2022 Football Fall Camp: Hitting the Home Stretch

2022 Football Fall Camp - Defensive Line

2022 Football Fall Camp: Hitting the Home Stretch

8/15/2022 7:00 PM | Football

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Countdown is at 19 days before the Utes battle Florida in The Swamp

SALT LAKE CITY – The final week of Fall camp has arrived for the Utah football program, with the Utes now sitting just 19 days out from a Sept. 3 matchup at Florida. The squad is coming off of its first scrimmage this past Saturday inside Rice-Eccles Stadium and returned to the practice field on a hot Monday afternoon in the Salt Lake Valley.

Saturday's scrimmage gave the newest Utes their first taste of snaps inside Utah's home confines and was a welcome return to the facility for the seasoned vets of the squad. Energy was high and competition strong in all three phases, as position battles continue and players jostle for a spot on the first two-deep of the season.

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"This team's worked hard all camp long," said head coach Kyle Whittingham. "I like where we are right now. We've got a long ways to go, obviously. But we're in good position right now [being] 11 days into camp."

Before the Utes took to the practice field Monday afternoon, the Associated Press released its preseason Top 25 poll and slotted Utah in the No. 7 spot—the highest among teams in the Pac-12 Conference. But there was no fanfare with that announcement—just another day of business as usual as the Utes march forward toward the season opener.

"We just go about our business and don't pay much attention to that," Whittingham said. "We don't pay any attention to it actually."

Monday was an offensive media availability day and the defense will follow on Tuesday. A collection of camp quotes from both the Utah coaches and student-athletes is available here.

QUOTEABLES – HEAD COACH KYLE WHITTINGHAM
On the offensive line coming together…
"It's coming along. It's not a situation where we're looking for someone who can get it done. We've got several guys who can get it done. We're just trying to see who's going to be the [guys] that take ownership of the positions."

On the backup quarterback situation…
"[Bryson Barnes and Ja'Quinden Jackson] both had outstanding scrimmages. They're the two guys who are competing. It's down to them exclusively for the No. 2 guy. We'll have an answer coming out of the next scrimmage on Saturday."

On who stood out in the scrimmage…
"Sataoa Laumea was good, Mohamoud Diabate played exceptional. Cole Bishop. Money Parks is really starting to do some good things. That's been maybe one of the brightest spots of camp is the way [Money] has stepped up and elevated his game."

On the punt return unit and who could possibly step in for Britain Covey…
"We'll find out. Devaughn Vele is taking reps back there. Money Parks is taking reps. Jaylen Dixon, Clark Phillips III. You've got four or five guys competing. There's not one guy that's really just said 'hey, I'm the guy' and taken charge. But we've got four or five good options and we hope to continue to nail that down."

QUOTEABLES – OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR and QBs COACH ANDY LUDWIG
On the first scrimmage…
"There were a lot of positives coming out of the first scrimmage and we generated some explosive plays and took care of the football."

On the offensive line…
"The group up front is solid. We have a good combination of guys and a couple of spots still up for grabs. They are grinding their way through it and it's a very competitive situation and I think its bringing out the best in the Utes. We are in a good situation on the offensive line with depth and we are going to be better for it."

Depth in the running back room…
"We need every running back on the roster ready to play and in this offense its such a vocal point on what we do and Jaylon [Glover] adds a different element to the group. To be able to intermix the players within the flow of the game a real benefit to keep the defense off balance."

NEXT UP
Time is ticking down as Utah prepares to head to The Swamp in Gainesville, Florida, on Saturday, Sept. 3 to take on the Florida Gators. The game will air at 5 p.m. MT on ESPN.

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