We’re two weeks away from the season-opener at Florida.
The warmth is getting cranked up.
Right here’s a fast, in all probability incomplete listing of true freshmen that would play a tangible function for the Utes this fall primarily based on what coaches and gamers have stated to date in fall camp:
Lander Barton — The four-star freshman and crown jewel of Utah’s newest recruiting class, Barton is in line to play a big quantity of snaps, if not begin at Florida. If we assume Mo Diabate begins at one linebacker spot, it’s Barton and Karene Reid proper now for that second spot.
Jaylon Glover — One other much-hyped, four-star freshman at working again, it has been clear for some time Glover will probably be in line for touches from the outset. How Utah chooses to dispense him will probably be of curiosity with the majority of carries going to Tavion Thomas, and Micah Bernard standing as a veteran possibility, to not point out Utah’s finest pass-catcher out of the backfield.
Tao Johnson — The scenario at slot receiver to switch Britain Covey had been fluid going again to spring observe. Whereas third-year sophomore Cash Parks has steadily moved securing that project for the opener, Johnson’s identify has come up sufficient in interviews with the teaching employees that it’s tough to disregard at this level. He has additionally come up as a particular groups possibility with punt and kick return duties up within the air
Chase Kennedy — Regulate Kennedy, a three-star defensive finish who Morgan Scalley has pumped up on multiple event.
Justin Medlock — The linebacker room is a bit inexperienced, but in addition perhaps essentially the most gifted room inside the protection. Enter Medlock, who has impressed and whereas there is probably not sufficient house for him to crack the two-deep, he a minimum of appears like a protected guess to crack the journey roster, which is a large optimistic for any true freshmen.
Nate Johnson — Possibly Johnson doesn’t belong on this listing. However whereas he’s not able to step into QB3, he’s very athletic, very versatile, and Kyle Whittingham has stated optimistic issues, so why can’t he get tossed in there in a short-yardage, Wildcat-type of scenario?
B1G with a B
All of us noticed the Huge Ten’s new seven-year media rights agreements with Fox, CBS, NBC, Peacock and FS1, which is price roughly $8 billion over the lifetime of the deal. The Huge Ten contract has an escalator, which might push the full worth of the deal to roughly $10 billion if its membership expands.
No matter whether or not or not it ever lands Notre Dame, one reasonable state of affairs would see the Huge Ten come again this manner and attempt to poach extra Pac-12 colleges. At a minimal, that may alleviate some potential journey/scheduling conundrums related to UCLA and USC coming aboard in 2024.
All eyes are actually on the Pac-12, which is subsequent to marketplace for a brand new media rights deal, one which could be very more likely to see ESPN find yourself with the first rights.
It’s going to be an attention-grabbing month.
Who’s QB2?
With out the advantage of having the ability to watch Ja’Quinden Jackson and Bryson Barnes vie to be Cam Rising’s backup, if you happen to take heed to Whittingham intently sufficient and perhaps learn between the traces, it has felt for some time like issues are tilting in the direction of Jackson, a third-year sophomore who has but to throw a collegiate cross. An excessive amount of athleticism, an excessive amount of means, an excessive amount of intrigue, too excessive a ceiling. I’ll be shocked if it’s not Jackson.
O-line questions
There was no main place battle going into camp, and of those which have taken place, most of them really feel like they’ve labored themselves out.
On Monday, we had Whittingham and offensive line coach Jim Harding soft-selling two or three spots nonetheless up for grabs up entrance.
Two issues right here. One, at left guard, Whittingham has been excessive for a very long time on Michael Mokofisi, however Keaton Payments has began 12 of the final 17 video games in that spot. The opener is Florida, not a Huge Sky faculty. In the event that they suppose it’s Mokofisi as a first-time starter, do it, however be certain. Two, the same, however extra intriguing scenario has developed at proper sort out, the place Jaren Kump has been the presumed starter, however is coming off knee surgical procedure and is shaking off the rust. Falcon Kaumatule, all 6-foot-8, 300 kilos of him has drawn reward from Whittingham and Harding. Kaumatule would even be a first-time starter.
Media entry
Media entry at Utah fall camp has been fairly restricted this month, actually extra so than final August. We don’t get to look at any portion of observe (not a brand new factor, for what it’s price).
We’ve had simply six face-to-face alternatives for participant interviews, three alternatives with Whittingham, and two every with the offensive and defensive coordinators, and Zoom interviews with the remainder of the assistant coaches earlier this week. The 2 every with the 2 coordinators inside the first 13 days of camp is definitely rather a lot for my part, however I digress.
All of this seemingly speaks to the will to maintain issues tight, hold issues targeted, hold distractions to a minimal with a, let’s name what it’s, massively necessary opener approaching Sept. 3, but it surely makes it rather a lot more durable for the media to do its respective jobs.
Whittingham noting on Monday that he’s unlikely to launch a depth chart on the Monday of recreation week has been the spotlight of this matter for me. Releasing the two-deep publicly to open recreation week is customary, however completely not mandated by the NCAA or the Pac-12.