What We Know About Utah Football’s Quarterbacks, Running Backs & Receivers Five Practices Into Camp

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Utah Football is five practices into its 25 practice fall camp as it prepares for the 2021 College Football season. So far, the word coming out of camp has been overwhelmingly positive with competition and optimism the key themes thus far.

The Quarterbacks

Head Coach Kyle Whittingham has yet to hint at any decision on who the starting quarterback will be. Rather, he has stated that it is still too early in camp to decipher who the starter will be.

Charlie Brewers’s experience will hopefully set him up for success this season. The former Baylor QB is optimistic about what this season could bring. pic.twitter.com/YRMoBBGjQq

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) August 9, 2021

The pads have only been on for two practices and basic installs of the offense and defense have only just begun. However, Utah is expected to conduct their first scrimmage this upcoming Saturday, August 14 where Whittingham and the offensive coaching staff will likely get a much better understanding of who the potential starter could be.

Running Back U

Competition is thriving in the running backs room as well. Transfer tailback Tavion Thomas has been the main subject of the discussion thus far. The former Cincinnati Bearcat entered camp at 240 lbs but is now down to 230 lbs.

Thomas is fast, elusive, powerful, and destructive. He is still getting a grasp of the offense but that is yet to be a concern for running backs coach Kiel McDonald who stated that he is more concerned with the “effort” and that the understanding of the offense will “come over time.”

Micah Bernard and TJ Pledger are two other running backs that have the ability to break off explosive plays. While Chris Curry is a tailback that is more of a battering ram.

“Every elite running back has one thing in common, they can all pick up three yards when a play breaks down,” Whittingham said following practice on Monday, August 9th.

Week 1️⃣, done ✅#UBoyz pic.twitter.com/rU9CSpRVFr

— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) August 8, 2021

Six Receivers Available Today

The wide receivers currently have six players that are all capable of helping the team win today, according to receivers coach Chad Bumphis. Theo Howard, Britain Covey, Devaughn Vele, Solomon Enis, Jaylen Dixon, and Tyrone Young-Smith are the assumed starting six receivers, although, Bumphis was hesitant to explain further information on who those players were.

“The biggest thing is just playmaking, confidence, top of routes,” Bumphis said on what he has seen so far in camp from his receiving group. “Getting in and out [of routes], they are having fun. I tell them all the time, playmaking is contagious you see one guy make a play and all of sudden there are three of four [plays made] in a row. They are feeding off each other’s energy and it has been really, really good and really fun to watch,” he added.