SALT LAKE CITY — Utah quarterback Jason Shelley has started some big games for the Utes. As a redshirt freshman in 2018, he led them to victories over Oregon, Colorado and BYU. Shelley also replaced the injured Tyler Huntley as the starter in last year’s Pac-12 Championship Game and the Holiday Bowl.
Now the sophomore is getting a look at defensive back. He’s playing the position in practice and Utah coach Kyle Whittingham even said there’s a possibility Shelley could see action as an injury depleted secondary takes on Texas in the Alamo Bowl on Dec. 31.
“It is what it is. I got put over there this last weekend and I’m just over there ready to play some safety,” said Shelley, who noted that he’s never played on defense before.
Thus far, Shelley noted that it’s been an adventure and an experience. He vows to go out and do his best wherever he’s at.
“I’m out there ready to work,” Shelley said. “I’m excited (and) trying to win some games.”
Shelley said he’ll be ready to go when called upon.
“Personally I’ll probably do all 23 positions except for kicker and punter,” he explained. “I can’t kick or punt, but if anything ever got asked of me I’ll be ready to go out there and play.”
The biggest challenge, Shelley said, is going from scoring touchdowns to trying to prevent touchdowns. However, he added that coming from offense could give him an advantage because understands what they’re trying to do.
That said, it’s not where Shelley would prefer to be.
“I came here as a quarterback. I’d really like to play quarterback, you know, but I’m all here for the team and I’ll do whatever it takes for the team,” he continued. “But, you know, they felt like I was probably better at safety. I would like to get a shot at QB in the spring. But, you know, it is what it is so I’m just going to go out there and work.”
Shelley said he has no plans to leave the program at this point, saying he’s “all Utah.”
The graduation of Tyler Huntley and the signing of graduate transfer Jake Bentley of South Carolina as altered Utah’s quarterback situation. Texas transfer Cameron Rising, who is eligible to play in the Alamo Bowl, may be the only returnee at the position if Shelley is permanently moved to defense and Drew Lisk opts to move on after graduating this spring.
“So it’ll be a different look next year,” Whittingham said. “But we feel confident we’ll be in good shape.”
Utes could be looking to add more quarterbacks to the mix, especially if Shelley continues to look “very good” at safety as Whittingham says he has in practice reps this week. Things have gone so well, in fact, that Shelley may see action at safety in the upcoming bowl game.
“It’s possible. We’ll see what happens. Yes. Absolutely. We’ll see how much he can progress. He’s come a long way,” Whittingham said. “He needs to come a little bit further, and we’ll se what happens at the bowl site.”