Here’s what Scalley had to say when him and the other assistants had their media availability:
-No pads on yet so it tough to tell who they are. The returners have made some nice strength gains.
-Scalley says he’s excited for the depth at corner, but they’ve got to put the pads on and see how physical they can be. Miles Battle has been everything they expected so far and it looks like Tao Johnson and Elijah “Scooby” Davis look like they’ll provide nice depth.
-The progress of the interior line looks promising. Fotu is someone they’ve really come along and he looks really good right now. Same with Keanu Tanuvasa. Add them to Vimahi, Tafuna and Pepa, and that’s a pretty solid group.
-In this league, it’s not just “who is starting.” You have to have depth. Injuries are going to happen and the second or third guy has got to help you win football games. Scalley believes CJ Blocker and Smith Snowden can both come in in the fall and play meaningful reps. Depth is a huge part of winning championships
-They’re definitely more experienced at linebacker. Lander had made a ton of progress in the weight room and he’s faster and has learned the defense. You’ve got Karene Reid as well, and Justin Medlock is really coming into his own. Then there’s Levani Damuni transferring after spring and Sione Fotu back off his mission. There’s a lot of depth here, and smart tough guys who can communicate with the defense and run the show.
-Scheme doesn’t win you football games. Behavior does. There were certain things from last year that they needed to be better at like press-man inside hands with the defensive line, tackling better. It’s a lot about fundamentals.
-Spring is a lot about individual development periods and drills than it is team football.
-Sione Vaki and Cole Bishop are as solid as can be. Playing free safety is so much about your ability to get from sideline to sideline. It’s not as much about 40 speed as it is your ability to plant your foot and go. Bishop and Vaki have that. Nate Ritchie will have the ability to do that. Spring will be about developing that in guys like Pearson and Stewart. They’ll definitely miss Clayton Isbell and wish him the best.
-Phillips was a great leader and Utah is fortunate to have great leaders in place already with Broughton and Vaughn. They’ve stepped up and they’re ready. They’re experienced. Leadership is about owning your role and others will follow.
-No pads on yet so it tough to tell who they are. The returners have made some nice strength gains.
-Scalley says he’s excited for the depth at corner, but they’ve got to put the pads on and see how physical they can be. Miles Battle has been everything they expected so far and it looks like Tao Johnson and Elijah “Scooby” Davis look like they’ll provide nice depth.
-The progress of the interior line looks promising. Fotu is someone they’ve really come along and he looks really good right now. Same with Keanu Tanuvasa. Add them to Vimahi, Tafuna and Pepa, and that’s a pretty solid group.
-In this league, it’s not just “who is starting.” You have to have depth. Injuries are going to happen and the second or third guy has got to help you win football games. Scalley believes CJ Blocker and Smith Snowden can both come in in the fall and play meaningful reps. Depth is a huge part of winning championships
-They’re definitely more experienced at linebacker. Lander had made a ton of progress in the weight room and he’s faster and has learned the defense. You’ve got Karene Reid as well, and Justin Medlock is really coming into his own. Then there’s Levani Damuni transferring after spring and Sione Fotu back off his mission. There’s a lot of depth here, and smart tough guys who can communicate with the defense and run the show.
-Scheme doesn’t win you football games. Behavior does. There were certain things from last year that they needed to be better at like press-man inside hands with the defensive line, tackling better. It’s a lot about fundamentals.
-Spring is a lot about individual development periods and drills than it is team football.
-Sione Vaki and Cole Bishop are as solid as can be. Playing free safety is so much about your ability to get from sideline to sideline. It’s not as much about 40 speed as it is your ability to plant your foot and go. Bishop and Vaki have that. Nate Ritchie will have the ability to do that. Spring will be about developing that in guys like Pearson and Stewart. They’ll definitely miss Clayton Isbell and wish him the best.
-Phillips was a great leader and Utah is fortunate to have great leaders in place already with Broughton and Vaughn. They’ve stepped up and they’re ready. They’re experienced. Leadership is about owning your role and others will follow.
