2016 Utah Preseason Football Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

Video: 2015 final highlights - Jay Tufele
See the Bingham big man in action last season


1. Bingham (South Jordan)
Head coach: John Lambourne
2015 record: 12-2
Team preview

Bingham always seems to possess an imposing defense. Nothing about that story has changed this season. Many offensive coordinators will spend sleepless nights figuring out how to move the chains against the Miners.

It all starts up front, where Jay Tufele and Langi Tuifua are both four-star defensive linemen. Tufele is the No. 1 ranked prospect in Utah by 247Sports and is rated 47th nationally in the 247Sports Composite Rankings. Tuifua, an Oregon commit, is ranked fourth in Utah among 2017 prospects. The duo combined for 25 sacks a season ago. Tuifua led Class 5A with 14.5 sacks.

It helped Bingham limit opponents to just 10.6 points per contest – the fewest among Class 5A teams.

"It makes everyone else's job a little easier," Miners coach John Lambourne said. "People are going to have to scheme specifically against those two guys – both in run blocking and pass protection. It will take a little pressure off the other guys. They're pretty darn good."

Offensively, Bingham should be equally formidable. Jahvontay Smith offers a reliable running threat for the Miners. Smith made a name for himself last season, totaling 1,008 yards and 14 touchdowns while averaging 6.1 yards per carry.

Matt Degn won the starting job at quarterback a few games into the 2015 season and that experience should serve the Miners well in creating a balanced attack. Degn has a pair of receivers in Brayden Cosper and Dax Milne who can stretch the field and make big plays.

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2. Lone Peak (Highland)
Head coach: Mike Mower
2015 record: 13-1
Team preview

Lone Peak's quest for a perfect season last fall fell short when Herriman scored on a 1-yard run from Kaden Strasters with 22 seconds left to claim a 17-14 victory in the Class 5A championship game. The Knights have plenty of pieces in place to make another run at a state title again in 2016.

Dakota Hansen is a capable successor to Talmage Gunther at quarterback. Hansen fits the dual-threat mold well. He totaled 611 yards on offense last season and averaged a team-best 8.7 yards per carry.

Jackson McChesney will likely be Hansen's top target this season. McChesney, a BYU commit, can do a little bit of everything for the Knights. He totaled 733 yards and eight touchdowns on 41 catches a year ago and added 283 yards and five touchdowns on the ground.

Defensively, Lone Peak should be tough once again. Preston Lewis will anchor the defensive line after ranking second in Class 5A last season with 13.5 sacks. Seth Corry was the team co-leader in tackles (68). The secondary should also be an area of strength with Corry and Ammon Hannemann leading the defensive backfield.

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3. East (Salt Lake City)
Head coach: Brandon Matich
2015 record: 11-2
Team preview

Jaylen Warren, East

Photo by Dave Argyle

Few teams could slow down the offensive juggernaut East showcased en route to winning the Class 4A championship a season ago. Getting run over by the Leopards may be a fact of life again for opponents in 2016.

East's triple option attack returns its most potent weapon. Senior running back Jaylen Warren could eclipse the 2,000-yard plateau this fall after churning up 1,974 yards and 19 touchdowns on 209 carries a year ago. Warren is the player who will give the East offense its most fearsome punch.

"He's going to be our workhorse," Leopards coach Brandon Matich said. "He's going to be our guy. Everything is going to go through that guy. Hopefully, he can maintain and sustain his health and have one of those years you dream about."

Aiding Warren will be one of the top offensive lines in the state, featuring Pate Langi, Junior Angilau, Sam Vakalahi and Paul Maile. Angilau, Vakalahi and Maile are all juniors and have already received offers from a multitude of FBS schools.

East is also strong along its defensive front. Fusi Teisina and Moa Heimuli combined for 105 tackles and 4.5 sacks at the interior tackle positions last fall. Sati Tu'uhetaufa is a key leader and anchor at middle linebacker.

The Leopards will challenge themselves with a tough schedule. The slate is highlighted by a matchup with national power De La Salle (Concord, Calif.) in mid-September.

"It does nothing but good for our program in terms of notoriety and putting high school football in Utah on the map," Matich said.

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4. Herriman (West Herriman)
Head coach: Dustin Pearce
2015 record: 11-3
Team preview

What can Herriman do for an encore? The Mustangs rallied in the final minute against Lone Peak to claim their first Class 5A championship. Now Herriman is out to prove it has staying power as a championship program.

The Mustangs will have to do some reloading on offense. Herriman replaces its top three rushers and three of its top four receivers. Hayden Reynolds does return at quarterback, however, after leading the offense last season.

Defense should be Herriman's bread and butter again this fall. Cade Eldridge has been a standout at linebacker the past two seasons with 115 career tackles and five career interceptions. Noah Vaea is a major playmaker in the secondary. Last season, Vaea led the team with 83 tackles and led the state with 12 interceptions.

Vaea may also play a larger role on offense this year with multiple holes to fill. The senior totaled 436 yards on offense a year ago.

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5. Timpview (Provo)
Head coach: Cary Whittingham
2015 record: 11-2
Team preview

For the first time since 2012, Timpview is not the defending Class 4A champion entering a new season. A 49-14 loss to East in the 4A championship game denied the Thunderbirds a fourth-straight state title. To return to the top, Timpview will have to overcome inexperience at several skill positions.

Moses Niumatalolo, Jake Biggs and Jordan Mariteragi are in a three-way battle to start at quarterback. Eric Calantoc is the team's top returning offensive contributor at running back and at receiver. Calantoc totaled 451 rushing yards and 105 receiving yards as a junior last season.

The offense will get plenty of help in the trenches. Four starters return on the line. Their experience will be critical for young offensive players to grow into their roles.

"We do have quite a few younger kids that will be starting for the first time," T-Birds coach Cary Whittingham said. "We're uncertain with our quarterback as to who that will be. What stands out as a known (strength) is a good offensive line."

Timpview should be strong enough on defense to give the offense time to find its legs. The T-Birds return a talented and experienced secondary – led by Morgan Anderson, who ranked second on the team in interceptions last season. Donovan Faumui will anchor the linebackers after totaling a team-high 5.5 sacks last season. Jackson Cravens will be a major contributor on the line. Cravens had 73 tackles and three sacks in 2015.

John Coon covers Utah high school sports for MaxPreps. You can contact him at john_coon@hotmail.com and follow him on Twitter at @johncoonsports