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The Utah defense is entering this spring ball with a sizable amount of returners, but it will also be looking to replace both of their captains from the 2025 season. Utes defensive end Lance Holtzclaw says that while there are players who have been named to the leadership council, the defense as a whole is asking everyone to step up as leaders. "I feel like we're really trying to instill that with everybody. We're really trying to get everybody to step up in leadership roles. We've announced the Leadership Council, including myself on it. But at the same time, we're still trying to get everybody to be vocal. Get everybody to be a leader and be on the same page and be able to feel comfortable out there calling the defense," Holtzclaw said. Holtzclaw is one of just three returners from last year's edge room. He says that the three new additions the team brought in are all improving the total outlook of the group. "Adding an older guy like Ethan [Day] in that, who has had a lot of experiences and has a really long story that you can really look into. He brings a lot of experience from different spots and brings knowledge that he's had from over his years of playing. So that's really good. And having another guy in the room that's an older guy like myself has been helping a lot with bringing in those young guys, Nick Igwe and PJ Takitaki. So getting those guys in and really coaching them up and really seeing the potential that they have and all these skill sets, and really trying to hone in and get their technique right," he said. While the group gets used to those new faces, they have also been getting used to their new position coach, Inoke Breckterfield. "Coach Noakes has been great, he keeps it real simple. He's a guy that's really takes it as a situation of really on your 20 square feet, be where you got to be, and be there on time and handle your business, but at the same he wants the guys in the room to be real mature and take care of their own business while taking in his coaching and instilling it on their own time," Holtzclaw said. Individually, Holtzclaw is hoping he can use last season, especially his performance in the final games of last season, as a springboard into his final collegiate season. "This is my last chance to go and pursue those dreams that I have to play at the next level. So I'm really gonna hone in and really be hard on myself when it comes to this self-eval and definitely putting in some extra work, especially with those guys that came in. These guys are hungry to work," Holtzclaw said. While the defensive line remains hungry, so does the Utah offensive line, and Holtzclaw has been impressed with the players who are starting to step up. "The offensive line is doing great. We got great coaches on that side, and these guys have been developing guys. And they're not just guys who have played the game of football. They're guys that can coach it and really teach it. So even with a whole new room, we got guys that have been here, guys that understand what the culture is and have a lot of good teachings and watching guys from in front of them over the years. So they're transitioning really well, and they're bringing in those new guys and coaching them up really well," Holtzclaw said. Watch the full media session below, including Holtzclaw's take on practicing in the wild weather the state has had this spring and how important spring ball is overall: