SALT LAKE CITY- The Utes are barreling toward what many believe could be another big season for a program on the rise. Half the battle when you know you have the potential to be great is to practice great, and according to head coach Kyle Whittingham, that wasn’t an issue the first day out of fall camp.

👀 “It is very evident they spent a lot of time on the field this summer on their own. Today was more like practice 8, practice 9 feel as far as a lack of mental mistakes.” 👀

— Michelle Bodkin (@BodkinKSLsports) August 4, 2022

“On the offense we have a lot of returning guys,” Whittingham said. “Quarterback in particular, and the first day was really good. Defensively, we were moving around good.”

The Amazing Cam Rising

Great teams start with amazing leaders and it’s hard to find one better than quarterback Cam Rising. Admittedly, and it sounds so cliché, but it is rather hard to define what makes Rising so good other than just saying he has “it” (whatever exactly that means). Another way to look at it is through the eyes of Whittingham who doesn’t hand out compliments like candy. They have to be earned, and if you do earn a Whittingham nod of approval it is because you have far exceeded the bare minimum expectation.

Protect this photo at all costs pic.twitter.com/kKDikyCtxt

— Utah Athletics (@utahathletics) August 4, 2022

“Well, first of all, he’s one of the hardest workers on the team if not the hardest,” Whittingham said of his star quarterback. “You’ve got to be about it if you talk about it. His performance is outstanding- his film study, just everything. There is no reason to doubt Cam Rising. He’s doing everything right coming off of an outstanding year. We are fortunate to have him on our team.”

Who Will Stretch The Field Vertically?

One area both Whittingham and Ludwig talked about wanting to improve in 2022 is the wide receivers and stretching the field vertically. While Utah has been great the past few years with tight ends and slot receivers in the short and intermediate game, they have lacked in the long, explosive plays down the sidelines that really keep a defense on their heels. However, the Utes feel like they may have a guy or two emerging that could answer that call and add another dimension to Utah’s offense.

𝗗𝗔𝗬 𝗢𝗡𝗘 ✔️ pic.twitter.com/VRaTXI2aLc

— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) August 3, 2022

“Devaughn Vele is target number one right now,” Whittingham said. “He had an outstanding day today. Solomon Enis has played a lot of good football for us and really we have five or six new guys who haven’t sorted themselves out yet. They need more than one practice but have potential.”

Whittingham On Offensive Line Health

Last year the offensive line was a little dinged up to start the season affecting the timing and ability of the offense to make plays. The Utes have been waiting for a couple of guys to get back, one of them being Jaren Kump who missed most of last year with an injury, but Whittingham says he’s good to go and turning some heads.

Back like we never left 🤷‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/aW8JqiYd6Q

— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) August 4, 2022

“Full go right now,” Whittingham said of the Kump. “Offensive line is solid. We have 16 guys in camp, actually 17. We have one guy get a little injury today. Shouldn’t be anything major, maybe a week or two. We’ve got everybody healthy. Jaren looked good today and like he will be lining up at right tackle for us.”

 

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