Sure, it was without pads and tackling, but in the first week of Utah’s spring camp, running back Steve Chavez-Soto stood out.
The San Jose State transfer ran with power and agility during an offense-vs.-defense period of Utah’s practice on Saturday, showing glimpses of why the Utes brought him in via the transfer portal this offseason.
Wayshawn Parker, who rushed for 981 yards and six touchdowns on 149 carries last season, is Utah’s clear RB1, but Chavez-Soto could have the opportunity to play an important role in the running back room.
Chavez-Soto can carve out a spot for himself as Utah’s RB2 with a good showing in spring and fall camp, and he could also see carries as a power running back in short-yardage situations, similar to NaQuari Rogers last season.
“Coach Scalley, he’s not like any other coach, in my opinion. He’s a faithful man first, but he puts us second. We’re basically his kids. And from the jump, he instilled strong mental, relentless effort, and that’s just something that you don’t see in every coach that instills that hard work. He’s going to be on you, but he’s going to love you even harder.”
— Utah running back Steve Chavez-Soto on Morgan Scalley
In the throes of his first spring camp with the Utes, Chavez-Soto is simply trying to be whatever kind of running back Utah needs him to be.
“I feel for this program, I can be whatever they want me to be. I like to think of myself as a versatile back, every-down back,” Chavez-Soto said. “But at the end of the day, it’s a team game. I just can’t wait to be out here and play with my new teammates.”
In his true freshman season at San Jose State, Chavez-Soto tallied 448 yards and seven touchdowns on 87 carries over just eight games. He was rated the Spartans’ best running back with an 81.4 Pro Football Focus grade.
The best game of Chavez-Soto’s freshman season came in a 102-yard performance against Utah State, which included a career-long 66-yard touchdown run. He also had a 71-yard and two touchdown day in a win over New Mexico and found the end zone three times against Hawaii.
“That’s a great coaching staff over there in San Jose. They helped me become who I became. Coaching’s great. They put players first. I have nothing bad to say about that San Jose coaching staff. Family first. They’re going to love you like your son,” Chavez-Soto said.
All of the other running backs, from Wayshawn Parker to Daniel Bray, have welcomed Chavez-Soto with open arms. At Utah, that family atmosphere is a huge part of the team’s culture under Morgan Scalley.
“Coach Scalley, he’s not like any other coach, in my opinion. He’s a faithful man first, but he puts us second. We’re basically his kids. And from the jump, he instilled strong mental, relentless effort, and that’s just something that you don’t see in every coach that instills that hard work. He’s going to be on you, but he’s going to love you even harder,” Chavez-Soto said.
One thing that has stood out so far to Chavez-Soto about the way Scalley runs the program is the precision of every moment. From the meeting room to the weight room to the practice field, there is no wasted time.
Chavez-Soto and the rest of the running backs are still digesting new OC Kevin McGiven’s offense, but it’s safe to say that the run game will still be a priority for the Utes.
The running backs will only go as far as the offensive line will take them, however. Utah will have five new starters on the line, with this spring being the first step in identifying the best five and creating that chemistry.
“The offensive line is dogs. No matter who we’ve got out there, we’re going to move that pile first. I’m super excited about that front five. We can win a lot of games with that front five, for sure,” Chavez-Soto said.
Chavez-Soto will face competition from speedy sophomore Daniel Bray and true freshman LaMarcus Bell, but the San Jose State transfer possesses a unique skill set in the room with his ability to fight through contact and gain extra yardage.
“Steve’s going to do well in the sense that he has a great team culture attitude toward the way that he approaches his work,” running backs coach Mark Atuaia said. “And yeah, I’m excited to see what he does this year in competition with everybody else.”
