SALT LAKE CITY — As Utah’s camp enters its second Sunday break, Travis Wilson continues to top the depth chart at quarterback.
“Travis has maintained that No. 1 spot,” Whittingham said after Saturday’s practice at Ute Field. “Kendal (Thompson) and Chase (Hansen) are both doing some good things, but there really hasn’t been any change in the pecking order right now or the space between the pecking order.”
Wilson, who is trying to become the first four-year starting quarterback in team history, is hopeful he’s solidifying his position.
“I’m just trying to do the best I can. Me and Kendal are always going to be competing no matter what — week in and week out,” Wilson said. “So I’ve just got to make sure I’m doing my part, making the right reads and playing smart football and just getting points on the board for our offense.”
Wilson acknowledged it’s a case of so far, so good. However, he realizes the coaches have the final say.
“I’m just trying to do my part and just trying to lead this offense,” Wilson said.
CHALLENGING SESSION: It was a tough day of practice for the Utes. They donned full gear and ran a lot of “gassers” before leaving the field.
“Sometimes players need their courage tested. Today was one of those days and they passed with flying colors,” Whittingham said. “You don’t want to do it every day. The players don’t need it every day. But there’s a time and a place to test them and we felt today was the day and they did a nice job.”
Besides the extra conditioning, Whittingham was pleased with how the team performed in practice. He said things were “very good” and that a lot of work got done with some live reps. Whittingham noted that the offense cleaned things up and moved the ball better, the defense ran to the ball better and the kicking game was good.
“So it was a solid day,” he said.
Whittingham noted that standouts included freshman tight end Caleb Repp, freshman slot receiver Britain Covey, cornerbacks Cory Butler-Byrd and Reggie Porter, safeties Tevin Carter and Marcus Williams, as well as the linebackers and defensive front.
CLOSED SCRIMMAGE: Whittingham has made Tuesday’s scrimmage off-limits to the media and anyone from the public. No coaches or players will be made available for comment, either. Whittingham, though, will release a statement about the scrimmage later in the day.
“There’s just a lot of stuff we want to get done and we don’t want any distractions,” said Whittingham, who explained there were some things they want to get on tape without anyone in the stadium — start to finish — and give the players a chance to just really focus and lock in. “Yeah, we know we play in front of a crowd and all that stuff. But there’s a time and a place, on occasion, rare occasion, to do that and we think this is the time. It’ll be the only time during camp that we do that.”
Whittingham acknowledged that the depth chart will be solidified at most positions after the scrimmage.
WELCOMED BACK: Junior linebacker Marcus Sanders-Williams, who left the program in the offseason in search of an opportunity to play running back elsewhere, has returned to the Utes.
“I think he realized that most of the other schools were also looking at him probably as a linebacker,” Whittingham said. “We’re elated that he decided to come back.”
Whittingham said that Sanders-Williams will most likely redshirt this season and continue to train as a linebacker. He’ll have a good opportunity to play a lot in 2016 after the departures of seniors Jared Norris, Gionni Paul and Jason Whittingham.
2004 REUNION: Former Utah receiver Paris Warren, co-offensive MVP of the Utes’ Fiesta Bowl victory over Pittsburgh, is back with the team as a student assistant coach while finishing up work on his bachelor’s degree — same as Sione Pouha, who was a captain on that team.
“They both could make very fine coaches if they decide to pursue it,” Whittingham said.
EXTRA POINTS: Whittingham said that senior receiver Kenneth Scott could have come out of “The Pit” and practiced Saturday. However, the decision was made to have him return Monday instead — giving him 24 more hours to rest his undisclosed injury. Redshirt freshman receiver Raelon Singleton may be back then as well . . . Sophomore offensive lineman Salesi Uhatafe, a projected starter at guard, has missed a couple of practices while dealing with a family situation at home in Texas. He’s expected to return to camp on Monday . . . The Utes have double days set for Monday, Wednesday and Friday next week.
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