Zane Beadles is a leader — a big leader — for the Utah Utes.

The 6-foot-4 305-pound left tackle makes his influence known with his words and his deeds.

"He's not afraid to speak his mind, and the players really respect him. He leads by his work habits in the weight room and on the practice field," said Utah coach Kyle Whittingham. "He never takes a day off. The guy is always there. He's always working hard."

On and off the field.

"He not only competes on the field but in the classroom, as well," Whittingham said.

Beadles, an engineering major, is scheduled to graduate in December. He's been a regular on the Dean's List, Utah Athletics Academic Honor Roll and the Mountain West Conference All-Academic team.

"You can't say enough about the guy," said Whittingham, who added he wouldn't mind having an entire team of players like Beadles.

The former Hillcrest High star has been a starter ever since coming off a redshirt year in 2005.

In 2007, he was moved to the pivotal left-tackle spot when an injury sidelined Jason Boone in preseason camp.

Beadles has been there ever since, anchoring the offensive line for last season's undefeated, Sugar Bowl championship team.

"Smart move. It looks like it was a good move for us and for him," said Whittingham. "He has been a rock on that line of scrimmage for us."

Beadles, who said he's very comfortable with his move to left tackle, has been a constant during his career with the Utes. Other offensive linemen have come and gone during his tenure with the team. And this year, the squad has a new position coach in Blake Miller.

"We are going to be fine. We've got a lot of veteran guys who have played a lot of football, and it's just a matter of working together and getting comfortable with each other — putting the five best guys in the five spots and going from there," said Beadles.

There's a sense of urgency, however.

"We've got a target on our backs now. We're the defending Mountain West champs, and we've got to go out there and play like it," said Beadles, who is determined to keep Utah on top. "I come out here every day and try to get everyone else to come out here with an agenda to know that."

The Utes, he continued, have got to constantly improve.

It's a philosophy Beadles knows all about.

"You've got to come out here and control what you can control, and that's the product you put on the field," he said while expressing his desire to be a team captain. "Definitely. I try to come out here every day and put my work ethic on the field and try to get other guys to feed off of me."