Escape from the infirmary

BGR,

Time for another letter from the infirmary. I am now on my 5th day of this flu. Today I made progress by working through my second full day. Albeit at home, in the comfort and solitude of my cave, where I could recuperate and avoid social interactions simultaneously, both keys to physical recovery in my book. I also marked progress by showering, shaving and dressing in something other than my Christmas pjs. I also did a load of laundry and got myself a Dave’s single from Wendy’s. I almost made Kevin McAllister level but for the fact that when I drove to the pharmacy, I realized I still had my slippers on and couldn’t lower even my dignity enough to go in that way.

Today while working, I watched several movies from the 90s that I had never seen before. One that I thought you may enjoy was called Gattica. I avoided ever watching that because of the actors involved, but it sets a nice premise of social engineering and the power of mind over genetics. We’ll have to watch it in a couple of years. It was also impressively art directed. The other movie that I really enjoyed shockingly, because until recently I couldn’t stand Tom Cruise, was The Last Samurai. Now I expect Righteous Ben indignation due to its rating (R) but it was wholesome in depiction of everything save battles. Those were roughly equivalent to the Return of the King, but with red human blood as opposed to used motor oil orc blood. That being said, it was an exercise depicting the corrupt motivations for war from the west (industrialization) and of the samurai (loyalty and discipline). I’m aware of the Hollywood manipulation, but it does make one want to stand on the side of honor. Extremely well directed and photographed. I won’t recommend due to the rating, but if you’re ever curious, I’m in for that one too.

It was great to get your letter. You come across as someone able to take what comes. That’s a great quality that I admire. I tend to look past what comes and on to what’s coming, which can lead to a sense of unease. I love hearing about your day-to-day activities. Teaching English, finding, church, companions. I guess what we did nearly 100% of the time was find. It’s great that there are other ways for you to serve as well. I looked up Hayward and Union City. They seem pretty diverse Compared to Utah, or even Murphy. You’ll get the opportunity to experience many cultures in addition to Chinese. That dinner with the Samoan family sounded neat. I encourage you to engage with those experiences as fully as you can. You’ll learn a lot about yourself as you learn about others.

Quick dad nag. Pictures and details, I’m begging you. I need a little Ben smile once in a while. 

Your brothers really embrace your letters, they know those references are for them, it makes their day.

Jacob sent me a neat article about the outlook for the Utes next year. Most favorable I’ve read. I’ll paste it below.

Your cousin Annie left for the Mexico City MTC today. She’ll get back the summer before you do. I encourage you to keep in contact with her through your mission, it will pay off later.

I love you Benjamin, think of you constantly, pray for you always. 

Pops

Utah and Oregon are clear favorites in 2019 as the NFL Draft early entry results bring the Pac-12 football race into focus

These are good signs for Utah’s defense in 2019, when the Utes will be defending their first Pac-12 South football title: Leki Fotu, Bradlee Anae and Julian Blackmon are sticking with the program, and happily so. Add to that, Javelin Guidry running on his own, and winning races.

Any questions about Utah being favored to repeat were answered in early January when those three defensive stars and running back Zack Moss said they would play their senior seasons before entering the NFL draft.

Utah’s defense will be built around linemen Anae and Fotu and cornerbacks Jaylon Johnson, Blackmon and Javelin Guidry, who this past weekend made a case for himself as the fastest player in college football — and in Ute history. Guidry won the 60 meters in 6.59 seconds at the Washington Indoor Invitational. That’s especially notable, considering Utah doesn’t have a men’s track and field program.

Ute assistant coach Freddie Whittingham tweeted, “I’m going to go ahead and say Jav is the fastest Utah football player. Ever.”

A former high school sprinting champion in two states, Guidry missed running in college. So he started training this month and ran unattached in Seattle, blitzing the field. Guidry, who will be a junior in 2019, figures the track performance is “another way to showcase my speed” for NFL scouts, he told RunnerSpace.com after the race.

Guidry is Utah’s slot corner, playing as a fifth defensive back in Utah’s standard scheme. The Ute defense had only four senior starters in 2018, although they were the team’s top four tacklers: linebackers Cody Barton and Chase Hansen and safeties Marquise Blair and Corrion Ballard. Blair played in Saturday’s Senior Bowl; Hansen withdrew because of a hip injury, AL.com reported.

Utah’s defense will return every player in the defensive line rotation, notably Anae and Fotu, the preseason choice for the conference’s defensive player of the year, by Pac-12 expert Jon Wilner of the San Jose Mercury News. Wilner’s all-conference first team also included Anae, Johnson, Moss and receiver Britain Covey. His second team listed Blackmon, defensive tackle John Penisini and quarterback Tyler Huntley.

Ute coach Kyle Whittingham has credited his key juniors for going through predraft evaluations and making informed decisions about staying in school. Oregon was judged as the Pac-12's biggest winner in that context, with quarterback Justin Herbert, linebacker Troy Dye and offensive lineman Calvin Throckmorton deferring their pro careers.

The Ducks will be the consensus pick to win the Pac-12 title. Defending champion Washington is losing some senior stars, and defensive backs Byron Murphy and Taylor Rapp entered the draft as juniors.

The only meeting between Utah and Oregon this season would come in the Pac-12 championship game, in the last time the contest is staged at Santa Clara, Calif. The Pac-12 and Levi’s Stadium announced last week they they’re mutually opting out of the 2020 game. That makes new stadiums in Las Vegas and the Los Angeles area potential venues, unless the conference returns the game to campus sites.

-Ute receiver Siaosi Mariner and Caleb Repp, who has played tight end and defensive end, are expected to transfer to Utah State, according to Alex Markham, publisher of Ute Nation on the Rivals network. Mariner, planning to become a graduate transfer, confirmed his move via Twitter.

-Braedon Wissler, a Bingham High School running back who was injured in the first game of his senior season, announced his commitment to Utah as a preferred walk-on. Wissler is projected as a slot receiver.

-Eastern Washington quarterback Gage Gubrud is moving to Washington State as a graduate transfer. Gubrud, who played at EWU for former Ute offensive coordinator Troy Taylor, had announced Utah and WSU as his choices. The Cougars will visit Utah on Sept. 28.

-The NCAA’s next signing period begins Feb. 6. Among the key remaining targets for Utah, according to Markham, are Jordan Wilmore, a running back from Lawndale, Calif.; La’Vonte Shenault, a receiver from Desoto, Texas; and Puka Nacua, a receiver from Orem High. Nacua has not backed off his commitment to USC, but the Trojans have had an unsettling offseason with offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury leaving for the NFL soon after being hired and top recruit Bru McCoy transferring shortly after enrolling at USC this month.

2019 FORECASTS

Utah’s positions in early college football rankings:

ESPN.com: No. 18

SB Nation: No. 20. 

SI.com: No. 15. 

Athlon: No. 16.

247Sports: No. 18