Kyle Gunther is the center of attention this spring. The 20-year-old junior from Camarillo, Calif., is ticketed as the heir apparent to three-year starter Jesse Boone in the middle of Utah's offensive line.
It's a position the 6-foot-4, 300-pounder is eager to fill.
"I'm just going out there everyday trying to get better and trying to do what the coaches tell me," said Gunther, who has spent the past two seasons as a seldom-used reserve. He was a redshirt in 2003.
"It's been a long time," Gunther acknowledged. "It's really rewarding to get this opportunity and I want to make the most of it. I've been working hard for three years now."
Boone's graduation and a hand injury chief competitor Jeremy Inferrera, a transfer from Hawaii, suffered helped open the door for Gunther.
"It's Kyle's job to lose. He had a great offseason — getting bigger, faster and stronger in every area," said Utah coach Kyle Whittingham. "He's done a nice job and he's holding down the fort there right now."
Though Gunther has limited game experience — appearing in just 10 contests — Whittingham points out that the center has been in the program for quite some time.
And that, Gunther notes, is a big benefit. He's learned a lot being around players like Boone, Chris Kemoeatu and Max Petersen. Practice has also prepared Gunther, who has battled against players like Sione Pouha, Steve Fifita, Kelly Talavou and Paul Soliai over the years.
"Every practice is a new challenge," said Gunther, who is looking at Utah's Sept. 2 opener at UCLA as a perfect opportunity to make his starting debut. Family and friends, as many as 50 of them, plan to be at the Rose Bowl that day to show their support.
Offensive line coach Charlie Dickey said Gunther has got to continue to step up and keep getting better. He's being pushed in camp by redshirt freshman Tyler Williams.
"Kyle's got an opportunity. It's his for the taking," Dickey said. "He's still working. He's still trying to earn that spot. Nothing is set yet. So he's got to keep doing things right."
Though he's got a way to go and some things left to accomplish, Dickey acknowledged Gunther is the definite front-runner at this point.
"Right now, he's got the opportunity to either win it or lose it," said Dickey, who would like to name a starter whenever he can. "It could be at the end of spring. It could be right before the first game. I just want someone to step up and play that position."
For obvious reasons, it's a role of great importance.
"It's huge. That's a big part of us staying on the field. Without the center-quarterback exchange you don't have a play," said quarterback Brian Johnson. "So far Kyle and Tyler are doing a very nice job of getting the ball back."
Though it'll be difficult to replace Boone, Johnson is confident Gunther can get the job done.
"He's working his butt off," Johnson said. "He'll be ready to step into that role in the fall."
EXTRA POINTS: With several inches of snow covering the practice field Thursday, the Utes moved indoors to the Spence Eccles Field House . . . Saturday's scrimmage will be held at Rice-Eccles Stadium regardless of the weather. The scheduled start is 9:50 a.m. . . . Former BYU and NFL star Jason Buck was among the crowd watching practice.
E-mail: dirk@desnews.com