Camp Kyle ‘16: Day 2

8/5/2016 2:30 PM | Football

Offensive line tries different combinations, newcomers begin to impress.

The Utes experimented with different offensive line combinations and several newcomers started to make noteworthy contributions during the Utah football team's second official workout of the 2016 season on Friday.

Utah wore helmets and shorts without any other additional football padding for a non-tackling practice to adhere to the NCAA's acclimatization period guidelines, but that didn't stop the Utes from showcasing their physicality during the second day of on-field activity this season at Ute Baseball Field.

The Countdown is On ...

The countdown to kickoff from Rice-Eccles Stadium against Southern Utah stands at 27 days. UtahUtes.com has each day of @Utah_Football fall camp covered. Use #CampKyle16 on all social media posts to keep track of the Utes and chime in with your thoughts throughout preseason camp.

LIVE on #Periscope: One vs one https://t.co/zIBedAhvKG
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) August 5, 2016

UtahUtes.com will be your go-to source for videos, GIFs, Facebook Live sessions, photos, quotes, social media reaction and behind-the-scenes tidbits all the way up to when the Utes face the Thunderbirds on Sept. 1 at 6 p.m. MT.

Day 2 Overview ...

• Second practice of the season held Friday morning at the Utah baseball practice field.
• The focus of the training was on techniques and assignments as the Utes continued to work on fine-tuning their skills.
• Players were in helmets without shoulder pads during the NCAA's acclimatization period. A tag was enough to deem a ball carrier down.
• The Utes wore black matte helmets with red circle and feather logos. The offense wore red practice jerseys (quarterbacks were in white), while the defense was in the black jerseys.

LIVE on #Periscope: Warmin' up on day 2 of #CampKyle16 https://t.co/YVFnLseqVY
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) August 5, 2016

Media Observation Period Highlights ...
• The full-team live work began from the offense's own 40-yard line with the first and second units taking three drives each.
• After the entire team met at midfield, the first and second teams finished off their training session with conditioning drills.
• Freshman Dakota Baker dotted his feet in play along the far boundary for a nice catch.
• Jameson Field picked up a nice gain on an out route before Demari Simpkins gained a good chunk of yardage after receiving a swing pass.
• Tavaris Williams ended the live work session by intercepting a deep pass attempt.

From Coach Whittingham ...
On today's workout: "[Day 2] was really good, another step forward. There is good competition going on and that's what you want to see. You want to see guys competing, flying around and making very few mistakes mentally, and that's what we saw today. It was a very positive and productive day."

On the offensive line: "They've been playing well. We're trying some different combinations. A couple guys had final exams today, which allowed us the opportunity to get a look at some different combinations. We plugged J.J. Dielman in at center, Garret Bolles over at left tackle and bumped Jackson Barton over to right tackle because Sam Tevi was not here today [taking a final exam] and the guards were the same with Isaac [Asiata] and [Salesi] Uhatafe. It's a good-looking group.

"It's too early to make any real predictions or worry about things that might happen. We have to look at things right now and then formulate ideas as we see them, particularly during the days we're in pads. It's difficult to get an idea of what's going on up front when you're in just shells.

"We feel very good about both sides of the line of scrimmage. That hasn't changed. We think we're going to come away with the right five guys on offense and we're going to be one of the better lines in the Pac-12, if not the best."

On the wide receivers: "They're stepping up with their physicality. They're competing for the ball. It's great to have Tim Patrick back. He adds a whole new dimension with just that one guy coming back. He's had a very good first two days. After sitting out all of last year and missing as much time as he has, he looks very sharp after two days."

.@eagle88me working with the wide receivers.#campkyle16 pic.twitter.com/UuzLnTtB9h
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) August 5, 2016

On newcomers who have stood out during the first two days: "Both freshman running backs, Zack Moss and Devonta'e Henry-Cole have done some really good things. All of the defensive linemen, Bradlee Anae, Maxs Tupai and Leki Fotu. The new linebacker Kavika Luafatasaga. The three freshman cornerbacks, Nygel King, Terrell Burgess and Julian Blackmon. They're doing a good job and are much further along than I thought they would be."

On running back depth: "We added Armand Shyne so we think we've really helped ourselves in the running back position from a depth standpoint. Obviously, losing [Devontae] Booker is huge, but we think overall we have one of the better groups we've had in several years in total."

"Right now, I would say Joe [Williams] is scheduled to be our primary carrier, which probably means 15-20 carries a game for him. Between Troy [McCormick] and another back, or maybe a couple of other backs, we need to find that supplemental yardage. We're not going to have the one-guy workload like [Booker] had."

Post-Practice Impressions from the Utah Assistant Coaches and Players ...

Wide Receiver Tim Patrick
"Day 2 was good. We made a lot of plays today and we're improving every day so that's a good thing. I have improved since last year. I'm smarter, faster and stronger. Everything a receiver is supposed to be, I'm better than I was last year.

"I'm just taking it day by day, trying to stay healthy and help the team out.

Defensive Line Coach Lewis Powell

"We've played really well so far. Our guys who are returning and have come back are consistent. They've become a lot better with their fundamentals and technique by just sharpening it. The young guys have improved from Day 1 to Day 2 and I'm excited to see how much better they continue to get."

Defensive End Hunter Dimick

"From my perspective, the first two days of practice have gone very well. Both the offense and defense have made pretty good strides."

#UtesCamp BTS ...

• Former Utah tight end Westlee Tonga was in attendance at today's practice.
• Musical highlights from the media observation period were "Foxy Lady" by Jimi Hendrix and "Truck Drivin' Man" by Lynyrd Skynyrd.