It’s pretty cool. Even with the title (of captain) I don’t think I have to do anything extra — still just be myself and still prove to everybody why they gave me that name or whatever. So that’s just how I see it. – Kenneth Scott
SALT LAKE CITY — No, the Utah Utes didn’t name a new mayor of Sack Lake City. That will come later. In the meantime, they announced that senior running back Devontae Booker, senior linebacker Jared Norris, senior linebacker Gionni Paul, junior kicker Andy Phillips and senior wide receiver Kenneth Scott were elected as captains.
“I thought the team did a great job selecting them,” said Utah coach Kyle Whittingham, who praised the selections for having a good work ethic and great leadership.
Whittingham wants the captain to take complete ownership of the team.
“Set the bar and demand everyone else live up to the expectations that they set,” he added.
It’s a task the newly elected captains are eager to tackle.
“I’m excited about it,” Booker said. “I’m pretty sure those guys are excited about it too and we’re just ready to go out there and lead.”
Booker expressed appreciation to the team for voting him in as a captain, calling it an honor.
“I lead by example, but I’m trying to get in to be a vocal leader as well,” Booker said. “So I’m just going to continue to go out there and try to, you know, lead in the right way.”
Although Booker doesn’t say a lot, Whittingham said the Heisman Trophy candidate is a strong example of how to lead.
“He’s not a real outspoken guy, but he’s got everybody’s respect,” Whittingham said. “Everything he does, he does it the right way — whether it’s on the field, in the weight room, in the classroom. He just does things right.”
Phillips also drew a lot of praise. He’s the lone returning captain from last season. Whittingham considers him one of the hardest working kickers the Utes have ever had. As such, he wasn’t surprised to see him re-elected as a captain.
“It shows the level of respect he has from his teammates,” Whittingham said.
Phillips, in kind, noted that he was honored to be chosen again.
“I’ve been working really hard in this offseason trying to make the team better in any way I can and I think the team appreciates that, obviously,” Phillips said. “I bring a lot to the table outside of football. So I think I’m a big asset to the team, just in the sense that I’ve been through a lot in my life. But at the same time we’ve got a lot of people who can lead on this team and I think that’s huge going into this year.”
Phillips added that it’ll become prevalent when the team has to overcome challenges and adversity. Besides the elected captains, Phillips said there are probably three or four other great leaders on the team — including senior punter Tom Hackett.
As for the guys chosen to serve as captains, Phillips gave his approval.
“They’re awesome. I couldn’t have picked a better group,” he said. “I think we’ve got just a great group.”
Whittingham noted that Scott may be the team's leader. The veteran receiver, though, spoke with Booker before the announcement and wasn’t sure he’d be named a captain.
“It’s pretty cool,” acknowledged Scott, who predicts that the leadership of the team is going to do pretty well.
“Even with the title (of captain) I don’t think I have to do anything extra — still just be myself and still prove to everybody why they gave me that name or whatever,” Scott said. “So that’s just how I see it.”
Norris and Paul represent the defense. The linebackers are playmakers in the middle of things.
“It makes me very happy to represent this football team and be a captain,” Norris said. “I guess it’s nice to know that some hard work has paid off.”
Norris emphasized that he wants to be a voice for the team and a players' captain.
Earlier in the week, Paul told the Deseret News about his passion for the game and leadership.
“I love everything being on my shoulders. I am a leader,” Paul said. “I’m the type of guy, I want to make the last play. I like to put the game in my hands.”
EXTRA POINTS: Whittingham said implementation of the Michigan game plan begins Monday . . . Camp concludes Saturday morning. School starts Monday . . . Reggie Porter and Cory Butler-Byrd are the frontrunners to start at cornerback. Whittingham said Brian Allen would be the next one up . . . The offense didn’t take good care of the football Friday morning. Whittingham said the ball was on the ground or intercepted three or four times in the practice.
Email: dirk@desnews.com
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