Sorry we're a little later getting to this, guys. Here are my thoughts on the transfers and position switches:
Charles Henderson:
He moved to safety a few years ago out of necessity and in all honesty, I thought he'd transfer way before now. He's too undersized for a Pac-12 safety and he's one that I wish they would have just kept at receiver. In the end, he was going to be buried again on the depth cart and only contribute on special teams. I wish him luck, he's play will stand out at a Mid-Major.
Marcus Sanders-Williams:
This one is a head-scratcher to me. Part of me wants to say he was an awesome football player without a position (another Victor Spikes). The other part of me wants to say there's more to it than just playing time. Either way, I'm surprised that he didn't fight it out through spring, when he really could have made a possible mark.
Daniel Nielson:
Weight and injuries have been an issues since he's been on campus, we've talked about that in the past. He was a nice kid that just couldn't stay healthy.
Kala Friel:
After receiving a scholarship directly off his mission (initially coming to Utah as a walk-on) a lot was expected of Friel by the coaches. It seemed as though each year he would be highly talked about and then fade.
Adam Schulz:
Previously discussed.
Overall on the guys leaving the program:
In reality, the biggest loss is Sanders-Williams without question. The others would have made their mark on special teams.
Position switches:
Wallace Gonzalez, TE:
The main reason he was switched to defensive end last year was in an attempt to get him on the field faster. Now with the tight end position up for grabs, it makes sense to put him back there with his size and athleticism.
Jason Thompson, S:
We all knew this was going to happen and Dan and I have discussed the anticipation of this in the past. Depending on how he performs at safety and how the depth shakes out, he could also switch again, but not back to quarterback.
Clarence Smith, LB:
Smith is back to linebacker, where the coaches had initially projected him when he came here. He was too small for defensive end and too big for safety, but he has the athleticism to really succeed at backer.
Charles Henderson:
He moved to safety a few years ago out of necessity and in all honesty, I thought he'd transfer way before now. He's too undersized for a Pac-12 safety and he's one that I wish they would have just kept at receiver. In the end, he was going to be buried again on the depth cart and only contribute on special teams. I wish him luck, he's play will stand out at a Mid-Major.
Marcus Sanders-Williams:
This one is a head-scratcher to me. Part of me wants to say he was an awesome football player without a position (another Victor Spikes). The other part of me wants to say there's more to it than just playing time. Either way, I'm surprised that he didn't fight it out through spring, when he really could have made a possible mark.
Daniel Nielson:
Weight and injuries have been an issues since he's been on campus, we've talked about that in the past. He was a nice kid that just couldn't stay healthy.
Kala Friel:
After receiving a scholarship directly off his mission (initially coming to Utah as a walk-on) a lot was expected of Friel by the coaches. It seemed as though each year he would be highly talked about and then fade.
Adam Schulz:
Previously discussed.
Overall on the guys leaving the program:
In reality, the biggest loss is Sanders-Williams without question. The others would have made their mark on special teams.
Position switches:
Wallace Gonzalez, TE:
The main reason he was switched to defensive end last year was in an attempt to get him on the field faster. Now with the tight end position up for grabs, it makes sense to put him back there with his size and athleticism.
Jason Thompson, S:
We all knew this was going to happen and Dan and I have discussed the anticipation of this in the past. Depending on how he performs at safety and how the depth shakes out, he could also switch again, but not back to quarterback.
Clarence Smith, LB:
Smith is back to linebacker, where the coaches had initially projected him when he came here. He was too small for defensive end and too big for safety, but he has the athleticism to really succeed at backer.
