Honors & Awards
» 2016 Team Captain
» Burlsworth Trophy Semifinalist (1 of 10)
» Rimington Trophy Watch List (2016)
» Academic All-Big Ten (2015, 2016)
» Nebraska Scholar-Athlete Honor Roll (Fall 2014, 2016; Spring 2015, 2016)
» Brook Berringer Citizenship Team (2016)
» Tom Osborne Citizenship Team (2016)
Dylan Utter was a fixture on the Nebraska offensive line in his final two seasons with the Huskers. The 6-1, 295-pound Utter was the only offensive lineman to start every game in both 2015 and 2016, and he showed his versatility starting at left guard in 2015, before moving to center as a senior where he anchored the offensive line.
A 2016 team captain, Utter was a tenacious competitor in the trenches and provided leadership to a young line. Utter originally joined the Husker program as a walk-on before earning a scholarship prior to the 2015 season. Utter graduated with a degree in history in December of 2016, and was a two-time Academic All-Big Ten selection.
2016 (Senior)
Utter started all 13 games at center, anchoring a line that featured three new starters in 2016. Utter's play helped Nebraska rank as the Big Ten's best unit in protecting the passer, as NU allowed just 15 sacks in 13 games. Utter was named one of 10 semifinalists for the Burlsworth Trophy, given annually to the nation's top walk-on performer.
The offensive line paved the way for the Huskers to rack up 550 yards of total offense against Wyoming, while rolling up 556 yards of offense at Northwestern. In 2016, senior quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr. also became Nebraska's career leader in passing yards and total offense.
2015 (Junior)
Utter was one of three offensive linemen to start all 13 games, manning the left guard spot. He helped Nebraska rank among the Big Ten’s top offenses in passing, scoring and total offense.
The offensive line also helped protect Nebraska passers very well. The Huskers allowed just 14 sacks in 13 games to rank ninth nationally in fewest sacks allowed. The unit closed the year with a dominant effort against UCLA in the bowl game, powering the way for a season-high 326 rushing yards.
2014 (Sophomore)
Utter played in six games, with a start at center in the Holiday Bowl. He spent the majority of the year adding depth at guard and played in five of the first seven games. Utter’s performance against USC helped Nebraska roll up 525 yards of total offense and 42 points. Utter also saw significant action against Illinois, when NU topped 400 rushing yards.
2013 (Redshirt Freshman)
Utter added depth on the line in 2013, but did not play in a game.
2012 (Redshirt)
A walk-on, Utter redshirted in 2012.
Before Nebraska (Papillion-La Vista HS)
Utter helped Papillion-La Vista High School reach the semifinals of the Class A state playoffs as a senior in 2011. Utter played on both lines, totaling 40 tackles and two sacks to earn a spot on the Lincoln Journal Star Super State second team as a senior. On offense, Utter helped the Monarchs average more than 38 points and 258 passing yards per game.
As a junior, Utter recorded 47 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and three sacks. Also a member of the Omaha World-Herald All-Nebraska second team, Utter was selected to participate in the 2012 Nebraska Shrine Bowl. Utter earned a second-place finish in shot put at the 2012 Nebraska state track and field championships. Utter walked on after receiving scholarship offers from North Dakota and Army.
Personal
Utter was born on Feb. 19, 1994, and is the son of Dinah Fiest. He was a history major and earned his bachelor's degree from Nebraska in December of 2016. He was named to the Nebraska Scholar-Athlete Honor Roll four times, along with earning a spot on the 2015 Academic All-Big Ten team. Utter volunteered his time with Uplifting Athletes, Husker Hotline, Community Action Partnership and team hospital visits, and earned spots on the 2016 Brook Berringer and Tom Osborne Citizenship teams.
Utter's Career Statistics
» Games Played – 32 (6 in 2014, 13 in 2015, 13 in 2016)
» Games Started – 27 (1 in 2014, 13 in 2015, 13 in 2016)