Comments about ‘Utah Utes football: Underclassmen may test NFL waters’

I doubt that any of these players would go on the first day of the draft but I hope they try anyway. As a BYU fan, I am in favor of anything that makes Utah weaker next year.

That said -- Even though I normally have no affection for the Utes, I hope that they somehow put up a good show against Alabama (unlike what my pitiful cougars did in Vegas tonight!). Here's hoping that we don't have to deal with Kruger and Smith next year, but I don't see them going very high in the draft right now. No one on Utah's offensive line (Beadles included) will be a top prospect this year. They certainly allowed Johnson to be sacked or hurried too many times in quite a few games and their run blocking was only adequate not great. I will admit, however, that all three could turn into good NFL candidates if they perform well next year.

Nothing but mad respect goes out to The Utes.

Whittingham showing class again by honoring a great Ute fan. What Urban started continues with Coach Whit and Ute fans should be proud of the class of this team.

As a diehard BYU fan who is frequently irritated by the classlessness and obnoxiousness of Ute fans, to see the Utah TEAM doing this for Elder Wirthlin is nothing short than amazing. What a classy thing to do.
This is an extremely impressive thing for Coach Whittingham to do and shows that he is well aware of and proud of the roots of the University, itself.
Well done, Coach Whit.

good luck utes. much respect. you are the better team this year. i am rooting for you against bama.

There's a name you don't hear on Sundays after he jumped ship in 2004 and didn't even get drafted. Let's hope the current guys are smart enough to stick around and get better.

I remember Coach Whit told the media he told Savoy to stay until he was "blue in the face". As a Ute Fan, every holding or offensive line penalty is on Beadles. Beadles, that is where you need to improve buddy! Sean Smith, he's good, and kruger is an animal. However, smith and kruger, how good are you compared to the senior class in every conference, every team, etc. All 3 have to have incredible games against bama. Kruger is going against the best OT in the nation. Beadles will have to block the monster D lineman that is almost 400lbs. Smith will have to cover Julio Jones who is the real deal as a true fresh.

With all that aside, all 3 need another year to play to they could be the top talent next year and all the scouts are familiar with them and see what they have improved on

Hey Props, you need to differentiate between the coach and administration at the U - who are class people, and the average joe-blow Utah fan who is a jerk.

The motives of Whittingham and his staff are honorable; the hatred of most Yewt fans towards BYU, driven I believe by jealously and/or bigotry, is despicable.

Ute fans are a vile a group as I have met. Just go to a game a RES, particularly against BYU, and you will know what I mean.

Coach Whitt -"me and Urban"? Where did you go to school? Oh yeah BYU

re: Anon @ 1222.

I'm an average Joe-bow Utah fan. So now I'm also a jerk, a bigot, and classless. Thanks. Anything else?

College is about higher education--but also about getting a good job afterward. If I thought I had a chance to get a great job, in a field that I was good at---I would look into it too. That's just what these guys did. Test the waters is all. Take BYU's Plaisted. He tested the NBA waters last year---didn't get it---but he still ended up doing what he wanted: play ball.

I think if the Utes are to have a chance at repeating as conference champs next year, with an improving CSU, as well as TCU, BYU in the mix, they will need players like Kruger and Smith. But if they leave, good for them. I just hope it's not the "Savoy Syndrome."

Jealous? Of what... going 10-3? The Vegas Bowl? Losing to Arizona? Oh, I know what it is. It must be that we're jealous of the controversial '84 national championship that BYU won on a lucky last second play against an unranked 6 win Michigan team. Controversial you say? Look it up...

I for one actually try to root for BYU when they're not playing the U, but you BYU fans do make it hard with your arrogance and holier than thou attitude.

Kruger? Are you serious? You have to be able to run on the field and not trip on the fake grass to make it in the NFL.

I hope he does go so he can get a taste of reality...oh never mind...that will happen when they play Alabama.

that Utah's performance this year was another flash in the pan, and not likely to be repeated for many more years, is that the assistant coaches are all leaving and now the players want to leave too. They know that things can't get better than this. Whittingham's program will stumble badly next year because he has relied so heavily on his assistants and because he has displayed such poor sportsmanship on so many occasions. What goes around, comes around. (And I am an alumnus of the U of U.)

Your rationale did not make any sense. I started in the corporate world 21 years ago earning, $19k per year as junior management. I left my position to work for another company in middle management for $40k. Three years later, I left for a position that earned $55k. I left that group three years later to earn $65k. That position eventually paid me over $150k annually. I had to move to different locations all over the West to gain these positions. What is the difference between coaches and corporate climbers? NONE!

When coaches leave, they leave for money. Do you think Kyle or Bronco wouldn't leave for $1.7 million dollars per year? Would you? I would. If a company offers me $300k annually, I'm leaving Utah.

Utah won't be hurt by Anderson leaving. It was Kyle's defense anyway. The offense wasn't that great this year and will improve with someone else at the helm. If BYU goes undefeated, half the coaches will jump ship. We're all easy!

Good one Deth...he may end up being the best D Lineman ever to come out of the U...which is saying quite a bit since a former Ute D lineman was a 1st round draft pick and played 10+ solid NFL seasons.

His name was Luther Ellis. I could tell that you couldn't remember your own player's name. Very Nice! Ute fans are ridiculous. Luther was great, Kruger will not be. You'll see, ten years from now you will say "Deth was right all those years ago." BUT, you wouldn't be able to remember Kruger's name anyway. You'll have to ask a cougar fan about that.

RE: Deth,

I wish I knew as much as you about players' potential and ability. Maybe you could parlay that skill into a nice job in Vegas. As for Kruger, he's still open (sorry, I couldn't help myself, and no, it will never get old, ala zoobs and Harline)

RE: Anon 12:22,

As a Joe-blow Ute fan, thanks for calling me a vile jealous bigot. Oddly enough I am also a BYU graduate, and you are a prime example as to why I struggle with SOME (not all) BYU fans. Show some class, and recognize that there are idiots on both sides of the rivalry, as well as good, nice people. You can decide what camp you are in.

Honestly... if you were an NFL exec and could draft either Kruger or Jan Jorgensen, who would you pick? I want to see you type the words. Typical Coug. I hope I'm not the only one who enjoyed watching the BYU bowl game on ESPN!!! how refreshing to listen to announcers (not from the Mtn) who could honestly criticize the pathetic BYU secondary because it didn't have #16's daddy in the booth and little Christensen on the sideline! I'm looking forward to watching both TCU and Utah play on non-mtn channels as well!!! The difference is EMBARASSING to the mwc and the mtn network!!!

Vegas? No way. I'm making too much money moving up the corporate latter from 19k to 40k to 55k, then 65k, then all the way up to 150k. You feel me?

To Deth at 10:32. (Thanks for posting as me btw)

Who said anything about Jan Jorgensen? But since your asking...I'd take... Jerry Hughes.