This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Sharrieff Shah's youngest brother, Abdul-Karim al-Jabbar, is sixth on UCLA's all-time leading rusher list.
His nephew, Jaleel Wadood, is the Bruins' starting safety, with interceptions in two straight games.
Twice a year, when Utah squares off against USC and UCLA, the Los Angeles native and Utah cornerbacks coach's cheering sections shrinks considerably.
His brother is better about it than he has been in past years, Shah said, but he still tells Shah: "I love you, but I love blue, too."
It's not just al-Jabbar, either. Friends, cousins — the list goes on. They told him the Trojans would beat Utah. This week, they're telling him the Bruins are coming to Salt Lake to shock the world.
"I'm like," Shah mimics listening, " 'Awesome.'
"That's all I'm saying."
There's at least one positive to his Los Angeles connection: Shah knows a little something about UCLA true freshman quarterback Josh Rosen.
He's watched Rosen for years, the nation's top-rated prep signal caller a teammate of Wadood at powerhouse St. John Bosco.
No playoff plummet
While Utah fell from No. 10 to No. 18 in the AP Top 25 with a 37-30 double-overtime loss to Arizona, the College Football Playoff Committee was more forgiving, ranking the 8-2 Utes No. 13, two spots behind North-leading Stanford.
USC is No. 24 and Oregon moves to No. 23 with its upset of the Cardinal.
While the odds of any Pac-12 team reaching the four-team playoff are long, at best, the conference still has a chance to snag two so-called New Year's Six games — the Rose Bowl, and an at-large bid.
That would mean more money and a step up in the pecking order for each of the conference's eight to 10 bowl-bound teams.
Ravens sign Clay
The Baltimore Ravens signed Utah wideout/return specialist Kaelin Clay off the Detroit Lions practice squad Tuesday, with team media writing, "Clay was an electric All-American returner in college who could immediately take the punt returner job in Baltimore."
Selected in the sixth round by Tampa Bay before failing to make the Buccaneers' 53-man roster, Clay was fourth nationally last year with an average of 15 yards per punt return for three touchdowns, as well as a kickoff return touchdown. He also led the Utes in receiving yards, with 523.
'Don't kill Covey'
Asked about true freshman wideout Britain Covey, Shah said that he was amazed by Covey's ability to pop back up after a collision with a much larger defensive back.
"It's amazing, and I cringe every time I see it. I'm like 'Oh God, don't kill Covey.' I'm just telling you the truth. … 'Oh, please, please, save Covey. Thank you God, for making him OK.' And he gets right back up and just walks right back to the huddle and I give him a big hug every time."
Tidbits
Junior cornerback Reginald Porter practiced Tuesday after staying home on Utah's visit to Arizona. ... Coach Kyle Whittingham said Evan Eggiman — stiff-armed by an end zone-bound Anu Solomon on his one defensive snap Saturday — is "next man up" at safety. "It depends on Tevin Carter's health," he said. "... Hopefully, Tevin is able to continue to play." ... In grades provided to The Tribune by Pro Football Focus, junior left guard Isaac Asiata graded out as the offense's best player, at plus-7.2, against the Wildcats. Asiata did not allow any pressures in pass protection, according to PFF analysts. Senior center Siaosi Aiono, playing through a right hand injury and snapping with his left, had his worst production grade of the season, at minus-7.3, and especially struggled in run blocking.
Twitter: @matthew_piper —
UCLA at No. 18 Utah
P Saturday, 1:30 p.m TV: Ch. 13