Utah defensive end John Henry Daley, now known by teammates as the “mayor of Sack Lake City,” is turning heads across college football. With eight sacks in just six games, Daley sits near the top of national leaderboards — just half a sack shy of first place.
Daley, a redshirt sophomore from Alpine, Utah, transferred to the University of Utah two years ago and has since become one of the Utes’ biggest defensive weapons. His impressive stats include 28 quarterback pressures, 15 hurries, four QB hits, two forced fumbles, and 19 defensive stops. According to Pro Football Focus, Daley holds an 89.0 defensive grade and a 91.8 pass rush grade, both among the best on the team.
“I’m just a competitive guy. I don’t like coming in second place,” Daley said. “It’s either you go out and be the best, or there’s no point in even trying.”
A relentless drive to lead
Daley’s teammates have matched his high-energy mindset, creating one of the most competitive defensive units in the country. “You can see guys elevating their games every single week,” he said. “It’s fantastic to watch all across the board.”
Coaching and confidence
Daley credits much of his rapid rise to defensive line coach Lewis Powell, who he says helped him believe in his potential.
“Coach Powell is fantastic at what he does,” Daley said. “He really knows how to build confidence and teach you the techniques to make plays. The results speak for themselves — just look at how many of his guys end up in the NFL.”
Powell echoed that praise, calling Daley one of the team’s fastest developers and new defensive leaders.
“His motor doesn’t stop,” Powell said. “He’s become a leader on defense, and we’re excited for his growth.”
Finding his place after transferring
After one season at BYU and a church mission, Daley decided he needed a new challenge — and Utah’s defensive system proved to be the perfect fit.
“I just knew BYU wasn’t the place for me anymore,” Daley said. “I’m extremely happy about my decision to come here. I love my coaches, I love my teammates, and I’m very content with my choice to take my talents up north.”
Now, as the Utes continue their Big 12 campaign, Daley’s explosive performances and leadership have solidified his place as one of Utah’s premier defensive talents — and the unofficial “mayor” of the Utes’ storied pass-rushing tradition.
