Bringing the Timpview dynasty to the Utes, Gabe Reid ready to make Utah home

Estimated learn time: 5-6 minutes

SALT LAKE CITY — It was a dynasty run. Three state titles in consecutive years.

The most recent was an undefeated season (14-0) and one the place there was no query which staff was the very best within the state for the 4A classification of soccer. It was Timpview the 2 years earlier than, and it was all the time Timpview through the 2014 season underneath head coach Cary Whittingham.

The staff featured, amongst others, Britain Covey, Devin Kaufusi and Gabe Reid — all finest mates — who grew up within the shadow of BYU. The trio lived the dynasty life via their three years at Timpview after which parted methods to pursue the collegiate dream, by no means anticipating to go well with up in the identical jersey once more.

Covey selected Utah, Kaufusi stayed in Utah County and adopted his brothers Bronson and Corbin to BYU, and Reid left the state to attend Stanford. Three totally different paths, three totally different journeys.

However ultimately, the trio of Utah Nation mates all converged on Salt Lake Metropolis; and the colour crimson turned their id, to the dismay of their as soon as childhood beliefs.

Covey’s journey to the U. is effectively documented, and now he works to show heads in Philadelphia as he makes an attempt to make an NFL roster. However for Kaufusi and Reid, the brotherhood carries on with the Utes in a season the place Utah is predicted to compete once more for a Pac-12 title — a pursuit of one other dynasty run underneath one other Whittingham at head coach.

Kaufusi transferred from BYU to Utah in 2020 and has been a fixture on Utah’s all the time stout defensive position since, and Reid accomplished his return to the state in March when he transferred from Palo Alto to Salt Lake Metropolis for his senior season.

“Man, it is superior,” Kaufusi mentioned, talking about Reid suiting up for the Utes. “I’ve regarded as much as Gabe my entire life.

“It undoubtedly brings me again to the glory days of Timpview and all the pieces — and Brit’s so jealous,” he added. “I despatched Brit an image of Gabe within the crimson and black. And I simply bear in mind Brit freaking out seeing me in observe gear for the primary time, and that is simply how I felt seeing Gabe. I really like him to loss of life and he is gonna assist us out a ton for the place we will go.”

At Stanford, Reid was an integral a part of the staff’s protection and completed fourth final season with 62 tackles and a team-high 10 tackles for loss. However Utah was residence, and a return to the state meant he may play together with his Timpview mates once more, along with suiting up subsequent to his youthful brother, Karene.

“Clearly, it is residence,” Gabe Reid mentioned. “That is the very first thing simply having the ability to come residence and play with my brother; however Utah, this system, I actually love that they are very defensive minded. In my view, they’re identified for taking part in robust, gritty protection. Speeding the passer effectively, getting after the quarterback is one thing that I delight myself on, and in order that’s one thing that I undoubtedly wanna be capable to showcase in my final yr of school soccer.”

Even with all that residence supplied for the veteran participant, the choice wasn’t straightforward for Reid. The defensive finish announced a move from Stanford on Dec. 6 and left his future vacation spot up within the air till March 2 when he committed to Utah. There have been many suitors, however Utah was the touchdown spot.

He did not need to make a rash choice; the Stanford-educated participant wished to make sure he was making the suitable choice for his closing season of school soccer.

“I believe he wished to weigh all of his choices, however like, we each wished it,” Karene Reid mentioned. “And so we had been fairly certain it was gonna occur. He was good about being affected person and never leaping the gun. However we had been excited.

“I used to be making an attempt to speak to him fairly typically about it, however I believe he was simply making an attempt to be very cautious and ensure that he was doing it for him and never for me, or my mother and father or household or the followers.”

Taking part in in Utah’s protection gave the impression of match, although. And it did not damage that Utah was doubtless going to be a projected top-10 staff within the preseason polls and regarded the favourite to win the Pac-12.

Gabe Reid now finds himself in a battle with a stacked room of defensive ends seeking to earn a beginning spot reverse of Van Fillinger.

Defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley mentioned he likes what he sees from the veteran participant thus far — “I really like what Gabe Reid brings by way of expertise; he is additionally received some athleticism, not as lengthy leverage as perhaps a few of the different guys, however we have handled that previously.” — however it’s a loaded room with six or seven guys “which have a shot” of incomes taking part in time on the place.

As a veteran of the sport he acknowledges that nothing shall be handed to him, however it’s a call he feels snug with at Utah. He is proven what he can do on the sphere, however now it is studying it in a brand new system and understanding what it takes to play protection at Utah. His brother has helped him perceive it a little bit, however with per week of fall camp underneath his belt, he is getting the hold of it.

“My dream has all the time been to play within the NFL, however I’ve already showcased I can drop, I can cowl, so now I believe it is time for me to sort of let unfastened a little bit bit and get after the quarterback,” Reid mentioned.

Utah coaches hope he will be one other in a protracted line of defensive ends — the mayors of Sack Lake Metropolis — that opposing groups dread.

However for Kaufusi, who will line up subsequent to Reid for the primary time since his Timpview days, it is good to see a well-recognized face — one which he trusts like his personal brothers.

“It is good to have some extra crimson to go round Provo,” Kaufusi mentioned, with a rising smile.

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