Camp Kyle 2020: Captains Announced

10/16/2020 6:42 PM | Football

SALT LAKE CITY – Fall camp for the Utah Utes continued today as the squad wrapped up its seventh practice of preseason training at the Spence and Cleone Football Center.

Today was key for the Utes as they voted on and announced team captains and the Leadership Council for the 2020 season.

Team Captains:
Jake Bentley, QB
Orlando Umana, OL
Devin Lloyd, LB
Mika Tafua, DE

YOUR 2020 CAPTAINS@JakeBentley19 Orlando Umana@DevinLloyd_ Mika Tafua pic.twitter.com/giAhEit0kj
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) October 16, 2020

2020 leadership: pic.twitter.com/1aPRo4DtMy
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) October 17, 2020

The Utes spoke to the media this morning, highlighting another offensive group that is primed and ready to show what they can do on the field.

U Voices: Kyle Whittingham, Kiel McDonald, Devin Brumfield, Bryan Thompson, Orlando Umana

Kyle Whittingham | Head Coach

On position groups he is hoping to have a firmer grasp on after the scrimmage tomorrow…
"The secondary comes to mind, first and foremost, along with the quarterback group obviously. The running back position because everyone is jockeying for a position there and then the offensive line because we are still looking for the best five there and getting them into their prospective spots. The linebacker spot opposite Devin Lloyd because we know Devin is going to be on the field for us so we have to determine who is going to be next to him. The receivers, we have a pretty good idea of what is going on there and then the tight ends are the same. Defensive front, there is a lot of competition for some of the No. 2 spots, but we feel pretty comfortable where we are at with the starters there. Then kicking and punting, there is a competition going on there as well."

On areas where he is starting to see separation and if there is anyone standing out right now…
"We will start with the guys that are standing out with the young guys. Jaren Kump on the offensive line has had an outstanding first six practices. Both of our freshmen defensive ends Van Fillinger and Xavier Carlton have done a great job. Nate Ritchie has really showed up in some live situations this week at safety. So with separation, the running backs, even though there is good competition going on there, there is starting to be a pecking order right now with Devin Brumfield and Jordan Wilmore as the two top guys. Ty Jordan is going to have a role as well, he has just tremendous speed, so we have to find ways to get him the ball. The defensive tackle spot is pretty solidified with Viane Moala. Hauati Pututau is doing a nice job and I have been really impressed with Tennessee Pututau as a freshman that has really shown well. Tanoa Togiai as well. He has had to miss some stuff due to physical stuff, but we should get him back hopefully today and he is another freshman defensive tackle that should be in the mix."

On Bryan Thompson and him taking it upon himself to work on his health and diet…
"He looks great. He looks about as good as a wide receiver can look. He is 205-pounds and ripped up. He's also performing very well in addition and is one of our top guys on the outside. So he needs to be commended on the conscientious effort he has made to get himself to as good as he possibly can be physically – and it is translating. He was a good receiver to begin with, but he has taken it to another level."

On what he has learned from his cornerbacks since the pads have come on…
"Raw, but talented. Some are further along than others, obviously JaTravis Broughton is the No. 1 corner right now and he is in his second year in the program as a sophomore. He has had an outstanding camp. Bronson Boyd is doing some really good things on the outside. Clark Phillips III is going to be a factor for us, playing on the outside and on the inside. Malone Mataele has been a pleasant surprise this camp. He has really turned up his game and his production, and he is playing in that nickel spot as well. Then there are a bunch of guys that have a lot of talent but are further away technique-wise, fundamental-wise and with knowledge of the scheme like Caine Savage, Faybian Marks and Kenzel Lawler. We have a whole stable of young corners that are going to be really good given time. With the time being compressed, hopefully they are ready to line up and compete three weeks from tomorrow."

Kiel McDonald | Running Backs Coach

On who he sees getting reps at running back this year and what they can offer…
"Devin Brumfield is in that mix. He is a big, powerful back that has shown he can make some plays in the Pac-12. You also have Jordan Wilmore who has shown that he can make some plays in the Pac-12 as well. TJ Green he has made some plays, and he has made some plays against the school down south, and has made some plays against Colorado in his time here, so he is a guy that is coming to the party. Ty Jordan has been real explosive throughout camp and it is going the distance, so that is nice to see. Also you have Micah Bernard who is in that mix. He is a hybrid type of player and he can go inside or outside. He can catch the ball and is very athlete. So, those five guys are really in the front seat in terms of who is going to be picked to lead the backfield this season."

On Ty Jordan and what he needs to do to get on the field right away…
"He needs to be consistent. He needs to be able to align, assign, know his responsibilities and physically be able to execute the techniques that I am asking him to do. So, when you get a young guy, one of the most important things is for him to be consistent on a day-to-day basis. You can't just show flashes, it has to be consistent play and he is coming along doing that. As long as he continues to do that, he is going to be on the field for the Utes."

On keeping the running backs room balanced during the competition to find the starter…
"Well first and foremost, it is not about the individual, it is about the team, and it is important to have a strong understanding of that in the room. When it comes to the touches, those guys will earn their touches. Everything is earned, nothing is given here at Utah. You might not be happy about it, but you need to understand it, and that is where the clear communication comes in between the player and coach. I think there is a very clear communication in the running back room because there are so many guys that can play and that can help. Some guys might have packages, some guys might get 3-4 plays, some guys might get 20 carries and some guys might get seven catches. Whatever your role is, you have to be able to attack it and understand that role."

On the challenges of filling Zack Moss's shoes…
"I think these guys learned a lot from Zack. He did a lot of things here, so the shoes are pretty large to fill, but here at Utah it has always been a next man up mentality. Zack had to fill in for Joe Williams, Joe Williams had to fill in for Devontae Booker, so we've always had that mentality and this will be no different. These guys are supremely talented individuals that we have handpicked to play here, so I think they are ready for the challenge. They have to go out there, really get their feet wet, and have an understanding of what it is to be 'the guy.' He shows up every day, banged up, bruised, whatever it may be, you've got to be able to show up, and I think those guys have that understanding. They want that challenge, they feel like they can carry the load, and I am looking forward to them being able to do so."

Devin Brumfield | JR | Running Back

On getting to learn from Zack Moss and what he brings to the table this year…
"What I've learned from Zack is to just stay available and be able to make plays. Just knowing my assignments – he was really good at that – and he also took recovery really seriously, so those are parts of my game that I have been focused on. Making sure I am healthy so that I can go out there and be my best every day."

On what his mindset has been in camp to solidify his spot in the rotation…
"For me, it is just making sure I do what I have to do show the coaches that I can be that guy for them this year. I know the competition is strong in the room and that I could take a step backwards any day, so I have to go out there every day and give my best. I have to prove to the coaches that I'm available and that I can get the job done."

On how he has gone about improving his ability to be shifty on the field…
"It has just been making sure I am doing every little thing correctly. Our strength staff gives us plenty of tools to do those things, so I am just making sure that I am getting those things right. I'm also making sure I talk to Coach Kiel McDonald every day, throughout practice, and giving myself critique to make sure that what he's seeing is what I'm seeing and hopefully that I am doing things right."

On why he came to Utah…
"I chose Utah because the coaching staff is amazing and I knew they would be here for my whole career. The family environment is also amazing. Also to have the opportunity to have a guy like Zack Moss here and get under his wing to figure out what he was able to do to be successful in this program, and I knew he'd have a year with me here at least, so that was a big part of it."

Bryan Thompson | JR | Running Back

On what he has added to his game for this year that will showcase his talent…
"Really I just focus on the open field. Last year I showcased a lot of deep balls with just catching, but this offseason I focused on open field and getting that top speed."

On how the quarterbacks have looked so far in camp…
"They are competing and that is what I love to see. They are competing and getting ready to step in, because they are filling some big shoes. They are coming in and competing to the best of their ability, which I love. Whoever is the quarterback, I really don't care, those balls are still going to come and I trust those guys to put it where it needs to be for me or any other receiver to get the ball."

On the receiving group and if he thinks they will be more of a passing team this year…
"I wouldn't just say we are going to be a passing team because I think we are going to be well-balanced. Coach Andy Ludwig is very smart and he is going to try to personnel our offense based on the defense we play. But I feel like we will pass a little bit more because the wide receiver group has stepped up their game. I took all of those guys under my wing, Solomon and Samson too, we all took those younger guys and have been doing a great job making sure they do everything that we do in this program and follow the rules."

On battling injuries the last few years and how important it is to play the whole season…
"This year, I really took time to study the human body and understand what my body needs. Years prior, I tended to work really hard and not care about my body, but this year I'm taking diet ideas, fasting, anything I can do to be healthy. So, the thing that is on my mind now is making plays when my number is called and do the best I can do. Injuries have been a problem in my career, but I feel like those are long gone."

Orlando Umana | SR | Offensive Line

On the offensive line depth and continuing to create that chemistry…
"Just getting in the film room and knowing the playbook more. We want to be more confident in our plays and continuing to work together."

On replacing Darrin Paulo, Zack Moss and Tyler Huntley…
"Those guys were really good, but you always have guys to fill in spots. We always say next man up when we are here, so I can't wait to see who is the next man up at those positions."

On the difficulties of breaking in a new quarterback…
"Just getting the rhythm of the snap down and then knowing each other's weaknesses and strengths, so it will be a fun opportunity with a new QB."

On the possibilities of it being a bigger year in the passing game and if that presents challenges to the offensive line…
"It will just come down to getting the blitzes down and knowing what protections to do. There is a lot of stuff we have to work on still."