We continue our offseason coverage of Pac-12 football by taking inventory of each team's returning depth chart. Here are the top 10 players who will wear a Utah uniform this coming season. These rankings are obviously subjective, and comparing players at different positions is certainly not a cut-and-dried task, so keep that in mind:
DT Lowell Lotulelei: Defensive tackle isn’t the sexiest position, but when you play it the way Lotulelei does, it’s certainly one of the most important. The first-team all-conference performer last season notched 26 tackles -- including five for a loss. But it’s his ability to eat up space and open things up for the linebackers that makes him so important.
S Marcus Williams: With five interceptions last season to go with 66 stops, Williams earned first-team all-conference honors. An experienced secondary should help as the Utes break in a new linebacking corps. Look for Williams to continue to play a key role.
DE Hunter Dimick: Injuries limited him last season. The hope is he can return to his 2014 form where he notched 10 sacks and 14.5 tackles for a loss. If he can replicate that production, it makes everyone in the front seven that much better.
RB Joe Williams: As much as the Utes would like to be able to throw the ball more consistently, a new quarterback and a bunch of new receivers means the run game will likely continue to be the centerpiece of the offense. Last year Williams netted 477 yards and three touchdowns backing up Devontae Booker. Noteworthy that 399 of those yards and all three touchdowns came in the final three games, when he was the every-down back.
DE Kylie Fitts: Filling in for Dimick last season, Fitts exploded onto the scene with 41 stops, five sacks and 8.5 tackles for a loss. He also forced four fumbles. With a healthy Dimick playing opposite him, the Utes present a pick-your-poison defensive front that is going to give teams plenty of fits (see what I did there?).
K Andy Phillips: Automatic Andy wasn’t as automatic last year, but he was still pretty darn good. He accounted for 116 points last season (third in the league) and converted 85.2 percent of his kicks (23 of 27) with a long of 53. He was perfect inside of 40 yards (12 of 12). As the offense continues to find its flow, every point will be valuable and Phillips has a history of delivering.
DB Dominique Hatfield: After sorting through his legal troubles, his return to the team was a huge boost for the secondary. He tallied four interceptions -- including a pick-six -- and recorded 33 tackles. He brings an additional veteran presence to a defensive backfield with plenty of experience.
OT J.J. Dielman: A second-team all-conference performer last season, Dielman is a reliable and steady presence on a unit that favors the ground game. He played 804 snaps last season, starting all 13 games at right tackle.
OG Isaac Asiata: Filling out the right side next to Dielman is Asiata, who started 13 games at left guard and led the offensive line with 806 snaps. He was an honorable mention last year and should be an all-conference candidate in 2016.
DT Filipo Mokofisi: We might as well fill out the entire defensive line by adding Mokofisi to Lotulelei, Dimick and Fitts. This unit should be one of the best in the conference -- if not the country. Kyle Whittingham defenses have always been about physical toughness up front, and Mokofisi rounds out a group that fits the mold.