‘He has all the tools’: Utah freshman linebacker Lander Barton making an impression during spring practices

Utah freshman Lander Barton, the youthful brother of former Utes Cody and Jackson Barton, has impressed the coaches this spring. 

The Brighton Excessive product has been getting reps with the first-team protection. 

“When you think about that he ought to nonetheless be in highschool proper now, it’s fairly wonderful what he’s doing, however it’s no shock. He has all of the instruments,” mentioned coach Kyle Whittingham.

“Once we recruited him, we felt like we knew precisely what we have been getting. He’s 6-4 and 230 kilos and runs very well. There’s nothing that’s shocking us, however it’s fairly spectacular what he’s doing at such an early stage.”

Barton’s sister, Dani Drews, was a two-time All-American for the Utah volleyball crew. 

The Bartons’ mom, Mikki Kane-Barton, is a member of the Crimson Membership Corridor of Fame, a two-time honorable point out All-America basketball participant and she or he additionally performed volleyball for the Utes.

Their father, Paul, performed soccer and baseball at Utah. 

“I don’t know that it places extra stress on him,” Whittingham mentioned of expectations for Lander Barton.

“We definitely attempt to not. The mother is the most effective athlete in the entire household. His sister is absolutely good, however Mikki was fabulous.”

Scrimmaging

Final weekend, Utah held a scrimmage at Rice-Eccles Stadium with 120 dwell reps.

“It was a whole, thorough workday. That work is invaluable. That’s the place you get your finest evaluations and indication of the place these guys are at,” Whittingham mentioned.

“It was an excellent scrimmage total. We nonetheless have numerous work to do however some guys are actually beginning to present up — (operating again) Jaylen Glover, (linebacker) Lander Barton, (linebacker) Justin Medlock. Lots of the youthful guys are beginning to make their presence recognized.”

Subsequent Saturday, the Utes wrap up spring practices with a scrimmage at Rice-Eccles Stadium. 

Insomnia

The Utes have a number of cornerbacks, JaTravis Broughton, Faybian Marks and Zemaiah Vaughn, recovering from damage this spring. 

Defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley likes what he’s seeing from youthful gamers corresponding to Caine Savage, Elisha Lloyd and Drew Rawls. 

“A few of these youthful guys are getting all these reps. Clark Phillips continues to impress and enhance,” Scalley mentioned.

“We gained’t know till fall camp what that depth goes to appear to be as a result of these guys are out proper now. We’ll add a pair to the combination and we nonetheless might find yourself including a (switch) portal man as effectively. That’s the world that, in case you’re saying, ‘What’s retaining you up at evening?’ That’s it proper now.”

Peppins in switch portal

Freshman broad receiver Ryan Peppins has reportedly entered the switch portal. 

Earlier within the week, Whittingham mentioned that the 5-foot-8, 147-pounder from Birmingham, Alabama, was not at observe as a result of he was “taking good care of points. Private issues occurring, however we predict he’s bought a shiny future. We’ll see how he progresses.”