Utah Utes newcomer Mohamoud Diabate, proper, who arrived to Utah from the Florida Gators, will assist fill the void left by All-American linebacker Devin Lloyd. Hunter Dyke, Utah Athletics
Florida linebacker Mohamoud Diabate (11) celebrates after making a play throughout recreation in opposition to Alabama, Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Gainesville, Fla. The Ute newcomer is wanting ahead to opening the 2202 season in opposition to his former workforce in Gainesville on Sept. 3. Phelan M. Ebenhack, Related Press
Florida linebacker Mohamoud Diabate follows a play throughout recreation in opposition to Alabama, Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Gainesville, Fla. The athletic, rangy linebacker might be roaming the protection for the Utes in 2022. Phelan M. Ebenhack, Related Press
In January, linebacker Mohamoud Diabate transferred from Florida to Utah. Through the spring, he was sidelined from practices as he recovered from shoulder surgical procedure.
Now, throughout fall camp, Diabate is lastly on the sector and training together with his teammates.
“To date, so good. It’s an incredible feeling simply to be out right here and to be with the blokes, to get a really feel for it and compete,” stated the senior from Auburn, Alabama. “It’s been what I’ve been ready for since I touched down right here in January. It’s an important feeling.”
And as destiny would have it, Diabate’s first recreation as a Ute might be in opposition to his former workforce; Utah visits the Gators on Sept. 3.
“He has large vary sideline to sideline. He’s obtained nice athleticism. He’s obtained a superb capacity to cope with blockers. He’s simply an athlete. That’s most likely his greatest asset — his sheer athleticism.” — Kyle Whittingham on Mohamoud Diabate
That may definitely be a singular and weird expertise for Diabate.
“Nothing compares to it. It’s going to be an important atmosphere, an important alternative. It’s like going to my ex-wife’s home. It’s going to be enjoyable,” he stated. “I nonetheless have plenty of love and respect for these guys and the college (at Florida). Proper now, we’re simply specializing in what we’ve gotta do. And when that point comes, it can come. We’ll be prepared.”
Diabate is anticipated to assist fill the void left by Devin Lloyd, the 2021 Pac-12 Defensive Participant of the Yr and a first-round NFL draft decide — by the Jacksonville Jaguars.
How does defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley describe what the 6-foot-4, 220-pound Diabate brings to the Ute protection?
“Athleticism, pace, vitality. He's a savvy soccer participant,” he stated. “He’s not as huge as Devin. However he’s lengthy and quick and simply as fast. You possibly can inform he was coached up properly at Florida. We’re lucky to have him.”
“He has large vary sideline to sideline. He’s obtained nice athleticism,” stated coach Kyle Whittingham. “He’s obtained a superb capacity to cope with blockers. He’s simply an athlete. That’s most likely his greatest asset — his sheer athleticism.”
Cornerback Clark Phillips III has additionally been impressed with Diabate.
“He’s a long-levered man. He’s sort of the new-school linebacker. He’s tremendous quick. He’s obtained vary. It’s enjoyable wanting over and seeing a dude like him throughout the center,” he stated. “I’m like, ‘They’re not getting a fast slant.’ That’s undoubtedly enjoyable seeing. General, he’s busting his butt and attempting to get higher.”
Florida linebacker Mohamoud Diabate (11) celebrates after making a play throughout recreation in opposition to Alabama, Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Gainesville, Fla. The Ute newcomer is wanting ahead to opening the 2202 season in opposition to his former workforce in Gainesville on Sept. 3.
Phelan M. Ebenhack, Related Press
Since he’s been on campus, Diabate has spent appreciable time learning Utah’s defensive scheme.
“I really feel like I’m fairly acquainted. I’m not 100% full pace but as a result of I’m getting used to the little (issues),” he stated. “However I really feel like coach Scalley and (linebackers) coach (Colton) Swan did an important job throughout my time right here, despite the fact that I couldn’t observe, to ensure I’m nonetheless studying the protection. I really feel fairly assured taking part in on this protection and I stay up for progress with each observe.”
In three seasons with the Gators, Diabate recorded 170 tackles, 5.5 sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss.
Diabate stated his abilities and magnificence slot in properly at Utah.
“Like coach Scalley says, ‘RSNB. Relentless, good, nasty, ballhawks.’ My pace and my skills, I’m at all times pushing to the ball,” Diabate stated. “As soon as I get there, it’s going to be nasty. I’m nonetheless shopping for into the teaching workers and doing every little thing that this program is asking me to do.”
Although he didn’t take part in spring ball, Diabate stated he’s constructing a stable chemistry and belief together with his teammates.
“It’s been coming alongside nice. We’ve been collectively since January. We’ve been chilling with one another, speaking ball, choosing one another’s brains,” Diabate stated. “We’ve come a great distance as a result of we’re aware of one another. Now that we’re collectively, we’re rolling and getting higher each single day.”
When he was taking part in for the Gators, Diabate wasn’t utilized as a cross rusher typically. However he stated he has the power to be a cross rusher, a task he's anticipated to tackle at Utah.
“I really feel that I’ll slot in in a number of locations. I pleasure myself in versatility, with the ability to do completely different jobs, whether or not they be rush or cowl from completely different locations,” he stated. “I can play the run elsewhere. In my profession I’ve been capable of play so many various positions within the entrance seven. Now, I’m able to do no matter. I’m able to work with coach Scalley and coach Swan and coach Whitt and discover no matter recipe is greatest for achievement.”
Scalley is completely satisfied so as to add a confirmed expertise at linebacker.
“He’s carried out at an elite stage already within the SEC,” he stated final spring. “For him, plenty of it's getting the terminology down and understanding our scheme and our tradition. He loves it and we love him.”
As a Muslim, Diabate noticed Ramadan final spring. His religion has performed an enormous function in shaping him and he’s greater than prepared to share his beliefs with others.
“My religion undoubtedly is one thing that’s pushed me and helped me keep disciplined. It’s allowed me to turn into the participant that I'm,” he stated. “It’s one thing that shapes my thoughts and permits me to be the individual that I'm. It's one thing that I share with individuals.
“However particularly being in a distinct place, anyone that wishes to be taught, I do it in that kind of style. Anyone who want to study it and educate themselves, I really like sitting down and speaking about it. That’s how it's.”
Off the sector, Diabate stated he’s occupied with present occasions and world historical past.
“My dad’s a professor. After I go dwelling, lots of people watch cartoons. I watch the information,” he stated. “I’m a distinct kind of man. I prefer to know what’s occurring on the earth and what’s occurring round me. That’s what I prefer to give attention to.”
And proper now, he’s targeted on discovering his place in Utah’s protection and getting ready for an enormous season opener in opposition to his alma mater at a spot he is aware of properly — The Swamp.
Florida linebacker Mohamoud Diabate follows a play throughout recreation in opposition to Alabama, Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Gainesville, Fla. The athletic, rangy linebacker might be roaming the protection for the Utes in 2022.
Phelan M. Ebenhack, Related Press