Utah football: Travis Wilson back with Utes as spring camp begins


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SALT LAKE CITY — You could feel the sense of urgency up on the hill.

After back-to back-losing seasons for the first time in 23 years, Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham made a bold decision this past offseason, hiring Dave Christensen to be the Utes' new offensive coordinator in hopes of bucking that losing trend.

There were plenty of new faces at the Spence and Cleone Eccles Football Center as the Utes kicked off their first spring practice of 2014 Tuesday afternoon — both new incoming recruits and new offensive staff hires. But it was one familiar face that drew the most attention.

Utah quarterback Travis Wilson returned to the practice field for the first time since leaving the field against Arizona State in 2013, sidelined for the remainder of the season because a routine concussion test discovered damage to an intracranial artery.

It was uncertain if Wilson would ever play football again.

But after a follow up exam in February, Wilson was cleared to participate in spring football with the rest of the Utes.

"Travis' most recent studies have all been stable, he has been cleared to return to non-contact practice with the team and he will be re-evaluated in July," Utah team Dr. David Petron said in a released statement last month.

Wilson said it felt good to be back out on the field with his team.

"I was really happy I could come out and play again," Wilson said with a smile on his face. "I was definitely a little bit rusty today, but I'm just happy and blessed to be back."

The Utes had five other quarterbacks participating in drills on the first day along with Wilson: Adam Schulz, Conner Manning, Brandon Cox, Micah Thomas and Jason Thompson. But regardless of the number of guys competing for the starting spot, Wilson is focused on becoming the best quarterback he can be.

Utah Utes quarterback Travis Wilson (7) and 
the other QBs throw during spring practice
Utah Utes quarterback Travis Wilson (7) and the other QBs throw during spring practice (Photo: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News)

"The coaches are trying to equalize all the reps for everybody, but I just have to keep doing my part to make sure I am doing the best I can," Wilson said. "I obviously know there is going to be competition every year, but I'm not concerned. I just have to make sure I keep getting progressively better and make sure I keep making this team better as well."

Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham said Wilson was rusty on his first day back, largely in part that he spent most of the offseason not being medically cleared to participate in most of the team workouts.

"It was a struggle for (Travis) this past offseason, not being a part of a lot of the things we were doing," Whittingham said. "He's not cleared 100 percent yet, but hopefully that is the next step."

Other camp notes

  • The Utes will practice with no pads again Thursday from 3-5 p.m. at the practice fields behind the Spence and Cleone Eccles Football Center. Utes will be in full pads on Saturday, but will not be in "live" contact drills
  • Micah Thomas split reps at QB and WR. With six QBs battling for the starting spot and Kendall Thompson eligible to play this summer, Whittingham said. "It’s going to be a process where we’ve got to get some decisions made sooner rather than later to at least thin the herd out a little bit and decide who we are going to sink the reps into."
  • Offensively, redshirt freshman QB Conner Manning had a standout day, shining as the day's best at that position group.
  • Defensively, CB Reggie Porter stole the show, intercepting two passes during 11 on 11 drills.
Robert Jackson is the cross platform sports and weather producer for ksl.com and KSL-TV. He has covered the Utes for KSL since 2008. You can catch him and co-host Brian Swinney Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7-9 p.m. on the Ute Sports Report 1320 KFAN.

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