Observations From Utah Football’s Final Week Of Spring Ball Practice
Apr 15, 2025, 7:56 PM | Updated: 8:00 pm
Utah offensive line vs defensive line. Photo courtesy of Utah Athletics.
SALT LAKE CITY— Utah football has made it to the final week of spring ball. This served as the media’s last observation period of practice.
The quarterback play was the biggest takeaway from Tuesday’s practice, but there was plenty else to take away.
New week. Time to get after it‼️🙌#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/yfOOSMnGk3
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) April 15, 2025
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Observations from Utah football’s final spring ball practice
Compared to previous practice sessions, we saw a heavy amount of run game for the offense. The defense made a couple of havoc plays attacking the backfield, but for the most part, the offense had the better outing.
The offense has gained a lot of confidence and mojo over the course of spring ball. From week one to now, the execution on the field has improved, and the energy on the sideline has also improved.
The offensive line had a really good outing today. They created good movement up front, which allowed the run game to be as effective as it was today.
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Opening series was one of the better drives all spring
Devon Dampier and NaQari Rogers led the first offensive unit we watched.
The first three plays we watched were Dampier passes. First, an incompletion to Dallen Bentley. Then, a pass to Zacharyus Williams drew a defensive pass interference penalty for not locating the ball. Then, Dampier made a great play by looking off the nickel defender, which opened up room for Hunter Andrews over the middle.
After that, it was a lot of ground and pound. Rogers took a handoff that showcased good athleticism but the toughness he runs with by cutting it up inside. Zacharyus Williams took a handoff, something that Whittingham shared he’s capable of doing.
Then we saw Dampier’s athleticism on back-to-back plays. He took a snap and dropped back to pass before quickly seeing an open lane in front of him and picking up positive yardage and the first down. Then, Dampier made a great read on the next play, pulled the ball to get outside, and went for a big gain.
Dampier then made a good throw to Rayshawn Glover outside—who has quietly had a really productive spring. Then he finished the drive by finding an open Otto Tia up the middle of the field for a touchdown.
Wayshawn Parker leads an improving running back group
Wayshawn Parker looked the best he has all spring. In week one, he talked about needing to improve his conditioning, and if today served as any indication, progress has been made.
Parker had a couple of runs for chunk gains, one for about 10 yards, and the big play he ripped off for at least 40 yards and a touchdown. He runs with a good pace and feel behind the line of scrimmage, which preserves his options of where actually to attack.
NaQari Rogers had a couple of impressive runs, that highlighted his toughness. He gained positive yardage and finished a couple of runs with authority (it wasn’t live but the contact was legit).
Devin Green also made a couple of good plays today. He runs similarly to Parker, where there isn’t a lot of hesitation or chopping steps. He put his foot on the ground and got upfield for a couple of positive gains.
Defensive standouts today
Cornerback Jeremiah Caldwell had his best showing of camp. He broke up a pass intended for Luca Calderella, timing it well and batting the ball down. It also looks like he had an interception in one-on-ones.
. @j_caldwell7 = Ballhawk🔥 pic.twitter.com/G3g97AsJdJ
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) April 16, 2025
Paul Fitzgerald had one of the better pass rushes of camp. He completely bulled his way through the offensive tackle for a sack. Logan Fano had a sack like that last season, (Utah State?). He powered his way into the backfield, which got the defensive hyped.
Trey Reynolds and Rabbit Evans each made big tackles for loss in the backfield by timing blitzes just right. This was the first extended look at Reynolds this spring, who looked effective around the line of scrimmage. Evans has been a really bright spot this spring and looks like a promising playmaker in the secondary.
Karson Kaufusi and Sione Motuapuaka played a lot today, along with Jori Benson, and all three had good moments. Benson had a tackle for loss that ended a possession for the third offense. Motupuaka and Kaufusi are different statures. Motuapuaka isn’t as tall or big, but he’s thicker in the lower half and holds ground surprisingly well. Both are going through the growing pains competing against this offensive line, but they both look like promising young talents.
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