The UteNation countdown to kickoff continues today with 83 days left until the Utah Football Team hosts the University of Florida on August 31st. Today we focus on No. 83, defensive end, Jonah Elliss. The junior earned Pac-12 All-Conference Honorable Mention for 2022 in his 11 games and eight starts as he tied for the team lead with RJ Hubert in forced fumbles (2) and recoveries (2).
Unfortunately, Elliss was hampered by injuries towards the tail-end of the season. He was able to participate in spring ball, but his reps were limited as he worked his way back to full health. Elliss is a proven commodity, so there was no need to push it.
UteNation Take
Elliss has packed on over 30 pounds of muscle since first arriving on campus as part of the 2021 class. In doing so, he has maintained his speed and quickness from his prep days as a linebacker. He causes opposing offenses nightmares when he flashes his elite sideline to sideline speed. With his 4.5-second forty speed and time to recover from some nagging injuries, Elliss should continue to be a menace for opposing quarterbacks.
Teaming with fellow juniors Connor O’Toole and Van Fillinger, Elliss leads a defensive end room full of athleticism and potential for big plays in 2023. It’s a position group that’s arguably the deepest on a stacked team.
The key for all of them will be staying healthy, especially for Elliss. Elliss has been a regular contributor ever since his freshman season, and taking his game up to the next level will go a long way in Utah’s attempt at a Pac-12 title three-peat. He should be one of the most versatile and dangerous defensive ends in the conference.
Remembering Elliss’ Recruitment
One would think that being the son of a college legend and a former All-Pro, that when the son dominates in high school, they’ll be highly-rated and highly-recruited. Well, unlike his brothers who played football at a Colorado powerhouse, Jonah played his high school ball in Moscow, Idaho where he looked like an adult tackling elementary school kids. Therefore, some would argue that it was tough to get a true read on his talent.
Aside from Utah, his biggest offers came from Boise State, Louisville, and Washington State. However, there was never really a question on where he’d go as he chose the Utes near the start of his senior season. Therefore the bigger offers never really came in.
