Utah coach Kyle Whittingham acknowledges it has been a while since the Utes brought back a player as talented as Star Lotulelei. The most recent comparison Whittingham could recall was in 1994 when another heralded defensive lineman — Luther Elliss — came back for his senior season.
Elliss went on to become a consensus first-team All-American and the Western Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year. He was drafted 20th overall in the first round by the Detroit Lions and appeared in two Pro Bowls.
Whittingham predicts big things for Lotulelei as well.
“No doubt about it,” Whittingham said. “There is no doubt that he is a special player.”
Lotulelei has already made quite an impression. The 6-4, 325-pound tackle won the Morris Trophy last season as the Pac-12’s top defensive lineman. He also netted first-team all-conference recognition and lineman MVP honors in the Sun Bowl.
“Star is a defensive coordinator’s dream. He’s a guy that commands and demands double teams, triple teams,” Whittingham said. “He does so much to disrupt an offense and distort the running game in particular. He’s just a valuable commodity.”
So valuable that many prognosticators predict Lotulelei will be among the top picks in the 2013 NFL Draft. Lotulelei’s professional career could have started this year, but he opted to return to school in order to earn his degree — good news for the Utes and bad news for opposing offenses.
“He has a huge impact,” said defensive coordinator Kalani Sitake.
Lotulelei draws a lot of attention — on and off the football field. It’s the latter, however, that he shies away from.
“Star just hates being in the spotlight,” Sitake said. “He doesn’t like to be the guy that’s always being interviewed and being the guy that receives a lot of attention.”
Lotulelei is part of a defensive line that Whittingham considers to be the best in the Pac-12. The other projected starters are junior end Joe Kruger, senior tackle Dave Kruger and sophomore end Nate Fakahafua.
Despite being double-teamed much of the time, Lotulelei made 44 tackles last season — including nine tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.
Lotulelei’s humble approach is what Sitake appreciates most, noting it makes him a great teammate. Sitake is also impressed with the example Lotulelei sets in the weight room.
“He is never going to be happy with where he’s at,” Sitake said. “He’s a guy who is always going to work harder.”