2023 Camp Kyle: Hear it From the Players (Week 1)

Logan Fano and Junior Tafuna - Fall Camp 2023

Photo by: Eli Rehmer/Utah Athletics

2023 Camp Kyle: Hear it From the Players (Week 1)

8/2/2023 6:12 PM | Football

SALT LAKE CITY – The sights and sounds of the gridiron are back in full swing as the Utah Football program finished its third practice of Fall Camp on Wednesday. The players started off with film and positional meetings, before heading out to the field.

With three practices now in the books, the competition level is high and position battles are underway across offense, defense and special teams. Newcomers are settling into the daily routine of a Utah Football student-athlete while the returners are providing valuable leadership on and off the field.

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The dividends paid from that leadership include hitting the ground running coming into camp—something Cameron Rising attributed to extra work that the players put in on their own throughout the Summer.

"We didn't really skip a beat going from Summer and into camp," said the senior quarterback. "A lot of guys knew what was going on and what we needed to get done. That's why we're looking so good right now."

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— Landen King (@Landen_King3) August 2, 2023

Preseason accolades continue to roll in for the Utes. Cole Bishop and Junior Tafuna were named to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List on Tuesday, and the Outland Trophy announced its Watch List with the Utah trio of Tafuna and offensive linemen Keaton Bills and Sataoa Laumea. For the latest on preseason honors for the Utes, check back regularly on the awards tracker.

Wednesday's practice also gave the local media their first chance of camp to visit with the players.

HEAR IT FROM THE PLAYERS
Karene Reid | Jr. | LB
On the competition in the linebacker room…
"It's been good. There's a lot of good ball being played in the linebacker room. Honestly, at the end of the day it makes us all that much better."

On adding Levani Damuni into the room…
"This is two years in a row that we've added transfer linebackers. I've noticed that they don't need too much technique taught. It's all scheme. Levani does a lot of great things right. He's a big body and he's very smart. I've been very impressed with him."

On the progress of the defensive line…
"They're doing amazing. They make (the linebackers) look good. I think, too many times, we get too much credit when the d-line does most of the work. Levani Damuni's been saying since he got here that it's crazy to play behind these guys…he really opened my eyes and I'm grateful for that."

On being selected for various preseason awards…
"I appreciate that they recognize my work and my talent. But I'm really focused on today and tomorrow, and what I can do to get better."

Cameron Rising | Sr. | QB
Where do you feel like you're at rehab-wise?
"I'm feeling as normal as I've been in a while. That's a positive right there."

Outside of rehab, what things did you focus on this Summer?
"Just making sure I'm working on my accuracy in certain ways, changing my throwing motion just a little bit—not too much…just to get more shoulder mobility (in my motion). Hopefully that will lead to more velocity and farther throws."

On newcomers that are standing out in the wide receiver room…
"They're looking great right now. Mikey Matthews has been doing his thing. Mycah Pittman is looking good. (Devaughn) Vele is still Vele. The whole room's been doing very well. Just have to keep it rolling."

What do Mycah Pittman and Emery Simmons do so well?
"For Mycah, his choice routes and catching the ball underneath is world-class. I think he's one of the better (receivers) in the nation. When he gets the ball, he kind of turns into a running back. Emery is kind of a jack of all trades. He can run over the top, do everything and get open on his routes. Excited to have both of them."

On Thomas Yassmin…
"I think he's just got that confidence. He knows what type of player he is, and that he can be. He's trying to reach for the sky and do everything he possibly can to make sure he's ready to go."

On assessing the rest of the quarterback room…
"They're looking good. Ever since Spring, they've had the utmost confidence. That's been a positive. They're flying around, making plays. You can tell they're a lot more relaxed in the pocket. Just got to keep building on that."

Junior Tafuna | Jr. | DT
On how the first few days are going…
"It's been fun. Definitely one of my favorite Fall camps by far. Third one's a charm. It's feeling good, feeling amazing. We've got a whole lot of depth up front. We're just excited every day and taking the mindset of getting better than the day before. It's been great."

On how the group has progressed since Spring…
"We have great depth. Everyone's contributing to where we can be, whether (each guy) is a pass rusher, run stopper, everyone's kind of filling in the gaps and being selfless. That's the team mentality up front."

On what adjustments the group has made entering year two with DT coach Luther Elliss…
"I'd say one of the big changes is just body weight. Honestly, the scheme hasn't changed that much. It's just more about being better technicians. Being more stout in gaps, being better on the pass rush. Just being better players so we can perform."

Devaughn Vele | Jr. | WR
On Mycah Pittman and Emery Simmons…
"They're really big competitors. They're always asking questions in the meeting rooms. Today, Mycah had a heck of a day. Emery's coming along too understanding the playbook. Because we have a pro style offense, they're not used to the audibles and checks and all that we have. But they're asking a lot of questions—they're asking the right questions—and I think they're going in the right direction."

On how his leadership has grown…
"I'm not one of those guys that talks a lot. You won't see me batting my head, pumping my chest, yelling things in practice. But I talk to a lot of guys on the sideline and tell them little things here and there. Just making sure they're understanding the culture that we have here. Things that have worked out for me and other guys, I want the same for them…they're the future. They need to buy into this culture that we have and understand their role in this offense."

On what wide receivers coach Alvis Whitted brings to the group…
"(He's) amazing. Having that NFL experience both as a player and a coach, he helps us understand things. The biggest thing that stands out to me is coverages. I already know the playbook like the back of my hand, but now the game slows down because now I understand the coverages. I understand what the defense is doing, understand where the zones and soft spots are. He helps me understand that. It's great having that veteran leadership. Him having that NFL experience as well, he knows how to talk to us. He knows how to handle the different characteristics that each guy has. Not everybody's going to be the same. I'm grateful to have him as a coach."

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COMING SOON
The Utes will open 2023 at home, hosting the Florida Gators on Thursday, Aug. 31 in Rice-Eccles Stadium at 6 p.m. MT on ESPN. The game against the Gators will be a Red Out with fans encouraged to wear red.