Editors Note: As the countdown begins, we'll take a look at key players, discuss the hot topics facing Kyle Whittingham's 2019 squad, and more.

The countdown is back, Ute Nation. There are just 99 days until the University of Utah kicks off their highly anticipated 2019 season. With that being said, Happy Leki Fotu Day.

As good as this Utah defense is expected to be, it all starts up front with the 6-foot-5, 330 pound monster, who makes opposing offenses have to be aware of him at all times. The 2018 1st-Team All-Pac-12 selection played in all 14 games last season, starting 13. He finished with 33 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and three sacks. So what can he do for an encore? As impressive as those stats are for a defensive tackle, his mere presence wrecks opponents game plans, as it goes beyond the box score.

When head coach Kyle Whittingham mentions Fotu in the same breath as Ute legend Luther Ellis, that’s a big deal. While Whittingham is quick to compliment his players, his comments typically seem measured. Fotu could have entered his name in the 2018 NFL Draft—something that there were early whispers that it would be a foregone conclusion—although teams would have been banking more on his raw talent in the mid to later rounds. Now with a stacked defensive line around him, Fotu will look to build off of a strong junior season and work his way into the conversation for the early rounds of the 2019 NFL Draft.

Alex Markham’s Take:

Before last season, Derek Tuimauga told everyone that the biggest thing he wanted to see Fotu focus on was his leverage and his pad level. Going into the 2019 season, it’s going to be more about having the target on his back and still exceeding his production from 2018.

All-Conference level players can take on a double-team and free things up for their teammates, but transcendent players know they’ll be the opposing offense’s focus and rack up the stats regardless. So the next step in his progression is up to Fotu—and we’re betting that he puts in the work to to be in the conversation for the first defensive tackle taken in next year’s draft.

Alex Remembers Fotu’s Recruitment:

It's honestly laughable looking at Fotu's old recruiting profile. It still amazes me to this day that Fotu was so lightly recruited, until late into the process. The fact that Leki didn’t participate in any of the big camps was blessing for the Utes. Still, had the camp situation been different, I don’t think it would have made any difference due to family preferences. Ultimately the Utes won out over USC and Oklahoma State, in what has been a huge recruiting victory.

A special senior year from him, to go along with a conference championship, could make the decisions of highly-regarded local defensive linemen that much more difficult to leave the state.