Here’s a bulleted breakdown of Whittingham‘s responses today, Beck and Scalley will be coming, as well. Please forgive any typos.
-They have about a 50% roster makeover with 30 mid year additions and 12-15 more coming for summer.
-He knows all schools say it, but he felt like their portal additions were not positive.
-Whittingham is excited for the new coaching additions. Beck brings virtual schemes and the goal in Whittingham’s mind is to be 3500 yards passing and 2500 yards rushing on the season, which off the top of his head he said New Mexico was near this last season. Atuaia brings a ton of energy into the building. (Alex note: this is something I’ve heard a bunch lately and that it’s revived Whittingham‘s love for being in the building.)
-Wilson is the only returning scholarship quarterback. Rising is not listed on the spring roster and he will announce any of his intentions at the time that he chooses.
-He feels like they’re in really good shape now in the quarterback room, but then he did say that they felt the same way last year and then suddenly were on their fifth string quarterback. Whittingham is extremely excited on what Dampier brings to the table and what they could do with him within the offense.
-With no returners in the running back room, Whittingham is eager to see how it shakes out in the spring. They will likely add one more to the room during the spring portal period.
-Whittingham spoke very briefly on Tanuvasa and Calhoun. Basically saying they’re both very good players that just chose to go elsewhere. He made a comment that Calhoun would be in the mix for a starting spot, but also didn’t acknowledge that he would be a starter had he returned.
-Beck is a really good judge of talent, known for tweaking things to his personnel in a spread system.
-As it currently stands, whittingham has heard some schools have $30 million yearly in NIL funds while others have $5 million. It’s quite the discrepancy.
-Utah uses a NFL system with waiting the value of the position groups for the money, for the most part. It stays true to it, but there are some exceptions and outliers.
-With the loss of Tanuvasa, Utah has three returning defensive tackles, and four freshmen coming in. They really like all of the three returners. Vimahi was able to get an extra year. Vakalahi has it really bright future, and Jonah Lea’ea he’s finally been able to get enough necessary weight put on to where they’re really intrigued by his future at the position. (Alex note: as I’ve been saying, Tanuvasa is definitely a loss, but Utah is gonna be absolutely fine at that position.)
-The dual-threat capabilities of Dampier are huge. His completion percentage should continue to increase with the more experience that he’s gained. He’s the perfect fit for the current offense, and the fact that he was only sacked four times last year because of his pocket presence and elusiveness, is pretty incredible.
-Despite no returners in the running back room, Whittingham still has full expectations that that position will be efficient at Utah, just like it always has been.
-They’re eagerly awaiting the appeal decision that Dorian Singer has submitted. The NCAA has been weighing the five years of eligibility with no red shirt rolling and so it could come down to when they decide to implement that and if it’s retroactive.
-They have about a 50% roster makeover with 30 mid year additions and 12-15 more coming for summer.
-He knows all schools say it, but he felt like their portal additions were not positive.
-Whittingham is excited for the new coaching additions. Beck brings virtual schemes and the goal in Whittingham’s mind is to be 3500 yards passing and 2500 yards rushing on the season, which off the top of his head he said New Mexico was near this last season. Atuaia brings a ton of energy into the building. (Alex note: this is something I’ve heard a bunch lately and that it’s revived Whittingham‘s love for being in the building.)
-Wilson is the only returning scholarship quarterback. Rising is not listed on the spring roster and he will announce any of his intentions at the time that he chooses.
-He feels like they’re in really good shape now in the quarterback room, but then he did say that they felt the same way last year and then suddenly were on their fifth string quarterback. Whittingham is extremely excited on what Dampier brings to the table and what they could do with him within the offense.
-With no returners in the running back room, Whittingham is eager to see how it shakes out in the spring. They will likely add one more to the room during the spring portal period.
-Whittingham spoke very briefly on Tanuvasa and Calhoun. Basically saying they’re both very good players that just chose to go elsewhere. He made a comment that Calhoun would be in the mix for a starting spot, but also didn’t acknowledge that he would be a starter had he returned.
-Beck is a really good judge of talent, known for tweaking things to his personnel in a spread system.
-As it currently stands, whittingham has heard some schools have $30 million yearly in NIL funds while others have $5 million. It’s quite the discrepancy.
-Utah uses a NFL system with waiting the value of the position groups for the money, for the most part. It stays true to it, but there are some exceptions and outliers.
-With the loss of Tanuvasa, Utah has three returning defensive tackles, and four freshmen coming in. They really like all of the three returners. Vimahi was able to get an extra year. Vakalahi has it really bright future, and Jonah Lea’ea he’s finally been able to get enough necessary weight put on to where they’re really intrigued by his future at the position. (Alex note: as I’ve been saying, Tanuvasa is definitely a loss, but Utah is gonna be absolutely fine at that position.)
-The dual-threat capabilities of Dampier are huge. His completion percentage should continue to increase with the more experience that he’s gained. He’s the perfect fit for the current offense, and the fact that he was only sacked four times last year because of his pocket presence and elusiveness, is pretty incredible.
-Despite no returners in the running back room, Whittingham still has full expectations that that position will be efficient at Utah, just like it always has been.
-They’re eagerly awaiting the appeal decision that Dorian Singer has submitted. The NCAA has been weighing the five years of eligibility with no red shirt rolling and so it could come down to when they decide to implement that and if it’s retroactive.
