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The University of Utah Athletics
Camp Kyle '17: Day 15
8/14/2017 1:25 PM | Football
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utes started their final week of fall camp today at Rice-Eccles Stadium with its 15th practice.
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With cooler temperatures, the attitude of the team stayed electric as they practiced on their home field. During the media observation period, there was an emphasis in goal line plays, with Jordan Howard, Troy McCormick, Jr. and Zack Moss all getting action on first-and-goal situations.
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Post-Practice Thoughts…
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Head coach Kyle Whittingham
On why after only playing seven games last year has Tyler Huntley made it a competition with Troy Williams…
"Tyler was a true freshman last year and he was a little bit reckless with the ball and was a little bit of a loose cannon, but he has cleaned all of that up. He is now taking care of the football and he isn't trying to force plays that aren't there. Things that were holding him back last year, he has fixed this year."
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On his views on redshirting freshmen…
"It is not as prevalent as it used to be. When I first got into coaching you redshirted 80 to 90 percent of your incoming class and now it is maybe 30 or 40 percent, so it has changed."
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On Zack Moss carrying a larger load with Armand Shyne out…
"He was already right there for the starting job and probably had edged ahead the last few days before Armand went down. So, he is a smart kid and he knows what is expected. Right now, he is the lead running back."
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Offensive coordinator Troy Taylor
On the wide receivers who have stood out during camp…
"Darren Carrington II has been great. Raelon Singleton when healthy has played very well. Samson Nacua has been outstanding along with Demari Simpkins. Siaosi Wilson has been hampered by a little injury here and there, but he is looking good. Those are kind of the main guys, but there are others guys that have been doing a great job and competing. Bronson Boyd had a really great fall camp, so we are excited about him as well."
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On Troy McCormick, Jr.'s versatility…
"I think he gives us depth if something happens because he can play inside the slot, but right now I think he is a versatile guy, so we will play him where he can highlight his talents. But I see him more as a running back."
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On what he needs his running backs to do to earn time on the field…
"First and foremost you have to be able to protect. They need to be able to step up and be physical and not compromise our pass protection. That is why most high school guys struggle when they come to college football is because they haven't had to do much protection. Our guys are all willing and they do a good job. Secondly, they have to know what they are doing because there are a lot of moving parts in this offense. So, there is some heavy learning and they have to mentally be in it. Then they have to take care of the football. They know they aren't going to play if they put the ball on the ground. I think all of them are pretty instinctive runners."
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Defensive back Josh Nurse
On how he thinks he has stayed conditioned after not playing last season…
"Through sheer determination. Even though you may not play, you can't let that hinder you. I kept my drive up and just kept myself conditioned. I didn't play at the junior college level last year, but I feel that I am at a much higher level now." Â
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Wide receiver Samson Nacua
On how he feels after redshirting last year…
"I came here last year and I was hoping to play but they redshirted me and I got to train with Guy Holliday and it helped me get better. This year I am just trying to make plays and get on the field."
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On what he saw last year that has helped prepare him for this season…
"Last year I got to work a lot with Tim Patrick, Raelon Singleton and Siaosi Wilson. This year, Darren Carrington II has stepped in and helped. Last year they just helped me work on my routes and this year I just want to come out and show that I have been working really hard."
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On if he thinks there is a different dynamic with this year's receivers…
"There definitely is. I don't know if there are more playmakers or if everyone is just working a lot harder than we did last year. I don't know what it is, but you can feel a difference from last year. We have bonded a lot more this year and are pushing each other to be better."
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Coaches Corner: Thoughts with Sharrieff Shah…
Q: What were your thoughts on practice…
A: Frustrating. I don't feel like we were in the positions we needed to be in based on what the offense was doing. I thought we ran well, but I was still frustrated. I felt there were too many balls completed and not enough effort or urgency on the backend to make plays on the ball. So as a corners coach you get frustrated anytime a ball is completed, although you understand that there are equally good receivers and phenomenal quarterbacks, you still get frustrated. You don't like having anything completed on you.
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Q: Two cornerbacks that have stood out so far in camp…
A: Without a doubt, I would have to say Jaylon Johnson. Casey Hughes and Julian Blackmon continue to pick up where they left off from the spring and so I am really pleased with those guys. But truly the second name would be Kenric Young. He left the receiving group and put on a black jersey and I love his commitment to just getting better. Kenric is a hot head just like many of the guys in my room, but it is because he cares and he genuinely wants to get better. You have to coach him hard, but I love his ability to be disciplined and make a play. He tries to make plays and does everything you are coaching him to do and do it over and over again.
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Q: Keys to success for the cornerbacks this season…
A: Fundamentals and technique first and foremost. I don't care what we do schematically, if we can't be fundamentally technique sound, we won't be successful. Also, being better situational football players and knowing the difference between two minute, four minute, backed up, you know coming out into the game situations. Knowing what can I do, what leverage can I press. Just being smarter situational football players. Last but not least, we have to be better and more physically aggressive tacklers on the edge. If we are able to do those things, we will be a pretty good secondary.Â
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With cooler temperatures, the attitude of the team stayed electric as they practiced on their home field. During the media observation period, there was an emphasis in goal line plays, with Jordan Howard, Troy McCormick, Jr. and Zack Moss all getting action on first-and-goal situations.
Â
Post-Practice Thoughts…
Â
Head coach Kyle Whittingham
On why after only playing seven games last year has Tyler Huntley made it a competition with Troy Williams…
"Tyler was a true freshman last year and he was a little bit reckless with the ball and was a little bit of a loose cannon, but he has cleaned all of that up. He is now taking care of the football and he isn't trying to force plays that aren't there. Things that were holding him back last year, he has fixed this year."
Â
On his views on redshirting freshmen…
"It is not as prevalent as it used to be. When I first got into coaching you redshirted 80 to 90 percent of your incoming class and now it is maybe 30 or 40 percent, so it has changed."
Â
On Zack Moss carrying a larger load with Armand Shyne out…
"He was already right there for the starting job and probably had edged ahead the last few days before Armand went down. So, he is a smart kid and he knows what is expected. Right now, he is the lead running back."
Â
Offensive coordinator Troy Taylor
On the wide receivers who have stood out during camp…
"Darren Carrington II has been great. Raelon Singleton when healthy has played very well. Samson Nacua has been outstanding along with Demari Simpkins. Siaosi Wilson has been hampered by a little injury here and there, but he is looking good. Those are kind of the main guys, but there are others guys that have been doing a great job and competing. Bronson Boyd had a really great fall camp, so we are excited about him as well."
Â
On Troy McCormick, Jr.'s versatility…
"I think he gives us depth if something happens because he can play inside the slot, but right now I think he is a versatile guy, so we will play him where he can highlight his talents. But I see him more as a running back."
Â
On what he needs his running backs to do to earn time on the field…
"First and foremost you have to be able to protect. They need to be able to step up and be physical and not compromise our pass protection. That is why most high school guys struggle when they come to college football is because they haven't had to do much protection. Our guys are all willing and they do a good job. Secondly, they have to know what they are doing because there are a lot of moving parts in this offense. So, there is some heavy learning and they have to mentally be in it. Then they have to take care of the football. They know they aren't going to play if they put the ball on the ground. I think all of them are pretty instinctive runners."
Â
Defensive back Josh Nurse
On how he thinks he has stayed conditioned after not playing last season…
"Through sheer determination. Even though you may not play, you can't let that hinder you. I kept my drive up and just kept myself conditioned. I didn't play at the junior college level last year, but I feel that I am at a much higher level now." Â
Â
Wide receiver Samson Nacua
On how he feels after redshirting last year…
"I came here last year and I was hoping to play but they redshirted me and I got to train with Guy Holliday and it helped me get better. This year I am just trying to make plays and get on the field."
Â
On what he saw last year that has helped prepare him for this season…
"Last year I got to work a lot with Tim Patrick, Raelon Singleton and Siaosi Wilson. This year, Darren Carrington II has stepped in and helped. Last year they just helped me work on my routes and this year I just want to come out and show that I have been working really hard."
Â
On if he thinks there is a different dynamic with this year's receivers…
"There definitely is. I don't know if there are more playmakers or if everyone is just working a lot harder than we did last year. I don't know what it is, but you can feel a difference from last year. We have bonded a lot more this year and are pushing each other to be better."
Â
Coaches Corner: Thoughts with Sharrieff Shah…
Q: What were your thoughts on practice…
A: Frustrating. I don't feel like we were in the positions we needed to be in based on what the offense was doing. I thought we ran well, but I was still frustrated. I felt there were too many balls completed and not enough effort or urgency on the backend to make plays on the ball. So as a corners coach you get frustrated anytime a ball is completed, although you understand that there are equally good receivers and phenomenal quarterbacks, you still get frustrated. You don't like having anything completed on you.
Â
Q: Two cornerbacks that have stood out so far in camp…
A: Without a doubt, I would have to say Jaylon Johnson. Casey Hughes and Julian Blackmon continue to pick up where they left off from the spring and so I am really pleased with those guys. But truly the second name would be Kenric Young. He left the receiving group and put on a black jersey and I love his commitment to just getting better. Kenric is a hot head just like many of the guys in my room, but it is because he cares and he genuinely wants to get better. You have to coach him hard, but I love his ability to be disciplined and make a play. He tries to make plays and does everything you are coaching him to do and do it over and over again.
Â
Q: Keys to success for the cornerbacks this season…
A: Fundamentals and technique first and foremost. I don't care what we do schematically, if we can't be fundamentally technique sound, we won't be successful. Also, being better situational football players and knowing the difference between two minute, four minute, backed up, you know coming out into the game situations. Knowing what can I do, what leverage can I press. Just being smarter situational football players. Last but not least, we have to be better and more physically aggressive tacklers on the edge. If we are able to do those things, we will be a pretty good secondary.Â
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Players Mentioned
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