Utah Utes football by position

Quarterback

Jordan Wynn, 6-1, 195, Soph.

Now, for the encore. After capping last season with Most Valuable Player honors in the Poinsettia Bowl, Wynn enters his first full campaign as the designated starter. He stepped into the role midway through the eighth game of 2009, replacing current backup Terrance Cain. The Utes were 7-1 with Cain, who is now a senior, as the starter. Cain has pushed Wynn throughout camp and gives Utah a solid replacement if needed.

Running backs

Matt Asiata, 5-11, 230, Sr.

Eddie Wide, 5-10, 195, Sr.

Depth — and lot's of it. With Asiata and Wide in the backfield, the Utes have one of the most powerful running back duos in the nation. Asiata led the Utes in rushing in 2008 and was on top of the Mountain West Conference last season before being sidelined with a knee injury in the fourth game. Wide stepped in and became just the 10th player in U. history to rush for more than 1,000 yards in a season. Another player to watch is transfer Tauni Vakapuna.

Offensive line

LT: John Cullen, 6-5, 285, Jr.

LG: Caleb Schlauderaff, 6-4, 300, Sr.

C: Zane Taylor, 6-2, 309, Sr.

RG: Tevita Stevens, 6-1, 290, Soph.

RT: Tony Bergstrom, 6-6, 310, Jr.

With four returning starters, Utah had only one gap to fill up front. The Utes did so in a big way — replacing All-American left tackle Zane Beadles, who is now with the NFL's Denver Broncos, with Cullen, who was considered the top junior college offensive lineman in the nation. Taylor and Schlauderaff were named to the MWC's preseason all-conference team, while Stevens and Bergstrom are proven commodities, as well.

Wide receivers

Jereme Brooks, 5-7, 170, Sr.

Luke Matthews, 6-1, 201, Soph.

Shaky Smithson, 5-11, 202, Sr.

Brooks is the top returnee, with 56 catches in 2009. The veteran leads a pack of talented but relatively inexperienced receivers. Smithson, the only other senior in the mix, will assist in that regard. He'll also add some explosiveness. So, too, will junior college transfers Dexter Ransom and Mo Lee. Matthews is part of a group of young contributors that will likely include DeVonte Christopher, Griff McNabb, Reggie Dunn and Fatu Moala.