Does the veteran wide receiver have a breakout season this year? https://utah.rivals.com/news/utenation-countdown-to-kickoff-no-21-solomon-enis

As Morgan Scalley said, guys like Cole Bishop make him a better coach. Give it a read…

https://utah.rivals.com/news/utah-s-bishop-knows-he-has-more-to-prove

I anticipated this, but this is great to see. I’m sure they keep it for as long as Jordan and Lowe would have been Utes.

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Said fall camp is going well, transitioning from spring to fall has been good. Focusing on getting better every day as a whole group.

-Coach Powell and Ellis have really pushed them as a group, players like Miki and Gabe who have experience has pushed them as well.

He said making the position change has been good, started the year at 210 and now at 243 pounds

Working on his skills with coaches has made his transition easy.

He said he’s focused on his pass rush and really trying to get off the ball, be sturdier in the run game and working hands.

Utah needs a deep threat to go along with Devaughn Vele. Can Jaylen Dixon be that guy? 25 more days, everyone!

https://utah.rivals.com/news/utenation-countdown-to-kickoff-no-25-jaylen-dixon

Now back and healthy, Marks is set to be a crucial piece to Utah’s secondary, whether he’s starting or not…

https://utah.rivals.com/news/utenation-countdown-to-kickoff-no-23-faybian-marks

-He’s recovering from a torn ACL. He mentioned that he heard his knee pop and he ran off the field. He had no idea what a torn ACL felt like that that even happened.

-He says he’s a full-go.

-The knee is getting better every day. He’s knocking off the rust, getting to know the plays a little more, and just getting more comfortable with being out all of last season. Pointed out that he also didn’t play his high school senior year either because of Covid, so it feels good to get back in the groove of things.

-With the injury happening early in the first game, his mindset went to just learning the plays, trying to point things out to his teammates, and just trying to help from the side as much as he could.

-He’s happy to be back and just trying to do what he can to standout, whether it be defense or special teams.

-The thing he’s most excited for with Florida? All of the fans screaming at him and him just taking it all in.

This is right near where I anticipated them. I had been saying between 6-9, with 7 or 8 being most likely. It’s a well-deserved honor, but the players and coaches know that this poll this early doesn’t really mean a thing.

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Today, let’s talk about some safety depth, with Darrien “Blue” Stewart… 24 more days!

https://utah.rivals.com/news/utenation-countdown-to-kickoff-no-24-darrien-blue-stewart

He said he sped up his recruiting process when he found out he could finish his associates during the summer term instead of fall. After his visit to Utah he knew he wanted play for the Utes.

• Feels like with Coach Scalley and the competitiveness in the safety room if he can get himself established here and learn from the best position and defensive coordinator in the country that will help set him up for success.
• Transitioning he said it’s a lot different, higher speed, higher expectations than JUCO but he’s ready for the challenge and to grow
• Safety Cole Bishop has really helped him as a player

This is pretty cool

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One thing I’ve been told is that Diabate brings a type of swagger that defensive coaches need in at one of their guys. Basically, he knows he’s good, he tells you that, but he’s also going to go get the job done, leading vocally and by example.

Here’s Coon’s feature on the Florida transfer:

https://utah.rivals.com/news/diabate-brings-disruptive-skill-set-to-utah-s-defense

The B1G has eliminated ESPN from its media package. ESPN will need content for all of its slots.

Here’s a longer trailer with some of the guys Mac has mentored as coaches:

“Coach (Mac) was the guy that really broke that barrier here at the University of Utah, and that to this day, the Polynesian athlete is still a huge part of our success.” -Kyle Whittingham

https://www.athletes.tv/videos/e476499f-2c6d-4eb3-92db-629d44959c10

I caught up 1-on-1 with Lander Barton. Here’s what he had to say:
https://utah.rivals.com/news/utah-s-barton-ready-to-carry-on-family-legacy

-Slow start today, but overall a positive day. Need to stay mentally tough and stay locked in.

-Backup QB won’t be decided until at least after the first scrimmage. Ja’Quiden and Bryson are both looking good. Nate Johnson is looking really good. Brandon Rose has the strongest arm, but he’s behind in understanding concepts. Great candidates, just not enough separation right now.

-The biggest keys going forward are having the five starting OL in place, the backup QB, and secondary depth.

-Maile is rusty after missing spring, but he’s doing great.

-Bouwmeester is doing a great job and punting should be much better off, with him. When asked about Williams, Whittingham said he’s two out of only two. (way he sounded, it didn’t sound flattering of Williams)

-TEs aren’t as common anymore, but Utah has two of the best around, with Kuithe and Kincaid. Ludwig’s job is to get the ball to the best playmakers.

-The WRs are coming along. They have the 4-5 proven and need to get up to 8 for traveling.

-Whittingham chose to use the Guardian hats after the NFL instituted that for fall camp. It’s important to minimize concussions and blows to the head.

-They’re getting a lot of national attention and need to be mature enough to handle the expectations. He feels they’re doing a good job of it.

Hi all. I just uploaded a video where I break down our schedule for 2022 and give my (ever so inspired) predictions as to our outcome. Please check it out and like and subscribe and leave your predictions in the comments. Thanks, Ute fam.

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When a conference decides to invite new schools to join does the vote have to be Unanimous

In spring ball, I anticipated Vaki seeing a lot of time in 2022. After a few days of practice, he finds himself in an intense competition for the free safety spot… We’re now 28 days away from kickoff:

https://utah.rivals.com/news/utenation-countdown-to-kickoff-no-28-sione-vaki

Within all of the conversations, one thing is evident, both Sidney Mbanasor at receiver and Clayton Isbel at safety, are making waves. Mbanasor has had some highlight plays and has been tough to cover. Isbel is extremely rangy and “can cover ground like Robert Johnson.”

-Great energy and the team has athleticism and depth at it seems like every position.

-You can tell that there’s been a lot done without the coaches. Most positions are seasoned and know what to expect. That’s how you can tell an okay team from a good team.

-Diabate is savvy. He brings speed and energy, you can tell he was coached up well at Florida.

-Clayton Isbel covers a lot of ground. He’s rangy. The more he understands the scheme, the faster he’s going to play. With his length, he poses some problems.

-Scalley likes the Guardian caps they’re using in practice because it keeps them as fresh and as healthy as possible.

-Lander Barton is a lot more confident and you can tell that within his communication with the other backers. He’s much more confident.

-Fillinger is a guy that they now EXPECT him to make plays.

-Bishop is one that makes you a better coach. He’s a student of the game and a great ambassador for the U.

-He’s happy to have his corners back and healthy.

-There’s 6-7 DEs that can play significant reps. They have more speed off the edge than they’ve had. Scalley mentioned the typical of the group, but also mentioned freshman Chase Kennedy having a great future.

Get ready for a fun fall camp battle:

https://utah.rivals.com/news/utes-fall-camp-preview-linebackers