player since safety Marcus Williams (2016), who now plays for the New Orleans Saints, and noted his remarkable improvement since moving from cornerback in the spring.

Blackmon’s apparently leg injury came in a non-contact situation in the second quarter, when an Oregon play was whistled dead due to penalty. Hubert then was injured “within minutes” of Blackmon, Whittingham said. In the 2018 title game at Levi’s Stadium, Utah lost receiver Britain Covey to a knee injury.

Hubert started against Idaho State in September when Blackmon had a knee injury and was part of a three-safety starting lineup against Washington in November as the Utes tried to clamp down on the Huskies’ all-conference tight end, Hunter Bryant.

Utah’s secondary will face a major test from Texas, with 4,000-yard passer Sam Ehlinger and1,000-yard receiver Devin Duvernay.

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As for his team's healthy players, Whittingham said he's not aware of any seniors who intend to skip the Alamo Bowl to preserve themselves for the NFL predraft process this winter. He acknowledged this is a different era, when sitting out bowl games is becoming more common, but he believes players can enhance their draft stock by playing in bowl games.

Former linebacker Chase Hansen is the only Ute player who finished the 2018 conference championship game and missed the Holiday Bowl. Hansen had compelling medical reasons for doing so; he underwent back surgery in January and has spent this season on injured reserve with New Orleans.