With 81 days until the 2023 season, the UteNation countdown to kickoff series continues today with an emerging star, no. 81 Connor O’Toole. The receiver-turned-defensive-end played in all 14 games in 2022 with five starts including four in a row to finish the season. O’Toole’s development at defensive end is even more astonishing and impressive when you realize he played in all 14 games in 2021, but as a wide receiver.

Now with a year of very meaningful playing time at defensive end under his belt, O’Toole will be one of the leaders at the position with Van Fillinger and Jonah Elliss. His transition and growth at the position in such a short amount of time is another testament to the coaching staff’s eye for skills in a different position and player development. As was famously said in the Pac-12 Championship Game, O’Toole plays with his “hair on fire.” He adds to the embarrassment of riches that the Utes have at the position.

UteNation Take

O’Toole arrived on campus as a 210-pound receiver in the 2020 class and is now a 246-pound CSC Academic All-District defensive end. He told UteNation that it was easier for him to add weight, as opposed to keeping his weight down.

In his first game action on defense, O’Toole recorded seven tackles at Florida. However, his true breakout began to happen when Utah lost Fillinger to a season-ending injury. His progression at learning the position cannot be understated. Film study and experience should only continue to help him improve, as he already has superior athleticism than most defensive ends around college football.

If O’Toole can continue to take the next steps in his development, he could become one of the next great pass rushers in Utah Football. His trajectory and development are reminiscent of when Nate Orchard made the same transition. At the very least, O’Toole should be a force for Utah in 2023.

Remembering O’Toole’s Recruitment

O’Toole was the top recruit out of New Mexico as a 3-star 5.7 rated Rivals prospect. He had an impressive offer sheet with 21 total offers, including Utah, Arizona, Arkansas, Baylor, California, Cincinnati, Colorado, Florida State, LSU, Nebraska, New Mexico, Purdue, TCU, and Washington State, to name a few. In the end, Utah beat out the Baylor Bears for the tall, speedy receiver.