Utah Linebacker Johnathan Hall Feeling More Comfortable Entering Third Season
Aug 8, 2025, 3:01 PM | Updated: 4:01 pm
Utah football linebacker Johnathan Hall in fall camp for 2025 season. Photo courtesy by Utah Athletics
SALT LAKE CITY – Entering his third season with the Utah Utes, junior Johnathan Hall is feeling more comfortable as he adjusts to playing alongside his more heralded linebacker teammates. Hall believes he adds a different element to the trio of him, Lander Barton, and Levani Damuni.
“I think Lander is more of a talkative leader, things of that nature,” Hall began when asked what each of them brings to the field. “I’m more of a playmaker. But I’m the leader, as in, I can get guys together. Vani (Damuni), he’s a vet. I don’t know how long he played in college for, so he’s definitely a great addition to our linebacker core.”
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Hall believes he is a different player than the one who arrived in Salt Lake City as a freshman in 2023.
“I think I’ve grown a lot,” Hall said. “Truly a lot. Coach is a big part of that. I just give him 100 percent of everything I do.”
Johnathan Hall praises Utah offensive line
With two All-Big 12 preseason tackles and a bevy of experience along the offensive line, Utah’s defense has been going up against some of the country’s best talent daily.
Spencer Fano and Caleb Lomu man the edges, and redshirt seniors Jaren Kump, Michael Mokofisi, and Tonoa Togiai in the middle, the Utah offense has one of the best five-man units in the country.
“I have no words, man,” Hall said when asked about the challenge of facing the bug guys in the trenches. “This offensive line is truly the best offensive line that I’ve ever played against. I know we’ll carry it over to the season.”
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The Utes open the 2025 season on the road against the Big 10’s UCLA Bruins on Saturday, August 30. Kickoff is at 9 p.m. MT.
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