Utah's experienced offense, featuring nine returning starters and several veteran reserves, will also include a pair of young contributors this season.
Wide receiver Jereme Brooks and running back Eddie Wide, who are true freshmen, have worked themselves into the rotation.
"They're absolutely going to play — both on offense and on the special teams," said coach Kyle Whittingham, who isn't surprised the duo came in and made a good impression. "Their high school tape was very good. They were able to come in here and make that transition.
"Some high school players make that easier than others," he continued. "These guys fit right in, right from the get-go."
Brooks came to Utah via League City, Texas, while Wide played his high school football in Las Vegas.
"Those guys can play," said quarterback Brian Johnson, who expects both players to make an impact.
"(Jereme) has been lights-out ever since he stepped on campus. He's made some huge plays — definitely a playmaker. Look for big things over the next four years," Johnson said. "Eddie Wide can run. He's fast, and he made a great run every day in camp."
Johnson noted that successful runs by Wide, a 5-foot-10 170-pounder, became as common as the sun rising. As for Brooks, Johnson knew a little bit about the 5-9, 165-pound receiver. Brooks' high school coach was an assistant on Johnson's teams at Robert E. Lee High in Baytown, Texas.
"We're having good fortune with these Texas players. A high percentage have turned out to be players," Whittingham said. "That's what recruiting is all about."
Brooks, he added, has had a heckuva camp.
"He's playing like a veteran. He knows the offense inside and out," Whittingham continued. "He's quick. He's fast. He's got good hands. So he's a guy we are going to utilize this year."
It's something Brooks appreciates.
"I really didn't want to sit out a year because I love to play football so much," Brooks said. "I just wanted to play. So I figured I'd just come in, try my best and hope to make the travel squad."
Leaving football-rich Texas for Utah, he noted, wasn't a tough decision because the Utes pass so much.
"Being a receiver, it's pretty fun catching the ball a lot," Brooks said. "It was not too hard of a call for me to come out here."
EXTRA POINTS: Senior offensive lineman Jason Boone had successful surgery on his left knee (torn ACL) Thursday morning ... For the second consecutive day, the Utes practiced with crowd noise blaring over speakers. Whittingham anticipates a loud environment Thursday at Oregon State ... The season opener will be televised live on Fox Sports Utah. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m., MDT.
E-mail: dirk@desnews.com