SALT LAKE CITY — Optimism may well be as high as it's ever been for the University of Utah, and head coach Kyle Whittingham said in his press conference he's excited to find out what type of team he has to start his 12th season with the school.

"Can't wait to get going," Whittingham said. "It's going to be great to get out and see what we've got. It's going to be exciting to see how these guys perform. We had a terrific fall camp. It's been an outstanding offseason all together."

While excitement abounds, no first week of college football is without its questions. As is typical, new faces in new places are found throughout the newly released depth chart, especially offensively. Whittingham himself highlighted all the new additions, but was keen to praise his group of wide receivers.

"There's been a far more competitive nature among the receivers," Whittingham said. "Big play capability is on the rise. Guy Holliday, not to be disparaging towards anyone else, but he seems to be just what this group needed as far as his personality and how he operates. Timmy Patrick, having him back is huge. I don't think it's any one thing, but it's a number of things that make us excited for this year."

A list of position battles and featured position groups to watch Thursday night versus Southern Utah can be found below.

The linebackers

Sunia Tauteoli is listed as the starting mac linebacker, while Cody Barton and Kavika Luafatasaga are listed as co-starters at the rover, but Whittingham was quick to clarify that Barton is still the leader at that position.

"Sunia Tauteoli and Cody Barton are the two starters at inside linebacker," Whittingham said.

While Whittingham said that Barton would be the starter, fans should probably look to the depth chart as an indication of the Utes' intentions at the position down the road. Luafatasaga, a four-star junior college linebacker who held offers from Ole Miss, Arizona and Cal, is simply too good to be ignored. His first few weeks will most likely be spent getting his feet underneath him.

The tight ends

Evan Moeai and Harrison Handley are currently listed as co-starters, and it seems that Whittingham expects that to remain the case based on scheme and fit.

"Those guys are interchangeable. Their skill sets are a little bit different, so depending on what plays we have dialed up or what groups of personnel we have will determine which one is in the game, but they're on equal footing as far as co-starters at tight end."

Offensive tackle

Garett Bolles (left tackle) and Sam Tevi (right tackle) have locked down their starting spots, as anticipated. Whittingham mentioned during fall camp that sophomore Jackson Barton would spell either on a needs basis.

Defensive end

Pita Taumoepenu is listed as the starter at right end, a surprise for Utah fans who watched current senior Kylie Fitts last season. There is no cause for concern however, according to Whittingham.

"Pita's been outstanding in fall camp. Kylie's missed a little bit of time due to some nagging things, so we felt it was warranted and deserving for Pita to be the starter, but they all three are going to be equal, just like we have with the three tackles. We have six guys that are really starters defensive line," Whittingham said.

Kick Returners

Perhaps the biggest surprise on the depth chart, the Utes have Julian Blackmon and Terrell Burgess, both freshman, listed as starters.

"Terrell Burgess was an oustanding kickoff return guy in high school, so he's a proven commodity back there, and Julian Blackmon has proven to be one of the most pleasant surprises in camp the way he's responded to the transition to division one football, as a corner as well as a kick returner."

Quarterback situation

Troy Williams is the definitive starter for the Utes, but after the Brandon Cox transfer, questions have been raised regarding what many thought would be a redshirt year for true freshman and 2015 Florida Gatorade Player of the Year, Tyler Huntley. Whittingham, however, made it clear Monday that a redshirt is now out of the question for the young quarterback at this point.

"Absolutely not, absolutely not," Whittingham said. "As far as percentages, it may become a need to have Tyler ready somewhere along the way, and if and when that time comes, we want him to have as much game experience as possible, so there is no thought whatsoever to redshirting Tyler. College football is a win-now mentality. There is nobody that thinks any differently, and if there's a guy who can help us win, or is in a position where he may be called on to help us win, we've got to get him ready."

Senior and team captain Jason Thompson, though listed at safety, has emerged as the contingency plan and third quarterback for the Utes, should injury befall the two ahead of him. Stephen Lindsey is a student at the University of Utah currently working as an intern with KSL.com in Salt Lake City. Contact him at th3sl3@gmail.com or interact via his twitter handle, @th3sl3

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