Utah Football Spring 2025 Preview: Defensive Ends
This spring, the University of Utah finds themselves having to reload at a position of constant strength. Utah defensive ends coach Lewis Powell last two mainstays, Van Fillinger and Connor O’Toole, as both prepare for the 2025 NFL Draft.
The 2025 defensive end room is young and immensely talented, led by Logan Fano, the only upperclassmen of the defensive ends on scholarship. Despite how green the group is, an influx of talented transfers over the last two seasons gives plenty of intrigue heading into spring ball.
Let’s take a look at the defensive ends:
Logan Fano
Junior, 6-foot-5 and 249 pounds
The emotional leader of Utah’s 2025 group is now more than a season recovered from his torn ACL he suffered during the 2023 season. The fact that he played in all 12 games last year with nine starts, puts into perspective how tough of a person Fano is. For 2024, Fano had 35 tackles (6.5 TFL, 2.5 sacks), along with four quarterback hurries, one forced fumble, one recovery and a PBU.
He’s about to start his campaign as the new Mayor of Sack Lake City. A fully healthy Logan Fano is a nightmare for opposing offenses.
Paul Fitzgerald
Junior, 6-foot-4 and 251 pounds
Fitzgerald is one to watch closely this spring. He played in nine games, but with limited action for Utah in 2024. However, his 2023 season at Utah State was an impressive one. As a freshman for the Aggies, Fitzgerald started all 13 games recording 46 tackles (9.0 TFL, 8.0 sacks) with a forced fumble and a pass breakup. He had three sacks in their bowl game that season.
Fitzgerald is viewed as an early favorite to start on the opposite side of Logan Fano.
John Henry Daly
Sophomore, 6-foot-4 and 247 pounds
The BYU transfer played in seven games for Utah in 2024, recording three of his four tackles during the season finale against UCF. Utah has been high on Henry Daly’s potential. Now he gets a prime opportunity to show what he can do, as Fano is a proven commodity and Utah’s main focus will be on finding the guys that they can line up with him.
Kash Dillon
Redshirt-Freshman, 6-foot-5 and 241 pounds
Dillon played in two games in 2023, the opener against Southern Utah and the finale against UCF. He recorded two tackles against UCF. Dillon has worked hard to pack on weight since arriving at Utah and as long as he maintains it and/or keeps adding, he’ll be expected to be a key part of Powell’s group.
The Freshman
Jaxson Jones
Redshirt-Freshman, 6-foot-2 and 225 pounds
The son of former Utah wide receiver, Daniel Jones, spent his freshman year at Oregon, before transferring to his father‘s alma mater. Learning the system will be valuable for Jones this spring, but he needs to pack on weight before seeing consistent playing time.
-
Utah Football Spring 2025 Preview: Defensive Tackles
Utah defensive tackles coach, Luther Elliss, has his work cut out for him this spring with a thin position group. UtahYahoo Sports - 1d -
Utah Football Spring 2025 Preview: Quarterbacks
QuarterbacksThe University of Utah heads into their 2025 spring camp without a familiar name on the quarterback depthYahoo Sports - 5d -
Utah Football Spring 2025 Preview: Tight Ends
Gone is of the greatest offensive weapons in Utah Football history, Brant Kuithe, along with two other 2024Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Utah Football Spring 2025 Preview: Safeties
As spring ball begins, one position group that doesn't have a lot of questions is the safety room, under MorganYahoo Sports - 16h -
Utah Football Spring 2025 Preview: Running Backs
Running backsAfter losing 1,000 yard rusher Micah Bernard to graduation, the University of Utah overhauled theirYahoo Sports - 5d -
Utah State vs UCLA Prediction: Odds, Expert Picks, Betting Trends and Stats for 2025 March Madness
Utah State Aggies vs. UCLA Bruins Game PreviewYahoo Sports - 1d -
Why Wink Martindale is optimistic about the Michigan football defense in 2025
With spring ball about to start, Michigan football could have a better defense than even last year.Yahoo Sports - 3d -
Utah vs. Indiana predictions, picks for 2025 women's NCAA Tournament
2025 March Madness Round of 64 includes No. 8 seed Utah vs. No. 9 seed Indiana. Here are expert game picks, predictions for women's NCAA bracket.Yahoo Sports - 11h -
March Madness 2025: How to watch the UCLA vs. Utah State NCAA tournament game tonight
UCLA and Utah State will meet in the NCAA Tournament First Round — here's the scoop on how to watch tonight's game.Yahoo Sports - 16h
More from Yahoo Sports
-
March Madness 2025: How to watch the Duke vs. Mount Saint Mary's NCAA tournament game today
It's Duke vs. Mount St. Mary's in the NCAA Tournament First Round — we've got the channel, streaming info and tip-off time.Yahoo Sports - 8m -
Power rankings: PFF liked the Buffalo Bills during NFL free agency
PFF is positive on the Bills:Yahoo Sports - 18m -
UFC Fight Night 255 official weigh-in highlights, photo gallery
LONDON – The UFC Fight Night 255 fight card now is official following Friday’s weigh-in session. Saturday’s card, which takes place at The O2 and streams on ESPN+, is headlined by former ...Yahoo Sports - 18m -
Justin Fields' message for New York Jets fans after signing during NFL free agency
Justin Fields to you:Yahoo Sports - 18m -
How Birmingham Stallions are using Alex McGough after NFL position switch
Alex McGough won MVP as a quarterback during the 2023 UFL season. After playing receiver in the NFL, he is set to return to his old prediction.Yahoo Sports - 18m
More in Sports
-
Debating free agency: Which teams improved the most over the past two weeks?
We asked 10 experts to weigh in on the most improved teams, top bargains and head-scratching decisions.ESPN - 7m -
March Madness 2025: How to watch the Duke vs. Mount Saint Mary's NCAA tournament game today
It's Duke vs. Mount St. Mary's in the NCAA Tournament First Round — we've got the channel, streaming info and tip-off time.Yahoo Sports - 8m -
Power rankings: PFF liked the Buffalo Bills during NFL free agency
PFF is positive on the Bills:Yahoo Sports - 18m -
UFC Fight Night 255 official weigh-in highlights, photo gallery
LONDON – The UFC Fight Night 255 fight card now is official following Friday’s weigh-in session. Saturday’s card, which takes place at The O2 and streams on ESPN+, is headlined by former ...Yahoo Sports - 18m -
Justin Fields' message for New York Jets fans after signing during NFL free agency
Justin Fields to you:Yahoo Sports - 18m