Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY — Three stroylines for the upcoming football season at Utah:
1. Who will be the starting quarterback on Sept. 1?
Three quarterbacks enter fall camp, but only one will be named a starter.
Junior college transfer Troy Williams appears to be the favorite going into camp as the one with the most experience at a D-I level, playing some time at Washignton. Williams comes to Utah following a strong season at Santa Monica College where he completed 67.9 percent of his passes and threw for 2,750 yards and 31 touchdowns in 10 games. He averaged 275 yards per game.
Williams spent some time with the team in spring, but suffered an injury that precluded him for practicing. Kyle Whittingham told media at the Pac-12 media days that Williams was starting to separate himself from the pack before the injury.
Freshman Tyler Huntley, though, is not ready to concede to his elders. The young quarterback had a strong spring camp and turned some heads. Whittingham consistently praised the effort from Huntley in camp and said he's got a shot to compete for the starting job. However, it's likely Huntley will be used as the future QB when Williams graduates from the program.
Junior Brandon Cox, too, is an option at starter, but seems destined for the backup role. Cox has improved his game and had a decent spring camp, but doesn't appear to have the makings of a starting QB in the Pac-12. If he couldn't beat out Travis Wilson or Kendal Thompson, what are the chances he wins the role now?
2. Will Utah get production out of its receivers? Who will emerge?
It's no secret that Utah needs to improve in the receiving game. Britain Covey stole the show last year as a slot receiver, but there were not a lot of deep-threat options. Kenneth Scott was great with the jump ball, but Utah was absent a speedy receiver (ala Dres Anderson) to keep the defense honest.
Although Utah may have someone on the roster, it's hard to predict given the inexperienced nature of most on the depth chart.
Utah finally gets Tim Patrick back, but will he make a difference? In his limited role with the team in 2014 he had only 177 yards on 16 receptions. Whittingham has called him the future of that position, but he's unproven.
Freshman Tyrone Smith is expected to get a starting role, but he, too, only had 193 yards on 18 catches last season. As a starter, though, Smith should be able to make a jump, but he's still unproven.
Utah does appear to be set in the slot position with Cory Butler-Byrd moving from defense to offense. Butler-Byrd was the projected starter going into camp last season before Covey stole the show. Butler-Byrd has all the intangibles requisite for the slot position and seems to be the best guarantee out of the receivers.
Beyond those players, it's anyone's guess as to who can and will emerge.
3. Can Utah win the division?
It's fun to joke about being co-division champs, but no one is printing a t-shirt about that. For Utah to take the next step in the program, as it has been doing each season, the program has to find a way to get that coveted division title.
For this to happen, though, it all starts with the offensive production. The defense, particularly the defensive line should do some damage to many teams and can be a stable aspect of the team, as usual. If Utah can get more out of its offense than last season, Utah at least has a shot to win the division.
