What we learned from Utah’s spring scrimmage: Vele is a star, Glover is the real deal and Jackson looks confident

With one week earlier than camp concludes with the spring recreation and followers get their first take a look at the 2022 roster, Utah Soccer carried out their remaining closed scrimmage of spring season. Whereas gamers weren’t going full tilt and there is nonetheless lots of time between now and the primary kick towards Florida in Gainesville, there have been a number of takeaways and standouts from an preliminary take a look at the 2022 Utes.

Devaughn Vele is now not a “secret weapon” however seems to be the primary weapon amongst the vast receivers

After a formidable freshman season, Devaughn Vele’s inventory is thru the roof proper now and his talents had been on full show on Saturday. Not solely was he Cameron Rising’s favourite goal, however he made some actually magnificent and athletic performs to make Rising look even higher.

Whereas he did seize a number of catches for sizable features uncovered, he additionally had a number of ESPN High-10 like performs that had jaws on the ground. Early on, Rising threaded a 17 yard cross to the entrance nook of the top zone. Regardless of having a defender proper on his again, Vele caught it over his again shoulder for six factors.

Shortly thereafter, Vele additionally caught a 44 yard reception, double teamed, whereas diving right down to the one yard line. Utah would rating on the following play.

General, Vele is now not the “secret weapon” he was known as all final yr. He seems to now be the primary weapon within the vast receiver group and ought to be on the right track for an enormous 2022 season.

Jaylon Glover appeared pure and utterly in his aspect

All of the hype round freshman operating again Jaylon Glover is totally justified and followers ought to be ecstatic about his future. Throughout the scrimmage, Glover was operating with those and he appeared utterly in his aspect. Whereas he didn’t have any rushes for greater than about 10 yards, he demonstrated a relaxed demeanor and did precisely what was requested of him.

From what Glover has demonstrated up to now, he’s a formidable mixture of energy, agility and pace. Not solely was he in a position to plow via a number of defenders for a pair yards up the center, however he additionally had fast toes and aspect stepped his approach via a number of gaps on a number of events.

Whereas Tavion Thomas would be the major again this season, Glover ought to see quantity of reps behind him and there will not be a lot of a drop off when Glover steps into the position after Thomas takes his skills to the league.

Ja’Quinden Jackson seems to be far more assured within the passing recreation

After a tricky preliminary season with Utah, quarterback Ja’Quinden Jackson appeared like a very completely different participant in Saturday’s scrimmage. Whereas he nonetheless demonstrated what he can do along with his legs with a number of speeding touchdowns close to the objective line, Jackson was additionally exhibiting quite a bit along with his arm.

Regardless that Jackson wasn’t wanted a lot final yr, it was evident within the 2021 spring recreation that his passing wasn’t fairly the place it wanted to be, and ultimately, it was Bryson Barnes who changed Rising within the Rose Bowl, not Jackson.

Nonetheless, in line with Jackson and a number of other members of the teaching employees, he’s been engaged on his passing recreation and that was evident within the scrimmage. Not that he had any lengthy completions, however his throws had been quite a bit smoother and his confidence was evident. On a number of events, he put the ball in locations he by no means would’ve dreamed of earlier than that ought to’ve resulted in some spectacular completions had the receivers not made errors.

So whereas ThiccBoi7 remains to be the commander of the offense and the undisputed starter, Jackson confirmed lots of promise and seems to be making strides.

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