2020 Utes Breakout Candidates: Nephi Sewell

One of the biggest questions facing the University of Utah's defense this year is its linebacker group. The Utes lost Francis Bernard, a first team all-conference player, to the NFL, and missed on a couple of linebacker recruits that could have been instant-impact players for them. There is a decent amount of talent returning on the roster, including a player who burst onto the scene in 2019, Devin Lloyd. Lloyd is one of the best players on Utah's defense and is expected to be a leader for the 2020 unit, but aside from him, the other linebacker spots on the depth chart are wide open.

Between Andrew Mata’afa and Sione Lund (depending on if he returns from his current situation), the Utes return some experience at linebacker, though both of those players need to show more to prove that they are ready to start. Utah also added some new players through recruiting, though it’s far from certain that any of them will be ready to contribute right away. Hence, the coaching staff looked at their roster to see if there were any players that might be able to make a position change that would benefit both them and the team. Enter Nephi Sewell, a former safety, who will make an impact for the Utes at one position or another this year.

Nephi Sewell | 6 feet, 210 pounds

Due to the NCAA dragging its feet on a transfer waiver decision for Sewell, he was only able to play in three games in 2019. However, after injuries to Julian Blackmon and RJ Hubert in the Pac-12 Championship Game, he was thrust into action against Oregon and Texas at the end of the season, even getting the start against the Longhorns. Sewell finished the season with 14 tackles, but struggled at times to be the type of versatile safety that the Utes need for their defensive scheme to work with all cylinders firing.

With the Utes losing Bernard and having plenty of other questions at the linebacker position going into 2020, Sewell and the coaching staff saw an opportunity that would both help the team and give him a chance to put his strengths to work at a different position. Sewell has above average athleticism and coverage ability for a linebacker, and he’s never been afraid to come downhill and make a tackle from his safety spot. Many teams have seen success with using a hybrid safety/linebacker type of player, including Utah in recent years with players like Chase Hansen and Brian Blechen.

Aside from his teammates Mata’afa and Lund, the biggest challenge Sewell faces in his bid to win a starting job is adding enough weight to be able to handle the punishment that comes with being a linebacker in a P5 conference. If he can add 10-15 pounds before fall camp begins and not lose the athleticism that makes him such an intriguing player at linebacker, he could be poised to win a starting job and make a name for himself as a redshirt junior.

The Sewell family has great football genes, just look at Nephi’s brothers Penei and Noah if you need any further proof. However, don’t forget about his other brother, Gabe, who played linebacker for the Nevada Wolfpack, recording 282 tackles and 21.5 tackles for loss in his four years there. With some work in the weight room and coaching from Colton Swan, Nephi has the potential to be a very productive player for the Utes, and is someone to watch going into this season.