While the weather has been more mild and pleasant than in past fall camps, the football has been muy caliente leading up to the 2019 season. One of the position groups that has been drawing some curiosity as an “unknown” for the Utes has been the offensive line after graduating three starters last year. Paul Maile is optimistic about the group’s progress despite the questions and thinks they will ultimately be another solid group this year.

“It’s been good,” Maile said of camp. “It hasn’t been that hot. We’ve been blessed with good weather so I can’t complain.”

Maile’s off-season has mostly consisted of working to get healthy again after some minor knee surgery in the spring. He says he’s getting back to where he should be and is just excited to compete with his brother’s on the line to protect quarterback Tyler Huntley.

“So this spring I just got a minor meniscus surgery so I’ve just been trying to get back up to speed,” Maile said. “I feel like that was my only main goal and I think I am there. The main thing I’m trying to work on is getting healthy and I feel like I’m there again.”

One of the more impressive aspects of this year’s team has been the consistent compliments of the freshman class. It’s no different on the offensive line with Maile mentioning that all of their freshman are incredibly talented and will key components of the line for years to come.

“We had a lot of good young guys, Marist, Sataoa, Falcon,” Maile said. ‘They all have bright futures and they all look really good.”

Perhaps the biggest help the offensive line has been receiving to prepare for the season has been going against the best defensive line day in and day out in camp. Maile doesn’t think the line has quite hit their ceiling yet, but feels like they have accelerated towards it by competing with the best.

“I think just working against the best d-line in the country everyday is just going to help us get to where we want to be,” Maile said. “We aren’t there yet, but we’re gonna be. We’re going to be special, I’m already knowing.”

Asked who on the stacked defensive line was giving the offensive line the most trouble and Maile couldn’t come up with just one. The position is that stacked with talent.

“They are all really good,” Maile said. “I can’t just choose one. They are all really good.”

In general, from an offensive perspective Maile thinks this year’s Utah defense is particularly special due in part to their work ethic and will be giving opposing offenses a lot of trouble in 2019.

“The defense is going to be special this year,” Maile said. “They are hard workers, you can tell just by the way they carry themselves. They are really good. They are going to be really good this year.”

Fans had better be ready for the Utah offense too according to Maile who expects his side of the ball to put on a show come kick-off.

“Come August 29th we are going to be ready and come out punching,” Maile said. “We’re excited to show what we got.”

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