him back. He's done a fantastic job since he's been our quarterback," said Boone. "But, at the same time, everybody's very understanding — he's got to make a career decision."

Smith, who plans to announce his decision soon, thinks Utah's seniors-to-be may be even stronger than the past two classes.

"My class is going to have to step up. We're going to have to take on that leadership role," said Smith, the team's only captain who is an underclassman. "It'll be big shoes to fill."

Replacing those who have led the Utes to back-to-back outright conference titles and a berth in the Bowl Championship Series won't be easy.

"We lose a lot of seniors. This is, by far, the most talented senior class that we've had," said new head coach Kyle Whittingham.

"We've got some good young players in the program, but we lose a great deal of talent this year. I'm not trying to make excuses or anything, but we've got to find some people to step up next year and pick up the slack."

Dan Mullen, Utah's Florida-bound quarterbacks coach, said there's a lot of talent in the program offensively. And though he's not as well versed with the defense, he's quick to note that Whittingham's troops traditionally reload each year.

"The University of Utah is now to the point where the expectation is to win the Mountain West Conference championship year in and year out," said Mullen. "Not a team that wins one year and then rebuilds."

Key junior contributors for Utah football in 2004.

DL: Kite Afeaki

OL: Jesse Boone

PK: Bryan Borreson

TE: Blake Burdette

OL: David Dirkmaat

NG: Steve Fifita

TB: Quinton Ganther

DE: Marquess Ledbetter

WR: John Madsen

LB: Grady Marshall

CB: Eugene Oates

QB: Alex Smith

KR: Justin Walker

FS: Antonio Young

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E-mail: dirk@desnews.com