UteNation Countdown to Kickoff: No. 77 Simote Pepa

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Published Jun 15, 2023

UteNation Countdown to Kickoff: No. 77 Simote Pepa

Sean Davenport • UteNation

Ute Nation

@SeanDavenport

In today’s UteNation countdown to kickoff, we discuss no. 77 Simote Pepa with 77 days until the season kicks off against the Florida Gators. Pepa is a local product from Bingham HS and was part of their Utah state titles in 2016 and 2017. The stout defensive tackle worked his way into the regular rotation in 2022, seeing action in all 14 games. His first start came against Colorado. Despite his late emergence, his impact was significant enough that he earned AP All-Pac-12 First Team honors and College Football Network Freshman All-America Honorable Mention.

Defensive tackle depth and rotation has long been a hallmark of Utah Football, and Pepa looks to continue that trend alongside Junior Tafuna, Tevita Fotu, and Aliki Vimahi. However, Pepa’s health and conditioning will be crucial to the defensive tackles’ success this season since they do not have the usual depth this season. The talent is great, but one injury could deeply affect the tackles.

UteNation Take

Pepa arrived on campus in 2021 just north of 350 pounds, so his conditioning and weight will be something to keep an eye on over his career, but he is down to 330 pounds now. When Pepa first arrived, he showed flashes of a dominating and unstoppable defensive lineman, but his conditioning would quickly catch up to him. When he was given the opportunity last season, he displayed that dominance with consistency.

Under defensive tackles coach Luther Elliss’ attacking philosophy for the interior, Pepa collected 6.0 tackles for loss in 2022, including 4.0 sacks. His first full season of action looked promising, and fans can only hope that he takes the next step in 2023.

Pepa missed spring ball recovering from a lower leg injury, but he’s expected to be a full-go come fall.

Remembering Pepa’s Recruitment

Part of the Bingham Three—Pepa, Junior Tafuna and Lolani Langi—he didn’t commit to Utah until signing day 2019. However, Pepa was a longtime Utah lean and often talked to me in our conversations like he was already a part of the program.

The three-star defensive tackle (ranked no. 37 at the position) chose Utah over Wisconsin, Tennessee, Oregon, Nebraska, Arizona, Washington, BYU and others. Pepa then served an LDS mission before joining the team in time for spring ball in 2021.