Utah’s pass-rush pipeline has produced some real heavy hitters, and Lance Holtzclaw is positioned to be the next name in that line. With the program’s tradition of elite edge pressure behind him, the former Washington Husky enters 2026 as the early favorite to become the next “Mayor of Sack Lake City.”
Holtzclaw arrived last year and made his first season count in a limited role, starting just one game. The expectation now is much bigger. He should be in the starting lineup at defensive end and has the kind of upside that could put him among the Big 12’s top sack producers.
For Holtzclaw, the pressure that comes with wearing that Utah jersey on the edge is part of the job, not something to avoid. “I feel like we naturally practice with a chip on our shoulder,” said Holtzclaw.
“We're constantly trying to get those big havoc plays; that's just the emphasis of our defense. Whether it's sacks, pass breakups, tackles for loss, picks, stuff like that.
We're constantly sitting there tracking stats, just trying to get after it. As a whole defensive line and as a defense, we're constantly trying to get home.
It's a race to the football.”
He’s also fully bought in on the nickname that comes with the territory. “I like the name; I think it's really creative,” said Holtzclaw.
“I feel like it's a good play on words, and it puts an emphasis on the defensive line room. The whole defensive line is excited to get after the quarterback.”
That enthusiasm is backed by a serious offseason workload. Holtzclaw says he’s been sharpening every part of his pass-rush toolbox, not just leaning on one move to get by.
“This offseason I've been working on everything,” said Holtzclaw. “I don't want to be a one-trick book by any means.
I want to be able to work power, finesse, and I've been working transitions from play-action plays. So I'm going to have a bag that's super, super deep.”
Utah also needs that growth because the defensive front took a hit. Kyle Whittingham's Michigan departure led to several key players and leaders heading to the transfer portal, and the Utes lost all four starters from the 2025 season on the defensive line. That leaves Morgan Scalley leaning on Holtzclaw to keep the room steady and demanding.
Holtzclaw says he’s ready for that responsibility. “I feel like I've grown a lot leadership-wise,” said Holtzclaw.
“I've matured a lot through the game with how long I've been in it. I've been able to see things differently by stepping back and also learning a lot from teaching people.
Teaching the young guys and the guys that are new to the program.”
At fifth-year status, he’s in the spot where experience matters as much as talent. He sees his role as part mentor, part example, and he’s been using the lessons from his own mistakes to help the younger players avoid them.
“I'm teaching the guys through the same mistakes and the same things that I've dealt with in the past in my time of learning,” said Holtzclaw. “I tell them, 'Guys, trust me, I've been right there in your shoes.'
Nobody wants to hear it, but I'm helping them learn.”
If Utah is going to keep its defensive line nasty after all that turnover, Holtzclaw figures to be right at the center of it. And if his pass rush takes the jump the Utes are expecting, the next mayor of Sack Lake City may already be in place.
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