There’s only seven days until the Utah football season opens against SUU and we get a double dose of articles in the UteNation Countdown to Kickoff series with No. 7 Van Fillinger. The senior defensive end played in 11 games with eight starts in 2023. He did so, fighting through an injury while the roster was gutted by other long-term injuries. The imposing defensive end tallied 31 total tackles (5.0 TFL, 3.0 sacks) along with a forced fumble and a recovery.

The 6-foot-4 and 260-pound force has played in 38 games with 27 total starts, so his leadership will be key on a defense that lost consensus All-American Jonah Elliss to the 2024 NFL Draft.

UteNation Take

A four-year starter, Fillinger leads yet another talented defensive ends group including Connor O’Toole, Logan Fano and some intriguing up-and-comers.

Fillinger has always had a high motor with a quick first step, and another year in the system should mean he is even more savvy. With health on his side, Fillinger should move up the watch lists of NFL scouts, as NFL squads can never have enough good pass rushers. He should be in for a big senior season.

Remembering Fillinger's Recruitment

The no. 195 overall player in the Rivals250 and the no. 10 strong side defensive end, Van originally committed to Texas, but flipped to the Utes along with the late-Ty Jordan for the 2020 class. The 5.8 four-star prospect out of Draper held 19 offers in all, including Arizona State, Boise State, Cal, Colorado, LSU, Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio State, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, UCLA, USC, Utah State, Washington, and Wisconsin. He flipped to Utah just before early signing day in December of 2019.