I don’t know if I lost Domo yet. (We’re) still trying to work through a process to determine if that’s going to be accurate, but it’s a strong possibility that he may not be with us. And that’s a big loss to this group. – Utah cornerback coach Sharrieff Shah
SALT LAKE CITY — Utah cornerback coach Sharrieff Shah isn’t quite ready to give up hope that Dominique Hatfield will suit up for the Utes this fall.
But he’s moving forward as if that door is permanently closed because that’s the only way he can ensure the players being asked to fill the void left by the dynamic junior who was dismissed from the team after a series of legal troubles.
“I don’t know if I lost Domo yet,” Shah said after the team finished its first day of fall camp Thursday. “(We’re) still trying to work through a process to determine if that’s going to be accurate, but it’s a strong possibility that he may not be with us. And that’s a big loss to this group.”
Hatfield was slated to be a starter for the Utes after a solid season last fall and an impressive showing in spring camp. He was arrested on a charge of aggravated robbery, a first-degree felony, in early July, but those charges were dismissed when a videotape showed the man the victim identified as the robber was not Hatfield. Shortly after his arrest, Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham suspended and then dismissed Hatfield from the team, citing off-field issues unrelated to the robbery allegation.
Hatfield was charged with assault, a class B misdemeanor, on Monday. The charges stem from a fight that occurred at a party on July 5, in which the victim said Hatfield and “unidentified” other men beat him. Even before the California native was charged with assault, Whittingham said the chances of Hatfield returning to the team were low.
Shah said the loss is both to the defense physically and emotionally.
“You got a kid who understood how to make plays, got some intangible things that you cannot coach, and that’s a big loss,” Shah said. “But as coach Whit always says, somebody else has to pick it up and keep moving.”
Shah said junior Brian Allen has tried to shoulder some of the leadership responsibilities.
“Brian Allen just has that knack about him, and he’s embracing this role,” Shah said. “It came so abruptly, we didn’t know it was going to happen, and he just said, ‘Coach, I’m not going to let you down.’ He’s just doing the things I thought he would do, and I’m happy to see them present right now, first day, first group, first practice.”
The Utah defense will need to find players who can bring both skill and energy to a unit that will have to defend some of the best offensive players in the country.
“His playmaking is just one of the facets that he brought,” Shah said. “His energy, his passion, his desire — Dominique was a person who hated to lose and … that was infectious.”
Shah said that Allen has established himself as a leader with his performance on the field.
“He’s made some outstanding plays in one-on-one, and I love that he’s taking on a leadership role,” Shah said. “I appreciate his absolute effort and commitment to the program.” Junior Reggie Porter was singled out as a player who enjoyed a great first day.
“(He) looks fantastic,” Shah said. “I think his knee is still not 100 percent, but man, he’s working. His quickness is unbelievable, and he’s working correctly to get himself in the right position.” He said the battle between the younger players was going to help the entire defense improve.
“(Boobie) Hobbs has been moved to the outside as a result of losing Domo,” he said. “And (freshman) Casey Hughes was in good position.” Sophomore Tavaris Williams is a player Shah believes could have a significant impact.
“That’s the person who probably has the biggest upside, that we need to have come along,” he said. “We’ve got a good fight in the room.”
Another situation Shah isn’t quite willing to concede is losing Corey Butler to the offense. The junior college transfer shined as a receiver Thursday, but it was Shah who recruited him for his defense.
“I brought him in as a corner,” Shah said. “He played both in college and was outstanding. He was the number three-rated receiver in the country.”
Changing positions
Butler wasn’t the only player to switch positions. Freshman Caleb Repp was expected to play defensive end, but is listed as a tight end on the fall camp roster.
Former Timpview quarterback and 2014 Mr. Football Britain Covey signed with Utah as a receiver. The freshman impressed in his first day of camp, especially with his speed.
Twitter: adonsports, EMAIL: adonaldson@deseretnews.com