Upcoming Event: Football versus Idaho on September 3, 2026
Football
vs Idaho
.png&width=31&height=31&type=webp)
The University of Utah Athletics
Spring Football: First Day In The Books
3/4/2019 6:56 PM | Football
SALT LAKE CITY – The atmosphere was electric today at the Eccles Football Center as the University of Utah football program kicked off spring practice. The Utes completed its first of 15 practices of spring training, taking on drills in no pads.Â
Â
The Utes will practice two more times this week to wrap up the first three practices, practicing on Tuesday and Thursday from 3-4:45 p.m. at the Eccles Practice Fields.Â
With a new season, comes new changes to personnel and the coaching staff. On the field, two-time second-team All-Pac-12 cornerback Julian Blackmon has moved to free safety with Bronson Boyd moving from wide receiver to cornerback. Senior Tyrone Young-Smith also moved positions, going from defensive back to wide receiver, and didn't disappoint on the first day.Â
Wide Receivers vs. Defensive Backs Drill Highlights:
Offense vs. Defense Drill Highlights:Â
Voices from Practice:
Head Coach Kyle Whittingham talks about preseason hype…
"We know that we have a lot of work to do and that we haven't beaten anybody yet. It is nice for the program to be recognized as a team that is doing some good things, but I don't think there is any chance this team becomes overconfident or loses its underdog mentality."
On if he embraces the high expectations with preseason polls…
"I don't pay much attention to it. A lot can transpire between right now and when you line up for the first game, so right now it is a lot of speculation. But the positive is being in those conversations which is better than not being in them I guess."
Tyler Huntley on training with Andy Ludwig…
"There has been a lot of stuff to work on since it is a new offense. We are still trying to get it down. Everything is new, new terminology, new skills, but it is football and we are comfortable with it. We are adapting quickly."
Â
Â
The Utes will practice two more times this week to wrap up the first three practices, practicing on Tuesday and Thursday from 3-4:45 p.m. at the Eccles Practice Fields.Â
ÂDay 1Â ?pic.twitter.com/E38X7wz3NE
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) March 5, 2019
With a new season, comes new changes to personnel and the coaching staff. On the field, two-time second-team All-Pac-12 cornerback Julian Blackmon has moved to free safety with Bronson Boyd moving from wide receiver to cornerback. Senior Tyrone Young-Smith also moved positions, going from defensive back to wide receiver, and didn't disappoint on the first day.Â
Wide Receivers vs. Defensive Backs Drill Highlights:
- Tyrone Young-Smith had a nice 30-yard catch over his shoulder under pressure.Â
- Demari Simpkins with a tough 20-yard catch over the middle.Â
- Solomon Enis with a nice body adjustment for a diving catch over the middle for a first down.Â
- Nygel King and Bronson Boyd had interceptions.Â
Â??from the first day of spring ball
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) March 5, 2019
FOOTBALL IS BAAAAAACK pic.twitter.com/HngoJYE9Jy
Offense vs. Defense Drill Highlights:Â
- Jason Shelley and Tyrone Young-Smith linked up for a beautiful 30+ yard touchdown.Â
- Tyler Huntley had a nice 15+ yard pass to Solomon Enis over the middle.Â
- Julian Blackmon came up with a huge interception on deep coverage, showing his impressive vertical.Â
ÂIt's back... ?? #goutes pic.twitter.com/FXGGKBN8qv
— Utah Athletics (@utahathletics) March 4, 2019
Voices from Practice:
Head Coach Kyle Whittingham talks about preseason hype…
"We know that we have a lot of work to do and that we haven't beaten anybody yet. It is nice for the program to be recognized as a team that is doing some good things, but I don't think there is any chance this team becomes overconfident or loses its underdog mentality."
On if he embraces the high expectations with preseason polls…
"I don't pay much attention to it. A lot can transpire between right now and when you line up for the first game, so right now it is a lot of speculation. But the positive is being in those conversations which is better than not being in them I guess."
Tyler Huntley on training with Andy Ludwig…
"There has been a lot of stuff to work on since it is a new offense. We are still trying to get it down. Everything is new, new terminology, new skills, but it is football and we are comfortable with it. We are adapting quickly."
Â
Players Mentioned
DB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
WR
/ Football
QB
/ Football
DB
/ Football
QB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
DB
/ FootballCrimson Corner with Bill Riley - College football analyst Yogi Roth
Wednesday, May 06
Crimson Corner with Bill Riley - Utah Football Head Coach Morgan Scalley
Wednesday, April 29
Crimson Corner with Bill Riley - Utah Football legend Brian Johnson
Friday, February 20
Utah Football Head Coach Morgan Scalley Introductory Press Conference | 1.06.25
Tuesday, January 06