Ute Insiders

Utah’s offensive line looks ahead of schedule

Utah’s offensive line went into this season with the right mentality.

The Utes had to replace all five starters from an offensive line that graded out as one of the best in the country last season, set school rushing records and had two starters — Spencer Fano and Caleb Lomu — selected in the first round of the NFL draft.

Heading into the 2026 season with five new starters on the offensive line and a new position coach in Jordan Gross, the smartest thing the Utes’ front could do was not compare themselves to the 2025 starters and use the outside doubt as fuel during spring and fall camp.

“It’s really fun for us because if you look, I can’t remember who it was, was it Phil Steele or one of the social media traps you get into, I don’t think we were in the top 50 O-lines in the country. It’s one of those things where it’s like, great,” center Alex Harrison said prior to the season.

“I love the fact that nobody believes in us. I love the fact that everyone doubts us. Bring it on. I just can’t wait because I think we’ll show a lot of people this year.”

The truth is that Utah’s new-look offensive line doesn’t have to reach those lofty heights set last year for the Utes to be successful, as they’ve proved through two games.

Making the transition easier for Gross and the offensive line is the fact that many of the key contributors had already played extensive snaps at Utah, especially last season in many of the Utes’ blowout victories.

Zereoue Williams (156 snaps last year), Alex Harrison (143 snaps), Solatoa Moea’i (336 snaps) and Roger Alderman (134 snaps) all have been around the program for a while, then Utah added Cedric Jefferson, who started at tackle for Montana State, and five-star freshman Kelvin Obot, who Gross coached while at Fruitland High.

The big question entering the season was how the offensive line would perform. Through two games, Gross’s group looks ahead of schedule, especially in pass blocking and playing without penalties.

Thus far, Utah has allowed just seven pressures and one sack, keeping quarterback Devon Dampier protected. Williams, who plays one of the most important positions on the field at left tackle, has been Utah’s best pass blocker so far. Pro Football Focus ranks him as the fourth-best tackle in pass protection nationally with a grade of 89.5.

“I thought they did tremendous,” Dampier said. “... I thought those guys were dialed in. Arkansas did a lot of different stuff with their fronts and pressures and, man, I didn’t feel it.”

The entire offensive line has been penalty-free, which is impressive for a group of new starters.

“You look over the first two games, I think we’re one of the fewest in penalties and particularly at the offensive line. You’ve had one holding penalty, it was on a tight end, and really no fault starts from offensive lineman. So I’m really pleased with the discipline there,” coach Morgan Scalley said.

Even though the Utes got a bit of bad health news with projected starter Keith Olson working his way back from a fall camp injury, it hasn’t fazed the group. Utah inserted Roger Alderman at right guard during the last two games, and he has fared well, grading out as the second-best offensive lineman in the Utes’ win over Arkansas, per PFF. Alderman’s play has perhaps made that right guard spot a competition after Olson was cleared to return last week.

Utah’s starting group of Williams, Moea’i, Harrison, Alderman and Jefferson has played well enough to ease some of the preseason concerns about the group. Utah’s offense has been wildly effective, ranking No. 6 in the country in points per game (54.5) and No. 12 in the country in yards per game (537). That doesn’t happen without a decent offensive line.

“I think it’s been great. I think as a whole unit, we’re all doing really well playing together. I think we all mesh really well, all have a great relationship off the field, so that just only makes it better on the field,” Jefferson said. “It’s an honor to be out here with these guys playing for this team, and we want to improve each week.”

The group passed their first challenge against the size of Arkansas’ defensive front in a 43-10 win.

“From what I’ve seen, every time we’ve challenged them, they show up. And coach Gross and Alex Gerke have done such a great job bringing those guys along,” Scalley said. “They are a cohesive unit. They hang together all the time. They had a chip on their shoulder ever since the offseason when people talked about that may be a weak link for the University of Utah. Obviously tonight it did not prove to be that.”

While Utah’s offensive line has exceeded early expectations, they still have progress to make, especially in the run game.

The Utes graded out at 61.2 in Week 1 and 63.1 in Week 2 in run blocking, per PFF. There’s definitely room for this group to grow in getting better and more consistent push for Wayshawn Parker, Dampier and the rest of the group and increasing the run success rate, which sits at 52.4%.

Overall, Utah’s offensive line looks to be ahead of schedule, but the group is not buying into the hype and is looking to continually improve throughout the season.

“I think as a new unit, we’re off to a good start. We have a lot of things to improve on. Just every day we’re trying to get better and continue making our best better. Never have the mindset that you made it, just always wanting to improve,” Jefferson said.