From the Stands: Spring impressions two days into Utes' camp

SALT LAKE CITY — It's not real football yet, but boy-oh-boy is it beautiful to behold. Spring football is upon us up on the hill and after the first couple days there are a couple things to be really excited about.

First of all this spring is so much different than just a year ago. Last year was a giant circus for the first couple of days. It was the inaugural season of Pac-12 participation, Norm Chow was new on campus, and Jordan Wynn was coming off shoulder surgery. Well, two of those things are different this year, but more on Wynn later.

One group I really haven't focused on is the d-line. Why? Because it's a proven commodity and most those pieces are back. One of the primary things I have focused on in the first couple days of spring ball are the corners. There was quite a hole left by graduated Conroy Black. Within the first couple days there is no doubt of the talent in this position group. First of all you have returning starter Ryan Lacy. This kid has picked up where he left off last season, just being a gnat in the faces of wide receivers. One particular play he got burned by DeVonte Christopher, but thanks to his 4.3 speed he closed the gap to contest the play. On day two another corner popped his head up after a quiet first day. Mo Lee was a terror for wideouts on Thursday. At one time he had three or four pass breakups and was not to be stopped. After watching Lee, he is more than likely going to be your starting corner opposite of Lacy. Former safety Keith McGill has shown a lot of potential in his first couple days at corner as well. He reminds me of a Sean Smith with his size. He has pretty good instincts for the position, he just needs to learn the techniques required to play on an island. All-in-all this position is fast and fun to watch.

Linebacker looks like it has some early favorites with VJ Fehoko, Trevor Reilly, Dave Fagergren, Jacoby Hale, and Victor Spikes getting a lot of run in the two deep. Hale, however, may have had his pride hurt a little when John White straight up trucked him in Thursday's practice. They are experimenting a lot with combinations but this group is looking promising. The newness of this group is evident with Wynn picking them apart pretty regularly. I'll be interested to see this group more when pads are worn.

Before I move on from defense I have to say that defensive end Nate Fakahafua is scary good right now. He is in the backfield disrupting many plays, he has bulked up, and if he plays like he's playing now throughout the coming seasons, he won't be here four years. He has stood out on a stacked d-line.

This is the first spring that I remember that the offense may be ahead of the defense. The offense is pretty well oiled right now, mind you without pads, and has a very business-like approach to this spring. A deep wide receiver corps is a big reason for that, and DeVonte Christopher is in beast mode right now. In a close proximity machine drill he was catching the ball one handed, just for fun. He abuses most corners in drills and is Wynn's number one target. Christopher said after Thursday's session he and Wynn have developed a close relationship over the last couple of years, "We watch film together, definitely break down defenses. He sees what I see, and I see what he sees. We have a great relationship on and off the field."

Kenneth Scott and Anthony Denham are also showing promising flashes with their speed and size. Both are at least 6-foot-3, 200 pounds and can move. These are the kind of receivers you traditionally see in the Pac-12. One guy that needs to step it up going forward is Dres Anderson. He has been inconsistent the last couple of days with catching the ball. He needs to become more sure handed over the spring or his spot will be taken by Scott, Denham, or Quinton Pedroza, who made a spectacular one handed grab on Tuesday.

Running backs are interesting because the depth appears to be shoring up a bit here. John White has been doing what he does, busting off big runs. The competition for number two is interesting. The favorite, especially when his knee is 100%, is Kelvin York. This guy is built like a tank. He is a bruiser that has had a couple really nice runs early on. A proverbial thunder to John White's lightning. Harvey Langi still dances too much at the line of scrimmage. He has size and speed and that seems to confuse him into what kind of back he needs to be. I'd love to see him redshirt this year. Lastly in this crew Jarrell Oliver has made some nice runs as well, he is a dark horse for a couple carries.

Lastly is quarterback, a position everyone watches. First impression, Travis Wilson is a tall guy. At 6-foot-6, he stands out, but it helps him see over the defense and delivers a nice ball. He has shown some nice play-action skills and throws on the run. He looks like a prototypical Pac-12 QB. He does need a redshirt year to develop his throwing motion, but he sort of sidearms it which takes away from some of his height. Chase Hansen day one was nervous, and it showed. He fumble three or four snaps from center, one to the dismay of John White and was also throwing ducks all over the place. Thursday he was more comfortable throwing nicer passes and was running the offense more efficiently. He made quite a few freshman QB mistakes while reading coverage, but the talent is there.

Now the Utes get ready to pad up and real contact is going to start to happen. I'll be interested to see if these wideouts continue to look as good as they have when they have a threat of being smacked. I'll be interested to see if the defense puts more of a clamp down on the passing game with the increased contact aggression allowed.

Like Coach Whitt said after Thursday's practice, "Everyone looks good in shorts."

That has been the case this spring - almost everyone has looked good.

Shane Roberts is a producer/writer for the U Fan Cast on TheUFanCast.com, a Utah-centric podcast that gives a voice to the fan. Twitter: @Shane_U_FanCast

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