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The University of Utah Athletics
Spring Football: Wide Receiver Preview
4/3/2018 2:52 PM | Football
SALT LAKE CITY - The Utah football program got after today for its 10th practice of the spring season, with a mix of live drills and position specific targets.Â
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With a strong contingent of quarterbacks competing this spring, the wide receiver core has been playing with a lot of energy and enthusiasm. Despite losing the Utes biggest contributor in Darren Carrington II to graduation, Utah returns a mix of height, size and speed to the gridiron this spring that is looking to make a mark heading into the 2018 season.
The Utes return starters Siaosi Mariner, Samson Nacua and Demari Simpkins along with Jameson Field and Tyquez Hampton who saw some action at receiver in 2017. Bronson Boyd and Jaylen Dixon will look to don the red and white for the first time this fall with Utah fans also getting to see a familiar face at the slot receiver in Britain Covey, who has returned from his church mission. With 11 wide receivers on the spring roster and three joining the Utes in the fall, the depth at the receiver position is sure to come into play in 2018.
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Wide Receivers Coach Guy Holliday
On how he feels the wide receivers have done this spring...
"I think we are coming along pretty good. Saiosi Mariner has really stepped up and is doing well. Demari Simpkins and Samson Nacua are having a good spring as well, so I think we are coming along. Jameson Field and Jaylen Dixon are also starting to stand out, so that is good. Overall, I think the young guys are learning and the older guys are leading, which is what you want."
On what he thinks are qualities in a good wide receiver...
"Catching the ball. Honestly though every wide receiver has different characteristics, but what I look for is some type of toughness. I think people think that receiver is a pretty boy position and you don't have to work hard, you don't have to block and you don't have to really grind it out, so the first thing I look for is toughness. The second thing is competitive greatness. I want guys that want to compete at everything. I want them to be the first in everything they do. And then you have all of the measureables. I like a little taller receiver and if you don't have great length then I like great speed, but you have to have one or the other. If you have both of those, you are probably going to be pretty great."
On what he wants to see improvement on between now and the fall with the wide receivers...
"I think play-making ability. I want to see them confident. I think it has been a process and this system is somewhat complex for a receiver, so you really have to buy in and do the work off the field also."
Spring Depth Chart Preview...
#8 Siaosi Mariner (6-2 | 193 | Jr. | Tustin, Calif.)
Is a two-year starter ... 20 receptions for 320 yards and a touchdown in 2017 ... team-high 19.6 yards per catch and had seven 20-plus yard catches last season.
2017 Highlights: Career-best 89 yards on five catches at BYU.
Fun Fact: He also goes by George.
#9 Bronson Boyd (6-0 | 187 | Fr. | Arlington, Texas)
Had 61 receptions and 1,137 yards (8 TDs) at The Oakridge School in Texas as a junior ... was ranked as the No. 21 receiver in Texas by Scout ... first-team Southwest Preparatory Conference All-State as a junior.
Fun Fact: Sat out a required year in residency in 2017 after signing with and briefly attending Texas Tech as a midyear high school graduate.
#45 Samson Nacua (6-3 | 189 | So. | Provo, Utah)
Played in 13 games with six starts as a redshirt freshman in 2017 ... 29 receptions for 294 yards (1 TD) ... 10.1 yards per catch in 2017.
2017 Highlights: Career-high seven catches for 59 yards against San Jose State.
Fun Fact: Walked on to the team in 2016 and was awarded a scholarship during camp.
#83 Jameson Field (5-11 | 180 | Sr. | Long Beach, Calif)
Played in all 13 games last season, appearing on offense in eight ... used his speed as a kick returner against UCLA, Washington State and Colorado .
2017 Highlights: Had two receptions for 12 yards against Arizona State.
Fun Fact: His father is a pilot.
#3 Demari Simpkins (5-10 | 184 | Jr. | Carol City, Fla.)
Has played in 26 games with 11 starts at Utah ... 29 catches for 354 yards (1 TD) in 2017 ... was a triple threat last season, also going 2-for-4 for 19 passing yards (0 INT, 1 TD) and racking up a team-best 207 kickoff return yards.
2017 Highlights: Career-high 99 receiving yards on four catches vs. Washington State ... had a touchdown reception and threw a touchdown pass against USC.
Fun Fact: Has five broJaylen Dixono sisters.
#25 Jaylen Dixon (5-9 | 161 | Fr. | Frisco, Texas)
Redshirted in 2017 ... was all-state and a two-time all-district selection at Lone Star High School in Texas ... earned All-Purpose MVP in 2016 ... had 1,239 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns as a senior.
Fun Fact: Was born in Kansas City, Kan.
#5 Tyquez Hampton (6-2 | 201 | So. | El Paso, Texas)
Played at receiver and on special teams as a freshman in 2017 ... two-time all-district at El Dorado High School in Texas ... 74 receptions for 989 yards and 13 touchdowns as a senior in high school.
Fun Fact: Was a district champion in the 200 meters and 4X100 meter relay in track and field.
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Â?? from a ?? day with @Utah_Football! #goutes pic.twitter.com/uGhK3AbzoP
— Utah Athletics (@utahathletics) April 4, 2018
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ÂHonored to have President @RuthVWatkins stop by practice today!#UteFamily pic.twitter.com/LyOYQ7rr2v
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) April 3, 2018
With a strong contingent of quarterbacks competing this spring, the wide receiver core has been playing with a lot of energy and enthusiasm. Despite losing the Utes biggest contributor in Darren Carrington II to graduation, Utah returns a mix of height, size and speed to the gridiron this spring that is looking to make a mark heading into the 2018 season.
The Utes return starters Siaosi Mariner, Samson Nacua and Demari Simpkins along with Jameson Field and Tyquez Hampton who saw some action at receiver in 2017. Bronson Boyd and Jaylen Dixon will look to don the red and white for the first time this fall with Utah fans also getting to see a familiar face at the slot receiver in Britain Covey, who has returned from his church mission. With 11 wide receivers on the spring roster and three joining the Utes in the fall, the depth at the receiver position is sure to come into play in 2018.
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ÂCircle drill https://t.co/erwJO17M7e
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) April 3, 2018
Wide Receivers Coach Guy Holliday
On how he feels the wide receivers have done this spring...
"I think we are coming along pretty good. Saiosi Mariner has really stepped up and is doing well. Demari Simpkins and Samson Nacua are having a good spring as well, so I think we are coming along. Jameson Field and Jaylen Dixon are also starting to stand out, so that is good. Overall, I think the young guys are learning and the older guys are leading, which is what you want."
On what he thinks are qualities in a good wide receiver...
"Catching the ball. Honestly though every wide receiver has different characteristics, but what I look for is some type of toughness. I think people think that receiver is a pretty boy position and you don't have to work hard, you don't have to block and you don't have to really grind it out, so the first thing I look for is toughness. The second thing is competitive greatness. I want guys that want to compete at everything. I want them to be the first in everything they do. And then you have all of the measureables. I like a little taller receiver and if you don't have great length then I like great speed, but you have to have one or the other. If you have both of those, you are probably going to be pretty great."
On what he wants to see improvement on between now and the fall with the wide receivers...
"I think play-making ability. I want to see them confident. I think it has been a process and this system is somewhat complex for a receiver, so you really have to buy in and do the work off the field also."
Spring Depth Chart Preview...
#8 Siaosi Mariner (6-2 | 193 | Jr. | Tustin, Calif.)
Is a two-year starter ... 20 receptions for 320 yards and a touchdown in 2017 ... team-high 19.6 yards per catch and had seven 20-plus yard catches last season.
2017 Highlights: Career-best 89 yards on five catches at BYU.
Fun Fact: He also goes by George.
#9 Bronson Boyd (6-0 | 187 | Fr. | Arlington, Texas)
Had 61 receptions and 1,137 yards (8 TDs) at The Oakridge School in Texas as a junior ... was ranked as the No. 21 receiver in Texas by Scout ... first-team Southwest Preparatory Conference All-State as a junior.
Fun Fact: Sat out a required year in residency in 2017 after signing with and briefly attending Texas Tech as a midyear high school graduate.
#45 Samson Nacua (6-3 | 189 | So. | Provo, Utah)
Played in 13 games with six starts as a redshirt freshman in 2017 ... 29 receptions for 294 yards (1 TD) ... 10.1 yards per catch in 2017.
2017 Highlights: Career-high seven catches for 59 yards against San Jose State.
Fun Fact: Walked on to the team in 2016 and was awarded a scholarship during camp.
#83 Jameson Field (5-11 | 180 | Sr. | Long Beach, Calif)
Played in all 13 games last season, appearing on offense in eight ... used his speed as a kick returner against UCLA, Washington State and Colorado .
2017 Highlights: Had two receptions for 12 yards against Arizona State.
Fun Fact: His father is a pilot.
#3 Demari Simpkins (5-10 | 184 | Jr. | Carol City, Fla.)
Has played in 26 games with 11 starts at Utah ... 29 catches for 354 yards (1 TD) in 2017 ... was a triple threat last season, also going 2-for-4 for 19 passing yards (0 INT, 1 TD) and racking up a team-best 207 kickoff return yards.
2017 Highlights: Career-high 99 receiving yards on four catches vs. Washington State ... had a touchdown reception and threw a touchdown pass against USC.
Fun Fact: Has five broJaylen Dixono sisters.
#25 Jaylen Dixon (5-9 | 161 | Fr. | Frisco, Texas)
Redshirted in 2017 ... was all-state and a two-time all-district selection at Lone Star High School in Texas ... earned All-Purpose MVP in 2016 ... had 1,239 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns as a senior.
Fun Fact: Was born in Kansas City, Kan.
#5 Tyquez Hampton (6-2 | 201 | So. | El Paso, Texas)
Played at receiver and on special teams as a freshman in 2017 ... two-time all-district at El Dorado High School in Texas ... 74 receptions for 989 yards and 13 touchdowns as a senior in high school.
Fun Fact: Was a district champion in the 200 meters and 4X100 meter relay in track and field.
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