Unloading the notebook: Utah football begins week two
Aug 10, 2026, 3:47 PM | Updated: 3:49 pm
Utah defense at fall camp. Photo courtesy by Utah Athletics.
SALT LAKE CITY – For the first time in a few years, Utah media got an actual look behind the fall camp curtain for a peak at some football action.
That alone makes these viewing windows worth appreciating.
Monday provided an opportunity to watch the Utes work, move between position drills, compete in smaller-group drill periods and give us a better feel for how several players and position groups have physically developed since the spring. There is something refreshing about being able to watch practice again and leave with a notebook of actual observations instead of piecing everything together from post-practice interviews and carefully selected clips.
Some clips from our practice viewing session… Watched a lot of position drills. Good to hear the pads & sleds popping. pic.twitter.com/naBDwWWynz
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) August 10, 2026
There are still boundaries. Utah’s reporting restrictions prevent us from sharing depth-chart developments, personnel combinations or schematic details. And frankly, the viewing period did not include enough extended team work to start making declarations about what this team will look like on Saturdays.
RELATED: A day in the life of Morgan Scalley, and what it says about his vision for Utah football
So, rather than pretending a few practice periods revealed Utah’s Big 12 destiny, let’s unload the notebook.
Utah’s offensive linemen look like they spent their summer doing offensive-lineman things
Meaning: lifting heavy objects and becoming larger human beings.
Zereoue Williams looked noticeably bigger. Alex Harrison and Keith Olson appeared to have added useful size. Isaiah Garcia looked a little more refined physically. Solatoa Moea’i still looks like Solatoa Moea’i, which is perfectly acceptable when you already occupy approximately the same amount of space as a commercial refrigerator.
Kelvin Obot remains one of the most interesting developmental bodies in the room. He is young and only beginning his career, but the athleticism is impossible to miss when the offensive linemen gather together.
None of this proves Utah has solved the offensive line. It means the Utes appear physically better prepared to begin solving it.
Scalley essentially confirmed the same thing afterward. He said the offensive line has made “a ton of progress,” pointing to cleaner execution, fewer false starts, improved cohesion and a group that looks stronger, tougher and more durable.
Then came the important part. Asked when he would ideally like to know who his five offensive linemen are, Scalley answered:
“Ideally today.”
Utah is not there yet. The competition remains open, and Scalley emphasized that once the correct five emerge, they still need time together to become an actual unit.
The bodies look better. Now find five that function like one.
RELATED: Wayshawn Parker is chasing 1,200 yards; Utah is measuring something bigger
Zereoue Williams supplied the receipt
Williams estimated he gained roughly 15 pounds during the offseason while maintaining his athleticism.
That tracks with what was visible Monday. More interesting was how Williams described the identity Utah’s offensive line is trying to create.
He talked about being nasty, chasing the football, staying attached to blocks and playing with a level of physicality that becomes the personality of the room.
Williams said much of the group’s development is happening “in the dark,” because there really is no way for a rebuilt offensive line to prove anything until game day arrives.
“It’s a lot of working in the dark, and I’m really happy that it is that way,” he said. “In practice we’re just trying our best to do what we can do and then build chemistry.”
Williams also provided the offensive-line quote of the day after describing a rep against Elijah Reed.
He reached the second level thinking he had Reed. Reed got underneath his pads instead.
Williams decided that could not happen again. Do not be the nail. Be the hammer.
There are worse mottos for a reconstructed offensive line.
RELATED: Unloading the notebook: Utah football’s assistant coach availability
The defensive line looks more physically ready
Several of Utah’s young defensive linemen looked noticeably more mature Monday. Pupu Sepulona and Lucas Samsula looked like each had added useful size, Ethan Day and Kash Dillon looked thicker than thr=ey did in the spring.
That matters because Utah’s biggest question up front is not whether it has intriguing young players. It is whether those players can become dependable against the run and maintain their technique over the course of a drive.
Scalley said Utah is emphasizing run fits every day after some of last season’s issues and noted that the defensive front has also spent additional time in the film room. He believes the group has made significant progress, though defensive tackle remains an area where Utah is still trying to build more depth.
The physical development is encouraging. The next step is turning it into reliable football.
Utah is making takeaways a practice habit
Utah’s defense continues to spend noticeable time on creating turnovers rather than simply talking about them.
One period Monday focused on recognizing perimeter screens, closing on the ball and attempting to punch it free after the tackle was secured. Freshman safety Davis Andrews forced one loose during the drill.
It fits what has been visible throughout camp, with tipped passes, balls on the ground and defenders consistently attacking possession. The offense also worked on the other side of the equation, emphasizing ball security while moving through traffic and contact.
The concept is simple: teach the defense how to steal possessions and teach the offense how to protect them. Utah has made both a clear camp emphasis.
Byrd Ficklin continues to look more comfortable
During positional drills, Ficklin threw some great balls deep to vertical routes. By all accounts, he’s had a great camp so far, where he’s shown development as a passer.
Those flashes are not new. Ficklin’s arm talent and athleticism have been obvious for some time. The more important development is everything surrounding them.
Ficklin said Ryan Gunderson and Kevin McGiven have helped him improve his “process of elimination” — understanding what he needs to read, what he can eliminate and how to work through his progression.
At the same time, Ficklin said Gunderson has allowed him to remain a playmaker rather than stripping away what makes his game unique.
“He’s allowed me to still be a playmaker, have fun,” Ficklin said. “They’re helping with my process, process of elimination, what I do need to look at and what I don’t need to look at. I’m also reading the field progressions. That’s a lot of the big things that I have been needing to become a complete quarterback.”
That is probably the balance Utah wants. Ficklin does not need to become a different quarterback. He needs to become a more informed version of the one he already is.
He also called McGiven’s offense “literally everything I could dream about,” pointing to the tempo, movement and variety built into the system.
So far, the fit looks increasingly natural.
Utah’s summer work is showing up
Kevin McGiven previously said the offense entered fall camp further along than it was during spring, and Scalley credited much of that improvement to the players.
He pointed to quarterback leadership, player-led practices and offensive players working through scripts together while coaches were away.
“The reason for the better execution was what they did during our time off as coaches and the player-led practices,” Scalley said.
The progression has been fairly clear: spring was about learning the offense, summer was about taking ownership of it, and fall camp is where Utah begins finding out whether that work actually translates.
So far, there are encouraging signs.
Scalley on the competition behind Wayshawn Parker:
“Well, it’s all their development, and each guy, Mark, he’s done a great job of being clear with them on what he needs to see from them.”
Steve Chavez-Soto needs to run behind his pads more consistently and continue improving…
— Steve Bartle (@BartleKSLsports) August 10, 2026
The two-minute offense needs work
Scalley was direct about one area that is not where Utah wants it yet.
“We’re not good enough in the two minute situation right now on offense,” he said.
Utah has spent considerable time on situational football during camp, including two-minute and four-minute periods, and Scalley wants the offense cleaner when the clock and game situation add pressure.
That is exactly the kind of issue fall camp is supposed to expose. The next step for Utah’s offense is not simply looking comfortable in McGiven’s system, but executing it when the situation becomes considerably less comfortable.
Larry Simmons is seeing the game better
There has been plenty of attention on Utah’s receiver depth and speed, but Larry Simmons pointed to a different area when discussing his own development.
Simmons said his biggest improvement has come from learning concepts, recognizing defensive coverages and generally “learning ball more.”
“Just getting to learn to play a little better, learning the concepts, learning defensive coverages — just learning ball more,” he described.
That matters in an offense that asks quarterbacks and receivers to process what defenses are showing them. Simmons said he feels much more comfortable in McGiven’s system and believes his role can expand as a result.
“I feel very comfortable in this offense,” Simmons said. “Coach McGiven is a great OC, he spreads the ball around.”
The competition in the room remains significant. Simmons said Chad Bumphis consistently reminds the receivers that everyone is fighting for a role while still being expected to coach one another up.
Utah appears to have a deeper receiver room. The more important development may be that it is becoming a smarter one, too.
Daniel Bray’s offseason plan was pretty simple
Scalley said Bray wants to become more of an every-down running back. Bray didn’t have quite as many words for the media today, but offered some insights on things.
Asked what he wants this season, Bray answered simply: “1,000 yards.”
His biggest focus this offseason?
“Weight.”
What helped him add it?
“Rice, chicken.”
Bray said the added size has helped him become more effective running between the tackles, an important step if Utah wants to use him as more than an explosive change-of-pace option.
He was similarly brief when asked how his game complements Wayshawn Parker.
“I don’t know. Something you’re going to have to see.”
That seems to be Bray’s preferred style, both on the field and behind a microphone: see the opening, hit it and keep moving.
Scalley would also like to advance the Rhino agenda
While discussing Utah’s running back options, Scalley casually floated another possibility.
“I want to see Semmy and Sione get the ball. That’d be fun, wouldn’t it?”
Yes. Utah fans agree wholeheartedly. Next question.
The kickers quietly handled their business
Utah’s kickers converted every attempt during the portion of practice open to the media, continuing what has been a steady camp so far.
There was nothing especially dramatic about the period, which is usually the preferred outcome for specialists in August. Make the kicks, stay out of the storyline and move on.
Scalley wants physicality without losing players
Morgan Scalley has been pleased with Utah’s toughness and competitiveness since the pads came on, particularly along the offensive and defensive lines.
He also wants that edge controlled.
“We got to do it without being combative,” Scalley said. “You don’t necessarily have to be friends all the time, but we got to get to the party healthy.”
That is a pretty good summary of fall camp. Utah wants enough physicality to prepare for Big 12 football without turning August into an unnecessary injury report.
Urban Meyer’s message: Get good at the hard things
Urban Meyer’s recent visit included a message Scalley believes applies directly to Utah’s development: elite players become elite at the difficult parts of their jobs.
Scalley used receivers as an example. Catching touchdowns is fun. Blocking usually is not. Meyer’s point was that mastering those less glamorous responsibilities is what turns talent into complete football players.
“If I can master the hard,” Scalley said, “then I’m much more of a complete player.”
That fits where Utah is right now. The Utes have plenty of exciting pieces. The more important camp work involves offensive-line communication, run fits, two-minute execution, ball security and avoiding the mistakes that decide close games.
The highlights are easy to notice. Camp is about getting better at everything between them.
Scalley wants a complete Utah football team
Scalley was asked what Utah could take from Indiana’s championship run, and his answer was fairly straightforward: be good everywhere.
He pointed to efficient offense, physical defense, productive special teams and discipline, with particular emphasis on avoiding penalties that ruin otherwise manageable situations.
“Playing tough, playing smart and being disciplined,” Scalley said.
That offers a useful framework for the rest of camp. Utah has shown encouraging progress physically, Ficklin continues developing at quarterback, the receiver room appears deeper and more comfortable, and the defense is emphasizing takeaways.
There are still bigger questions to answer. Utah has to turn its offensive-line competition into a cohesive unit, develop dependable defensive-tackle depth and improve situationally on offense.
The evidence suggests Utah had a productive summer. Fall camp is where the Utes find out whether that progress translates into complete football.
The Bottom Line
Utah’s extended practice access has provided more than a few interesting August observations. The offensive and defensive lines look more physically prepared, Ficklin appears increasingly comfortable as a passer, the receiver room is playing with greater understanding, and the defense is making takeaways an intentional part of its identity.
There are also enough unfinished areas to keep the optimism grounded. Utah still has to identify and develop cohesion along its rebuilt offensive line, create more dependable depth at defensive tackle and become better in situational periods such as the two-minute offense.
That is probably the appropriate place for Utah to be in the second week of August. The Utes appear to have made meaningful progress since spring, and the summer work is beginning to show up on the practice field.
Now comes the more interesting part of camp: finding out which improvements are simply encouraging August developments and which ones Utah can actually take with it into Saturdays.
