Utes football: Star Lotulelei putting NFL on hold

SALT LAKE CITY — Big news from the big man on campus.

Utah nose tackle Star Lotulelei has made a lot of folks up on the hill happy with his decision to return to the Utes for his senior season.

The 6-foot-3, 325-pound team captain, who was recently named the best defensive lineman in the Pac-12 by his peers, is putting an NFL career on hold after weighing his options.

"I think it would be better for me and my family if I stayed," Lotulelei said while noting he consulted with his parents and wife, Angelina, after getting input from some scouts about his future. Education was also a big factor in Lotulelei's decision, as he'll earn his degree next fall.

"I'll be back and hopefully help the team to go a little bit further next season," added the first-team all-conference honoree, who is busy preparing with his teammates for the Dec. 31 Sun Bowl against Georgia Tech.

Lotulelei, who was double-teamed much of the season but still tied for the team lead with nine tackles-for-loss, is this year's winner of the Morris Trophy — an award presented each year to the Pac-12's top defensive lineman as voted upon by the conference's starting offensive linemen.

Lotulelei will be honored by the Washington Athletic Club in Seattle on Jan. 19. The former Bingham High and Snow College star acknowledged "it means a lot," especially to be recognized by players on opposing lines.

Same goes for being named to the Pac-12 first-team by league coaches.

"It's a big thing," Lotulelei said. "You're starting to get respect. You're starting to put yourself out there."

And the best may be yet to come.

"He's got that potential," said Utah coach Kyle Whittingham. "He's got a chance to take his game him further."

Whittingham noted that the progress Lotulelei has made since arriving on campus as a sophomore has been tremendous. His hard work and focus, Whittingham continued, should lead to an excellent senior year as Lotulelei fine-tunes his game.

"It's great news for our program and I think he'll benefit from that," Whittingham said of Lotulelei's decision to return. "He's scheduled to graduate this time next year. Academics is obviously very important to him, as it should be, and also the opportunity to take his game to another level. He had a very good year this year, but he's still got even more room to improve and get better."