SALT LAKE CITY — The University of Utah will open fall camp Wednesday, heralding the start of the 2018 season. And with the start comes the ever-changing, two-deep depth chart for each position.

Compared to the start of the 2017 fall camp, where Utah was inexperienced in several key positions, the Utes are bringing back a much stronger lineup this year. There are nearly 20 starters, with many of them on the offense. That’s not to say there aren’t questions about the depth chart, but there is more consistency this year than in years past.

Here’s a look at the two-deep favorites, and at how the depth chart should shape up for each position.

Quarterback

This position seems to be a lock with returning starter Tyler Huntley calling the shots. Save some unforeseen change, the junior signal caller will be Utah’s starter going into the season. His development at the end of last season and the offseason should make for a dangerous dual-threat combo for Utah.

The real question comes down to who will be backing up Huntley. Freshman Jack Tuttle comes in as one of the most highly-rated recruits for Utah and is expected to do some big things for the Utes. He will have to battle with redshirt freshman Jason Shelley, though, for the No. 2 spot. Shelley is currently listed as No. 2 on the preseason depth chart, but Tuttle will be there by the end of camp.

Shelley has a great arm and got a lot of mentoring from Troy Williams last season, but he’s undersized for the position and could likely be used elsewhere. His speed likely lends itself to a slot receiver position, but Kyle Whittingham hasn’t given any firm indications that he’s looking to move Shelley … yet.

Running back

The running back position is stacked with talented athletes looking for some playing time. Junior Zack Moss has emerged as the go-to back to lead Utah, and is expected to have a big season. Behind him is once-starter Armand Shyne, who has missed essentially two seasons due to injury. Shyne was the starter going into camp last year, so there’s reason to believe he’s still capable of some big things for the Utes as their No. 2 back.

Behind Moss and Shyne is junior Devonta’e Henry-Cole, redshirt freshman T.J. Green and freshman Devin Brumfield. Henry-Cole got some playing experience last season and did some great things. He’ll likely be the No. 3 back, while pushing for the No. 2 spot. T.J. Green, who had a great fall camp last season, and Brumfield, will likely be buried in the depth chart unless the guys ahead of them are injured. Both have a lot of potential and could be the next great running backs for Utah in due time.

Receiver

This is one of the position groups that has some uncertainty going into camp. There are a lot returning athletes, but the question remains who will step up and lead the receiver corps in the absence of Darren Carrington and Raelon Singleton, who are no longer with the program. A two-deep at receiver becomes more of a rotation, so while a player may be listed as the “starter,” he will likely still be in the rotation with the guy behind him.

As it stands, Siaosi Mariner (X receiver), Demari Simpkins (E), Bryan Thompson (Z) and Samson Nacua (Y) are expected to be the starters coming into fall camp. But that leaves a fan favorite, Britain Covey, as the backup slot receiver, which will likely change. Covey rejoined the team in spring and should be conditioned when fall camp starts.

Redshirt freshman Bronson Boyd had a great fall camp last year but was forced to sit out the season due to NCAA transfer rules. Boyd could very well take a No. 1 role with this receiver corps, and Utah would be in good hands. He’s quick and catches nearly everything thrown his way.

Senior Jameson Field, redshirt freshman Jaylen Dixon and freshmen Terrell Perriman and Solomon Enis will all fight for the No. 2 spot as well. Enis comes in as a heralded receiver from Arizona, and is expected to be one of Utah’s next great receivers, but asking for a freshman to do that immediately might be a tall order. Don’t be surprised if he gets some good playing time, though.

Tight end

You may be asking yourself: Does Utah even have a tight end position? In fact they do, and they plan to utilize it this season more than in years past. Unfortunately for Utah, this position group has been riddled with injuries the last couple years, making it difficult to generate much production. But there’s reason to believe this could change.

Heading into camp, Jake Jackson will be the favorite at the tight end spot. He saw some significant playing time last season and has the most experience at the position. His offseason training will be a big factor into whether he’s able to keep the No. 1 spot. Behind him, though, is anyone’s guess as to who will back him up.

Sophomore Connor Haller is listed as the No. 2 guy, but sophomore Bapa Falemaka and freshmen Cole Fotheringham, Brant Kuithe and Thomas Yassmin could emerge in time. Yassmin is the least likely to get significant playing time due to never playing football before. He’s a rugby transfer who has a lot to learn before he’ll likely see minutes, but crazier things have happened.

Fotheringham is coming off his LDS Church mission and could need some time to acclimate, but his size and ability should give him more than enough reason to push for some significant playing time at tight end this year.

Offensive line

Utah will be in a good spot on offensive line this year, potentially with five returning starters. Senior Lo Falemaka leads the group at center, with junior Johnny Capra (LG) and senior Jordan Agasiva (RG) at the two guard positions, and senior Jackson Barton (LT) and junior Darrin Paulo (RT) at the two tackle positions. Each has experience in their role and settled in well at the end of the season in 2017.

Behind the starters is expected to be freshman Mo Unutoa (LT), senior Alani Havili-Katoa (LG), junior Paul Toala (C), sophomore Orlando Umana (RG) and redshirt freshman Nick Ford (RT). Toala garnered a lot of respect last season and could slip into the starting lineup or get significant playing time based on what he did in 2017. Ford, appears to be an up-and-coming lineman who has a bright future at the spot. He, too, will likely fit into the eight-man rotation Whittingham likes to have on the offensive line.

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