Utah Football 2023 Preseason Camp Set To Start Monday

With the 2023 season opener 32 days away, the back-to-back Pac-12 Champs are set to hit the gridiron for preseason camp on Monday, July 31 to start prepping for the year. Preseason camp, or "Camp Kyle", begins on Monday and runs all the way till the start of school with practices being close to the public.

Fans can follow along on social media and on UtahUtes.com with behind the scenes content being loaded each week. Below, the 2023 season outlook breaks down each position with thoughts from the Utah Man himself, head coach Kyle Whittingham.

QUARTERBACKS
With the return of captain Cameron Rising for his senior season, the Utah quarterback room is looking versatile, confident and hungry entering the 2023 season. Andy Ludwig, Utah's quarterback coach and offensive coordinator, enters his fifth year in his second stint with the Utes and is ready to lead the group to new heights this season.

NOTABLE RETURNERS
Bryson Barnes | 6-1, 209, Jr. | Milford, Utah | Played in 10 games in 2022, 37-of-57 for 430 yds (4 TD)
Nate Johnson | 6-1, 195, R-Fr. | Clovis, Calif. | Played in 4 games in 2022, 5 rushes for 51 yds and 2 TDs
Cameron Rising | 6-2, 220, Sr. | Ventura, Calif. | 2-Time All-Pac-12, MVP of Pac-12 title game in 2022
Brandon Rose | 6-2, 210, R-Fr. | Temecula, Calif. | 3-star pro-style QB that earned Southwestern League MVP in 2021

SELECT NEWCOMERS
Mack Howard | 6-2, 189, Fr. | Columbus, Miss. | Joined the Utes in the spring of 2023, 3-star QB with 93 TDs in HS

WHITTINGHAM'S THOUGHTS
"Having Cam Rising back for his senior season is a great starting point for our football team. Along with being a tremendous player, Cam brings leadership skills and swagger to the field each day. We have other young, talented QB's in the program that bring energy and depth to the position and we are eager to see the competition for the No. 2 and No. 3 spots unfold during fall camp."

OFFENSIVE LINE
Blocking for an offense that ranked in the top-15 in the nation last year in rushing offense and scoring offense, plus 17th in total offense, the Utah offensive line returns three of its five starters in Keaton Bills, Sataoa Laumea and Michael Mokofisi. Mixed in with the talented veterans will be a pair of four-star recruits and several hungry newcomers that are ready to earn their spot in the trenches.

NOTABLE RETURNERS
Keaton Bills | 6-4, 316, Jr. | Draper, Utah | All-Pac-12 in 2022, 33 career games with 25 starts (all at LG)
Kolinu'u Faaiu | 6-3, 326, So. | Edmonds, Wash. | Played in 5 games in 2022
Falcon Kaumatule | 6-8, 304, Jr. | Las Vegas, Nev. | 25 career games at Utah
Jaren Kump | 6-5, 308, Jr. | Riverton, Utah | 22 career games with 11 starts (7 at RT, 3 at LT, 1 at RG)
Sataoa Laumea | 6-4, 311, Jr. | Rialto, Calif. | 3-time All-Pac-12, 33 career games with 31 starts (19 at RG, 13 at RT)
Johnny Maea | 6-4, 310, Sr. | Salt Lake City, Utah | 24 career games as a Ute with 2 starts at guard
Michael Mokofisi | 6-4, 320, So. | Woods Cross, Utah | 13 starts as a redshirt freshman in 2022 (12 at RG, 1 at LG)
Tanoa Togiai | 6-6, 316, So. | Rigby, Idaho | 13 career games at Utah, including 11 in 2022
Zereoue Williams | 6-8, 310, So. | Phoenix, Ariz. | 16 career games as a Ute, including in all 14 in 2022

SELECT NEWCOMERS
Spencer Fano | 6-5, 300, Fr. | Spanish Fork, Utah | HS All-American, 4-star recruit rated the No. 12 OT in the country
Caleb Lomu | 6-5, 290, Fr. | Gilbert, Ariz. | 4-star recruit rated the No. 21 OT in the country
Solatoa Moea'i | 6-5, 338, Fr. | Laie, Hawaii | 3-star recruit returned from mission, All-State as a senior

WHITTINGHAM'S THOUGHTS
"As seems to be the case every year, we expect our offensive line to be a strong suit for us. Despite losing two starters, we feel we have more depth and talent returning this season at this position than maybe ever before. Along with Keaton Bills, Sataoa Laumea and Michael Mokofisi, we have several players that have been waiting behind NFL talent for their shot along with newcomers eager to show what they are capable of."

RUNNING BACKS
After Utah rushed for 3,047 yards and a school record 38 touchdowns in 2022, Utah returns 69-percent of its running back production this season, including quarterback turned running back Ja'Quinden Jackson. With the combination of Jackson, swiss army knife Micah Bernard and power runner Jaylon Glover, along with the return of Chris Curry and newcomers Mike Mitchell and Dijon Stanley, the Utah running back room looks primed to continue the tradition of being one of the best rushing offenses in the Pac-12.

NOTABLE RETURNERS
Micah Bernard | 6-0, 201, Jr. | Long Beach, Calif. | 37 career games with 12 starts, 6 games in 2022 with 70+ AP yds
Chris Curry | 5-11, 220, Sr. | Fort Myers, Fla. | Won a CFP Championship with LSU in 2019
Jaylon Glover | 5-8, 205, So. | Lakeland, Fla. | Played in 9 games in 2022, 360 yds on 78 rushes (4 TDs)
Ja'Quinden Jackson | 6-2, 228, So. | Dallas, Texas | Transitioned to RB in week 4 of 2022, ending the year with 9 TDs

SELECT NEWCOMERS
Mike Mitchell | 6-0, 202, Fr. | Orange Park, Fla. | 4-star recruit, rated the No. 16 running back in the country
Dijon Stanley | 6-0, 175, Fr. | Granada Hills, Calif. | LA Times Player of the Year in 2022, rated No. 28 athlete in the nation

WHITTINGHAM'S THOUGHTS
"We have had a long standing tradition of producing extremely productive and physical running backs, and this year will be no different. The level of versatility in the running back room this season gives us multiple weapons on the field with proven commodities Ja'Quinden Jackson, Micah Bernard and Jaylon Glover all returning. We are also eager to see the return of Chris Curry along with a mix of highly recruited newcomers hitting the field in fall camp."

WIDE RECEIVERS
One of the most diverse groups for the Utes in 2023, the wide receiver group brings a talented and lengthy group of wideouts to the field this season. The group is led by speedy and athletic juniors Devaughn Vele and Money Parks with a mixture of youth in returners Makai Cope and Munir McClain along with newcomers Mikey Matthews and Dadrien Zipperer ready to contribute right away.

NOTABLE RETURNERS
Makai Cope | 6-3, 200, So. | Culver City, Calif. | Played in 13 games with 3 starts in 2022, had a 21-yd TD vs. Colorado
Sidney Mbanasor | 6-5, 214, R-Fr. | Pflugerville, Texas | Redshirted in 2022, 3-star recruit out of HS
Munir McClain | 6-4, 217, Jr. | Atlanta, Ga. | Making switch back to WR, played in 9 games in 2022 at TE
Money Parks | 5-10, 175, Jr. | Aledo, Texas | 414 receiving yds on 26 catches in 2022 (2 TDs)
Devaughn Vele | 6-5, 210, Jr. | San Diego, Calif. | All-Pac-12 in 2022 with 55 catches for 695 yds (5 TDs)

SELECT NEWCOMERS
Mikey Matthews | 5-8, 180, Fr. | Irvine, Calif. | Joined the Utes in the spring of 2023, 4-star recruit, 3-time MVP
Daidren Zipperer | 6-0, 175, Fr. | Lakeland, Fla. | 3-star recruit, led HS team to state championship in 2022

WHITTINGHAM'S THOUGHTS
"We rely on our receiver group to not only be effective as pass catchers and route runners, but also physical blockers as well. We need our receiver group to continue to develop that big play mentality this fall with Devaughn Vele and Money Parks leading the way. Devaughn's length and athleticism combined with Money's explosiveness and speed on the outside should provide our offense with multiple weapons on the field at any time."

TIGHT ENDS
Housing the only active three-time All-Pac-12 tight end in the conference, "Tight End U" brings back All-American Brant Kuithe to the field this fall to lead a group of diverse and athletic tight ends that will serve as weapons at every position on the field. Kuithe will be joined by rugby turned football star Thomas Yassmin as its two-headed monster with defensive end Miki Suguturaga making the switch to tight end in the spring to give the room even more depth.

NOTABLE RETURNERS
Brant Kuithe | 6-2, 229, R-Sr. | Katy, Texas | Three-time All-Pac-12, 148 career catches for 1,882 yards
Thomas Yassmin | 6-5, 251, Sr. | Sydney, Australia | Scored five of his six TDs in 2022 in the final six games

SELECT NEWCOMERS
Landen King | 6-5, 225, So. | Beaumont, Texas | Transfer from Auburn, No. 9 TE recruit nationally out of HS

WHITTINGHAM'S THOUGHTS
"Returning a proven commodity like Brant Kuithe to the field will be a key factor for our offense this year. Brant presents a tough matchup for any defense and has the ability to line up in multiple positions and be successful. We are also eager to see Thomas Yassmin continue his progression towards being a consistent threat for us, along with the newcomers learning the system and fitting into our already strong tight end legacy here."

DEFENSIVE LINE
In a position group that consistently pumps out NFL talent each year, the Utah defensive line room will continue to fit that legacy with speed and size returning at both the defensive end and defensive tackle spots. The room is led by Junior Tafuna with Van Fillinger, Jonah Elliss and Connor O'Toole providing quickness from the outside along with newcomers Logan Fano and Jonah Lea'ea eager to earn playing time this fall.

NOTABLE RETURNERS
Jonah Elliss, DE | 6-2, 246, Jr. | Moscow, Idaho | All-Pac-12 in 2022 after posting 26 tackles (6.0 TFL)
Van Fillinger, DE | 6-4, 260, Jr. | Draper, Utah | Had team-high 5.0 sacks in 2022 before season-ending injury
Connor O'Toole, DE | 6-4, 251, Jr. | Albuquerque, N.M. | Led all DL in 2022 with 41 tackles (4.0 TFL) in first year on defense
Simote Pepa, DT | 6-3, 330, So. | South Jordan, Utah | Freshman All-American in 2022, 27 tackles (6.0 TFL, 4.0 sacks)
Junior Tafuna, DT | 6-3, 310, Jr. | Taylorsville, Utah | All-Pac-12 in 2022, 27 career games with 25 consecutive starts
Aliki Vimahi, DT | 6-4, 310, Jr. | Kahuku, Hawai'i | Played in all 14 games in 2022 with 9 starts

SELECT NEWCOMERS
Logan Fano, DE | 6-4, 246, Fr. | Spanish Fork, Utah | Two-time all-state, all-region and all-valley as a four-star recruit
Jonah Lea'ea, DE | 6-5, 240, Fr. | San Mateo, Calif. | Three-star recruit out of Bishop Gorman, Rated No. 10 in Nevada

WHITTINGHAM'S THOUGHTS
"The depth and leadership we have at both defensive end and tackle will play a key part in our defensive scheme this season with Junior Tafuna leading the way. His ability to lead by example and be a consistent voice for the defense this year will be important with newcomers at both positions looking to earn playing time. Along with Tafuna, we have DT's Simote Pepa and Aliki Vimahi and DE's Connor O'Toole, Van Fillinger and Jonah Elliss all looking to make an impact once again, giving us speed and power coming off the edge."

LINEBACKERS
After bringing in new faces during a competitive 2022 season, the Utah linebacker group returns experience and leadership in All-Pac-12 selection Karene Reid and 2022 Pac-12 Freshman Defensive Player of the Year Lander Barton. The duo will lead a talented and hungry group of youth in true freshman Owen Chambliss and returned missionary Sione Fotu, along with returning production from Justin Medlock and Hayden Furey to round out a solid linebacker room.

NOTABLE RETURNERS
Lander Barton | 6-4, 242, So. | Cottonwood Heights, Utah | Freshman All-America in 2022 with 46 tackles (8.0 TFL, 4.5 sacks)
Sione Fotu | 6-0, 226, Fr. | West Jordan, Utah | Played in 5 games in 2020 before leaving on a church mission
Hayden Furey | 6-2, 232, Sr. | Saratoga Springs, Utah | Has played in 35 games after starting his career as a walk-on in 2019
Justin Medlock | 6-0, 220, R-Fr. | Missouri City, Texas | Played in five games in 2022, three-star recruit out of HS
Karene Reid | 6-0, 227, Jr. | American Fork, Utah | All-Pac-12 in 2022 with 72 tackles (9.5 TFL, 5.0 sacks)

SELECT NEWCOMERS
Owen Chambliss | 6-3, 230, Fr. | Corona, Calif. | Three-star recruit out of HS, earned All-CIF and League MVP

WHITTINGHAM'S THOUGHTS
"Last year, our linebackers were our least-experienced group heading into the season, but returners Karene Reid and Lander Barton led the charge and continued the upward trajectory that the linebacker position is known for each year at Utah. We also return former starter Sione Fotu coming off of a church mission to show the newcomers and youth in the room what it means to be a linebacker at Utah and to continue that strong culture moving forward."

CORNERBACKS
Even though Utah fans won't see unanimous All-American Clark Phillips III on the field this fall after being selected in the 2023 NFL Draft, Utah's cornerback room won't be short on experience with starters JaTravis Broughton and Zemaiah Vaughn returning to give the Utes length and speed on both sides. Adding in newcomer and graduate transfer Miles Battle to the mix with highly recruited freshmen in CJ Blocker and Smith Snowden, the cornerback group will be eager to show its worth this year.

NOTABLE RETURNERS
JaTravis Broughton | 5-11, 190, Sr. | Tulsa, Okla. | 35 career games with 18 starts, recorded 46 tackles in 2022
Faybian Marks | 5-10, 191, Jr. | Richmond, Texas | 10 GP in 2021 (7 starts) before injury, 6 games played in 2022
Zemaiah Vaughn | 6-2, 185, Jr. | Beaumont, Texas | Former walk-on that has played in 31 career games, 9 PBUs in 2022

SELECT NEWCOMERS
Miles Battle | 6-4, 205, Sr. | Houston, Texas | Played in 45 career games at Ole Miss from 2018-22
CJ Blocker | 6-0, 175, Fr. | Houston, Texas | Four-star recruit, rated the No. 17 CB in the country
Smith Snowden | 5-10, 180, Fr. | Lehi, Utah | Four-star recruit, 2022 Deseret News Mr. Football

WHITTINGHAM'S THOUGHTS
"After losing team captain and unanimous All-American Clark Phillips III, our cornerback room will be looking for a new leader to step into those shoes. Senior JaTravis Broughton has been a consistent performer for us on the field along with Zemaiah Vaughn. Transfer Miles Battle had a promising spring and we also will be welcoming several talented freshmen that will be eager to earn playing time."

SAFETIES
With the emergence of Cole Bishop as a team captain and leader on the defense, the Utes will look to him to anchor a safety group that has a mix of experienced youth and returners looking to make an immediate impact. Sione Vaki is fresh off a freshman campaign that put him in the starting lineup with returned missionary Nate Ritchie back in Salt Lake City after starting all five games in 2020 as a true freshman. The group will be joined by newcomer Johnathan Hall, who joined the team in the spring to gain valuable experience heading into the fall.

NOTABLE RETURNERS
Cole Bishop | 6-2, 207, Jr. | Peachtree City, Ga. | Two-time All-Pac-12, 24 career games with 19 starts
Nate Ritchie | 6-2, 205, Fr. | Cedar Hills, Utah | Led secondary in 2020 with 28 tackles (4.0 TFL)
Sione Vaki | 6-0, 208, So. | Antioch, Calif. | 41 tackles (3.5 TFL) as a true freshman in 2022

SELECT NEWCOMERS
Johnathan Hall | 6-0, 217, Fr. | Katy, Texas | Three-star recruit, District Defensive Player of the Year as a senior

WHITTINGHAM'S THOUGHTS
"Our safety position returns some of the top secondary talent in the Pac-12 with Cole Bishop being a proven leader and performer on defense. He will be joined by Sione Vaki and Nate Ritchie, who both had outstanding freshmen seasons with Ritchie returning from a mission after starting all five games in 2020 and Vaki starting five of the last seven games in 2022."

SPECIALISTS
A group with a rich tradition, the Utes are looking to continue to protect the legacy that has been a successful special teams unit each and every year. The Utes will return their punter in Jack Bouwmeester and snapper in JT Greep, adding transfer from Colorado Cole Becker to be the main placekicker.

NOTABLE RETURNERS
Jack Bouwmeester, P | 6-2, 202, So. | Bendigo, Australia | Played in all 14 games in 2022, averaging 39.2 yards per punt
JT Greep, SN | 6-0, 227, Jr. | Glendora, Calif. | Tallied 124 snaps in 2022 (40 punt, 14 FG, 70 PAT)

SELECT NEWCOMERS
Cole Becker, K | 6-3, 232, Jr. | Roseville, Calif. | 25 made FGs at Colorado from 2021-22, ranking seventh all-time

WHITTINGHAM'S THOUGHTS
"For years we have prided ourselves on having a strong special teams unit from punting to kicking to our return game, and this year we are looking to get back on track with the addition of Cole Becker as our primary placekicker. He will be joined by Australian punter Jack Bouwmeester, who has continued to improve since arriving on campus a year ago and our talented primary returner from last season, Devaughn Vele, who demonstrated his big play ability in 2022."

Upcoming Event: Football versus Arizona State on October 11, 2025

Upcoming Event: Football at No. 25 BYU on October 18, 2025

Upcoming Event: Football versus Colorado on October 25, 2025

Upcoming Event: Football versus Cincinnati on November 1, 2025

Upcoming Event: Football at Baylor on November 15, 2025

Upcoming Event: Football versus Kansas State on November 22, 2025

Upcoming Event: Football at Kansas on November 28, 2025 at 10 a.m.

Upcoming Event: Football versus Idaho on September 3, 2026

Upcoming Event: Football versus Arkansas on September 12, 2026

Completed Event: Football at West Virginia on September 27, 2025 , Win , 48, to, 14

Completed Event: Football versus No. 17 Texas Tech on September 20, 2025 , Loss , 10, to, 34

Completed Event: Football at Wyoming on September 13, 2025 , Win , 31, to, 6

Completed Event: Football versus Cal Poly on September 6, 2025 , Win , 63, to, 9

Completed Event: Football at UCLA on August 30, 2025 , Win , 43, to, 10

Completed Event: Football at UCF on November 29, 2024 , Win , 28, to, 14

Completed Event: Football versus #22 Iowa State on November 23, 2024 , Loss , 28, to, 31

Completed Event: Football at #17 Colorado on November 16, 2024 , Loss , 24, to, 49

Completed Event: Football versus #9 BYU on November 9, 2024 , Loss , 21, to, 22

Utah Football 2023 Preseason Camp Set To Start Monday

Players Mentioned

Bryson Barnes

Lander Barton

Miles Battle

Cole Becker

Micah Bernard

Keaton Bills

Cole Bishop

CJ Blocker

Jack Bouwmeester

JaTravis Broughton

Owen Chambliss

Makai Cope

Chris Curry

Jonah Elliss

Kolinu'u Faaiu

Logan Fano

Spencer Fano

Van Fillinger

Sione Fotu

Hayden Furey

Jaylon Glover

JT Greep

Johnathan Hall

Mack Howard

Ja'Quinden Jackson

Nate Johnson

Falcon Kaumatule

Landen King

Brant Kuithe

Jaren Kump

Sataoa Laumea

Jonah Lea'ea

Caleb Lomu

Johnny Maea

Faybian Marks

Mikey Matthews

Sidney Mbanasor

Munir McClain

Justin Medlock

Mike Mitchell

Solatoa Moea'i

Michael Mokofisi

Connor O'Toole

Money Parks

Simote Pepa

Clark Phillips III

Karene Reid

Cameron Rising

Nate Ritchie

Brandon Rose

Smith Snowden

Dijon Stanley

Miki Suguturaga

Junior Tafuna

Tanoa Togiai

Sione Vaki

Zemaiah Vaughn

Devaughn Vele

Aliki Vimahi

Zereoue Williams