I don’t think stats provide how good of a player you are ... I’m not worried about stats anymore. I believe stats are like a thing of the past. – Utah wide receiver Kenneth Scott
SALT LAKE CITY — The biggest question mark in Utah’s offense heading into the 2015 season is the receiving corps. With Dres Anderson and Kaelin Clay graduated and three true freshmen likely to play in their places, there is a little uncertainty heading into the upcoming season.
During the Pac-12 media days, head coach Kyle Whittingham called it the biggest concern heading into fall camp. With a plethora of freshman likely seeing time and only one receiver with 20 or more career catches on the roster, Utah will have to turn to some fresh faces as early as the season opener against Michigan on Sept. 3.
“We’re going to need some young guys to figure it out fast,” said co-offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick.
Returning experience: 6-foot-3 senior Kenneth Scott highlights the returning receivers as a captain on the 2015 season after receiving a medical hardship extension to compete this year.
“It’s been my final season for, like, two years in a row now,” Scott said, with a slight chuckle. “I’m supposed to have been done. It’s pretty cool, I’m anxious, I can’t wait. Hopefully we go out with a bang. Hopefully a Rose Bowl, playoffs, etc.”
Scott finished second on the team in 2014 with 506 receiving yards on a team-leading 48 catches. He also caught a career-best four touchdown passes. As for goals this year, Scott said he doesn’t look at statistics anymore.
“I don’t think stats provide how good of a player you are anymore,” Scott said. “It’s just going out there, executing, making sure everything I do is really good — my routes are crisp. (With) every opportunity I get, (I) make sure I catch the ball. Those are the little things I’m focusing on. I’m not worried about stats anymore. I believe stats are like a thing of the past.”
Joining Scott is fellow senior Tim Patrick, although his status for the Michigan opener remains a bit cloudy. Patrick, at 6-foot-5, adds size on the edges when on the field, but suffered a leg injury in the loss to Oregon last November. He caught 16 passes for 177 yards in nine games before the injury.
Junior Delshawn McClellon posted a team-best 4.37, 40-yard speed during summer conditioning, according to Utah’s athletic department. He caught seven passes for 98 yards in 2014, including a 55-yard catch against Colorado and a 16-yard touchdown catch in Utah’s 45-10 bowl win over Colorado State.
Other returners include sophomores Kenric Young, Jameson Field and juniors Andrew Santiago and Tyler Cooperwood, who combined for two catches last season. Freshman Raelon Singleton, whose status is also a bit murky for the start of the 2015 season, redshirted last year.
Senior Evan Moeai, who stands in at 6-foot-2 and 235 pounds, and Siale Fakailoatonga, a 6-foot-4, 252-pound junior, return at tight end, where they are currently listed as co-starters at the position. Neither played much last year, with Westlee Tonga seeing most of the time at tight end. Fakailoatonga caught two passes last year for 33 yards, including a 26-yard pass against Fresno State.
Sophomore Harrison Handley played sparingly last season, while junior Ken Hampel and sophomore Tyler Bell each played on the scout team last season. Freshman Wallace Gonzalez played briefly at defensive end in Utah’s wins over Idaho State and Fresno State, but redshirted after that with an injury. He returns to tight end where he originally was heading into fall camp last season.
Key additions: Utah’s biggest additions come from their recruiting class, but also from the running backs group. Senior Bubba Poole, who played running back the past three seasons, is listed as the co-starter with freshman Britain Covey for the slot wide receiver position.
The 5-foot-8 Covey, 6-foot-4 Tyrone Smith and 6-foot-2 Siaosi Wilson, all new to the college scene, are each expected to see time, which Roderick said is a bit nerving.
“They do good things out here in practice. We have confidence in those guys, but the speed of a real game is fast, and you never know how guys are going to react when it’s really, really on,” Roderick said. “They’re smart, tough guys out here trying to do their best. I know they’re all going to be good players. It’s just, how soon? Hopefully game one. Hopefully right from the start.”
Roderick said Covey was the standout of fall camp, echoing similar sentiments from Whittingham. The former high school quarterback showcased his speed and shiftiness in fall camp, while quickly picking up the offense.
Freshman tight end Caleb Repp and junior college transfer receiver Kyle Fulks also performed well throughout fall camp. Utah also adds 5-foot-8 freshman AJ Townsend.
Dark Horse: Caleb Repp.
Covey has been lauded throughout camp to a point that he isn’t really a dark horse anymore, but Repp is a guy that has somewhat flown under the radar. The three-star recruit moved to tight end from defensive end and has earned praise from Whittingham on multiple occasions after fall camp practices, as well as catching several passes during media availability. He currently doesn’t show up on the depth chart, but with his 6-foot-4, 200-pound frame and good hands, he could help out the receiving corps.
General outlook: Utah’s offensive line and backfield is stacked with experience, but the receiving group and tight ends lacks that. The team has the talent to succeed with its receivers, but as Roderick said, the question is can it be used as a weapon immediately?
Will those youngsters shine in one of the biggest season openers in Utah’s history like they have in practice or falter within the rowdy college atmosphere? Meanwhile, the older guys must stay healthy. If they do so, it will lessen the pressure placed on the true freshmen that will likely play a vital role this season.