Tavion Thomas, Utes Out To Prove They Are Better In 2022
Aug 4, 2022, 9:03 AM
Running backs Jaylon Glover and Tavion Thomas run through drills during the first day of fall camp. Thomas has big expectations of the Utes in 2022. (Photo courtesy of Utah Athletics)
(Photo courtesy of Utah Athletics)
SALT LAKE CITY- The Utes are coming off a historic year in 2021, but running back Tavion Thomas is convinced the team can be even better in 2022. Half the battle when you reach some of the higher markers in college football is complacency, but at least based on first impressions of the 2022 Utes, that does not appear to be the case. If at all anything, their recent successes seem to have only motivated them more, but until games are played we can only speculate on just how far that motivation will take them in the coming year.
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Every Day Is A Competition
Thomas is coming off of a spectacular season in 2021, but he knows he has to continue to work hard in order to be Utah’s workhorse at running back in the coming season. Last year’s successes don’t mean anything this year, and with equally talented guys in the room like Micah Bernard and newcomer Jaylon Glover, the competition for reps will be fierce.
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While that constant competition might sound stressful, ultimately it’s what makes every better and more prepared to carry the load of high expectations.
“We have to come out and compete every day,” Thomas said. “Every day your job ain’t permanent. You’ve got to work hard to keep your job. Whoever gets in can do their thing. Anyone of us.”
A Bad Taste In Our Mouths
While it is true Utah had what many would call a great season earning their first Pac-12 Title and Rose Bowl appearance, the loss to Ohio State doesn’t sit well with the guys and understandably so. For most of the game the Utes had the Buckeyes on the ropes, but a few late mistakes allowed prolific quarterback C.J. Stroud to get tOSU back in it for the win. It’s always nice to have your game dubbed a “classic”, but it’s even better when you come out the victors of those efforts and that is where Thomas and the Utes see themselves in 2022.
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“We still have that bad taste in our mouths,” Thomas said. “We want to come out and do more.”
RSNB, But For Offense
Everybody knows Utah is coming with a nasty defense year-in and year-out. It is such an identity for the Utes that defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley has coined the acronym and phrase “relentless, smart, nasty, ball hawks” for his group. Utah’s offense on the other hand has lacked a strong identity for years, but it feels like the tides are changing in recent years with the hire of offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig.
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Several times through media availability offensive players were asked to identify what their 2022 identity will be and over and over again the response sounded an awfully close to the defense.
“We tough and nasty,” Thomas said. “That’s how we identify.”
