Utah’s Fall Camp Question Mark – The Kickers From A Kicker’s Perspective
Jul 30, 2019, 4:31 PM | Updated: 4:39 pm
Andy Phillips #39 of the Utah Utes attempts a field goal in the game against the Colorado Buffaloes Rice-Eccles Stadium on November 28, 2015 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Tom Hackett #33 of the Utah Utes is the holder. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr/Getty Images)
(Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Football is in the air, fall camps are starting up around the nation, and the biggest question mark coming into Utah Football’s Fall Camp is – Who will fill the shoes of Matty “Ice” Gay?
While I have enjoyed reading the various articles that have mentioned this kicking battle, I thought it would be valuable to add perspective from a former kicker.
If you paid any attention in Spring Ball, you will know that Chayden Johnston and Jadon Redding were all over the place. Inconsistent contact, inconsistent ball flight, and inconsistent results. This caused anxiety amongst Ute fans, and more importantly amongst the Utah players and coaches.
Having been gifted with the reliable Matt Gay for the past 2 years, and with a pretty decent kicker the 4 years prior, the Utes have had little worry concerning placekicking. In fact, I am convinced that in Tyler Huntley’s entire collegiate career, he has been comfortable on 3rd and long, should he not convert.
This is not the case anymore and despite the inconsistent spring, the departure of Chayden Johnston left a hole in the gut of Ute Fans and added some excitement and much-needed drama to the kicking situation. He sent out this tweet days after Spring Ball finished:
— Chayden Johnston (@Chayden_D) April 18, 2019
You may be thinking “Much needed drama? What is Andy talking about?”
I’ll explain. I come from the ideology that competition breeds success. Competition can be scary, can amplify our anxiety as fans, but Coach Whittingham has ingrained in my mind the aphorism “the cream always rises to the top.”
Someone will emerge from Fall Camp as “the guy” and the three-way battle for the placekicking job this year will be won by the guy that wants it most.
The kicking battle six years ago in fall camp (wow time flies) was of extra interest to me as I competed against two other kickers and won the job.
The kicking battle two years ago was actually won by Chayden Johnston, and stolen by the 2017 Lou Groza Award winner, Matt Gay, in the first game of the season.
Do you see a pattern here?
Coach Whittingham has sold his soul to the devil for a good placekicker and though there may not be much clarity right now, the luck of Kyle Whittingham is still well alive. The Utah Staff have searched far and wide this summer to find guys that will fit the mold as a Ute. The competition will come down to three guys.
Jadon Redding – Freshman
Jadon joined the Utes in January and hails from Fredericksburg, Virginia where he set a number of High School kicking records for Colonial Forge High School.
I was able to get an eye on Jaydon Redding this spring. In my opinion, Jadon has the initial advantage on the other kickers, having worked with long snappers Keegan Markgraf and Noah Rodriguez-Trammell, and punter/holder Ben Lennon.
You may not put much thought to it, but what plays a huge role in consistency and on-field performance is the chemistry and trust in the field goal operation from snap to hold and finally kick.
Jadon is a true freshman and has five years to play four. One of the biggest question marks for me is whether or not Jadon has the leg strength and the consistency to win the job. I know he has put in a lot of work this summer so I am excited to see what he produces on the field this camp.
Andrew Strauch – Senior
The lefty grad transfer from Piedmont, California brings his experience from UCLA to this competition. Andrew played in five games over three seasons at UCLA and stirred up some excitement after committing to Utah earlier this year.
Andrew may have an advantage on the other competitors because he has played in a Pac-12 game however even with his Pac-12 experience, Andrew has yet to break through as the starter.
I hope he can leverage his experience this camp and elevate his game to the next level.
One of the big question marks for me is whether the Utes can find a holder that is consistent with a left-footed kicker and whether Andrew can mentally step into his role as “the guy” should he win the job.
— Andrew Strauch (@ajstrauch) March 3, 2019
Nels Haltom – Junior
Nels is a Utah native from Bountiful High School. After refining his skills at Grossmont College Griffins for two seasons, Nels caught the eyes of the Utah coaching staff and was offered a preferred walk-on spot.
Nels has proved himself to be one of the best kickers coming out of JUCO with an impressive 14/15 (92% conversion) in 10 games.
I do not know much about the kid. I am excited to see what he brings to the team this fall camp.
As a Utah native, I may be a little biased towards Utah kids, but I like the way he strikes the ball, I like that he is a 92% in his 2018 season with the Grossmont College Griffins, and I like that he worked his tail off this past spring and summer to catch the eyes of that Utah Football staff. Not only that, but he skis and skydives so you know he has bit of an edge to him.
One big question mark for me is whether or not Nels has the talent to perform like he did with the Griffins on a national stage.
52 yard shot playing for Grossmont Junior College. pic.twitter.com/UWqibEGlIx
— Nels Haltom (@NelsHaltom) April 19, 2019
Andy’s Prediction
Here are my thoughts:
Here’s my opinion on the Utah PK situation. Obviously the passion wasn’t there anymore for #12 and I wish him the best.
MUST find someone tough, cold blooded, raw, passionate and wants the pressure if we want to win the PAC 12. Hard to come by, but we can’t afford any drop off.
— Andy Phillips (@AndyDPhillips) April 18, 2019
These are the guys heading into camp and you can expect there will be moves made should one of them get injured or underperform.
Before it’s all said and done, we may even see the likes of Ben Lennon taking a few reps at placekicker given his accuracy and leg strength.
With the thought that a field goal very well could be the difference in a Pac-12 South title, a Pac-12 Championship title, a playoff berth, or an undefeated season, there has never been a more vital time than now to have a clutch placekicker. So what’s my prediction?
It’s a toss-up right now as to who walks away from this competition with the starting job, but there is one thing I have full faith in – Coach Whittingham’s ability to find and produce an effective placekicker. Best of luck, boys!
Andy Phillips is the co-host of Special Forces Gang (SFG), a KSLSports production. Find Special Forces Gang with Andy Phillips and Tom Hackett wherever you find podcasts or on the KSLSports app.
