UTAH UTES
Solomon Enis Confident, Excited For Utes’ 2022 Season
SALT LAKE CITY- Reports top-to-bottom from Wednesday’s first media availability of fall camp for the Utes was that they hit the ground running. Senior receiver Solomon Enis was no different, exuding excitement and confidence about what his team can do in 2022.
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— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) August 3, 2022
All Gas, No Breaks
Summer is usually a time when guys kick back and relax a bit, but the Utes took a different approach in 2022. Whittingham noted his team looked like they were on “day eight or nine” of practice because of the work they put in over the summer on their own. Enis confirmed what Whittingham said saying they worked really hard over the summer.
“Summer was really good production-wise,” Enis said. “I feel like we were working hard, pushing a lot more. It is easier to go chasing a Pac-12 than defending it, so we understand what we have to do. We have to rip things up in order to stay on top.”
Putting in the work for day 2️⃣ pic.twitter.com/rKFgmzoD5C
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) August 5, 2022
Having a team filled with experience makes starting fall camp and getting ready for a season filled with high expectations easier. However, Enis was quick to remind everyone that doesn’t mean there aren’t new guys who need to be shown the ropes and brought up to speed either.
“So here is the thing, with the veteran group, yes,” Enis said when asked about if it’s easier to hit the ground running. “You have new guys coming in every year. Especially in our group- the receiver group. We’ve got a lot of young guys and now it’s the question of, ‘how are you going to bring them along with you?’ We have a veteran group, but we still need to be a cohesive team. We have to make sure everyone is on the same page.”
Wide Receiver Revamp
Offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig and Whittingham have both been vocal about the need to get the wide receiver group more involved in the offense in 2022. Part of that stems from needing to get proven guys like Enis and Devaughn Vele more involved in the plans, but also working to upgrade the overall talent in the room. Enis thinks they have done just that with the freshman class that came in.
“I think they are really buying into the culture we have here,” Enis said. “That first day everyone is getting their legs underneath them, but we had a lot of young guys making plays. Everyone is taking the playbook seriously and being profession. I’m excited and looking forward to this fall.”
Cam Rising’s Arm
There is no question Rising had a great season in 2021, but could be poised for an even better season in 2022 all due to being fully healed from an injury he sustained in the 2020 season. Rising impressed at the Manning Passing Academy over the summer, including getting a shoutout from Senior Bowl Executive Director Jim Nagy for his decision making and throwing ability. Enis, a guy who many think will be catching a lot of passes from Rising this season, said his quarterback has been working overtime with everyone to make sure that connection in there.
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“Everyday he wants to throw,” Enis said. “Even after conditioning, lifting he always wants to throw, throw, throw. You can really see that and every day he’s been getting better. That’s a testament to his character. That’s just who he is. He wants to show up every day and that’s a result of him working hard everyday and bringing everyone along with him.”
A Lot To Be Excited About
Enis has been with the Utes for what feels like a long time, but he’s finally reached his final season and is determined to enjoy everything. Luckily, Enis’ team is in a position that if they do what most think they can, he will have a lot of great memories to leave with.
“This is my last season,” Enis said. “I’m just taking it day-by-day, but the leaders we have, the coaches we have- it just feels like everyone is bought-in. Everyone knows what we have to do. That’s what is so exciting is that we are out here competing and just being with our brothers while enjoying every step of the process.”
Up Next
The media will be back at the practice facility Friday afternoon, this time getting the defense’s perspective on how the first few days of camp have gone. Make sure to follow KSLsports.com and our Utes Insider Michelle Bodkin for updates.
