Utah Utes defensive linemen Nate Fakahafua (8) Dave Kruger (44)Star Lotulelei (92) Joe Kruger (99) and Trevor Reilly (9) and other linemen pose during media day in Salt Lake City Saturday, Aug. 4, 2012.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
SALT LAKE CITY — Does Utah have the best defensive line in the nation? It's a big question for some big boys.
"We've got all the tools," said senior tackle Star Lotulelei. "I think once we put it all together, we have a real good chance of being the best."
With Lotulelei headlining a starting mix that includes Dave and Joe Kruger, Trevor Reilly and up-and-coming sophomore Nate Fakahafua, the Utes have more than just potential up front.
"They're right up there with the best we've had," Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said while noting previous Ute defensive lines like the 1994 group with Luther Ellis and the 2004 squad with Sione Pouha and Steve Fifita. "We've had some pretty darn good D-lines come through here."
The latest edition of the established tradition isn't worrying about its place in history. They're focused on the present.
"There's a lot of good defensive lines out there and what we're concerned with is being a better defensive line than anybody we play," Whittingham said. "That's what the objective is."
Whether that leads to being the best defensive line in the country remains to be seen.
Whittingham said time will tell.
"We've got a lot of good players. We're very deep, particularly at defensive tackle. We've got six or seven guys at D-tackle that we feel real good about," he explained. "But we've got to perform when the lights are on. So we'll find out if we're up to the task."
Just being good, though, doesn't cut it. Lotulelei said Utah's defensive line is determined to get better every day.
"We'll never be satisfied and I think that's what it takes to be the best," he explained, while noting it's a message that defensive line coach Chad Kauha'aha'a is always trying to convey.
"We strive to be the best in the country. When we come out every day, we work hard to be that group," Kauha'aha'a said. "Only time will tell. We've got to get on the field and see what we can do."
Where the line ranks nationally, he continued, may not be known until the end of the season.
Kauha'aha'a said the coaches and players don't fret over such things.
"We're a humble, hard-working group," he explained. "I know people talk about it, but it's not something we think about."
