Utah's football program staged one of the shortest Senior Night ceremonies in school history last November, when only 13 departing players were honored.
This year's event would have lasted nearly three times longer, if all of the juniors from last season's roster had stayed in the program. The Utes' senior class would have consisted of 33 players, a number that's “unheard of,” coach Kyle Whittingham said Tuesday, when the Utes staged their fourth session of spring practice after returning from the school's spring break.
The remaining group of 22 seniors is slightly bigger than average, bolstered by graduate transfer Manny Bowen, a linebacker from Penn State, and receiver Derrick Vickers, who was listed as a senior last year but hopes to receive another season of eligibility.