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SALT LAKE CITY — It may still be March Madness for sports fans across the country, but less than a week remains until the Utes return to the gridiron for their spring camp. The program released its initial depth chart Wednesday afternoon, with plenty of intriguing position battles to look forward to.
With Travis Wilson cleared to participate in spring football, he is listed at No. 1 among the quarterbacks with Adam Schulz coming in at No. 2. Kendall Thompson, the highly regarded QB transfer from Oklahoma, won't be here for spring ball, but will be on campus come time for fall camp. Redshirt freshmen Conner Manning, Brandon Cox and Micah Thomas will also be in the mix this spring, while Thompson and incoming freshman Donovan Isom join the group this fall.
Bubba Poole, arguably the Utes' best rusher in 2013, is listed as the No. 1 running back going into the spring. Redshirt freshman Troy McCormick has emerged as the No. 2 candidate, but Dre'vian Young, Devontae Booker, Lucky Radley, Jarrell Oliver and Marcus Sanders-Williams will make this running back battle one of the most intriguing to watch all spring long.
Other major notes:
- Brian Blechen has moved back from linebacker to safety. If either Tevin Carter or Andre Godfrey are able to produce at the other safety spot this fall, it could free up Eric Rowe to move to CB.
- JC WR transfer Kaelin Clay will not participate with the Utes in spring ball, Fred Whittingham noted last week on the Ute Sports Report on 1320 KFAN.
- LB Jason Whittingham will not participate in spring ball due to an injury. He will return to the starting lineup this fall.
2014 Spring Depth Chart
OFFENSE
LEFT TACKLE
72 Andrew Albers (6-7, 310, Jr., RS)
69 Lo Falemaka (6-5, 268, Fr., RS)
LEFT GUARD
73 Jeremiah Poutasi (6-5, 345, Jr., 2VL)
71 Kala Friel (6-4, 310, Jr., 2VL)
CENTER
60 Siaosi Aiono (6-2, 305, Jr., 2VL)
75 Nick Nowakowski (6-1, 295, So., 1VL)
RIGHT GUARD
55 Hiva Lutui (6-2, 300, So., 1VL)
74 Salesi Uhatafe (6-4, 319, Fr., RS)
RIGHT TACKLE
54 Isaac Asiata (6-4, 315, So., 1VL)
68 J.J. Dielman (6-4, 275, So., 1VL)
QUARTERBACK
7 Travis Wilson (6-7, 240, Jr., 2VL)
12 Adam Schulz (6-1, 205, Jr., 2VL)
RUNNING BACK
34 Bubba Poole (6-0, 196, Jr., 1VL)
21 Troy McCormick (5-9, 165, Fr., RS)
WIDE RECEIVER
6 Dres Anderson (6-1, 187, Sr., 3VL)
49 Andre Lewis (6-3, 210, Sr., 1VL)
WIDE RECEIVER
2 Kenneth Scott (6-3, 211, Jr., 2VL)
14 Brian Allen (6-3, 208, So., 1VL)
WIDE RECEIVER
16 Geoffrey Norwood (5-8, 175, Jr., 2VL)
15 Dominique Hadfield (5-10, 160, So., 1VL)
TIGHT END
80 Westlee Tonga (6-4, 252, Sr., 3VL)
87 Siale Fakailoatonga (6-4, 245, So., 1VL)
DEFENSE
LEFT END
8 Nate Orchard (6-3, 255, Sr., 3VL)
50 Pita Taumoepenu (6-1, 215, So., 1VL)
TACKLE
94 Jason Fanaika (6-3, 270, Jr., RS)
45 Filipo Mokofisi (6-3, 250, Fr., RS)
TACKLE
98 Viliseni Fauonuku (5-11, 285, Jr., 2VL)
99 Daniel Nielson (6-6, 325, Jr., 2VL)
OR 48 Alani Katoa-Havili (6-3, 295, Fr., HS)
RIGHT END
49 Hunter Dimick (6-3, 270, So., 1VL)
94 Jason Fanaika (6-3, 270, Jr., RS)
STUD LINEBACKER
40 Jacoby Hale (6-0, 230, Jr., 2VL)
35 Clarence Smith (6-2, 217, Fr., RS)
MAC LINEBACKER
46 Gionni Paul (6-2, 230, Jr., RS)
40 Jacoby Hale (6-0, 230, Jr., 2VL)
ROVER LINEBACKER
41 Jared Norris (6-1, 230, Jr., 2VL)
43 Uaea Masina (6-2, 215, So., 1VL)
CORNERBACK
11 Davion Orphey (6-0, 187, Sr., 1VL)
7 Hipolito Corporan (6-1, 172, So., 1VL)
CORNERBACK
29 Reginald Porter (5-11, 190, So., 1VL)
28 Mo Talley (6-1, 178, So., RS)
NICKEL BACK
12 Justin Thomas (5-9, 173, So., 1VL)
23 Wykie Freeman (5-11, 179, Sr., 3VL)
FREE SAFETY
18 Eric Rowe (6-1, 205, Sr., 3VL)
3 Charles Henderson (5-9, 185, Jr., 2VL)
STRONG SAFETY
4 Brian Blechen (6-2, 225, Sr., 3VL)
24 Joseph Bryant (6-3, 208, Jr., 2VL )
SPECIAL TEAMS
PUNTER
33 Tom Hackett (6-0, 187, Jr., 2VL)
48 Chris Van Orden (6-1, 215, Sr., SQ)
PLACEKICKER
39 Andy Phillips (5-11, 210, So., 1VL)
96 Jon Halliday (5-11, 180, Jr., 1VL)
KICKOFFS
39 Andy Phillips (5-11, 210, So., 1VL)
96 Jon Halliday (5-11, 180, Jr., 1VL)
LONG SNAPPER
94 Chase Dominguez (6-3, 215, So., 1VL)
80 Westlee Tonga (6-4, 252, Sr., 3VL)
SHORT SNAPPER
94 Chase Dominguez (6-3, 215, So., 1VL)
80 Westlee Tonga (6-4, 252, Sr., 3VL)
HOLDER
33 Tom Hackett (6-0, 187, Jr., 2VL)
12 Adam Schulz (6-1, 205, Jr., 2VL)
PUNT RETURNS
16 Geoffrey Norwood (5-8, 175, Jr., 2VL)
34 Bubba Poole (6-0, 196, Jr., 1VL)
KICKOFF RETURNS
15 Dominique Hadfield (5-10, 160, So., 1VL)
Personnel Picture
STARTERS RETURNING (17)
OFFENSE (8)
DEFENSE (7)
KICKERS (2)
