Projecting Utah Football Depth Chart After Two Weeks Of Fall Camp
Aug 14, 2024, 9:00 AM | Updated: Aug 16, 2024, 5:14 pm
SALT LAKE CITY – Utah football completed its first scrimmage of fall camp last Thursday. The team will go through their second scrimmage later today, which means we’re that much closer to Utah Football’s official depth chart.
These scrimmages are valuable tools for coaches to evaluate players and gain a better feel for their roster. Utah has most pieces in place but there are still a few lingering questions with the roster.
RELATED: Utah Football Debuts At No. 12 In First AP Top 25 Poll Of 2024
There are about two weeks left until Utah’s season opener against Southern Utah. This makes it a good time to put together a best guess at what Utah’s depth chart could look like against the Thunderbirds.
With Utah Football, the media are unable to observe practices. The depth chart projection is based on a lot of the feedback gained over the last two weeks.
Pads are on and poppin' ⚡️🔋#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/gzr5TBveMM
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) August 6, 2024
Utah Football Depth Chart
Quarterback
Starter – Cameron Rising
Second-Unit – Isaac Wilson, Brandon Rose, Sam Huard
Coach Whittingham made this one easy. Cam Rising is No. 1, Isaac Wilson is No. 2 and those two apparently made it quite obvious. The No. 3 and 4 still need to be sorted out though. Rose should still have the advantage for now. How much progress Huard makes over the next few weeks and months will make things interesting but more so for the future.
Running Back
Starter – Micah Bernard
Second-Unit – Jaylon Glover, Mike Mitchell, Dijon Stanley
Micah Bernard is the most trusted back in the room. He’s the veteran, he’s the guy to lead this group. However, this will be a committee effort much like what we saw in 2021. That season Tavion Thomas emerged as a bell cow but Utah used Bernard and TJ Pledger as pace changers. Utah seems to have a similar trio thanks to the emergence of the 217-pound Mitchell. Also, Stanley will be a significant change of pace for this offense.
Wide Receiver
Starters: Dorian Singer(R), Money Parks(X), Damien Alford (Y)
Second-Unit: Mycah Pittman, Luca Caldarella, Daidren Zipperer
There is little debate that Singer and Parks are the top two receivers on the roster. Pittman has had a strong fall camp but falls behind those two, due to playing similar positions. Alford is a much-needed big body on the outside. He has and is still learning a lot in a short amount of time. Utah can afford some time if he can’t hit the ground running this season but they need him to be a dude this season. Caldarella has been a pleasant surprise in camp as well. Lyons and Zipperer have also made some noise. Utah’s also got a couple of tight ends that will help here two.
Tight End
U Starter – Brant Kuithe
Second-Unit – Landen King, Caleb Lohner
Y Stater – Dallen Bentley
Second-Unit – Carsen Ryan, Miki Suguturaga
Utah’s got options here. They also have a ton of flexibility. Kuithe is a versatile weapon that is as much a receiver as he is a tight end. Bentley has been very impressive this offseason. He’s a big athlete and has done really well with the ones. King is another versatile weapon that can line up all over the place. Ryan will be interesting to see where he actually lands on the depth chart. He’s a big body but he’s a good athlete and receiver. Suguturaga and Lohner round out the floor and ceiling of this group.
Offensive Line
Starters: Caleb Lomu (LT), Tanoa Togiai (LG), Jaren Kump (C), Michael Mokofisi (RG), Spencer Fano (RT)
Second-Unit: Zereoue Williams, Solatoa Moea’i, Johnny Maea, Keith Olson, Falcon Kaumatule
The truly encouraging thing about this group is that the starting unit has more or less been in place for a few months. With Mokofisi and Fano on the right side, Lomu, Togiai, and Kump each established themselves at the top of their respective spots by the end of spring ball. That allowed this unit to hit the ground running for fall camp.
Behind those five, Utah has also identified a solid group of five or six. A few guys have taken good steps forward in their games and are expected to provide valuable depth here.
Defensive Line
Starters: Connor O’Toole, Keanu Tanuvasa, Junior Tafuna, Van Fillinger
Second-Unit: Logan Fano, Aliki Vimahi, Simote Pepa, Jona Leaea
Utah has a pretty deep defensive end room. Coach Whittingham has said they have seven or eight guys but it seems this will be the top four. Keao Akana should figure into the mix, while others are fighting for opportunities as well. At tackle, Tanuvasa has continued on his upward trajectory, while the trio of Tafuna, Vimahi, and Pepa all continue to hold it down inside.
Linebackers
Starters: Karene Reid (ROVER), Lander Barton (MACK), Sione Fotu (SAM)
Second-Unit: Trey Reynolds, Moroni Anae, Josh Calvert
Lander Barton and Karene Reid have been named to the Butkus Award Watch List. The award is given annually to the top linebacker in the country. 💪
📰: https://t.co/sBU5tAAgKo#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/nYn1vCtLrL
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) August 13, 2024
Despite the loss of Damuni, Utah still has six backers they feel good about. Reid and Barton will lead the linebacking corps and defensive unit overall. They set the standard for the defense. The return missionaries, Fotu and Reynolds, have both looked improved and provide good physicality. Calvert and Anae round out the group and should give Utah two good athletic options, especially if they play three linebackers.
Cornerback
Starters: Zemaiah Vaughn, Kenan Johnson
Second-Unit: Scooby Davis, CJ Blocker, Cameron Calhoun
Vaughn and Johnson are the starters, there’s little debate. The two veterans have the sort of size and athleticism needed in the Big 12. They have to be factors for Utah on the outside this season. Behind them are Davis, Blocker, and Calhoun who will provide depth outside. Davis has taken a good step forward in his game, while Blocker has also shown some good signs. Calhoun had offseason surgery but is expected back in the near future.
Nickel
Starter: Smith Snowden
Second-Unit: CJ Blocker, Alaka’i Gilman
Snowden looks to be ready for a breakout effort. He’ll be a significant factor to this defensive unit’s success this season. He’s got the ability to play inside and out. Behind him, Utah will have Blocker and Gilman capable of playing nickel.
Safety
Starters: Tao Johnson, Nate Ritchie
Second-Unit: Alaka’i Gilman, Johnathan Hall
This group has the potential to be pretty dynamic. There is a good mixture of qualities and strengths. Johnson seems ready to get after it, while Ritchie has seemed to return to form. Gilman has settled in at Utah, while Hall continues to be a menace. This collection of players will be key to Utah’s defensive success. They each have strengths that work well within the group.
Specialists
Kicker: Cole Becker
Punter: Jack Bouwmeester
Kick Returner: Dijon Stanley
Punt Returner: Mycah Pittman
Both Becker and Bouwmeester return this season after strong showings last season. As for the returner positions, it sounded like Stanley and Pittman would be the guys. However, a name to be mindful of is Rayshawn Glover. He joined the program from the JUCO ranks this summer without much fanfare. He’s a dynamic athlete and there has been some buzz around him lately.
Utah Football Schedule
Utah will kick off the season against Southern Utah on August 29. You can find Utah football’s conference schedule here.
