ST. GEORGE — Syrus Webster will wear the coveted No. 3 jersey when Utah Tech opens the football season at Montana State on Sept. 2.
According to Utah Tech Athletics Media Relations, Webster, a junior defensive lineman, was awarded the No. 3 jersey in an annual tradition that honors former Trailblazer football player Abraham Reinhardt, who died unexpectedly on March 22, 2019.
“I am excited to award Syrus the No. 3 jersey for the 2023 season,” Utah Tech head coach Paul Peterson said in a statement. He noted that the No. 3 jersey is awarded to a student-athlete who best emulates Reinhardt’s leadership on and off the field.
“He exemplifies everything that we are trying to build in our program and especially represents the legacy Abraham Reinhardt left behind,” Peterson said of Webster. “Look for him to lead us and make plays all over the field.”
Webster, who played at West Jordan High School, is coming off a stellar sophomore campaign in 2022. He earned first-team all-Western Athletic Conference accolades after he co-led the conference in sacks (5.5) and led the Trailblazers with 10.0 tackles for loss.
The junior-to-be finished the 2022 season with 42 total tackles (22 solo) and tallied at least three total tackles in nine of 11 games played.
In addition, Webster racked up four quarterback hurries, two forced fumbles, and one pass breakup and collected Academic all-WAC honors.
Webster enters this upcoming season having been named the preseason Defensive Player of the Year in the new United Athletic Conference.
“I feel extremely blessed and honored to be chosen to wear the No. 3 jersey this season,” Webster said in a statement, noting that Abraham Reinhardt was the embodiment of the values and culture instilled at Utah Tech.
“The honor to wear No. 3 carries memories of a man who left us too soon, someone who I can look up to as a leader to lead by heart,” Webster said. “I am embracing a legacy and I am going to do my best to play in a way that honors him.”
In his lone season as a Trailblazer in 2018, Reinhardt earned first team all-Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference honors at linebacker after he led or co-led the Trailblazers in three different defensive statistical categories.
“Even though our paths didn’t cross, and I wasn’t able to play with him, his influence remains strong within the locker room and within our program,” Webster said. “I am truly grateful to carry forward his legacy and will do so by giving my all in every game. This jersey serves as a constant reminder of the type of player I want to be during my time here as a Trailblazer.”
Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2023, all rights reserved.